Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/11

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Subject: RE: [Leica] Re: Re: Old Leica look/ new Leica look?
From: "B. D. Colen" <bdcolen@earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 12:13:22 -0400

Ooooops....wrong address...! (little red faced symbol here)

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of B. D. Colen
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 11:58 AM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: RE: [Leica] Re: Re: Old Leica look/ new Leica look?


Naveen - Two questions:
1 - Are you dropping the class because you're not getting enough out of it?

2 - If I let you off the hook on the interim assignments could you manage
the final project - I ask this one because we both know that your writing is
A level and I understand the time constraints with the Tech...But I really
would like to see you stay and do the final project.

B. D.

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Jim Brick
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2000 11:35 AM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Cc: Henry Ambrose
Subject: [Leica] Re: Re: Old Leica look/ new Leica look?


>Jim Brick wrote:
>>
>>I have a 24/2.8 ASPH, 35/1.4 ASPH, 50/1.4 Summilux, and 75/1.4 Summilux.
>>
>>The 35/1.4 ASPH is probably the finest M lens I own. Perhaps one of the
>>finest M lenses made.
>>
>>The 50/1.4 Summilux is the M lens I use most often. It and the 75/1.4 have
>>a "look" that is unique. Unobtainable, I believe, by other manufacturers
>>lenses or with modern Leica lenses.
>>
>>Jim
>>

At 06:25 PM 4/10/00 -0500, Henry Ambrose wrote:

>Jim,
>
>Does this mean that your 50 Summilux is an older lens? Or the current
>version?
>I have 24, 35 50, 75, 90. Love 'em all
>
>I think I notice something different about the 75. Beside that its the
>only f1.4 lens I own and that it is huge. It seems to have a " look" all
>its own. Not just at 1.4 but stopped down also.
>
>Do you think the current 35 Summliux ASPH fits into a "family" along with
>the 50 and 75?
>Same kind of look? Or different?
>
>The 24, 35f2 ASPH, and current 50 f2 all seem to fit together in a
>similar color and feel.
>(for me) All very neutral - best word I can come up with to describe
>them. The 90 Elmarit M also seems to fit there too.
>
>Does anyone else see family resemblances in any group(s) of Leica lenses?
>
>Henry Ambrose

My 50/1.4 Summilux is the current version, but is the same hand computed
formula used starting in 1961. It exhibits the same properties as the
75/1.4 . Which has always been called "Leica Glow". These are the revered
"Bokeh" lenses.

The 35/1.4 ASPH and the 24/2.8 ASPH are a completely "different" lenses.
Sharp everywhere, always. Sharp edged Bokeh. Not the old soft edge
background, glowing highlights, Leica look. Two weeks ago I used an old
50mm rigid Summicron for a week on an M3. It produced photographs that
resembled my 50/1.4 and 75/1.4 .

I "think" the difference is that the old lens formulas were hand computed
completely and there was a limited amount of correction possible. Erwin
said that the 75/1.4 is one of the last hand computer formulas which is why
it too has that special look. When they started using computers to aid in
lens design, more ray tracing and exacting correction could be done in less
time therefore the CAD lenses simply produce a sharper, more contrasty, and
more defined look.

IMHO,

Jim