Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/05/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Actually, I think this review by Erwin didn't include the latest version of the 50 Summicron which is supposed to be a big improvement over it's predecessor. My preference is still the Rigid Summicron. It and the DR are reputed to have the highest resolution of any 50 ever tested. This lens doesn't have the contrast of the lens that replaced it but I like it better. 90% of what I do is Kodachrome 25. Consequently, I find the Rigid Summicron to have a color rendition that isn't too warm nor is it too cold. Out of focus areas are very smooth. The lens also seems to produce the kind of subtle color nuances that the 75 Summilux can produce. When Leitz replaced the Rigid 50 Summicron and the 8 element 35 Summicron, they were driven by two major objectives: improved contrast and reduced costs. They accomplished this by reducing the number of lens elements to six and using simple flat surfaces. Contrast was increased at the expense of resolution. Contrast is a necessary commercial requirement. It's kind of like torque in an engine...you gotta have lots of it to sell the product. Leica eventually added another element to the 35 Summicron (pre-ASPH) to get back some of the lost resolution and they changed the 50 Summicron not too long ago to also improve resolution. However, IMHO any of the 50 Summicrons dating from the Rigid Summicron are outstanding lenses and you would probably be happy with any of them. The version that replaced the Rigid is probably the least expensive (and also the least desirable). Good luck, Bud - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shel Belinkoff" <belinkoff@earthlink.net> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 1:56 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Choosing a 50mm Summicron > Bud Cook wrote: > > > > Here's Erwin Put's view on things... > > > > http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/m/lenses/pages/summicronm.html > > Thanks. I've read that. What I'd like to get are some user impressions > of these lenses. Which ones folks like and for what reasons. There's > lots of technical data out there. I'm looking for personal feelings > about the various lenses - something a bit more subjective, perhaps. Do > you prefer one over another and for what reason? Do you shoot color or > B&W and which lens seems to work best for your style of shooting? > That's the sort of information I'm seeking. > > -- > Shel Belinkoff > mailto:belinkoff@earthlink.net >