Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/08/08
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Around 1999-2000 the site fell into disrepair. The old site and graphs can be accessed from this address: old.photodo.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leonard Taupier" <len-1@comcast.net> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug@leica-users.org> Sent: Wednesday, 08 August, 2007 3:21 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Summarit press release > 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 >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >