[Leica] Comparing new 50s, or 1 meter focusing.

[frank at f3documentaryphotography.com (Frank Farmer)]

Warning: this topic may?ve already been beaten to death, so my apologies in 
advance if that?s the case. 

I?ve toyed with the idea of replacing my long-serving 50mm Summicron 
(version III) for some time, and recently, I had a chance to visit the Leica 
Store in Washington, DC (what a treat) to mount up the current offerings. 
I?ve always loved the idea and look of the Noctilux, and that was really 
what I was there to see. I figured if I was going to buy another Leica 50, I 
may as well purchase one that grabs more light, right? However, what I 
quickly found is that I think I?m going to be flummoxed by the 1 meter 
minimum focusing distance. 

If I remember correctly, my version III was the first 50 to focus to .7 
meter (that may be totally wrong, but I had that tucked away in my head, 
anyway). I have to admit, though, that I?m quite accustomed to using it at 
that less-than-a-meter range. Are my Noctilux dreams dashed? Do any older 
Noctilux lenses focus more closely? Should I just crop? Have I just saved 
myself a pile of money?

I get it, this is really a subjective question, and Noctilux aside, I will 
say that I loved the look of the new ?cron in the very, very limited time I 
had to play with it in the store. 

Decisions, decisions. 

Frank F. Farmer
Jackson, Mississippi