Re: [Leica] Portrait Lens: Summicron, Elmar, Elmari

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Gil, et al-
I have a 1937 vintage Elmar, and I don't consider it of 'lesser' quality,
but merely as different. The uncoated optic is subject to flare, it is not
as 'sharp' as the newer, coated versions, but it does have a 'look' that is
appealing for SOME work!
I suppose it is like people who prefer the impressionist painters over the
'photo-realists'- a matter of taste. Indeed, I have seen some very good,
interesting character studies and portraits done with large negatives and
sharp lenses- and when used appropriately, I really like the results. But I
also think that when I take a candid of my wife's 85 year old aunt, the old
90 Elmar can't be beat!
Like you, I used to use Hasselblads for weddings, and the 150 T* Zeiss was a
winner of a lens for all manner of portraits, but I still used a 'misty'
when I shot my mother-in-law!
I have to admit that what drove me to Leica were candid wedding portraits a
friend of mine used to do with an Leitz 180 APO- the old one since he
started to use it in the early 70s- With color, the rendition was absolutely
beautiful, and had that glow we talk so much about. Even as sharp as it was,
it made a good portrait.
I think that 'different' has a better ring to it that to think of almost any
Leitz lens as being 'inferior' or of lesser quality! I have found most of
the ones I have tried personally to be unique in their individual
renditions, and all have subtle differences- and that's probably why I still
use a Summar, Elmar, Summarit, and Summicron- all as my 'normal' 50mm
lenses- Each gives its own 'flavor' to a scene, or vision one might have of
a scene. ( Yes, Ted- they are indeed like Single Malts!... All will do the
job, but you just have to be in the 'mood' for certain ones!)
Dan- Who is not really indecisive, but who tries to see the value in almost
any creative human endeavor.

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Bernard <5521.g23@g23.relcom.ru>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 1999 7:51 AM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Portrait Lens: Summicron, Elmar, Elmari


> Gib Robinson wrote:
>
> > I haven't followed every turn in the discussion of portrait lenses,
> > but I get the impression that for a number of people, it pays to have
> > a lens of lesser quality to soften portraits and that lenses like the
> > 100mm f/2.8 APO are considered poor for portraits because they're too
> > sharp. That's not my experience, and I'd be interested in hearing from
> > other LUGers who have used their best lenses for portraits. I
> > certainly have. My absolute favorite portrait lens was the Zeiss T*
> > 150mm on a Hassleblad.
>
> That lens somehow doesn't stike me as very sharp. Not in a
> portrait-unfriendly way, anyway. Yes it's a great portrait lens, and no,
> I don't regard it as clinically sharp.
>
> Bernard
>
>