[Leica] Summarit press release

[len-1 at comcast.net (Leonard Taupier)]

Mark,

I recorded this data about three years ago. I believe it was from  
Photodo. They have since removed this data. New management I think.

Lens                                    f2.8            f4.0            f8.0 
           Rating

Canon EF 50/1.8         77              81              85              4.2

Contax Planar 50/1.7    78              86              88              4.6

Leica Summicron 50/2.0  81              85              87              4.6

Nikon AF 50/1.8         78              83              86              4.4

These are resolution numbers. In this focal length nearly all lenses  
made are old designs and very similar. The differences are glass  
types and manufacturing tolerances.

Last week I ran resolutions tests on seven Leica 50mm lenses. They  
were the 3.5 Elmar, Summarit, Summitar, Summicron Collapsible,  
Summicron Rigid #1, current Summicron and Noctilux. The lens with the  
highest resolution was the Summicron Rigid #1 made in 1958. However  
it wasn't the sharpest. Most of the lenses had very similar  
resolution numbers. The difference was contrast. The current  
Summicron was by far the sharpest of all. The contrast was easily the  
best. I would have included my 50mm Summilux Asph but it's at Leica,  
NJ being coded. It's better then the Summicron. At some point after  
1958 Leica started optimizing their lenses for contrast, not resolution.

I have 3 of the 4 lenses from the Photodo test. I see the Leica as  
the best. And the proof is in the photos, not the test charts.

I know. I have a lot of time on my hands. But I'm an engineer and  
this is what I do when I'm not taking photos. It's relaxing.

Len


On Aug 8, 2007, at 2:41 PM, Mark Rabiner wrote:

>> Frank,
>>
>> I have the 50 Summicron, and it certainly knocks my socks off.  No  
>> complaints
>> of its performance in my book.
>>
>> Gene
>>
>>
>
> The results from my Summicron m always looks great.
>
> But the specs put others in front of it.
>
> The design is 28 years old.
> That's a long time in this day and age of computer this and special  
> coatings
> that. Newer glasses perhaps.
>
> Mark William Rabiner
> Harlem, NY
>
> rabinergroup.com
>
>
>
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