cing_dao_kan1

I have been using A&I and Fuji and never had any problems. The turn around time of A&I is shorter than that of Fuji.

Summilux 35-M ASPH!

I was wondering if the 2nd version of the 50 Summicron-R has the same

optical formula of the current 50 Summicron-M.

I have used the Voightlander 15/4.5 on my M5 and it worked fine. But

when you use a super wide lens on M5, just keep in mind that it has a

spot meter.

I forgot to add that the viewfinder of my M5 was modified by

Sherry K with the 75 frame line. I use the Summilux 75 on the

M5 almost exclusively. The larger M lenses are balanced much

better on M5. The meter on the M5 is true spot meter and very

sensitive.

There have been some discussiona on the topic not too long

ago on this forum as I remembered. But I think Jay summarized

the comparison between the M6 and M5 very well in the above

post. I have used the M5 for more than two years I think it is a

wonderful user. But if you decided to try one, use it alone for a

trip or an outing and don�t mix it with the M6 as they are very

different. The shutter mechanism on the M5 is also different and

it is quieter compared with classic M�s. It is a pity the M5 has

been collectors� item rather than users�.

I would also recommend the lens combination of Summicron 35 and

Elmarit 90. I recently brought a used Summicron 35mm (2nd version)

with the help of many people contributed on this subject. The

Summicron 35-R is an excellent lens. I highly recommended it. I am

currently using a three-lens combination, Summicron 35, Elmarit 60-

Macro, and APO- Telyt 180 with two SLs. If I can find the zoom lens

80-200/4 in non-ROM version, I will buy one to replace the APO-Telyt

180.

I also highly recommend the Tele-Elmar. I have used mine (39mm) with

M3 and the images it produces are amazingly good. Plus, you can find

them used with decent condition for around $300 to $400 range, one of

the best bargain in Lecia M lenses, IMHO.

I want to thank everyone helped on the subject. I brought the

Summicron 35mm-R and have done few test rolls (both print and slide

films) since then. This is an excellent lens!! It performed very

well in all apertures as well as close-up and infinity distances. It

resists flare extremely well, while producing some beautiful and

delicate tonality on Kodakchrome K25 slides, which are easier to be

scanned. I really enjoy using this lens � it�s a keeper. Thank you

all!

I have had the Photo Runner for over two years. It is a very well

padded bag and you can really put lots of stuff in it despite its

smallish size. I can easily put two Leica M bodies with four lenses

plus an 8x20 Leica binocular, small tabletop tripod, and lots of film.

I also have other bags but the Photo Runner got the pick every time I

travel. But It is not a perfect bag as Jay mentioned in his post -

the look of the bag is more for hiking than for general purpose photo

outings. For that, I am considering buying a Domke F5XB before my

next trip.

I have used the 24mm Elmarit-M ASPH on my M5 and the combination

works fine.

Of all the new Leica M lenses that I brought over the past few years,

the Noctilux, made in Canada, is by far superior in quality to the

rest. In comparison, the Summilux 35 ASPH and Summilux 75, both of

which are make in Germany, are 'sub-quality' products in

traditional Leica standards.

I just saw a mint-condition 35mm Summicron-R (2nd version) in the local store that I am interested in. I read from Ghester Sartorius' book on "Identifying Leica Lenses" that the 2nd version (code 11115) is for R bodies only. Can it be used on SL/SL2 body? Thanks for the help!

Sherry often mentioned that M3 with serial number above 1,000,000 is

the best built Leica M body, and M5 with serial number above 1,33x,xxx

is the best body as user.

 

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I wasn't that convinced when I first started using the M5. But the

more I use it, the more I feel comfortable with it. Because it is so

different than classic Ms in terms of its size and the way the camera

is handled, one should use M5 alone (without mixing with other Ms) to

fully appreciate its capability. When I use my M6, I usually set the

shutter speed first, and then I adjust my aperture and focus before I

press the shutter. I rarely adjust the shutter speed while I focus.

However, when I use the M5, I could adjust both the aperture and speed

dial while I focus (the large speed dial on the M5 is very

convenient!). To me, the M5 provides a more flexible shoot style. The

large size of M5 is also more comfortable for handling compared with

M6, IMHO.

 

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Mechanically, the shutter on M5 is different than that on the classic

Ms. It sounded smother and quieter for speed lower than 1/60 sec. The

M5 with serial number above 1,33x,xxx had the latest design change on

the shutter and meter arm mechanisms. BTW, the Leica had worked on

the M5 for thirteen years before released it on the market.

Wiliam -

 

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It sounded like you were getting the M3 with user condition rather

than mint condition. A M3 user should cost around $700 - $800. I

would return the camera if I were you.

The M3 that I got back from Sherry's CLA is the smoothest Leica that I

have ever used - much better than my newer M6. I highly recommend her

work.

I agree with Robin - the M5's bulkiness largely is due to its size not

its weight. But after I use my M5 for an extended period of time, I

feel so comfort with camera's size and weight. It certainly has

better balance with Noctilux and Summilux 75 than other classic M

bodies.

Don Goldberg's Contact info,

 

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2451 Thatcher Lane

McFarland, WI 53558

608-838-4769

The Rollei QZ35W/T are very capable cameras with excellent Rollei zoom

lenses (I have the QZ35T model). But it is large and heavy - not your

'normal' P&S. For causal travel use, it is hard to beat if you don't

mind the size and weight. The following is what I posted on Contax G

list for QZ two years ago:

 

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"...I have been using a QZ35T for a while. Overall, I think the camera

is very well designed and built. The zoom lens, 38-90/2.8-5.6 Rollei

Apogon, is truly outstanding. The lens performs very well at open

f-stops throughout the zoom range. It has an internal focus mechanism,

...Focusing and film winding on the Rollei are about as noisy as the

G2. The motorized zoom is very noisy, and it is not a true zoom in a

sense that it zooms out in steps at 45, 60, 75, 80, and 90 focal

lengths. The viewfinder on the Rollei is just like the one on G2 but

there is no parallax correction for close up.

 

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The flash of the Rollei unit is an odd unit and it is not TTL

(incorrectly stated in the Rollei advertisement) but distance-based.

But the prints and slides I got using the flash were all right on the

mark,... The only thing that I don't like of the camera is that it's

too bulky, � If one should consider the QZ35 as such camera, the QZ35W

with the 28-60/2.8-5.6 Rollei Apogon will be a better choice."

 

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Hope this helps.

I would shoot few rolls of slide film (ISO 50 - 100) and view them

under a light table with a good loupe. With the print film and size

of 4R, your experience may be limited.

I first used the Summicron 35 ASPH then upgraded to Summilux ASPH. I

can't tell much difference in image quality from f2 - f8 (I hardly

shoot beyond f8). But the extra f-stop in Summilux is great help when

light condition becoming very challenging. The Summilux does

deliver excellent image quality at f1.4. I really appreciate the

Summilux when I shoot at f1.4 with 1/15 shutter speed and be able to

nail the shoots. Plus, the Summilux doesn't much size and weight over

the Summicron (black version).

I have been using a G2 with 21/28/45/90 lenses for more than two years

along with my Leica M systems. IMHO, it's an excellent system for what

it is. The G2 is a very different camera and should not be compared

with the M as such. The Zeiss G lenses are on par with Leica M lenses

(with the exception that G doesn't offer any fast lenses) although

they have very different optical signatures.

 

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Most of the negative comments about the G2 system are from users who

have not really spent the time using it. Many Leica M users tried the

G2 in the stores or shot few rolls or read somewhere else then voiced

their opinions. For example, the issue of shutter lag, what is being

said by earlier poster is simply not true. The G2 has a pre-focus

button that can be easily engaged with the right thumb. Once you use

this, the shutter release is as fast as the M6 (the same applied to

the G2 manual focus). Because G2 is an auto-focus camera can be used

for manual focus, something has to give - use the pre-focus bottom.

One can make a similar argument that the a modern M6 has longer

shutter lag than that of M3 because of the M6 has meter tripping

mechanism built into its shutter release.

It is almost impossible to find a satisfactory a P&S camera after

shooting with Leica optics. I have owned and used two Yashica T4s,

two Olympus Stylus Epic, a Leica Minilux, a Rollei QZ35T and a Ricoh

GR1 for the past four years. Out of these mentioned, my favorite is

the GR1. It is very small and light with excellent lens. The only

down side is the 28mm focal length is two wide for a general purpose

P&S. Both T4 and Stylus Epic (the samples that I have had) had very

average performance � I was very disappointed. The optics on the

Minilux is very good. But the weight, size and ergonomics are much

less desirable. The Rollei QZ doesn�t fit the pocket P&S category at

all since the weight and size is about the same as an M6 with a Tri-

Elmar, although Rollei has a fantastic lens.

 

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I will definitely tried the new Contax T3 if you want a small pocket

P&S.

The sound you described is indeed the coupling of the meter arm. This

coupling will be only engaged when the lens is mounted. Next time when

your M5 is not loaded with film, try to advance without mounting any

lens - you will feel the difference. I have been using my M5 with

newer lenses 35 Summilux ASPH and 24 Elmarit ASPH without any problems

- the meter is acting very normal and accurately.

 

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I also thing that M5 is design and built better than other Ms. The

shutter is much smoother and the meter is dead on accurate. Leica

designed the M5 in 60's but they didn't release the camera 14 years

later. Unfortunately, the market wasn't ready when it finally came

out. What a pity! I really like my M5.

I have been using Leica M and Contax G systems side by side for some

time now. I also noticed that characteristics of M and G lenses are

different on slide films. To my eyes, Leica lenses render deep and

rich color with extraordinary sharpness and resolution, while Zeiss

lenses have a clear and crisp rendition with a beautiful blue tone.

IMHO, the real advantages of M over G are the availability of large

aperture lenses and the build quality. Other than that, I think the

Zeiss G lenses are every bit as good. Don't dismiss your G system

based on one roll of test.