Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/11/19

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Subject: [Leica] Zeiss Otus - Lens sharpness confusion
From: lrzeitlin at aol.com (lrzeitlin at aol.com)
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 13:22:29 -0500 (EST)

>From LensTip.com
"The Zeiss Otus 1.4/55 compares very favourably with its rivals because 
at the maximum relative aperture it reaches 38 lpmm. On stopping down 
the situation only improves and by f/4.0 the MTFs are on a 
record-breaking level of 50 lpmm. The chart below makes it easier to 
see that the Otus is really far better than all its competitors. "

In October, 1978 the magazine "Modern Photography" in a comprehensive 
test of normal lenses achieved a resolution of 102 lpmm with a Leica DR 
Summicron 50 mm lens using Micro-Ektachrome film. Other lenses were 
close behind. Those made by Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Pentax and Olympus 
all reached 100 lpmm. For those who care to look it up, the article was 
titled "How Sharp Can you Get?" The experiment was critically evaluated 
and appeared sound. Images of the results are presented.

That was 35 years ago. What am I missing here?

Larry Z




Replies: Reply from alal at poly.edu (Akhil Lal) ([Leica] Zeiss Otus - Lens sharpness confusion)
Reply from henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff) ([Leica] Zeiss Otus - Lens sharpness confusion)
Reply from kanner at acm.org (Herbert Kanner) ([Leica] Zeiss Otus - Lens sharpness confusion)