Request for Advice on Fast telephoto lenses

[jdos2]

35 Summicron ASPH ............. i'm not really happy with this lens

Interesting comment, because I agree with you. I had one, and got rid of it. The Lux, though it has a reputation for being a 'Cron with an "extra stop," does have a different look to it, and to my eye is pleasing where my 35mm 'Cron wasn't particularly. Not a "bad" lens for me, just not... Inspiring, especially for the price.

JD

 

[Eric76]

Asph Cron and Lux have different fingerprints especially at full aperture, the Lux is better in the center zone and becomes softer to the edge - traditional Leica lenses fingerprint - while the Cron is more homogeneous.

I'm not surprised that some people prefers the Lux and some other the Cron.

Anyway on the practical side, the Cron gets the edge.

 

[J. Borger]

Anyway on the practical side, the Cron gets the edge.

Why? From what you describe i might prefer the "lux".
Pictures with the 35 cron asph are sharp corner to corner ..... but there is never a 'Wow' factor for me. It's difficult to describe.
Files look harsh & cold ... unless the pictures are taken in the dullest of dull conditions ....... great quality (sharpness/ resolution) but no character.
I prefer the pictures from my 50 summicron by a mile.

So any comment about the 35 lux having a different fingerprint is welcomed here ...... i was already considering pre-asph versions or a 35 summaron!

Han

 

[Phil_Hawkes]

Update on fast tele lens dilemma

Update on fast tele lens dilemma

I finally bought myself a fast tele lens.

I wasn't planning to buy a tele for some time (my short term plan was to buy the Zeiss Ikon 21mm, and I already have a 90/2.8 Konica), but the Zeiss 21mm still isn't out, so I changed my mind and decided to go for a tele.


After considering people's comments, and looking around for more info (MTF graphs etc), I decided that I probably wanted the Leica 75/2 or 90/2. I got "spooked" by people's comments on problems focussing the 75/1.4.

I decided to drop into a shop and test drive the 75/2 or 90/2. I wasn't able to get to a store with the 75/2, but I gave the 90/2 a test. Wow. I loved it. Anyway, after a restless night I decide to take the plunge and buy a new 90/2. I'm sure I could have got a 2nd hand lens for 1/2 the price I paid, but the 3 yr passport warrany kinda makes up for that.

This lens is unbelievable on the R-D1. Super sharp wide open. I mostly shoot wide open with this lens. Focussing is accurate enough for my requirements, unless the "target" didn't have anything easy to focus on. It would be nice to have framelines, but I survive. Many of my photos are of people and I'm happy just to have the person's face and a bit extra in frame. I'm also experimenting with stitching photos together to make panoramas with extra-ordinary details.

My poor Noctilux is getting neglected at the moment: I'm preferring to use the 90/2 to be sure that I get the details, even though it is slower. (I also invested in a monopod to eliminate some of the movement from lower speeds). Now that I know how sharp these lenses can get, I'm starting to think about updating some of my other glass. For now though, I'm out of funds.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice.

Phil

 

[egpj]

Congrats on the new lens! This is a wonderful portrait lens and I have a couple examples in my gallery as well. Enjoy!