david11

Depends on what you are shooting. I shoot a lot of people, and I

like several different films. Agfa Portrait 160 is very nice for

people - good flesh tones and very tight grain structure. Also, I

have always liked the Fuji films: NPS, NPH, and now NPC. It really

depends on what you are shooting, but the quality of emulsions

available is head and shoulders above what was available just a few

years ago. Merry Christmas!

Bob, I have owned both lenses and I can tell you that both are good

performers. I probably used the Summicron more often because of the

extra stop, which aided in focusing; plus I liked it at F2 - yes it is

softer wide open. The size / weight difference was not that

noticeable to me.

I use the 50 Summicron all the time (with a B+W UV filter) and don't

seem to have a problem with flare. I am aware of shooting into a

point light source, and generally avoid placing the source in the

frame. Andrew may indeed be correct, but I also have purchased

multi-coated filters for my lenses. The Leica filters (and I have

several) are NOT multi-coated; at least they do not appear to be. You

can place the B+W, Heliopan, or other MC filter next to a Leica filter

and discern the light transmission differences.

Simon, try Rich Pinto @ Photo Village.

<p>

http://www.photovillage.com/html/news.html

Jason, I carry what I think will fit my needs, but having said that, I

basically go one of several ways. I have an original Domke bag that

will hold my M6 and 6 lenses (winder too). Additionally, I have a

smaller bag (Tough Traveler) that will hold the M6, winder, and up to

4 lenses if necessary - although I usually carry 2 - 3 lenses with

this configuration. When going light, I will generally carry one of

the following combinations: 21/35/75 or 21/50/90; 35/75 or 50/90. I

also may just carry one lens, depending on perceived needs.

Robert, thank you for the beautiful images. I like the pdf file as a

way to download photographs. I have both a cable modem and an ADSL

modem that allow rapid downloads, so no problem with large files.

My recommendation is NEVER to sell any of your Leica equipment -

lenses, bodies, anything; you will kick yourself later. My biggest

regret, photographically speaking, is selling photo gear. FWIW

John, I use a .85 M6 with a 35 and have no problems whatsoever and can

see all the frame lines. I wear contact lenses. If I only used this

lens, or used this lens predominantly, I would opt for the .72 version

as my principal body, as there is more area surrounding the frame

lines. I use longer lenses quite a bit and probably use the 50 more

than the 35, so for me the .85 is the camera of choice.

Xavier, I use Provia 100 F; it is a very sharp & grainless film. You

may very well find that it is your film of choice. I do a lot of

people photography and prefer the skintones of Sensia / Astia to

Provia. Sensia is the "Amateur" version of Astia (or so I have been

told) and is available at an economical price and my experience has

been very positive with this emulsion.

People photography is most of what I do, as I find it to be the most

fascinating subject. But also, I like patterns in nature, or color

for color's sake. I like film (B&W and Color) - negatives or

positives, and I love looking at them over a light table, rejoicing in

the subject matter, tonality, vibrant colors, sharpness, and

composition. I enjoy photography for myself. I have purposefully kept

it a hobby, not a profession, because it is something I want as a

creative outlet for passion itself, not for the income it could

provide - although I greatly admire those that are able to make a

living from their art and or their craft.

Dan, my experience is that loupes vary widely and that the stated

power of magnification can vary between the brands. There are many

makes of higher power magnifiers and loupes for critical inspection of

portions of your negs/slides, but I have not felt the need to purchase

one. I use a 5.5X Pentax loupe and find it sufficient to gauge

overall sharpness of the negative or transparency. I know that

Schneider also makes a 6X and perhaps a 8X loupe. I have not used the

16X Kenko loupe.

Johannes, I cannot give you an estimate on repair pricing, but I can

give you the contact information for Leica repair.

<p>

Golden Touch Quality Camera Repair

118 Purgatory Road

Campbell Hall, New York 10916

USA

<p>

Sherry Krauter

<p>

Tel: 845-496-8834

Fax: 845-496-3956

Email: krauter@warwick.net

Michael, I have both the older 90 Elmarit (11129) and the New 90

Summicron APO ASPH lenses, so perhaps I can give you some information.

The 11129 lens is a very good performer; it is lighter than the

new Elmarit and uses an auxilliary lens hood (12575). Many consider

this lens optically superior to the smaller Tele-Elmarit. I like both

of these 90s. I bought the SAA because I wanted the extra stop. The

newer Leica lenses have somewhat improved contrast at the wider

apertures, although I have never objected to the image quality of the

older Elmarit. Bargains can be found on this lens. I frequently

carry an M6 with either a 35 ASPH Summicron or a 50 Summicron along

with the 90 Elmarit in a small camera bag. It makes for a light,

versatile outfit. FWIW

PD, I have the latest 50 Summicron, and it is a great lens. But if

you need 1.4, get the Summilux. I don't find that I need the extra

stop. Both lenses have exceptional clarity. Older Leitz / Leica

lenses are also wonderful, although the newer formulations have

increased contrast at the wider apertures. Whatever Leica lens best

fits your needs will be capable of giving you a lifetime of great

photographs. My recommendation is to get out there and use your

Leica, don't stick it on the shelf to only occasionally admire, but

rarely take pictures. I've gone through periods of shooting different

films - lately B&W, which is great, but then I shoot some

transparencies, and I am blown away by the color rendition of these

lenses.

I have never tried the Cokin system filters that you mention. I would

recommend purchasing multicoated filters from a top manufacturer: B+W

or Heliopan are what I use. Hoya also produces top quality

multicoated glass. Leica farms out their filter production; these

filters are NOT multicoated, so I would stick with the above mentioned

manufacturers. I buy my filters from B&H in New York City. Try this

link:

<p>

http://www02.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=CatalogA

ctivator__Acatalog_html___CatID=75___SID=EAC3C161560

<p>

Good luck and happy shooting!

John, I have a Motor M and use it quite a bit. I purchased mine

used before the new motor was introduced. It is larger and heavier

than the newer unit, but can be purchased for much less and is quite

reliable. I especially like to use it with the longer lenses - 75

Summilux and 90 Summicron Apo Asph; it improves balance. I have used

other motors on other systems that were much louder than this unit, so

I don't find the sound objectionable.

Photography has been my passion for about 30 years. I do not own a

fancy home or expensive automobiles. I have had a reasonably

successful career in instrumentation sales which has allowed me

sufficient income to fund my creative outlet. I have a wife and

children (2 of 3 through college so far) who admittedly are my top

priority. I buy Leica equipment for the images produced, although I

admit that I am enough of an equipment geek to delight in the

craftsmanship of the products. I was introduced to Leica rangefinder

equipment by a friend who produced the most exquisite images with

pre-war screw mount cameras and lenses, and who named his daughter

"Leica". I have owned other camera formats and systems, but I receive

my greatest enjoyment from producing quality results from the tiny

postage stamp sized negative / positive.

The Zeiss 45mm Planar is a wonderful lens as evidenced by your result.

Provided you are comfortable with the Contax G system, I see no

reason to switch to Leica. I prefer the manual control afforded by

the Leica and do not like the uncertainty of autofocus of the Contax

G.

Mitchell, I wouldn't buy a new Leica lens and accept ANY defects,

however small. I bought a new 35 ASPH Summicron lens over a year ago

and discovered a dust speck between the lens elements. I returned the

lens immediately without any problems and received a new "clean" lens.

Regardless whether that dust speck would ever compromise optical

quality, I did not want that lens. For the prices paid for Leica

products, the very least we should receive are pristine examples.

Julian, I use a .85 M6 with my 35 ASPH Summicron without any

problems, although admittedly I use the 50 Summicron marginally more

than my 35. Some prefer the .72 camera especially with anything wider

than 50mm. I do not wear glasses when I shoot, instead wearing

contact lenses. My suggestion is to borrow or rent a camera to see if

you are comfortable with the HM viewfinder with the 35mm focal length.

My suggestion is to buy the 50 Summicron and spend several months

getting to know the lens. You will want this lens eventually, and it

is a great (indispensable for me) lens to know and use. From there

you can build your system. Deals can be found - I bought my latest

version Summicron in like new condition on Ebay for $500 US. Hey, I

want all the Leica lenses, but for me the 50 Summicron (and yes, I own

and use a 35 ASPH Summicron as well) is THE cornerstone lens.

Whatever you buy, have fun with your Leica.

I bought the 75 Summilux because of the focal length and optical

characteristics, not so much for the 1.4 aperture. I use it

occasionally at maximum aperture, but more often stopped down. I like

this lens and find myself using it more than my 90's; but my most used

lens is the 50 Summicron. The 50 Summicron does everything that I ask

of it, and it does it very well indeed.

See previous thread accompanied by photograph from early 50 Summilux.

Looks pretty good to me!

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0077Zm

I used Hasselblad equipment for more than a decade and enjoyed the

experience and results, but NOT the heft of the equipment. The

results were primo, and flash fill with the leaf shutters of the Zeiss

lenses was a breeze. I used 500 C/M's with NC-2 prisms; lenses used

were 50, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, and 180 with 2X Mutar. I liked the

system and results, but NOT lugging the equipment around (and I am a

BIG person). I had always wanted to shoot Leica rangefinder

equipment, so I took the plunge several years ago and soon realized

that I was enjoying photography more than I ever had. I also noticed

that the Hasselblad went unused the great majority of the time, so I

sold all of it. Although I occasionally miss the flexibility of the

leaf shutters and the polaroid back, I find the results with Leica M

to be more than worthy of my efforts. If you require a medium format

SLR system, Hasselblad should be considered. The Leica and Hasselblad

systems complement each other, but should not necessarily be

considered as replacements for each other (although it was for me). I

found that I can do most of what I want with the 35mm rangefinder; I

take great pleasure in the quality of the results from the smaller

format and have greater flexibility in film choice.