Surprises

[squirrel$$$bandit]

charjohncharter is right about the Super Tak, it's killer. Every version of the Pentax 50/1.4 seems to be solid gold.

And unlike sepiareverb, I'm super happy with the ZM28/2.8--definitely worth the high (for me) price tag. I've never tried the ASPH though.

 

[sepiareverb]

...Found it at a great price and bought it to resell it.

I kept it...

Don't you love it when that happens?? That initial shock of "Wow this isn;t at all what I expected." Followed by the "Now what am I going to sell??"

That was the 50/1.4 pre ASPH for me. I got a real beater that I fell in love with. Managed to replace it with a gem thanks to Andy.

 

[Benjamin Marks]

I'll chime in for the 50 Summilux ASPH and 75/1.4. Absolutely a fantastic lenses. But my 1980's version Summicron will also be with me until my sight dims.

Ben

 

[PMCC]

The 75 Lux can give thrilling results. Nothing else like it.

 

[noimmunity]

We've all been surprised at how good some cheap lenses have been, but how often have you tried a more or less expensive new lens and found that hey, well, maybe there is some reason why it has a cult following after all?

75 Summicron 50/1.5 C-Sonnar 18/4 Distagon

I follow you Roger, at least up until the Thambar!

I'm totally impressed with the 75 summicron and would have never believed I would ever ever buy a lens like that.

This photo (taken from photo.net) demonstrates one of the reasons why the 'cron is a delight:

I'd like to a 'cron thread, but there aren't that many here on RFF, and I don't want to get into a consumer-religion battle. Do you think a thread like that is feasible? Maybe W/NW ?

Another lens I find worth every penny is the relatively rare and now expensive Black Nikkor 85/2. I can see why Stephen Gandy says it is one of his all-time favorite lenses.

 

[kevin m]

What I'm looking for is the exact opposite of a 'bashing' thread...

Then I have a suggestion: How about starting a thread without using the term "basher" to describe anyone who might dare to disagree with you? 🙄

50 Summilux pre-asph. is my answer. Brilliant combination of IQ and portability and still available at a sane price.

 

[Pablito]

35mm Summicron IV

 

[urban_alchemist]

50/f1.0 Noctilux - a deeply flawed lense, but once you learn to respect its idiosyncracies, a delight.

50/f1.4 Summilux ASPH - I actually ended up with this by accident (bought the LHSA version together with my MP3) - had no intention as I had the other two already. Bloody happy I did though - probably the best lense on the planet. Worth every penny and then some.

50/f2.0 Summicron - a deeply underrated lense. I know people love it, but its got such a wonderful glow that, were it not for its two bigger brothers, would make it universally worshipped... (it was my first ever Leica glass, so I have just a little soft spot for it 🙂 )

(And after all you guys, I'm dying for a 75/f1.4!)

 

[Keith]

Totally against the flow sorry but a lens is a lens whether it be on a rangefinder or otherwise! The 35mm f2 Zuiko I bought recently for my OM is very impressive for the outlay.

 

[Harry S.]

So far im yet to try more than a handful of M lenses. I really love the 35mm Summicron IV though. For me, using it is the quintessential 'Leica experience'.

Id most like to try the 75mm AA summicron.

 

[Roger Hicks]

The 75/1.4 Summilux.
I would have called you crazy if you would have predicted that I am using that lens.

Dear Roland,

That's exactly the kind of thing I meant: from 'What sort of idiot would want this?' to 'Ummm.... me.'

Cheers,

R.

 

[D.O'K.]

40mm tessar on my Rollei 35.

Sharp enough, but not so as to give harsh lines; plus really lovely gentle tonality with most B&W films.

To my mind, it has many of the "rounded" qualitiies of the Leica glass although it retains its own unique look.

Not especially expensive, though...

Regards,
D.

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Perfectly said, Bob. Thanks.

 

[gertf]

This is one I'm saving for, in fact I've got a bee in my bonnet for this or the last pre-ASPH 35 Lux as my next lens.

You can have mine. It's in the classifieds; the price is negotiable 😉

 

[sepiareverb]

Thanks for the heads up, but I'm not that close yet gertf! I did look and sigh.

 

[Ronald M]

1.5 Summarit. Last 50 2.8 Elmar recently discontinued.

The 1.5 retains a certain quality from open to closed that gives a nostalgic rendering. The Elmar is sharp without being harsh.

 

[Nando]

My modern Leica lenses, the 24mm Elmarit-ASPH, 35mm Summicron-ASPh and 50 Summilux-ASPH are all astoundingly good, especially the 50 Summilux-ASPH. It is indeed worth every penny.

However, the most surprising lenses for me were the 35mm Summaron, 50 Summitar, 50 J3 (after Brian Sweeney fixed it) and 35mm f/1.2 Nokton-ASPH. All great lenses in their own way.

 

[maddoc]

The 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH (at least the copy I have). I am always astonished about the results I get and if not I can always say "user error" 😉

 

[johne]

Roger,
My compliments on this new thread. For me, my Summitar was compelling in that I got it as a body cap since it was so fogged. I never liked to use it until Shirley Krauter cleaned it. The change was thrilling! Plus, on my IIIF RD, it just looks right. In brief, even at 80, I learned to receive surprises with grace and enjoy them.
John

 

[Matt(1pt4)]

The 28/2.0 ASPH replaced the ZM28/2.8 in my kit. I'd long shot a Nikkor 28/2.0 Ai'd lens, and really loved the shallow depth of field 2.0 brings to a 28, and missed it when I moved to M's. When I was able to get a 28/2.0 ASPH I jumped, and ran it side by side with the ZM and a borrowed 28/2.8 ASPH. For me, the 2.0 was the winner. I quite dislike the hood, for it blocks too much of the VF and only rarely use it, no real troubles with flare yet.

Sepiareverb, that's a great photo. The 'intrusion' of the in focus branches makes me think of creeping tentacles for some reason. Neat.