New collapsible Elmar-M, old collapsible Summicron.

[captyng@vtx.ch (Gerard Captijn)]

> If you need the collapsing feature and are considering both speed and
optical quality, >choosing between the collapsible Summicron and the new
Elmar may not be easy. I >would be very interested in any comparisons
between these two lenses.

You are right, if you need a compact 50mm lens plus speed, there is only the
old collapsible Summicron. I happen to have also the old Summicron on which
John van Stelten did a super job (recoating + CLA) so I have been able to
compare. The Summicron from 1953 is very sharp but delivers its sharpness at
low contrast levels compared to recent Leica glass (contrast is far more
important than sharpness for the visual quality of the final image).

At 2.8 there is approximately one full photographic paper contrast gradation
between the new Elmar and the old Summicron. Especially at 2.0 but also at
2.8, the old Summicron renders contrast poorly. The recoating definitively
improved performance at 2.0 but cannot compensate the much higher number of
glass/air surfaces (Summicron 12, Elmar 6). Its something like looking
through 12 windows, one after another, versus looking through 6. Like the
Elmar, the Summicron is at its best at 5.6.

I guess that if 2.0 is an absolute must, go for the Summicron, increasing
development somewhat (B&W). At all other apertures, the 2.8 Elmar is
preferable. The hood from the new Elmar can be used on the Summicron,
replacing the massive original barndoor construction.

Gerard Captijn,
Geneva, Switzerland.
Fax: +41 (22) 700 39 28.