Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/03/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 05:16 PM 05/03/2000 -0800, drodgers@nextlink.com wrote: >I have no concerns regarding the 35/1.4 ASPH. Except that I wonder how much >better it might perform than my 50/1.4 Summilux. Has anyone used both and >how do the two compare in practice? > Trying to answer this question is surely like walking into the LUG snakepit - - unarmed of course;) No matter what anyone says someone will be bound to disagree. Having said that ... These two are my workhorse lenses, along with the 75 'lux. The 35/1.4 ASPH is an amazing lens. Images are sharp and contrasty. For many it (or its 35/2.0 ASPH cousin) is likely the ideal lens, and the ideal focal length for a Leica. It is so versatile and its image quality is oh so sweet. You will find many uses for this lens, and the picture quality is dazzling. The 35 and 50mm lenses you mentioned compliment each other very well. They both accept filters of the same size. Wide open, the 35 'lux ASPH performs better than the 50 'lux. The 50 is slightly soft at the edges, and microcontrast drops off, until about f/2.8, but I like the look at 1.4 and 2.0, especially of candid portraits of people. Don't give up the 50/1.4 Summilux for the Noctilux. The Noctilux is more specialized for low light use rather than as an all-purpose standard focal length lens. The Summilux is lighter and much more versatile. It can save your butt when the light level starts dropping, and it will hold up well under normal use. Eventually, if you decide that you really have to have a Noctilux, you could sell the 'lux and get the Summicron for normal use, and switch over to the Noctilux when you need it. If you only plan to have one 50mm lens, the Summilux is a very good choice, especially if you would like to do some available light photography along with other things.