Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/07/28

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To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: 50mm F:2 Summicron-DR (with eyes) ... Opinions?
From: imxputs@knoware.nl (Erwin Puts/imX)
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 1996 19:22:22 +0200
 
>The 50/2 Summicron had the highest resolution figures of ANY lens ever
>tested by Modern Photography,  so said an old "TOO HOT TO HANDLE"
>column.
>
>Today it is not as popular amongst collectors because it is not as
>aesthetically pleasing as the standard rigid version of the same lens.
>Yet it very very useful.
>
>Stephen Gandy

Hello Stephen,
Resolution is not all there is in lens performance. Contrast and especially
micro contrast (or in MTF terms: high contrast at high frequency numbers)
are the decisive edge. The newer Summicron has this property in abundance,
where the old one is weak.
Performance of the original one is disappointing (at f/2,0 and f/2,8)
compared with the new ones. So it is not aesthetics that dictate the
popularity. See my leica M lens comparison in www.imx.nl/photosite
Erwin Puts
Replies: Reply from Cameras <Cameras@ix.netcom.com> (Re: 50mm F:2 Summicron-DR (with eyes) ... Opinions?)
Reply from "joe b." <joe.b@private.nethead.co.uk> (Re: 50mm F:2 Summicron-DR (with eyes) ... Opinions?)