Any Leica R users? Which are the lenses to look for?

[telenous]

I was wondering if there are any Leica R users in RFF. Prices on the bodies seem to be plummeting - perhaps the first thing to sell in order to get an M8 is a Leica R after all, not an M6. All that, and the generally lower prices of R lenses make very appealing the prospect of trying a Leica SLR for a while. I am thinking of getting perhaps a 35 lens and then, later, either the macro lens or a short tele like the Summilux 80. But I do not know much about any of these lenses really and I am wondering which are the ones to look for? I read E.Puts' reports and he seems to be holding the Summilux-R 35 in very high esteem compared to the Summicron-R 35 which he regards as equivalent to the preasph. Summicron-M 35. And how about the 50's? Is the situation similar to the state of affairs in the M-system?

Many thanks for any input,

 

[MP Guy]

19mm 2..8 ROM version, 90mm 2.0 Apo and a 35 or 50mm.

You cant go wrong.

 

[telenous]

You cant go wrong.

Thank you Jorge. I keep saying that when it comes to Leica M so I know all too well what that means 😀

 

[telenous]

I 'd be interested to read comparisons between the Summilux-R 35 and the Summicron-R 35. Is the Summilux much bigger than the Cron? Any differences in wide open performance?

 

[physiognomy]

Doug Herr (link to website) used to have reviews of Leica R cameras & lenses, but I think he has taken it down/put it under password. He's a great guy & very knowledgeable, so I'd suggest writing to him.

Peter

 

[telenous]

Thank you, Peter. I will certainly contact Doug. In the photo he has in his website he looks, well, very philosophical. I am sure he 'll be a great help. Meanwhile if I could ask whether anyone else in RFF has experience with R lenses?

 

[Ronald M]

The dogs are 24 - 28/70 zoom for distortion problems-

35 `cron is an old design, but still OK-not great. Same with 50 `crons

60 2.8 is pretty good 100 APO is is super as is all the APO glass

Latest version 90 2.8 goes a little soft under 6 feet. Not so with the original.

Original 28 is bette than ok- latest superb

new 50 1.4 is superb

21 ok from 5.6 or 8

What lenses are you intersted in. It is hard to review all in one paragraph.

 

[telenous]

Thanks Ronald.

It's the 35 focal length that I am primarily interested in - How does the latest Summicron 35 compare with the latest Summilux 35? I may also be interested in the macro or the Summilux 80, but that's for later.

 

[nightfly]

This might help:

http://photo.net/equipment/leica/r35