Has anyone switched from the R 50mm f2 to the latest f1.4 or vice versa? Is the R 50mm Summilux the best 50mm lens by Leica? I am a little confused by Erwin Puts' review of the latest R 50mm f1.4 which seems to suggest that it may be catching up with (but still inferior to) the M 50mm f2.0? And in the same review it is not clear to me that the f1.4 version beats the f2.0 version except perhaps at f4.0 and f5.6? Grateful if you would share any experience you may have had with these 2 lenses. Thanks.

-- David (yeo_d@hotmail.com), August 28, 2001

Answers

David

You are right about the Puts review - it is confusing - is it "better" than the M or R Summicron? I could not really tell, but he does say it is the best 50mm f1.4 made by Leica and by a good margin. I wouldn't mind the new 'lux R myself, but the price premium is very high. Particularly when you think you can buy s/h R-'crons ridiculously cheaply and they are a superb lens.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), August 28, 2001.