Re: [Leica] Is an M6 with 50mm the right tool for me?

[Nathan Wajsman <nathan.wajsman@euronet.be>]

Matt,

If you are only getting one lens, then get the Summilux for maximum flexibility. Or
dare I suggest the Noctilux?--That has nice bokeh, too.

Perhaps it matters less than you think which lens you choose now, because in any
event you will end up buying more. Trust me.

Nathan

Matt_Shimao@3com.com wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I am considering the purchase of an M6 and a 50mm lens.  My current equipment is
> fine, except for the weight and bulk.  I am looking to the M6 as a camera that I
> can carry with me almost all the time.  One of my cameras is a 6x7 and I enjoy
> using this camera for landscape photos.  I would use the M6 as my first-choice
> camera for people photos.  I want to carry just the camera with one lens
> attached.  Quickly, I eliminated the 75mm and 90mm lenses, as these are too long
> to make for a truly portable package.  Why a 50mm instead of a 35mm?  I'll be
> able to use the 50mm for head-and-shoulders portraits; the 35mm is too wide for
> this purpose.
>
> I do think the M6 will do a great job.  Really, I suppose I am looking for more
> information about the 50mm Summilux and Summicron lenses (the current ones as
> well as the previous versions).  I have dutifully searched the archives and have
> learned that the current versions of both are very sharp.  However, I'm really
> not that concerned about sharpness.  I am more interested in the elusive
> qualities of bokeh.  On another mailing list, a prominent member recently wrote
> that most 50mm lenses have poor bokeh.  In the archives, there is much mention
> of the good bokeh of the pre-asph 35mm Summicron.  Regarding the bokeh of the
> 50mm lenses, there are not many posts--I've read that the current Summilux is
> good, the current Summicron is not as good as the previous version, and that the
> current Summicron is not very good because of the new design which has more flat
> surfaces.  However, because my search turned up just a few posts, I don't feel
> that there is a strong consensus, and so I am looking for more user opinions.
>
> I understand that the qualities of bokeh are hard to quantify.  However, if
> there are any users of the 50mm Summilux or Summicron who have opinions on this
> topic, I would be grateful to hear them.
>
> Originally in writing this, I titled this post, "50mm M lenses".  However, I
> changed the title because I think maybe my motive here is to convince myself to
> buy an M6.  That is why the bokeh question is really important to me--if one of
> the 50mm has great bokeh, that would justify the cost for me.  Otherwise, much
> less-expensive alternatives will probably meet my needs equally well.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Matt

- --
Nathan Wajsman
Overijse, Belgium

General photo site: http://belgiangator.tripod.com/
Belgium photo site: http://members.xoom.com/wajsman/
Motorcycle site: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/1704/