gp_.

Steve,

 

I don't have experience with the Ultron, so can't comment on that. However, the summicron-C and 40 Rokkor are superb lenses. Incredibly sharp, compact, good build quality. The cron-c takes slightly off 39mm filters (screws in only a few thread turns), the rokkor (40.5mm). In comparison to the last 2 versions of the 50cron, I'd say that sharpness is very close, but contrast is a tiny bit lower on the 40mms. It will give you a similar look, but not an idential signature. For some samples, check out BDS (Brian David Stevens, I believe) on photo.net, many of his shots are done with the cron-C . Cheers.

Herbert, I quite like it in B&W. I too am curious about the color version, but that would have depended on the nature of the sky and whether there was much color that day. I usually have one body with color film just for circumstances like this. If I can have only one body, I use color which allows conversion to BW later. The only minor criticism is that puddle at the bottom of the frame which distracts just a bit from the otherwise smoother ground before the cross. Nice photo, Cheers

Tom, I use the B+W MRC on mine and it has never vignetted, good luck

Douglas K,

 

Other than posting idiotic comments about how your Nikons are better than Leicas (which begs the question why you are in this forum all the time), and your well over-worn 'its the equipment not the camera' refrain ... do YOU take photos? I don't mind hearing that from Grant, who does take photos and posts them, but from you? For someone who is always harping on others to take photos, where are samples of your impressive photography. Show us some. If you want to throw stones from your glass house, show us something ;-) Or are you so bored and pathetic that you are just into sniping at other people? I wonder if you are brave enough to say any of your innane idiotic comments to people face to face. Somehow I don't think so ;-) Prove me wrong, my friend.

Now that the CV 35 Pancake (version II) has been out for a while, does

anyone have more examples of this lens wide-open? I've seen Alan

Soon's examples in another thread, any others? Comments about build

quality and ergonomics also appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Excellent work, thanks for sharing :-)

I have the first version, and find it to be a very capable, and convenient meter. Sometimes, I put it on a string around my neck and use it has a handheld, when I don't want it to increase the profile on my camera. Accuracy is excellent. The only downside is you to have to take your eye from the viewfinder to read the reading before dialing it in on your camera. but otherwise, very good ergonomics

All the steroids really is making him look stiff :-)

sorry for your pain Tom, but a 2nd M body will indeed alleviate that pain ;-)

McCullin's photography is stellar, but his willingness to put down his cameras and help innocent bystanders really transcends mere photography. Thanks for the heads-up.

ltm adaptor, B&H has it too, about $55 if I remember correctly. make sure to get the 50mm frame one.

Arnold,

 

email Poon at HKSupplies directly, he is very reliable and can address your questions regarding customs. A friend of mine just purchased a M7 from him, and paid no customs fee. good luck.

I can recommend the Nokton 50 as a very capable lens at a great price. While I have been interested in the 50 hexanon, I just haven't seen a lot of them for sale lately.

thus my apologies Trevor. Frankly, I think the rest of the world is much more interesting :-) cheers

or world. sorry, didn't mean to leave our international brethern and sisters out of the loop

First, thanks again for Tim Rylance's thread and vigilance below.

 

The majority of my buying on Ebay has been very positive. But clearly

there are occasions where it would be most helpful to have a helping

hand in looking at an item we are interested in buying. Particularly

where we can't examine the item locally and the item is expensive.

 

Any chance we can form a semi-formal alliance of people willing to

look at local items for other forum members? For instance, if I am

buying an item San Fran, I look up a volunteer who is in the area and

willing to do so. All we need is a list somewhere of who is willing

and able to look at stuff in different parts of the country.

I think the 50 cron is the cream of the crop. But since you already have the .58 camera, no reason not to get the 35/2 and maximize the capabilities of that viewfinder, also a great lens with tremendous sharpness.

Helen,

 

I believe the price for the 50mm is a misprint, it should not have the extra one in front of it :-) My last information is that it was in the $800 ballpark. cheers

Tim, thanks for the good work, I have bookmarked the sites as well. It is a scary world out there, isn't it. I'm glad there is a lot of proactive folks here keeping an eye out.

DAG is a very good repairman/CLA person for all things Leica. I have dealt with him with no problems whatsoever.

What Lutz said. Given the modern formulation, the fact that you can buy from a trusted vendor B&H and not have to take your chances with Ebay, it is a very good choice. Bokeh wide open is quite nice in my opinion. Sharp, good build quality. Tad wider than the lux, about the same length. Smaller than most people have made it out to be. The older screwmounts are good choices, but the question is condition and how much you need to put IN if it is not in hit the ground running condition.

As an aside, I've travelled in europe before, but this was my first time in France. I did not detect any specific anti-american sentiment. In fact, with rare exception, most Frenchmen/women we encountered were quite friendly and helpful when we made the effort to speak in French first (quite understandably). I would feel the same way in my native country. Rumors of French snooty attitude are greatly exaggerated, as most stereotypes usually are ;-)

Ben,

 

You might find this amusing as to how dreadful this new law is. Check out "Magnum Stories". One of the Magnum photographers writes in his essay that HE finds it almost impossible to photograph in France now. He was in a Parisian cafe, quite famous, and noticed that there were photos of some other Magnum photographers on the wall. He thought that would make a nice piece, and set out to discreetly take some shots juxtaposing the old photos with the people in the cafe. Promptly told to stop by cafe staff and asked if he had "permission" aforehand to photograph. Can't recall the magnum photographer, but he is in the earlier section B-D last names, if I recall. So be careful, and smile a lot, it usually works. If confronted, be contrite and feign stupidity, that should assauge their indignation. good luck

Ben,

 

First congrats :-) My wife and I just got back from Paris last month. Generally speaking, no problems with photographing people. However, be weary of sidewalk artists, some of whom give photographers the evil eye, even when the subject was the building behind them. I was approached by one who was quite belligerent when he saw me taking a shot of the back of a church (he felt his rather dreadful paintings sitting on a stall might have been my subject). Simply smile politely and walk away. You never know who has a knife ;-) And a photo on a vacation is not worth the trouble, indeed any trouble. Have a great trip !

They are the same formulation, just without the close-up feature on the rigid. No contrast difference.