Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/07/03

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Subject: [Leica] 21mm f1.4 Summilux - the next "must have?"
From: mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)
Date: Sun, 04 Jul 2010 02:21:39 -0400

> No silver Summarits for you Mark! I think that maybe 3 or 4 lenses still 
> can
> be got in the chrome over brass option? My little Macro Elmar has that. 
> They
> are heavier than the black chromed ones owing to the different body
> material.
> The Elmars ARE slower than Summarits of course. Both the 18 and 24 are
> f/3.8. However they are ASPH. designs rather than the more traditional
> approach of the Summarits (and the Zeiss range too). Different 
> philosophies.
> Interestingly, despite the viewpoint that, nearly as good and cheaper 
> lenses
> should sell well, Stefan Daniel said last year that the more expensive 
> ASPH.
> designs outsell them something like two to one.
> Cheers
> Geoff
> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman
> 


I do think that when you get into spending that much for a lens you feel you
may as well go the whole route and get the best. And that's what seemed to
ahve happened. Not taking advantage of the lasted technologies especially
ASPH elements which Leica has long known how to do at not a great extra cost
is a  grand mistake. Like the Hasselblad B lenses. And they would never
admit B stood for Budget.
Leica lenes cost thousands not hundreds. Once we've gone there we're there.

But as long as the outer element is tiny and the size and weight is way down
to where it should I'm happy.

But it think we should remember that they were 5.6 lenes. And to make those
lenses now they would be very very sharp, light and tiny.
And cheap.
And small. 
Did I say that already?

[Rabs]
Mark William Rabiner





In reply to: Message from hopsternew at gmail.com (Geoff Hopkinson) ([Leica] 21mm f1.4 Summilux - the next "must have?")