Reviw of Leica lenses

[Erwin Puts <imxputs@knoware.nl>]

I finally started to translate my lenstests in English. Here my condensed 
conclusions.

**
Leica users are particularly fortunate as they are able to find and use 
the older lenses, designed and built for the LTM series of cameras and 
the contemporary M-bayonet. <BR>
In a lengthy period of lenstesting I have compared a number of older 
lenses to the newer and the newest generations are could draw some 
remarkable conclusions.My testing is based on strictly controlled test 
lab and practical situations and the backup of   an optical bench. >Some 
general conclusions:
The most recent generation is visibly better at the two or three largest 
diaphrags.>
more, sometimes substantially more contrast, giving more clearly 
reproduced shadow details 
visibly better rendition of the finest details in object textures
sharper delineation of  subject contours (acutance) 
better performance  in closup distance (70cm to 1,5 meter)
quality fall off  from center to the corners has been diminished
excellent finish and quality control  (no decentering, smooth focusing 
ring, smooth and precise diaphragm click stops):better than in the past
The second general conclusion
From f/5,6 the differences between old and new lenses are small to very 
small, bu
quality difference between corners and center is still visible
aberrations not so well correcteed (astigmatism, chromatic lateral 
aberrations, spherical aberrations) 

28mm
The Summaron (11501) has acceptable quality, which comes as no surprise, 
since its largest aperture is f/5,6, only usable in fair light 
conditions. This is an uncoated version and its flare suppression is 
quite commendable
The Elmarit  (2,8) has been recomputed 4 times.
Up to date performance is only guaranteed with the third  (<A 
HREF="l11804.html">11804</A>) and fourth (actual: <A 
HREF="l11809.html">11809</A>) versions of the 
Elmarit-M. The latest one is at f/2,8 as good as the third generation at 
f/4,0. The Elmarit-M
of the first (11801) generation is good atf/ 5,6. Still the contrast is 
lower than versions  III en IV. Especially at f/ 2,8 enf/ 4,0
these versions are markedly superior to their predecessors.

<35mm>
The Summicron 2,0 (first generation: <11308) has a medium contrast till 
f/4,0, but is very good from f/ 5,6 . The current
(version 3: <11311) is an absolte topclass performer. A must. The 
Summilux-M f/1,4 (11870) is as good
as the Summicron (11308) but at full aperture its contrast is low and the 
lens is  flare prone at full aperture, making it less usable in adverse 
lighting conditions.
This lens is still buyable for the person who needs a compact lens and 
can live with its weak large aperture performance in terms of flare and 
refelctions. The Summilux-M ASPH (<A HREF="l11873.html">11873</A>) is 
relatively volumineus,
but its performance, especially at full apertuer are stunning, By and 
large its performance is on a par with the latest Summicron-M
It is the 35mm lens of choice for any person needing a high quality f/1,4 
lens and for whom volume is no problem.
50mm 2,8
The Elmar 2,8 (11612)is a low contrast lens, with a fine rendition of 
small details in the center of the field. It is a lens whose repution is 
better than its actual performance. The new Elmar-M (11823) is optical 
and pricewise on the same level as the  Summicron-M. Its advantages are 
compactness and a classical look. The definiton of details  is slightly 
more coarse than the smoother rendition of the Summicron-M. This 
difference is explainable by the 4 versus 6 lens design.
50mm 2,0
The Summicron  f/2,0 (1e gen: <11818) from 1953 has a very good rendition 
of very fine colour hues and gradation. 
The contrast at full aperture and also at f/2,8 is low, giving the 
shadows a flat and lackluster appearance. The overall contrast is low and 
pictures at these two apertures are a little flat. From f/4,0 the lens is 
very good, but never reaches the clarity and contrast of the newer 
generations.
The second generation (11819) is much better, but just outclassed by the 
third generation(current: <11825). 
The third generation has been produced in several variations. Optically 
all these versions arethe same. The production from 1989 seems to benefit 
from a general upgrading of quality control and better mastering of 
production techniques.
The lens has a high contrast image at full aperture and can resolve 
extremely  fine details with good clarity and micro contrast. My own 
testing shows at least 80 linepairs/mm (at f/5,6) with Fuji Velvia. 
Optically one of the very best in the Leica lens line.
50mm 1,4:
The Summilux f/1,4 (first gen:11114)is one of the best secondhand buys 
for the M series. It almost the equal of the current (2 gen: <11868>)
Summilux and  (from f/2,8)  Summicron lenses. <BR>
The Summilux-M is markedly better at full aperture and marginally better 
at the smaller apertures. You must do some critical testing to see these 
differences!
<BR>
The Summarit 1,5 (SOOIA-M) has a low to very low contrast at full 
aperture and is very prone to flare.
The resolution is quite high, but the low contras tsuppresses the small 
details 
below the visual threshold of human vision.

90mm 1:2,8

The (Tele-)Elmarit's are a clear indication of Leica's queeste for the 
ultimate in optical performanc The long and slender
 Elmarit (11129) is  followed by the Tele-Elmarit(11800), a full 2 cm 
shorter and fits in a normal everready case.
Leitz has great difficulties to give this lens the same optical 
performance as its predecessor. 
The successor arrives in 1974, loses a lens element, has therefor more 
contrast, but is a little longer ans smaller again. Here Leitz has gone a 
little to far 
The lens is very compact and short, but the small distance ring proves to 
be a bit difficult for accurate and fast shooting (the diameter is  a 
mere 47mm).
 The final form is found in 1990 with the Elmarit-M (11807).
Optically the new  Elmarit-M is closely related to the older
 Elmar-C for the Leica CL, made in 1973,
only one year earlier than the Tele-Elmarit-M (11800).
In 30 years  Leica has produced  10 fundamentally different optical 
designs for the 90mm, of which seven for the M-series. 
The new  Elmarit-M howver is the culmination of this soul searching for 
the ideal 90mm.
90mm 1:2,0
The Summicron (11123) has always had a good repution.  The first Canadian 
vrsion (in LTM) was a heavyweight and not very ergonomically designed. In 
these days a lens could take every format dictated by the optical 
construction  It is a tribute to the designer of the old version that a 
much lighter version with one lens element omitted(11136 with '-M' 
suffix) and therefore recomputed is not significantly better. At full 
aperture both versions produce a low to medium contrast image with a 
particularly weak micro contrast . Still the recording of fine details 
has a smooth and pleasing characteristic. The performance jumps quite 
remarkably at f/2,8 and smaller. The full aperture performance is not up 
the level of the Summicrons in 35mm and 50mm. 
Erwin Puts