Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/22
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>d.) Acquire the new 50 f1.4 with some of the trade in cash.
>
In summary, I'd like to trade in the R 90 f2.8 & R 80 f1.4 on the
new R 50 f1.4 & the new R-90 f2 apo. Imagine working with
the 35 f2, new 50 f1.4, & the new 90 f2 apo on my R8s; the
"killer trio" from the kilns of Kolsch! However, going for the
APO macro over the 90 f2 is also an idea;, i.e, the tradeoff
being Macro versus the extra stop....tough one ;-) !
[ . . . ]
>Tom D.
Mr D.,
It seems to me you are going too fast
and are letting enthusiasm take control
of your wallet.
I would suggest you reconsider getting rid
of the 80-R f/1.4 .
1/ You already have it, so it doesn't cost
anything anymore.
2/ it IS f/1.4 capable and, though i have not
had the privilege of using it, i presume
it must be quite a useful portrait and
low light lens, plus the "odd" short telephoto
applications.
Ultimate sharpness and newness is NOT everything
and i'd bet dinner that the shots you've got out
of your 80/R f/1.4 are more than "decent".
I prefer smaller lenses for a variety of reasons
but f/1.4 capability in that general focal
range is a major system benefit.
Then, again, what would happen should
LEICA be coming out with a 75mm Noctilux/R ?
There is a very serious institutional market
for such a yet to be created lens, especially
in the "security establishment" field ...
To me, a wide angle freak by any standard,
your system is too "classic".
Since you obviously have the privilege
of serious photo budget monies,
i would think there'd be A LOT
new PRACTICAL exitement to "go" with
your present lenses as LEICA has a rather
impressive 1999 year where innovations
are concerned: take your time !
D-e-s-p-a-c-i-o !
Were i in your circle, i'd try to sell you
on a 19mm Elmarit-R rather than a 50mm.
Such a super-wide lens brings home
a world of creative possibilities
and such lenses have evolved to be outstanding
tools rather than compromise solutions
of the days when 35-50-90 became
a standard or just about and wider lenses
made no sense to "serious" photographers,
because they THEN were weak performers.
The other consideration i'd like to impress you
with, in full respect, is to consider the 28mm
focal length with a new eye.
You have probably read my anterior posts
and already know Leica is yet but an unrealized
teenage dream for me (I'm 49). But YOU are there,
full out, with the cash at hand.
How about a NICE 28mm PC-Super-Angulon,
Mr. D ?
I would hope this exotic beauty strikes
a secret wish somewhere inside . . .
It's obviously not a grabshot lens.
It has the "genetics" of some of the historical
great lenses of photography.
What such a lens can bring to a developed
photo system ("kit") such as yours
really is mostly limited by your increasing
ability to "image" (mentally) as you gain
hands on experience with the perspective
control function and the lens handling itself.
If you happen to be a photographer
who has the least interest in constructed
photo images, this 28mm PC-Super-Angulon may be one heck
of a wonderful tool in a "to be lust over"
photobag such as yours !
Then, (i hope you are a patient person),
there is that crisp Macro-Elmarit 60mm.
It could bring in loads of leisure photography
hours in such as flower macro-photography
which i have achieved through close-up lenses
but, surely, the 60/R holds the promise
of a totally new photo experience
with a classic photographer such as you.
Even more : by experience with "baby zooms",
i find the casual portraits i like most happen
to be in that general focal range.
My personal best photos almost
over 50% have been shot at f/5.6,
so a f/2.8 fully useable lens has a lot to
offer. It is NOT aprochromatic,
it is NOT new, it sells very well
to knowledgeable users, it is LEICA grade
all the way, and unless you start going
wild on infra-red photography, the non
apochromatic lens formulation will never be
a limiting factor. Also, note the extra
high scores established 60/R users
rate this humble "specialty" lens with,
here on the LUG, month after month.
I have yet to read an "iffy" post on
this one.
Finally, depending of your general
idea of photography, the 135mm and 180mm
focals could me MOST interesting to examine
to expand your system potential.
You dumped the Apo-100mm, but you still
should retain either of your 80 and 90mm
lenses. Yet this tells me that you don't
tend to be a telephoto "nut" as 100mm
(i'm used to 105mm) gets to be darn close
and narrow angled when one mostly uses
24mm / 28mm lenses. Actually, it's about
at that point, 2x, that autofocus really
starts delivering its benefits in a clearer fashion.
Choosing lenses is a matter of photographic style.
You have BOTH 80/R and 90/R.
The newer 90mm APO, with its f/2 widest
aperture, definitely deserves your attention,
but it could be quite a new way to look at
things would you consider the arguments put
forth, for discussion's sake.
A new high performance digital scanner
could be a wonderful consideration, too,
for your system. I agree it's very debateable.
But notice how enthusiastic the people
who have the privilege of owning a good one
appear to be, almost unanimous,
here and elsewhere.
I also can't avoid bringing forth
the suggestion of a baby zoom
as a most interesting alternative
to fixed focal lenses. Baby zooms bring
a lot of flexibility and "fast action"
potential to a photo bag.
Which one i truly have no notion.
The 35mm-70mm f/3.5 could bring in
a lot of creative freedom but i simply lack
the hands on experience to feel at ease
and influence an established photo enthusiast
such as you to go and try one.
To me, would not the Macro-Elmarit 60/R
appeal to me so much, this would be a more
desireable option than a fixed focal 50mm.
The 28mm-70mm could perhaps be even trippier
and still deliver Leica performance.
I hope the privileged owners reading this
would bring in their comments to help us
[me, actually] clarify my understanding and
appreciation for such in the Leica/R range.
With N...., i like the functionality very much,
but the definition simply does not rate up
to my expectations, half the time ! :-(
Perhaps do the LEICA
brand baby zooms deliver a more endearing
level of performance for real life photography.
What do you think ?
I hope you don't feel i'm throwing
rocks in your pond and appreciate that i sure wish
my photo bag held such "toys" as yours, LEICA,
to say the VERY least ! ! !
Do you fully realize how lucky you are, Mr D. ?
Until we meet,
Have a great day !
Andre Jean Quintal