Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/26
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In a message dated 97-12-26 16:10:03 EST, you write:
> > Greetings, LUGers, I am new. I have another question about the f2 50 mm
> > Summicron. How does it stack up against older 50 mm lenses, especially
the
> 5cm
> > summarit f 1.5. I have the Summarit and use it, but often wonder if I
> would
> > see a difference with the modern f2 lens. I would like the idea of a
> lighter
> > lens. The Summarit weighs a ton. Joe Stephenson.
> >
From my experience I found very, very little difference
between the current Summicron and the one previous to it...the newer version
being just a smidgen better in the corners at the 2 widest stops. The first
generation Summicron is a sharp lens also but differs in that it gives a
somewhat lower contrast rendition. I've only shot, but not owned, a thread-
mount Summarit and I happen to prefer the performance of the Elmar to any of
the faster thread-mount 50's. Sadly, Leica lenses from the 50's and earlier
seem to not age well at all...that "gunk" you describe is a commonality.
Sometimes it can be cleaned off, sometimes not...and it's always expensive.
Doc