[Leica] Erwin Puts tests the summarits

[hoppyman at bigpond.net.au (G Hopkinson)]

Just to add two Aussie cents. I wish that Erwin was on this list. I don't 
know anything of any previous history of his here. I know
too that you have not been unfairly critical in your post here. I get a 
great deal of good information from his website, his Lens
Compendium and his contributions to the pocket guide. I don't always agree 
with every point that he makes or occasionally his
methodology, but the man is a treasure trove of detailed information. By a 
very long way, the most technically thorough information
available for gearheads. I have never seen many photographs by him at all, 
but it is his technical analysis that I read for (MTFs,
resolution etc). Reading his reviews in detail, you will find praise for the 
Zeiss M mount lenses (just bought one based on his
review), over the Leica equivalents in several cases as well as positive 
comparisons for some Canon optics in some instances. On
Cosina Voigtlander he makes positive comments, taking into account value for 
money.

Probably worth saying that Erwin does not charge for access to his web 
reviews, and you can even download his entire Leica lens book
(sans pictures) with a donation requested. It has all of the updates not in 
the last print edition. I would buy any printed book on
Leicas from him without hesitation, but not now from the original publisher 
as has been touched on here before. 

Now on those new Summarits, LFI and Leica's own site have some good info now 
too. Those organs of course, you would not expect to be
critical. From what I have read thus far, it seems that they do really well, 
especially stopped down just a little. An astute
business move for Leica, IMHO. The prices obviously should make them do 
well. Having said that they are still competing head to head
with used lenses of legendary status, like the current Summicron 50, the 
pre-asph 35, and the under rated Elmar M 90. I bet they
sell a lot of the 75s.
I think that we will see more price increases for the exotics, they really 
are only for those who want or need or like to think that
they need the best and are fortunate enough to be able to fund their lust 
occasionally. I'm not so impressed with the prices for the
dedicated Summarit lens hoods (not included) at about 10% of the lens 
prices. Zeiss does the same thing though. 

Cheers
Geoff Gearhead

-----Original Message-----
Subject: Re: [Leica] Erwin Puts tests the summarits

Hi Steve,

Nothing personal but I have to defend Erwin here because he is not on 
this list anymore

Erwin has assured me that he is not paid by Leica. He does btw has a 
normal day job as a business consultant
I have met him several times, as have others here on the list. I'm sure 
he is integer and he is a very nice person too.
He has a wealth of (inside) knowledge and also does criticize leica as 
he thinks it is appropriate.
He has not been treated very well here on the list by some people, which 
in my opinion is very shameful.
You might not agree with him, or you may not like the way he writes but 
  in my opinion he is fully reliable in his testing and his book on 
Leica lenses is an all time classic which I consult very often.

Best regards,

Michiel Fokkema

Steve Barbour wrote:
> as all lenses are a compromise,  these are a bigger compromise than most 
> for Leica...
> 
> We have to wonder what Erwin gets from Leica for writing these lens 
> tests and reviews...
> 
> hence, I'm not too sure he can be an objective and independent testing 
> service...
> 
> but it's fun to read the stuff,
> 
> fwiw...
> 
> Steve
> 
> 
> 
> On Nov 19, 2007, at 3:25 PM, slobodan dimitrov wrote:
> 
>> Or maybe Leica just threw in the towel, on the basis that their 
>> previous optics are beyond the capabilities of their current client base.
>>
>> Slobodan D.