Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/06/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Many of us myself included have long said on the LUG and elsewise that the benchmark of a companies optical line up is in its normal 50mm lens. This is common photo knowledge. A given. Interested in getting into Pentax? Buy its current body with its 50mm normal lens and take it for a spin around the block. That's always been how we see a camera company. Many photo people myself included think that Summicron has been the main brand in the Leica lens lineup for many years. When you think Leitz or Leica you think Summicron. Your Leica Summicron is your Peanut butter Skippy. The 50mm Summicron M for all these years should have been the Linchpin in the lens line up its been embarrassingly the opposite. Way too old of a design and with specs that reflect that. And that was reflected in the fact that you could get it for less money than any other Leica M lens, Now Dr. Andreas Kaufmann has reversed that. Its pretty much the first thing I would have done if I was in a different dimension made head of Leica. Make the 50 Summicron the best Leica has to offer. Its the one they look at first. And as its the best Leica has to offer its also by definition the best lens in the world. Though if the price is higher than the Summilux 50 M next year than that would be unusual. Because as I understood it they spared nothing in the design of that lens as well. I think in the world of SLR's now DSLR's a 50 1.4 is they key lens in an optical system. You want 1.4 not for its speed but to make a brighter groundglass and one which pops in and out of focus faster. But in a rangefinder world its the 50 f2 M Summicon. Long been a household Leica word. But for a year it will be ironic buying the Summilux to save money while buying your first new Leica M. - - from my iRabs. Mark Rabiner http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/lugalrabs/springdays/ > From: Richard Man <richard at richardmanphoto.com> > Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> > Date: Sat, 2 Jun 2012 15:46:57 -0700 > To: Leica Users Group <lug at leica-users.org> > Subject: Re: [Leica] OT: Wow > > If I have $8000 to burn, I'd buy a 50/2 AA before I buy the MM. > > On Sat, Jun 2, 2012 at 3:43 PM, James Laird <digiratidoc at gmail.com> > wrote: > >> I never thought of the 50 Summilux as a bargain, but I do now :) >> >> Jim Laird >> >> On Saturday, June 2, 2012, Geoff Hopkinson wrote: >> >>> This lens does not replace the current Summicron. That one continues in >> the >>> line currently too. >>> It is a very high price indeed, no question. It's also the best >>> specification of any lens that Leia Camera has ever produced. >>> >>> The little letters that explain the difference are MTF ;-) >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Geoff >>> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman >>> >>> >>> >>> On 3 June 2012 02:16, James Laird <digiratidoc at gmail.com >>> <javascript:;>> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> I'm sure this has been discussed before, but what's the reasoning >>>> behind the HUGE jump in price for the 50 Summicron ASPH. Went from >>>> $2295 to $7195 because of those four little letters! Even the 50 >>>> Summilux ASPH is just $3995, so it's $3200 cheaper yet one full stop >>>> faster! By rights it should be priced at $8000 or more if you follow >>>> the logic. I don't get it. Wow. >>>> >>>> Jim Laird >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> 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 >>> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > > -- > // richard <http://www.richardmanphoto.com> > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information