david11

Leitz/Leica lenses produced between 1933-2000:

 

http://www.forloren.dk/lbf/leica_lens_serial.htm

I bought a 21mm ASPH lens from Poon perhaps 5 years ago. Could not have been an easier transaction. I recommend him highly.

The original 90 Elmarit is longish, but light. I have never felt that it was overly long, and prefer its photo abilities to either of the Tele-Elmarits. Performance is high and price is comparatively low. The latest Elmarit has that wide open crispness that identifies it as the current Leica offering. I like the new Elmarit, but find it a little smaller, but not much lighter than the 90 Summicron APO ASPH, which is what I use when I need an F2 90. All of the Leica 90s are good lenses; buy one and use it. If you want something else, buy it as well; you can always sell the lens that you don't want to keep. The original Elmarit is my choice for the most bang for the buck.

I have used all of the M 90s, save the new F4 Macro, as well as the R version lenses, save the new ASPH R lens. My summation: you can't go wrong with any of them. I am shooting only Leica M at this time, and am using the original Elmarit and the 90 Summicron APO ASPH. I like the original Elmarit because it is light and is very good optically - better in the near region than the TE. I like the SAA lens because it is something else wide open. If you have access to these lenses, try them and decide. If not, buy one and try it; if you don't like it and have to sell it, you should break even. All of these lenses are fine.

I use both the 35 ASPH Summicron and the 90 SAA lenses on a regular basis and have never felt that the 90 was not sharp enough, quite the contrary. The 35 ASPH is an amazing objective, but the 90 SAA is the "sharpest" optic at maximum aperture that I have ever used. Why not borrow another 90 SAA to compare with your sample?

Trevor, I can assure you that the Leitz SL is no dog! I owned one years ago and regret selling off my R system - I especially liked the 60 Macro Elmarit and the 90 Summicron. The SL2 was considered the top Leitz slr, having "improved" specs - I think a hot shoe and maybe increased shutter speed and flash sync; all so many years ago that I cannot expound with authority. The SL2 was much more expensive then as now. Save a bundle and buy a very fine slr in the SL. I had 3 cam lenses, but I also used an R4 along with the SL and believe that the 3rd cam was necessary for the R4; perhaps with the SL a two cam was all that was necessary. Anyway, it was not a problem to add cams, but I understand there is difficulty going to and from the ROM contacts. I believe that ROM is not needed unless one is using the newer cameras: R8 and R9 (unsure about R6 and R6.2). Perhaps some other R expert with a better memory and/or more recent experience can expound further. I doubt that you would see much difference in R vs M lenses, although I can say that my M photography is "better" overall than my R photography: I prefer the rangefinder, although I really miss that 60 Macro Elmarit. FWIW, I used the 21 Super Angulon, 35 Summicron, 50 Summicron, 60 Macro Elmarit, 90 Summicron, 90 Elmarit, and 180 Elmarit. All were great lenses; I find that the M system fits my needs better.

I have both the 75 Summilux and the 90 SAA lenses. I like them both, and would not want to eliminate either. Different tools for the job at hand. One has to be pretty wimpy to consider the 75 Summilux a "beast", nor do I find it difficult to focus. (But I have hauled very large lenses of different formats all over the world) My suggestion is to borrow or lease these lenses first for a test drive, and you make the determination which fit your needs best. All of the "experts" on photo.net can only relate their preferences, which might not be best for you at all.

I have owned both and prefer the Summicron; easier to focus, an excellent lens. The Elmarit is a wonderful lens as well, but the extra stop was more important and I never thought that I lost anything in quality.

Rich, your 90 is a first version Elmarit, produced from 1959 through 1974 - your particular lens was manufactured in 1964. The Tele-Elmarits were produced in two versions: "Fat", from 1964 through 1974, and "Thin", from 1974 through 1988. All of them are good lenses, my preference being for the first version Elmarit.

All of the Summicrons of whatever vintage are fine lenses. I am using the Summicron ASPH lens, and enjoy the images made with this lens. The out of focus areas are not harsh to my eyes, and the clarity in the outer third of the image is amazing. I think that Erwin calls it "flat field", and it is outstanding. Having sung the praises of the 'cron ASPH, I will also say that you really cannot go wrong with any of the other Summicrons. Buy one that you can afford and go burn some film.

I am using the 35mm ASPH Summicron and the 75mm Summilux most of the time. They are wonderful lenses, and I find that they cover most of what I need to cover. When I need a 90, I reach for either the Summicron ASPH or the first version Elmarit. Really, you cannot go wrong with any of the 90's - M or R. The lenses that I use now (and am shooting only M at this time): the first version 90mm Elmarit is excellent: small and slim, (although long-ish): the best VALUE in a 90mm lens for the Leica M. Great in the near range and very economical as well. The 90mm ASPH lens is unbelievable wide open: at F2 the lens is more than sharp enough for any usage: re, unforgiving with portraiture, especially older subjects. The M Tele-Elmarits are good as well: the "fat" version is much more expensive - a collectors lens - and the "slim" Tele-Elmarit version is flare prone, but a good value, IF you can get one without the dreaded "etching" problem. My advice: buy one that you can afford. You might want more than one 90: I did; only because the ones available are different enough to merit consideration: at F2, the Summicron ASPH sets the standard in quality, but could be TOO SHARP for your usage. For the money, buy the 1st Version Elmarit: it is a wonderful lens.

Many cruise lines have activities for children, so that Mom and Dad can do their thing and junior can have more fun with kids his/her own age. You should check with your specific cruise company for details. I would NEVER leave valuables in a stateroom - or any hotel room, unless it has a safe. My daughter went on a cruise and had her wedding ring stolen by leaving it in the room while she was sunning herself on a carribean beach. Do you need to bring the F100? Seems to me that an M6 and a couple of lenses would do the trick, unless you need macro and long lenses. I just returned from Florida and a 2 lens combo of 35 Summicron ASPH and 75 Summilux did great, and I carried the kit everywhere. I find that I really enjoy these 2 lenses, and together they do almost everything well. I only longed for my 21 a few times.

Marc, Al is correct: the original Elmarit 90 is a fine lens; and can be purchased in great shape for much less than most of the other 90s. The majority were produced in silver chrome, although for a collector price, a few can be found in black. The original Elmarit 90 is longish, but light. I use it quite a bit and prefer it to either of the Tele-Elmarits. I also use a 90 SAA; an amazing lens (shoot it wide open and see), but heavier.

it's visually inspiring to be limited to just 1 or 2 lenses, so my imagination works harder.

 

I agree with Timothy Nelson; many times I like to carry a single lens - forcing myself to see only that focal length. For a multiple lens set I will sometimes carry just 21/50, occasionally adding a 90. The 35/75 combo is also excellent, but I usually want something wider than 35. I find the results given by the 75 Summilux negate any concern about its heft: a versatile optic with unique properties.<div></div>

If I had but one lens to use with the Leica R, it would be the 60 Macro Elmarit. The 60 is a very versatile lens; I like it so much that sometimes I contemplate a re-acquisition of the R system. I always talk myself out of doing so, but one of these days......

Doug, I always look forward to viewing your images. Beautiful. Along with Marc Williams, your images are always at the very top of the offerings on the 'net. One of these days I will try to learn how to post an image.

Methinks the folks in Solms need to crank up their R&D efforts more than just a little unless they want their digital market to be captured by CV/Epson. Hurrahs to CV for their attentiveness to the desires of the marketplace.

Agree w/John Tencza: most of us will opt for the 35 or 50 focal length as our favorite "normal". Mine is the 50 Summicron. To this we will generally go wider or longer - I usually prefer wider in a 2 lens set, and will choose my 21 ASPH.

I prefer Astia and its "amateur" sibling Sensia to Provia and Velvia for lighter skin tones. Provia and Velvia do somewhat better with darker skin tones, although I usually choose Astia/Sensia for portraits.

"But as a landscape photographer I would never choose the v.4 Summicron over an ASPH, just as I wouldn't ever choose a 50 Summilux over a 11817 or current Cron, as the corner sharpness just never gets to the same high level."

 

I agree with Jay on this. I use the ASPH Summicron because of its great performance at all apertures as well as in the corners, and also the flat field capability. I do not find myself wishing for f1.4, so am very content with the Summicron. All of the Leica 35 Summicrons are good performers, and the 4th version is excellent, but I don't find it worthy of cult status.

Brian, I am happy with all of my Leica M lenses, using the 50mm Summicron more than any other of my lenses. Like Al, I do not use the 28mm focal length, although both the Summicron and Elmarit are very fine, and I only occasionally use the 35mm focal length. My suggestion is to borrow/rent a body - probably an M6 TTL .72, and one lens - 35mm or 50mm - to get a feel for your preferences. You will probably prefer a metered Body, and now is a good time to pick up a great condition M6 TTL. Build from there. You will probably want all of the Leica lenses; it is an addiction.

Not sure of your question; there are various versions of Leica R focal length lenses: 35mm was offered as Elmarit (2.8), Summicron (2.0), as well as Summilux (1.4). If you have decided to go with the Elmarit, good luck to you sir. I prefer an f2.0 prime lens, considering the 35mm focal length as a wide-normal angle lens. If you are asking an opinion comparing these lenses, well, I haven't used all of the R incarnations. For years I used a Summicron R 35 (although my most used "normal" lens is 50mm) when I shot the Leica R system and was very satisfied with its performance; now I no longer use Leica SLR, preferring Leica M, although I still use the Summicron (ASPH), and it IS the finest 35 focal length lens that I have ever used. My suggestion is to buy the lens with the speed that meets your needs and go shoot some film.

Ken, when I shot Leica R, I owned both the 2nd version Elmarit 90 as well as the 90 Summicron. The 2nd version Elmarit is a very good performer, equivalent to the current M Elmarit, but I found myself using the Summicron more often. The brighter image of the F2 SLR lens was the biggest reason, and the Summicron is a fine performer. You can't make a bad choice.

Don't clean it unless you absolutely must. I use B+W MC UV filters to protect the front lens element. But since you inquired, if you MUST clean your lenses, consider Opticlean; it is used for cleaning telescope objectives as well as for cleaning camera lenses.

 

http://www.opticlean.com/oppolsec.html

I like Sensia for skin tones and have heard that it is "amateur" Astia. Whatever it is, I prefer it to Provia for people shots, which is mostly what I shoot. I usually shoot B&W.