Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/02/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Warrick Lawson wrote: > > LUGgers > > In addition to this review, there was also a full lens test done > on the Noctilux f/1 by Modern Photography. I used to have a copy > of a Modern Photography special edition with full tests of camers > and lenses, including the Leica's of the early and mid-70's; M5, > CL, SL and SL2. Sadly, I don't have this edition any more. But > I do recall that the bench test of the Noctilux caused a dilema > for the reviewers because many of the mid-aperture resolution > and contrast measurements did not reach the magazine's minimum > performance criteria. But they still thought it was a great lens > wide-open. (I wonder if this review is the origin of the opinion > that the Noctilux is not a useful multi-purpose 50mm.) Does anyone > out there have this old report? > From Modern Photography's '79 Photo Buying Guide: Noctilux #2749632 Resolution at 1:47 magnification f/no center corner lines/mm lines/mm 1 good/47 excellent/37 1.4 good/47 acceptable/33 2 -/47 -/33 2.8 -/37 acceptable/42 4 -/47 good/47 5.6 good/59 good/52 8 good/66 good/52 11 excellent/66 excellent/59 16 excellent/66 very good/52 Contrast at 30 lines/mm f/no center corner percentage percentage 1 low/44 low/16 1.4 low/44 very low/16 2 low/46 very low/16 2.8 low/54 very low/18 4 medium/62 low/40 5.6 medium/62 high/58 8 low/66 high/60 11 low/66 high/54 16 low/66 low/42 A "-" denotes a score below Modern's verbal ratings. According to Modern, this lens uses staggered coating, that is selective coating depending on optical and mechanical requirements of each element. Light falloff improves at f:2 and is better than average above 5.6. I hope it helps, Amilcar