Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/05/17
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>Hi all again,
>I want to purchase a 50mm/2 Summicron lens. Following some experts, one of
>the most highly rated Leica lens. But I am a newbie and there is a lot of
>variations of this lens. My pockets do not permit ASPH so I have to decide
>between:
>Collapsible
>Rigid
>Dual Range
>Ealier black Summicron
>Last generation pre-ASPH Summicron ("50" market on the lens barrel).
>I have read in cameraquest that early black summicron is a notch down the
>later ones.
>I would be very grateful to hear opinions about (experts and users)
>Thanks a lot,
>Rafael
In general, the newer ones are better than the older ones. Therefore
black ones are better than the older chrome ones, and probably the
best are the ones marked 50 on the side of the barrel. Earlier ones
tend to flare more and do not have as good performance wide open. All
are good, except possibly the collapsible ones which can have
alignment problems due to the mount, have soft, easily scratched
coatings and are in their optical qualities closer to the Summitar
than later Summicrons. Especially good values are the earlier black
ones from the 70's, as they don't have the cachet of the later ones
or the DR.
These comments are based on the balance of their performance. In the
past some models rated higher in certain areas than others, but
conversely had some weaker areas. There is some religious fervor
expressed by some people and/or sites about some models. The fact is
that the 50/2 Hexanon supplied with the Hexar RF is the equal or
better than most Summicrons.
The limitation of most of the above lenses except for the collapsible
is usually film or technique, rather than the lens.
There is not nor has there been an 'ASPH' version.
- --
* Henning J. Wulff
/|\ Wulff Photography & Design
/###\ mailto:henningw@archiphoto.com
|[ ]| http://www.archiphoto.com
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