Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/26

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: [Leica] Re: Building a Leica system
From: "ctkhor" <ctkhor@pc.jaring.my>
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 1998 23:25:42 +0800

>>Dear Leica users,
>>
>>A good day to everybody.
>>
>>I am looking at building a system around a Leica RE and a 50mm Summicron
>>lens I recently acquired. I want to buy all used and is currently
>>considering adding the 35mm f2, 90mm f2, 180mm f3.4 apo-telyt and maybe
the
>
>>135mm f2.8. I do not know what to get for a second body so I am open to
>>suggestion. I am looking at primes only as I already have zooms for my
>>Nikon. My Nikon lenses are MF 20f3.5, AF24-50 f3.3-4.5D, AF 60f2.8D micro,
>
>>AF DC 105f2D and AF 80-200 f2.8D (one touch).
>>
>>I want to ask the LUG users if my choice of Leica lenses good? If not,
why?
>
>>Suggestions for a better selection?
>>
>>I hear there are several versions of the 35mm Summicron. How many are
there
>
>>actually and how is the quality between them? How is the used prices
>>affected by each version?
>>
>>I am a serious amateur and a very new Leica user. My knowledge of Leica
>>lenses is little but growing. I do know they are outstandingly built and
the
>
>>photo reproduction quality is excellent. And yeah, also terribly
expensive.
>
>>Building this system will probably take me quite a while and I want to
make
>
>>sure I do not buy something I will regret later.
>>
>>Any help is very much appreciated.
>>
>>Regards,
>>
>>
>>Sattha


 Doug Herr wrote:

>Sattha,
>
>The really cool thing about Leica R lenses is that there are no crummy
>lenses.  We'll be better able to make suggestions if you can tell us what
>you want to do with your Leica R system.  Is light weight a priority?
>Close focus?  Dim light?

Actually, I intend to use my Leica R system in times when I do not need
auto-focus or have the luxury to take my time to focus accurately (and
selectively) in manual mode. For example, when I am shooting landscape and
close-ups. I know I could have done the same with a manual Nikon camera and
lenses. However, I never did like the view-finder screens in the earlier
manual Nikons and had problem focusing with them. I was seduced by the very
bright RE screen and lovely micro-prism. It was so much easier to focus. The
other thing was I have read, heard and seen much of Leica outstanding lens
performance that I felt I just have use it to find out for myself  (even if
it means digging into my savings). I have seen slides shot with the 50
Summicron that have an unusual 3-D quality to it which I have not been able
to get with my Nikkors. Call me mad or deluded but I stand by what I saw.
And the colours and tonal rendition are simply beautiful.

I'd prefer carrying light if possible. Lugging the 80-200/2.8 Nikkor around
is enough arm exercise for me. That's another reason why I am opting for the
180/3.4 Apo instead of the other two (other than the reputed superior
performance of the 180/3.4 apo). I am not looking at any macro R lenses just
yet because they are simply too expensive, even when bought used. Shooting
under dim light is a criteria I am looking for in my R system. That is the
reason why I opted for the Summicrons. Summilux cost too much for an extra
stop. I chose the 35/2 instead of the 28/2.8  because other than shooting
formal head and shoulders I also enjoy environmental portraits. To me 35mm
has a more natural perspective with wide angle especially with humans in the
foreground.

Sattha