[Leica]Why a new 50mm Summilux-M?

["Jeff Alford" <alford@batnet.com>]

I do not understand where this idea about a new 50/1.4M lens comes from.

First of all, the current 50/1.4 recently benefited from a mechanical
overhaul recently (focusing to 28 inches versus 40 inches, built-in shade
and uses 46mm filters instead of 43mm). I cannot image they would overhaul
so soon after the previous upgrade. Secondly, every time a new M lens comes
out there has not been a new R lens. So why should the reverse be true?
Besides, very few M and R lenses share the same optical formula.

If you need the 50/1.4, go out buy it. Enjoy it. It is a great lens already.

Jeff Alford
- ----------
>From: TEAShea@aol.com
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>Subject: Re: [Leica] New 50mm Summilux M 1.4 ?
>Date: Sun, Jun 7, 1998, 8:48 AM
>

><<  I am slightly
> hesitant, even though I appreciate the excellence of this lens, as I
> somewhere caught a rumour of Leica launching a new 50mm Summilux M 1.4.
> Can anyone substantiate this rumour? If so it might be worth the wait. >>
>
>Leica has announced the introduction of a new R 50 1.4 lens.  There is some
>expectation that Leica would also introduce a new M 50 1.4 lens.  However, I
>am not aware of any announcement by Lecia about a new M 50 1.4.  I am hopeful
>that they will do so.  
>
>It seems to me that converting an R design to an M design (for a 50 mm lens)
>should not be difficult.  It would be a different question for wide angle
>lenses, where the retro-focus / non-retro-focus question arises.
>
>Tom Shea 
>