Re: [Leica] Recommendations

[InfinityDT@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/2/99 9:40:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
michaeljohnston@ameritech.net writes:

<< Hartmann brought his new Voigtlaender (Cosina) Heliar screwmount 75mm
 f/2.5 by the _PHOTO Techniques_ booth at the PhotoToys'R'Us show in NYC
 last weekend for me to see (thanks to Donal for the apt show nickname),
 and it is a lens to fall in love with--just about the same size as the
 latest 50mm Summicron and beautifully finished, and handles just great
 on the M6.
 
 IOW, decide what you typically want to have on the camera when you're
 doing low light, and get the fast lens at that focal length--either the
 nifty small 35mm APSH or the 75mm Summilux--and then at the other end,
 whichever focal length you typically used for daylight shooting, get the
 smaller, slower lens. >>

Putting aside the issue of comparing the 75 Cosina (though impressions of 
seeing one on somebody's camera at a show isn't exactly the kind of criterion 
I would use to evaluate it) to the 75 Leica, we can probably be safe in 
saying that the 75 Cosina would likely not equal the Leica at f2.8 (wide open 
for the Cosina, 2 stops down for the Leica), plus the Leica offers 2 more 
stops meaning 2 faster shutter speeds, which is an important consideration 
for a medium-telephoto lens to be used handheld.  The one stop of difference 
between the 35's is somewhat less significant.  I think that if I were making 
this choice and the cost or size of a 75 Summilux was a problem, I would opt 
for a late 50 Summicron (and take one step forward toward my subject) rather 
than the Cosina 75.  And if a wider angle (such as a 21 or 24) was not in my 
future I would seriously consider the merits of a 28 versus a 35.

DT