Great stuff Charles, the pictures of the dad with his kid, the seagull, and the rays-of-light with the buildings in the background, really enjoyed this series!
Steve Sprang wrote:
Thanks for the earlier comments everyone. Here are some shots with the Zeiss 50/2 Planar. Despite hearing that the build quality was inferior to Leica, I can find no faults with it. In fact, I prefer the aperture ring to the one on my Summicron 35 ASPH (which has a little play at both ends).
Ok, to be honest (even though you'll all think I'm a ZE fanboy) I seen your post and really didn't read it but noticed Summicron 35 ASPH, looked over the photos and thought that the up-close bokeh in the flowers was quite neat. Made it all the way to the chairs and had to stop, as they really jumped out at me. And I was like "*&%# I need to buy a 35 ASPH now, as that's the rendering I like to see"
Then god a bit depressed as I really don't wanna be spending that kinda money right now as I just had the wedding budget talk with the fiance (meaning she'll kill me if I buy more gear). Anyway, scrolled down and noticed charles writing about the 50/2 ZM so I scrolled back up and read your whole post! I'm super happy now, as the lens should be here in a couple (1-2) days! My friend let me use his a bit, since mine was taking so long to get here, but I really didn't have the time to make use of it, and it just sat around. But I'm excited now more then ever for the 50/2 and am hoping that the chair shot will somehow translate into what's in store for me portrait wise. Anyway, so tired from work today, think my brain is fried, I shot outdoors, so I'm skim reading and looking at all the pretty photos. Don't mind my reading comprehension mistakes today
charles.K wrote:
Some shots from this afternoon with the 75 Lux No ducks in sight, but I hope the seagul will redeem me
Wow, loved the dog shot, and these beach shots are great. The lux seems to be doing good things for you! Aside from the fact that they're great captures!
Thank you Adam Yes I am loving the Lux's, that is the 50 and 75
The ZM 50/2 is a great lens. It is accurate to focus, and great rendering. I think you will really like it. It was one of my first lenses, as nothing else was available, and I still have it for its unique rendering.
Thanks Joe Yes the 75 Lux is suprising me on many levels. I think I have redefined my travelling kit to only, 28 Summicron, 50 Summilux Asph and 75 Summilux.
charles.K wrote:
Thanks Joe Yes the 75 Lux is suprising me on many levels. I think I have redefined my travelling kit to only, 28 Summicron, 50 Summilux Asph and 75 Summilux.
that is one sweet kit to be toting around. great shots with the 75, I really like the unique look to that lens
thrice wrote:
Great stuff Charles, the pictures of the dad with his kid, the seagull, and the rays-of-light with the buildings in the background, really enjoyed this series!
Edward, the process was like this:
The day I gave my camera to the local reseller (16/11) I got an email from him with a package tracking number. The package arrived in Solms and was picked up (18/11). The day after it was registered in Leica's system (you can search by serial number here: http://en.leica-camera.com/service/service_and_repair/repair_tracking)
Yesterday (22/11) the info was updated to this:
Datum Status
19.11.2010 Service order registered on
22.11.2010 Quotation sent on
22.11.2010 In repair
I got a PDF with the extended info that I posted today, sent to me by the reseller. So it took precisely a week for me to get the info.
Some of that might be standard stuff they do to all cameras they get in. I mean if you take the camera apart to inspect certain things, you might possibly have to readjust it as you put it back together...
Luka, each time it goes back to Solms or Leica NJ (in the US), they do a thorough check of the camera for you. This includes checking sensor and adjust the alignment for you. Its normal. A very minority of M9 shipped had cracked sensors. Hope you get it back soon.
Kidtexas, Joe, Charles: Yes, it's probably routine and it's good that they do it. According to the Leica rep I originally talked to fixing cameras was typically fast while fixing lenses could take some time. I told them that I really needed it back by 3/12 and they said they would try but that they could not give any absolute guarantees. So we'll see
Edward: Well, in my case it's not my problem. I sent it in through the shop where I bought the camera so getting it safely there and back is their responsibility. But yes, I would not feel all that comfortable sending an M9 + 75 Cron by mail myself.
My indecision over the 35 Lux ended quickly today - while I was still thinking about it, it was sold out. So that solved my dilemma and I got a respite. The funny thing is that as expensive as the Leica lenses are they are clearly sold under market value as they are sold out so quickly. I wonder why Leica isn't setting the price in such a way that the demand will be even over time.
Anyway, I can't say that I'm heartbroken about not getting it this round. Although I would like some more fast lenses, I'll stick with my 50/1.5 Sonnar for low light photography. I really do like that lens.
By the way Charles - how large is the 75 Lux, say compared to a 25 ZM (as we have it both)? Do you think you will keep both the 75 Lux and Cron?
The size of the 75 Lux, in the hand is very small compared to fast portrait lenses I have used. I was very fortunate to get a German made version, which had only 20 actuations on it. The focusing accuracy of this lens is amazing. The focus ring throw is longer, but allows for very quick and accurate focus. At f/1.4 I have had about 95% keepers, at all distances. I am still waiting for my 75 Cron. I will keep the Cron, as its rendering is very different, and sometimes people want this sharpness for portraits, and sometimes the it is more pastel like rendering with 75 Lux. My 90 Summicron is still at Solms, being repaired and recalibrated At least I have one portrait lens for the moment.
Size of the 75 Lux compared to the ZM 25, the 75 Lux is bigger, but yesterday walking around at the beach I did not notice it. Seriously this is a beautiful lens to own. I feel really fortunate to be in a position where I can
If I want light weight, I just use the 28 Elmarit, set it at f/5.6 - 8 and you have a relatively light P&S. This is the beauty of the system, you do have this option and maintain excellent IQ.
My ultimate travel kit now is the 28 Cron, 50 and 75 Lux's, as I mentioned before. Simple just 3 lenses, rendering I aspire to, low light capabilities, and particularly the narrow DOF, which great in locations like Thailand or Vietnam.
It was fun, walking around with only the 75 Lux and experimenting 
At least I have one portrait lens for the moment.