Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 02:54 AM 1/27/98 -0500, you wrote: >It is my opinion that with the post-1970 lenses the M system is superior to >the R system in the focal length range 21 to 90(135?). Your assumption would be incorrect in my opinion. There are R lenses in this range that are as good or better than the M system. The new 28 for instance is better than the new M 28 so I'm told. And though a tad outside, the 19 Elmarit I'll stack up against ANY M lens. There is a definite trend to better 35mm lenses on the M side with the ASPH lenses, but the last R 35mm lens was introduced in '84. So it's only a matter of time before the next R 35 is out and again is tops over the M line. (After 10 years experience with it, all "magazine tests" aside, I found the performance in appropriate situations with the Summilux R was better than the next-to-last version of the 35 Summicron M. I have tried the concept of using M lenses in the 21-35 range, and R for lenses outside that range. And I continually run up against the fact that I wished in some situations that I had a R lens of 28 or 35mm focal length. There's an ongoing debate on Compuserv'es Photoforum right now about the accuracy of framing with the M6 and 50mm lenses. (Lord knows that doesn't need to come here!) Ted will tell you that it's not a big deal. The M6 works as it should. But people expect of equipment a function in ways that's not intended. Accurate framing, and relationships between near/far subjects? Use the R system (or some lesser system <g>). Quick shooting with precise framing taking a back seat to accurate focusing and quiet, inobtrusive working? Use the M6(2,3,4xx,5). So yes, most of what you say is right. They are complementary. But for me that means really fast lenses on the M camera, where it shows its greatest strength, but cover the whole range with the R as well. You never know what film the camera will have loaded at any given time. And the M is more likely loaded with film too fast. This is for my style of shooting, not anyone elses. ========== Eric Welch St. Joseph, MO http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math