Leica vs CZ (Dr Yao Advice)

[leef]

Below is HK Dr Yao sharing info for all:

Let's see if I can answer your questions.

> Here are my further queries:
> =Leica 50/2 equally good as compared to G45/2?or rather any family signature
> difference,cos many users said Zeiss color is richer but Leica give a glow
> effect to pic whereby all other criteria like sharpness/contrast is same.

In addition to the Leica Summicron M 50/2.0 at great cost, have you
considered the new Zeiss Planar 50/2.0 in M mount (HK$5,495)? I find this
lens perform very much like the Planar 45/2.0 of the G series. I have been
a G2 shooter since 1997 and M shooter for close to thirty years. The Planar
50/2.0 offers better value for money than the Summicron which has not been
updated optically since 1979.

I find Leica lenses, especially the latest ones, offer rich colours and
sharpness with high contrast. I find there is little difference in terms of
optical performance between current Leica and Zeiss lenses. The so-called
'Leica glow' described by others is probably due to the aberration of the
older lenses!

> =Beisde the mechanical precision and price of Leica M7 (which I think no
> effect on pic quality at all),is R3a functionally same and matching
> perfectly with cron 50/2 and give same pic quality under skillful operation
> of both set?

Yes.

> =In fact I guess with R3a 1:1 VF we can be more relax and have better feel
> on our eyes compared to 0.72 M7?

Both finders are similar in terms of brightness and contrast and the
difference is the size of image. The M7 0.72 has a smaller image size
compared to the 1.0x finder for the R3A. With a 1.0x finder you can shoot
with both eyes open: right eye looking through the finder and the left eye
open at the same time. You retain the 3D distance judgement and have the
frame lines floating in the air! You cannot do the same with a non-1.0x
finder.


> =Cron 50/2 better with R3a or R2a,which model is better forseeing the side
> of frameline and focussing?I wear thick glass.

I wear glasses also. With the R3A, you can just see the entire 50mm frame
lines. With the R2A (0.7x) there is much room outside the 50mm frame lines.

I see the R2A as a general purpose camera since it also has 35mm frames.
The R3A is a more specialised camera since it has the very uncommon (but
nice) 40mm coverage and is more suitable for using longer lenses because of
the 1.0x finder.



Best regards,

Joseph Yao

---------------------
DR. JOSEPH YAO
joseph@yao.com

 

[moon]

Another question;

1) Which camera R2A/R3A has the best estimated frame for 28mm? By viewing the entire viewfinder right to the edge.

2) The coated Rokkor lenses are remarkable. Not very sure about the Voigtlander 40mm/1.4 lens. Heard it's soft.

3) can they operated without batteries? The Leica CL can (w/o metering), The Minolta CLE cannot.

 

[leef]

Another question;

1) Which camera R2A/R3A has the best estimated frame for 28mm? By viewing the entire viewfinder right to the edge.

2) The coated Rokkor lenses are remarkable. Not very sure about the Voigtlander 40mm/1.4 lens. Heard it's soft.

3) can they operated without batteries? The Leica CL can (w/o metering), The Minolta CLE cannot.

1)As far as I knowr3a only start with 40/50/75/90 line,can use 35 lens,r2a has the most outer line=35,so 28 i guess by the side of VF only.

2) not sure cos I know Zeiss only

3)must be with battery cos its auto meter and Aperure priority/MM

u can look at cameraquest web,full detail on it with frame line view also.
But order from Dr yao is cheaper.

 

[leef]

FROM DR YAO===
I would not say it was 'expert advice, just sharing my experience.

I am more of a photographer than lens tester or optical expert, so the
following comments are fairly subjective:

1. LEICA SUMMICRON M 50/2.0 (HK$7,500)

The lens is the best lens overall. It may not be the best performer on a
test bench (it may be, but I would not know). I like its images, very
pleasing, very natural. Colours are rich, contrast high, but neither are as
extreme as the latest Leica ASPH/APO lenses.

Mechanically it is first class. If you go for the silver chrome version, it
is even better. Made of solid brass and is thus hefty and buttery smooth.
Hood is built-in, telescopic. No focusing tab.

Being a Leica Summicron, it will also depreciates very little in the long
run. Used Summicron prices are well established.

In a nutshell, you cannot go wrong with a Summicron.


2. ZEISS PLANAR 50/2.0 (HK$5,495)

This is also an excellent performer. To my eyes it is similar of the G
series Planar 45/2.0. If you like the G 45/2.0 you will like this lens. It
is as sharp and contrasty as the Summicron, but somehow it has a different
'finger print' that my words cannot describe.

Mechanically it is not as robust as the Summicron (but then, what is?). It
better than Voigtlander, but not quite Leica yet, but close. Both silver
and black lenses appear to be made of the same material (aluminium).
Aperture stops are in 1/3 f/stop - a nice touch. Hood optional (HK$595),
not supplied with lens. There is a focusing tab, actually more like a bulge
of part of the focusing ring. Not as nice as the classic Leica focusing
tab.

Used price - no idea. Lens has just become available. Its value may hold,
or it may not. But since it is over HK$2,000 cheaper to start off with, it
is a winner in some ways.


3. VOIGTLANDER NOKTON CLASSIC 40/1.4 (HK$2,690)

This lens is called 'Classic' because the designer aimed to offer a vintage
image look, as offered by other classic lenses. It is based on the pre-ASPH
Summilux 35/1.4 both optically and cosmetically. Not the sharpest lens, and
it is not tuned with sharpness in mind, but the images are very pleasing.
Having said this, I have NOT noticed any lack of sharpness. There is even a
limited edition single-coated (SC) version for crisper B&W images.

Mechanically typical CV, not as good as the Zeiss or the Leica, but still
very good. Lens hood optional (LH-5, HK$295). Lens very inexpensive to
buy, probably offers the highest or 2nd highest performance/dollar ratio
here. Very cute lens, very handsome looking. BUT, and a BIG BUT, you will
need a camera with 40mm frame lines, such as the R3A, Minolta CLE and Leica
CL. Or you will need an external 40mm finder (which is a pain to use).

A word on using 40mm lenses with the R3A: yes, there are indeed 40mm frame
lines, but they are NOT easy to see with glasses. To get the idea, borrow a
Leica M6/7 0.72 and look for the 28mm frame lines. Same situation. You can
see them if you roll you eye and scan the finder.

When used with Leica M cameras (and the Konica Hexar RF), this lens brings
up the 50mm frame lines. I like this focal length a lot (40mm) and it is a
'must-have' for me. I have both the MC and SC versions.


4. VOIGTLANDER NOKTON 50/1.5 ASPH (HK$2,690)

This lens is very sharp wide-open. Sharpness is a non-issue with this lens.
Sharp all the way. Some say the bokeh is harsh, but I have not really
noticed. Even Erwin Puts admits this is a better performer than the Leica
pre-ASPH Summilux 50/1.4.

Ergonomically not the best - very large lens (52mm filter thread), and
mechanically typical CV - not heavy, not the smoothest. Hood (screw-in)
supplied, but lens is in screw mount so you will have to factor in the cost
of a LTM-M adapter (HK$325, by CV).

Excellent value for money, probably even more so than the Nokton 40/1.4.


CAMERAS

You asked about the M7 0.72 and R3A 1.0 finders. The truth is that the M7
finder is superior. Not surprising since the M7 is five times more
expensive. There is still no manufacturer who can come up with a superior
finder than Leica M's. I have used Hexar RF, CLE, CL, Mamiya 7, Bronica
645RF etc. and I have to say Leica M finder is still the best. But the
difference between the M7 and R3A finders is surprisingly small.

The M7 0.72 finder has 28 and 35mm frames which may not be important to you.
Pity the M7 0.85 finder is no longer available as a regular option or it
would be perfect. Also, the higher magnification the finder, the dimmer it
becomes. It is physics, but I cannot recall the theory. Thus, if you
compare the Leica 0.58, 0.72 and 0.85 finders side by side, the 0.58 finder
is the brightest and the 0.85 the dimmest. The difference is small, but
still noticeable. Likewise, the R3A 1.0 finder is a touch dimmer than that
of the Leica M7 0.72.

With the exception of film loading which the R3A wins hands down, the M7 is
better is almost all aspects, except pricing. The M7 is five times the
price of an R3A. For me, I prefer to spend money on lenses first.

I think you will be very happy with the R3A/Summicron 50 combo. When the
time comes, add a 90mm: either the new Macro Elmar M 90/4.0, or the Elmarit
M 90/2.8 (which is being phased out).

As for the R3A, I also recommend the Trigger Winder and Abrahamsson Mini
Softrelease highly. We will discuss these at a later stage.

Sorry for bending your ears, but I do hope you will find this somewhat
useful.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Best regards,

Joseph Yao

 

[moon]

Many thanks for all the informative inputs.

What's the price of a R2A and R3A including shipping?

thanks.