david11

September 10, 2003

Ray, as an R shooter you need to check out the 60 Macro-Elmarit. When I shot the R system, the 60 was my favorite lens; very good for portraits. In fact, losing the 60 is the reason that I sometimes regret selling the R system. You will find the 60 to be an extremely versatile lens.

August 26, 2003

I have used all of the F2.8 90's, and each of them is very good. The latest Elmarit is the "best" overall, especially noted for its contrast from F2.8 - 4, but the thin Elmarit is very good as well (noted for its near range), and available at bargain prices. The earlier fat Tele-Elmarit commands high dollar, and examples of the thin Tele-Elmarit (favoured for its small size) often suffer from rear element "etching". In my opinion neither of the Tele-Elmarits is the equal of the thin Elmarit of the '60s and early '70s , although they are quite good. I use the thin Elmarit 90, along with a 90 SAA. Really, you can't go wrong using any of them. My advice would be to find one at a good price and go shoot some film.

August 25, 2003

It is my understanding that Sensia is an amateur version of Astia, but am not sure if it has been reformulated as Astia has been reformulated. I have not tried the new Astia, but I really like Sensia; it has wonderful skin tones. FWIW

August 19, 2003

Louie, I have 2 .85 TTL M6's for the last 4 years and have never had a problem with white out of the rangefinder patch. I wear contact lenses, not glasses when I photograph. No problems at all with flare. With all the talk of the flare problem, I am not sure why I haven't noticed. I am sure that it is real to those whom it afflicts.

July 20, 2003

*Audio engineering is an expensive hobby... and work I've been doing for fun is starting to attract bigger-picture attention.*

If "bigger-picture attention" means that your expensive hobby is still just a hobby, and not a money maker, then you have some serious choices to make. I would not swap my Leica equipment for an audio hobby. I do agree that your ES 335 is one sweet axe!

July 17, 2003

The F3.5 lens is not multicoated; the F2 lens is multicoated. I preferred the tiny, slower 21 when I used the OM system; it is a very fine lens: excellent contrast, tonality, and color; one of my favorite Zuikos.

July 17, 2003

I must disagree with Steve's assessment on both points. From what I have encountered, the 75 Summilux is more expensive in the preowned market than a like condition 90 SAA lens. I use both lenses: the 75 more frequently; the 90 is preferred for tighter head shots or greater reach. At F2, the 75 has marginally increased DOF, but is not as "crisp" as the 90 SAA (some say too crisp) at F2. They are both great lenses, each with its own signature.

July 17, 2003

I have had a 35mm lens with every 24 x 36 system that I have owned, and the 35 lens seems always to be my least used lens. I do use it - when I need a more inclusive view, but the 50 is by a wide margin the most used lens in my kit. Others prefer the field of view of the 35mm as their standard lens. When I want to go wide, I most often grab the 21. You must use the lenses that give the results that you are after; only you can determine that.

July 9, 2003

Nice job, Roger. Film? Scanner?

July 6, 2003

I have used all of the variations of the 90 M Leica lenses. The current formulations are optically superior. The original Elmarit is available within your budget and is my favorite of the 90's that are no longer in production. I carry it when I want to go light and do not need the extra stop.

July 3, 2003

I keep a microfibre lens cleaning cloth available for cleaning the multicoated UV filters that are virtually always affixed to my lenses. If you really need to clean your lenses, my advice would be to obtain Opticlean, available in the US from Dantronix. Opticlean is used to clean the finest optical surfaces, including telescope mirrors. http://www.opticlean.com/

July 2, 2003

LowePro also offers some excellent pouches - padded and weather resistant. I have several that also have belt loops if that is the way that you want to go.

July 2, 2003

They are different lenses. Do you need/want an F2.8 macro lens which also is great for medium tele shots? If so, the 100 AME is the way to go. The 90mm SAA M lens is a different animal altogether. The 90 SAA is NOT a macro lens, plus it is smaller/lighter than the 100 SME. I no longer shoot Leica R, but if I were an R system shooter, you better believe that I would own the 100 AME. I do shoot Leica M, and in my estimation the 90 SAA lens stands above all other medium teles. It is available for Leica R or M.

June 16, 2003

The newer coatings are superior, but I have a 1961 90mm Elmarit that doesn't seem to suffer in comparison to the latest offerings. It may not be quite as contrasty as the newer editions (I also use the 90 SAA), but truly, the 1st version Elmarit is sufficient for most all of my 90 focal length photographs, F2 notwithstanding. I don't view photographs made with the Elmarit and lament the lack of contrast, and it is very "sharp".

May 28, 2003

Absolutely ROTFLMAO

May 28, 2003

I will have to agree with Roland; the 63mm f2.8 el-nikkor lens is outstanding. I have used Schneider and Rodenstock enlarging lenses with success, but believe that the 63 is as good or better than any that I have used. I have no experience with the ektars.

May 21, 2003

I own a 35 Summicron ASPH lens, and enjoy the images that it helps to produce. Pondering over the "roundness; bokeh; plasticity" is to debate the subjective anyway. If you prefer another generation of a lens, please obey your asthetic requirements and use whatever equipment is warranted to give you the desired result. It is more than a little tedious, this endless debate about the "look" of one lens generation vs. another. I believe that if photographers would take the same time improving their craft that they now spend debating the subjective, better results would be obtained.

May 2, 2003

Titanium is 1/2 the weight of steel and twice as strong; but, it will still scratch.

May 1, 2003

Max, I used Hasselblad equipment for quite a few years and loved it. I no longer shoot weddings or really have a need for the bigger film size, and I got rid of all of the Hasselblad gear because of the bulk. I can do most of what I want to do these days with the Leica M. I love the Leica glass. I occasionally miss leaf shutters and the Polaroid back, and only rarely want to make HUGE enlargements. And now, my local lab has a hybrid film/digital system using laser and traditional paper and chemistry and the quality with this system using 35mm film is unbelievable, so my occasional need for large prints is satisfied. I would suggest that you give MF a try, just to see if it is what you are looking for.

April 30, 2003

Steve, I agree with Bob; go shoot some Velvia, Astia, Sensia, Kodachrome, or Ektachrome, then worry about sharpness. You shouldn't unless you have an viewfinder alignment problem. The one hour minilabs with their high turnover of employees are no good indication of the potential of your equipment, although some do produce good, mostly consistent results; but you have to watch them. If you are determined to only shoot color negative, my suggestion is to find a good professional lab, or at least a consistent minilab that is sensitive to your demands.

April 28, 2003

Mike, I use both the 75 Summilux and the 90 SAA lenses. Both are great lenses and they are different. If I had to choose between the two, I would go for the 75 Summilux, but only because I also own the 1st version 90 Elmarit lens as well. I will always have a 90; the focal length difference is significant enough to me that I need both. My suggestion is that you should borrow or lease these lenses if at all possible. Only you can decide what is best for your photography.

April 27, 2003

Mike, unless you are biased towards purchasing the latest camera offerings from Leica, you might want to consider buying M6 TTLs either new or like new at a considerable savings. Admittedly, you won't have the aperture priority/intermediate shutter speeds/improved shutter speeds of the M7, nor will you have the back to the future look of the MP. All of the lenses that you have listed are absolutely top drawer. I would also opt for the 50 Summicron whatever other lenses are selected; I love this lens. The 75 Summilux is also a great performer that I would not want to be without. The 90 SAA lens is sharp as a tack wide open, and if it is to be used for head/shoulders shots you should consider a Softar 1 ( and maybe a Softar 2) for photos of any female over 25.

April 25, 2003

In today's market the price seems no better than average, even if the M6 (assume Classic, not TTL) and 35 Summicron are in mint condition. If you have the time to really look and let the deals come to you, you will find better pricing.

April 23, 2003

Imran, the 180 3.4 Apo-Telyt lens was designed for the military and optimized at infinity. The 180 2.8 APO lens is a more modern design and is superior in (at least) the near focusing region. It is one of the very finest Leica lenses and is also exemplary at infinity. I would opt for the 180 2.8 lens if cost is not a significant factor.

April 15, 2003

Imran, I enjoy using the Elmarit 1st version as a smaller, lighter alternative to my Summicron Apo ASPH. Optically, it is superior to all but the current 90's. The lens was produced from 1959-1974, with the later lenses benefitting by improved coatings. My Elmarit was made in 1961 and is a wonderful picture taker. You will enjoy this lens; and yes, they are available at bargain prices.

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Posts posted by david11