Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>d.) Acquire the new 50 f1.4 with some of the trade in cash. > In summary, I'd like to trade in the R 90 f2.8 & R 80 f1.4 on the new R 50 f1.4 & the new R-90 f2 apo. Imagine working with the 35 f2, new 50 f1.4, & the new 90 f2 apo on my R8s; the "killer trio" from the kilns of Kolsch! However, going for the APO macro over the 90 f2 is also an idea;, i.e, the tradeoff being Macro versus the extra stop....tough one ;-) ! [ . . . ] >Tom D. Mr D., It seems to me you are going too fast and are letting enthusiasm take control of your wallet. I would suggest you reconsider getting rid of the 80-R f/1.4 . 1/ You already have it, so it doesn't cost anything anymore. 2/ it IS f/1.4 capable and, though i have not had the privilege of using it, i presume it must be quite a useful portrait and low light lens, plus the "odd" short telephoto applications. Ultimate sharpness and newness is NOT everything and i'd bet dinner that the shots you've got out of your 80/R f/1.4 are more than "decent". I prefer smaller lenses for a variety of reasons but f/1.4 capability in that general focal range is a major system benefit. Then, again, what would happen should LEICA be coming out with a 75mm Noctilux/R ? There is a very serious institutional market for such a yet to be created lens, especially in the "security establishment" field ... To me, a wide angle freak by any standard, your system is too "classic". Since you obviously have the privilege of serious photo budget monies, i would think there'd be A LOT new PRACTICAL exitement to "go" with your present lenses as LEICA has a rather impressive 1999 year where innovations are concerned: take your time ! D-e-s-p-a-c-i-o ! Were i in your circle, i'd try to sell you on a 19mm Elmarit-R rather than a 50mm. Such a super-wide lens brings home a world of creative possibilities and such lenses have evolved to be outstanding tools rather than compromise solutions of the days when 35-50-90 became a standard or just about and wider lenses made no sense to "serious" photographers, because they THEN were weak performers. The other consideration i'd like to impress you with, in full respect, is to consider the 28mm focal length with a new eye. You have probably read my anterior posts and already know Leica is yet but an unrealized teenage dream for me (I'm 49). But YOU are there, full out, with the cash at hand. How about a NICE 28mm PC-Super-Angulon, Mr. D ? I would hope this exotic beauty strikes a secret wish somewhere inside . . . It's obviously not a grabshot lens. It has the "genetics" of some of the historical great lenses of photography. What such a lens can bring to a developed photo system ("kit") such as yours really is mostly limited by your increasing ability to "image" (mentally) as you gain hands on experience with the perspective control function and the lens handling itself. If you happen to be a photographer who has the least interest in constructed photo images, this 28mm PC-Super-Angulon may be one heck of a wonderful tool in a "to be lust over" photobag such as yours ! Then, (i hope you are a patient person), there is that crisp Macro-Elmarit 60mm. It could bring in loads of leisure photography hours in such as flower macro-photography which i have achieved through close-up lenses but, surely, the 60/R holds the promise of a totally new photo experience with a classic photographer such as you. Even more : by experience with "baby zooms", i find the casual portraits i like most happen to be in that general focal range. My personal best photos almost over 50% have been shot at f/5.6, so a f/2.8 fully useable lens has a lot to offer. It is NOT aprochromatic, it is NOT new, it sells very well to knowledgeable users, it is LEICA grade all the way, and unless you start going wild on infra-red photography, the non apochromatic lens formulation will never be a limiting factor. Also, note the extra high scores established 60/R users rate this humble "specialty" lens with, here on the LUG, month after month. I have yet to read an "iffy" post on this one. Finally, depending of your general idea of photography, the 135mm and 180mm focals could me MOST interesting to examine to expand your system potential. You dumped the Apo-100mm, but you still should retain either of your 80 and 90mm lenses. Yet this tells me that you don't tend to be a telephoto "nut" as 100mm (i'm used to 105mm) gets to be darn close and narrow angled when one mostly uses 24mm / 28mm lenses. Actually, it's about at that point, 2x, that autofocus really starts delivering its benefits in a clearer fashion. Choosing lenses is a matter of photographic style. You have BOTH 80/R and 90/R. The newer 90mm APO, with its f/2 widest aperture, definitely deserves your attention, but it could be quite a new way to look at things would you consider the arguments put forth, for discussion's sake. A new high performance digital scanner could be a wonderful consideration, too, for your system. I agree it's very debateable. But notice how enthusiastic the people who have the privilege of owning a good one appear to be, almost unanimous, here and elsewhere. I also can't avoid bringing forth the suggestion of a baby zoom as a most interesting alternative to fixed focal lenses. Baby zooms bring a lot of flexibility and "fast action" potential to a photo bag. Which one i truly have no notion. The 35mm-70mm f/3.5 could bring in a lot of creative freedom but i simply lack the hands on experience to feel at ease and influence an established photo enthusiast such as you to go and try one. To me, would not the Macro-Elmarit 60/R appeal to me so much, this would be a more desireable option than a fixed focal 50mm. The 28mm-70mm could perhaps be even trippier and still deliver Leica performance. I hope the privileged owners reading this would bring in their comments to help us [me, actually] clarify my understanding and appreciation for such in the Leica/R range. With N...., i like the functionality very much, but the definition simply does not rate up to my expectations, half the time ! :-( Perhaps do the LEICA brand baby zooms deliver a more endearing level of performance for real life photography. What do you think ? I hope you don't feel i'm throwing rocks in your pond and appreciate that i sure wish my photo bag held such "toys" as yours, LEICA, to say the VERY least ! ! ! Do you fully realize how lucky you are, Mr D. ? Until we meet, Have a great day ! Andre Jean Quintal