Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/02/11

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Subject: Re: [Leica] here's a concept, Summilux vs. Noctilux
From: Alexey Merz <alexey@webcom.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Feb 1999 01:20:25 +0000

Can't speak to the Noctilux, but the 35 Summilux ASPH... 

Example: I have before me a 16" x 20" Fuji Supergloss print of a KR64 
trannie shot inside the St. Chappelle Cathedral in Paris. f/1.4 at 1/15
or 1/8. The room is dim, to show off the astonishing expanses of stained
glass windows.

Depth of field is obviously a limitation, but the in-focus regions 
are, to use a dreadfully overused phrase, tack-sharp. Detail goes 
right down to the grain limit. Out of focus regions are rendered
in a neutral fashion; slightly defocused areas retain excellent
contrast. With a considerable brightness range in the scene, even 
deep shadows hold considerable detail (in the original, though
some of this was not printable without a contrast mask). 

Evaluation: the M6-35 ASPH allows me to use emulsions fully two stops
slower than I would have required with my nikon and 35/2. and to 
exploit the film's capabilities handheld in marginal light. 

Damn, this setup delivers!

- -Alexey
..........................................................................
Alexey Merz | URL: http://www.webcom.com/alexey | email: alexey@webcom.com