Re: [Leica] 90 mm APO-ASPH M Box BS!

[DonjR43198@aol.com]

Mr. Small, to you this may be a "non-starter" but Mr. Laurel's comments in 
response to the issue were of great interest to me since I had been on the 
verge of putting my name on the waiting list for a 90 mm APO-ASPH M.  After 
Mr. Laurel's comments which follow, the new 90 may not be worth the expense 
and wait.  Mr. Laurel wrote:

"The improvement over my current Elmarit 90 is marginal.  I am keeping both
because I still prefer the Elmarit for travel as it is smaller and uses E46
filters as do my other travel lenses - the Elmarit 28 and Summilux 35 ASPH.
Having a single filter size to deal with is very convenient and the flip
polarizer works with the E46 lenses.  The E55s are too large.

"In examining my slides at 8x and projecting them, I noticed that the
Summicron 90 APO APSH is marginally better in terms of sharpness at the
edges of the frame than the Elmarit, but not by much.  Contrast in the
Summicron is also markedly higher.

"Like I said...to me the difference is really minimal.  The Elmarit 90 is a
fine lens and I prefer the way it balances and handles on the M6 to the
heavier Summicron.  I seem to need the M grip with the Summicron whereas the
Elmarit feels perfect.  But wide open at close range, that new Summicron is
quite wonderful."

This provides useful information to prospective purchasers that was not on 
the net before the country of origin question was raised.

Marc, I am always amazed at the number of persons who would like to control 
the subject matter and the discussion and who use the tactic of ridicule in 
an effort to stifle others speech.  However, at the risk of offending these 
"self-appointed censors" I hope all persons with questions or comments 
regarding Leica will just ignore these censorship efforts and post their 
comments so the balance of the readers may have any opportunity to share in 
the posts.

The question started out as to the true country of origin of the lens.  
Neither you nor Mr. Grant shed any light on that question.  Now, others with 
some first hand knowledge have apparently settled the question and that is 
the lens at least has Germany stamped on it.

I am indebted to Mr. Laurel for providing INFORMATION.