lindsay_russell Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I am interested in purchasing a couple new or used Leica lenses. I was wondering if anyone could tell me the pros and cons of the following lenses: 50mm f/1 Noctilux-M 75mm f/1.4 Summilux-M 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricks Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 They are all top notch/dollar lenses. What type of photography are you planning to do (people I assume)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feli Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 All three are great, but as far as 50's go the Noctilux is pretty big and heavy. Take a look at one before you buy it. I would also have a look at the 50 Summilux and Summicron, which are a lot more compact. feli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 To buy a Noct' much less rent one here in Houston (4th largest city in the US) is next to impossible. I know of no dealer in the area that stocks one, that goes for the other lenses listed as well. A search of the archives (and my posted pic's, as I have some taken w/Noct' and the 75) and you will find several hours worth of opinion and examples as well as pricing. E-mail me privately as I have offered these lenses in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_. Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 what are your shooting purposes...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_w. Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=005txp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul hart Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 <Any advice would be much appreciated> Prepare for poverty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno_menilli Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Lindsay I answered your query but posted it, mixed up, with an answer to a post a couple down from yours re. the M7 ! Regards Bruno Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yada_wack Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 50mm / 35mm Summicron F2 will serve you well for cassual Friends/family shooting. Pre Ash will save you much money. You can grab a 50mm for as low as $600 almost mint now. I can't justify on going to Asph version for a knife in the wallet :) For potrait, i'd recommend the 90mm Elmarit 2.8 You can not go wrong with it, simply a bang for the bucks! If you're thinking about higher quality for better pictures looking, i'd suggest getting a Hasslebladder :) 503CW kit. For the price of M + the lens up there, you can get a complete kit. Otherwise, just go cheap on the lens. Unless you're filthy rich unlike the rest of us hheheheheh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nowhereman Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Whatever you get, if you're looking for a "lense", make sure to go to Ye Olde Lense Shoppe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew n.bra hrefhttp Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 <I>Any advice would be much appreciated</I><P> That you learn perhaps how to use a www search engine?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_.1 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/leicahome.html http://www.leica-camera.com/imperia/md/content/pdf/msystem/49.pdf I have the 75 lux and 50 Noctilux and love them both. I also have the 35 lux asph. A pile o' money for sure, but seeings it's my main addiction I suppose it's not so bad. You may want to think about your ultimate array of lenses before choosing just one. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albert knapp md Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I have the 90mm f/2 APO and it is a masterpiece. Great for portraits, travel photography, details, sports and other performances. I prefer it to the 75mm f/1.4 but this is really a personal decision. the 50mm f/1 is a specialized lens that you use for available light photography. While it certainly can perform the functions of a standard 50mm, why bother as it is heavier and bulkier thqn the f/1.4 and especially the f/2. These are all excellent lenses but try them out and think before you buy. It would be unfortunate to see a FS thread from you in the near future posted on this Forum ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_.1 Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 Here's a great use of the 75 lux: http://www.photo.net/photo/1283204 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 I handled and shot with a Noctilux on Leica Day. I liked it and didn't think it was too heavy or big. I thought the 75mm Summilux was too big. For me, at least. If I did stage photography, I think I might like it. I'll know better when I see the pictures I shot with them, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted October 16, 2003 Share Posted October 16, 2003 After trying to see the image thru the finder,with the 50mm Noctilux.Viewfinder is blocked by large lens.Wonderful.OK there are areas free.Real great.Its also very heavy.I used the present lens and an earlier f1.2 version.Factory prototype.With modern fast films...?Who needs those apertures!I guess i prefer smaller lenses.The 90 and 75 are also blockers...First get ONE lens,either the 35mm or a 50mm, or a 90mm Elmarit if You need longer..Later decide on more..Year or two!! I have an ancient 50mm Summicron and find it very sufficient for my needs.I'd like a 35/28 but will not pay those prices! Also want a smaller lens.Thats why i bought a Leica!!The new lenses almost same size as my Nikkors on my Nikon F.That friends aint progress! So i shall consider Voigtlander. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahkivgak Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 Wish I had your problems. Since you haven't mentioned the other 50mm lenses, or a 35, presumably you already have something or aren't interested? Given that, the Noctilux is great if you want the shallowest dof ever. But it is about as big as the body...and you can see it through the viewfinder. For street shooting I would use the smaller 50s. The 75 is large and heavy too, and one thing I remember about it is it takes like half a minute to turn the focusing ring, or maybe that was just that one. I also remember reading somewhere where someone described these two lenses as being precise to the point of being difficult to focus. Guess I would agree with that. Haven't used the 90! Good luck, Ahkivgak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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