Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/01/31

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Subject: [Leica] Portrait Lens
From: don.dory at gmail.com (Don Dory)
Date: Wed Jan 31 18:12:50 2007
References: <C1E64F5E.ED53%heninger@adobe.com>

Wade,
I would agree that maybe you are looking for two different lenses.  For
portraiture that isn't too tight a 50mm is just about right on an M8.  If
you prefer a longer stand off then you wouldn't go wrong with either Leica
75. (I don't have experience with the V/C lenses so have no comment other
than the ones I played with felt cheap YMMV).  For sports and cultural
events then I would go a lot longer and look at a 90 or even a 135 using the
1.25 magnifier.  I have used both the 90AA and the 90 Elmarit and own the
2.8.  The 2.8 is a great lens at a very attractive price but like the 85
Canon LTM and the Russian Sonnar clone almost as much.  For ballet I
wouldn't be afraid of the 135's which can be very inexpensive in the LTM
choices or the F4 Elmar in M mount.  Some of this is what is available or
what falls in your lap used.

Assuming you are buying new, then I would look at the 75 Summicron.  Small,
extremely sharp, very little flare.  The 75 Summilux is one lens that I will
never part with as it has a wonderful look wide open to F2 and then is
simply wonderful stopped down to through F11.  Some people complain about
size, I find it balances well and stabilizes some pretty slow shutter
speeds.  I go mine used and if I were starting over again probably would do
the same knowing that the 75 was a better lens.

This is confusing, but I have never been able to only have one lens in some
focal lengths.  28, 35, 50, 90, 135 are covered with multiple lenses from
many manufacturers.

Don
don.dory@gmail.com

On 1/31/07, Wade Heninger <heninger@adobe.com> wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> So I'm thinking of adding a 75 or 90mm lens to my M8 kit for periodic
> portraits and work when I need the reach (soccer games, ballet from the
> audience).
>
> I've looked at the summicron 90, the VC Lanthar 90, the Elmarit 90  and
> the
> VC 75.
>
> Any comments on which to consider?
>
> TIA...
>
> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
> w a d e  h e n i n g e r
> u s e r  e x p e r i e n c e
> a d o b e  s y s t e m s ,  i n c
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>

In reply to: Message from heninger at adobe.com (Wade Heninger) ([Leica] Portrait Lens)