Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/10/31
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]http://en.leica-camera.com/assets/file/download.php?filename=file_1748.pdf An 83 page pdf; Leica M-Lenses Their soul and secrets by Erwin Puts. Turn to Page 35 for today's reading " From f/2.8 both the Summilux and the Summicron have a very similar optical ?fingerprint?. Indeed the performance is so similar at medium apertures that one is inclined to assume that the Summilux is a Summicron design opened up just one stop too far. The higher inherent flare level of the Summilux reduces the rendition of very small details in the field more than the Summicron does. The performance of the Summicron- M is excellent and would be called outstanding if the Asperical version did not exist." The above an out of context quote to be sure so go to page 35 after you download the thing which takes 7 seconds and read the surrounding paragraphs. He takes each version of the 35mm Summicrons and Summilux' s one by one. I look at the whole thing this way: For someone becoming a photographer... We have in hand a current seven thousand dollar camera body. In the front of it that's not where I'd get creative. Not everybody is going to be sold in "the Glow" I'd start out with a bread and butter lens which was at least putting the best cutting edge current image making optic there is. S. Gandy says pre ASPH Summilux' s were made in limited qualities so are in store for being put in the category of "collectors items". http://www.cameraquest.com/mlenses.htm I'd put my money not on collector value glass but shooter value glass. A camera is a life support system for the lens. A lens choice is not a time to get quaint its a time to break the bank. Start out the image making clarity. Then later experiment with interesting fingerprints. The Glow fingerprint you get wide with 35mm pre ASPH Summilux actually replicates an actual smeared thumb print of Oscar Barnacks on the outer element of the lens. I think its in the optical formula. This the effect gets called the "glow". But people put Barnack on a pedestal they think he's some angel or something. Its producing an image with artifacts you just don't want to have to explain to people. Stop down one it goes away. And you have a Summicron. Which is the best lens to get anyway. Leica is Summicron. It's a pity the ASPH versions of the 35mm Summicron and Summilux are not virtual pancakes like the pre apsh versions and have quite a bit more bulk and weight. If I was a gentleman photographer out nurturing my own interesting quirks and not being responsible for bringing back a image somebody is paying for and or to be used in the media I'd search the Leica books which I have for the coolest lens to put in front of it with a real out of the ordinary look in both the images it makes and how it looks on the camera.. A fairly current Leica Asph renders astounding images which can be cropped till the cows come home or be enlarged hugely. Amazing clarity And the reason why you get a Summilux instead of a Summicron is to use it at f 1.4. Both Summilux and the Summicron ASPH's have cool concave outer elements which make it harder to catch stray fingerprints. And are real conversation starters. "hey! How come you have an innie and I have an outie?" But the concave shape can catch lint. So bring a compact Featherbrush http://www.gordonbrush.com/feather-brushes.html I'd start out with the best lensI can finance then later on after I'd made some money off it I'd then experiment with offerings from the galaxy of options out there. Instead of Barnacks finger print somebody really out there.... RICHARDO MANITOBAN As Khan Noonien Singh in The Wrath of Khan. The Klingons made great glass; except if they made it on a Friday. A fairly current optic from Leica really is a step up from all the other peoples stuff the are turning in with their Canon's and Nikons. You have them really psyched out and they know it. But with interesting relic of past optical engineering in front of that camera maybe not. As they feel they are competing against a collector. -------------------- Mark William Rabiner Photography http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/lugalrabs/ mark at rabinergroup.com Cars: http://tinyurl.com/2f7ptxb > From: Lluis Ripoll Querol <lluisripollquerol at gmail.com> > Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> > Date: Sun, 31 Oct 2010 10:37:02 +0100 > To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> > Subject: Re: [Leica] 35 Summilux question > > > Phil, > > Mine is #3253605, when I've purchased the M8 I've asked the Leica > distributor in Spain, they said that it should be modified, the cost > would be 210 Euro. On the list I've read the opinion of Gene and > others and I've decided try it on the M8, I take carefully "the risk", > and no problem at all. > > Good lock! > > Saludos > Lluis > > > El 31/10/2010, a las 2:23, Phil escribi?: > >> Can anyone say, with any reasonable accuracy, which versions and/or >> serial # ranges, of the 35 Summilux pre-ASPH will work on the M9 >> without >> modification? I've read that some have the light baffle which needs to >> be cut by a technician and I'm wanting to find out what vintages of >> Summilux this applies to. >> >> Thanks all! >> Phil Forrest >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information