Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/04/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The Summarit is one of the strangest of the Leica lenses, a lens that has provoked mostly unfavorable reactions from users but also some very favorable reactions. I am one of the Summarit's big adherents, but I have to let people know that I like the Summarit because of characteristics others object to. First, I prefer a fast 50mm lens to be low contrast. When I shoot a high contrast scene, such a lens is perfect for me, especially in very low light. As for a low contrast scenes, the Summarit gives me the subdued colors I prefer. I cannot dispute what Erwin Puts says about the Summarit but I have found that in very low light its sharpness is quite good and I haven't noted any significant lack of detail rendering. But I am talking here about very low light photos, at cafes, poetry readings, small club concerts, still life photos in churches and museum, etc., and I get great pastel type coloring and more than enough sharpness for 11x14 enlargements. Since it is difficult to find low contrast lenses, the Summarit is therefore a very special lens -- for me and those who like low contrast lenses. The other 50mm I use a lot, the Canon 50mm f/1.8, is not a true contrast lens per se but it is not a high contrast lens either and I like it because of its sharpness and what I believe is slightly lower than average contrast. Thus, I use the Summarit and the Canon for the type of work I like to do. I assume many photographers may not like those lenses for the same reasons I prefer them. I have heard the Leica produces fast lenses that specifically stress high contrast in low light for more bite. Again, it all depends on what you are talking about as low light. Much of the low light I shot in is high contrast already. As far as low light contrast scenes, I thrive on low contrast colors. As far as black and white is concerned, I use XP2 in low light and exploit XP2's great tonal quality and the Summarit has never let me down. But yes, it is a low contrast lens that many people will not like.