[Leica] IMG: The Age-Old Question: Which 50mm?

[Jim Nichols]

I have recently posted some images made with the post-war Russian 
Jupiter 8, a Zeiss copy, and have had some favorable comments.  I 
personally like its images, and it is a very small package. Today, I 
decided to compare it to other older 50s in my collection.  I have no 
modern prime lenses in my collection.

I set up a porcelain Wood Duck near a window, so that I could shoot as I 
normally do, hand-held at about 3 ft.  The light required ISO 1000.  I 
shot two images with each lens at f/2.8. The collection included the 
Jupiter 8, the Canon 50/1.4, the Leica Summitar, the Leica-R Summicron, 
and the Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 50/1.4.

I processed the RAF files sparingly, to let the original files prevail.  
Surprisingly, the Canon and the Summicron appeared the best.  After a 
little sharpening, I picked the Summicron-R as the winner, with the 
Canon a close second.

http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Leica+Summicron-R+50mm+2_0+Lens+at+2_8+Final.tif.html

http://www.gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Canon+50mm+1_4+Lens+at+2_8+Final.tif.html

Unfortunately, these are two of the largest, heaviest 50s in my 
collection, so I may not make them my normal choice.

Comments and critiques welcomed and appreciated.

-- 
Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA