Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/01
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The collapsible seven element 50mm f2.0 Summicron is probably the sharpest lens ever offered to the general public, as least as far as pure lines/mm resolution is concerned. This lens was offered in the early 50s when most Leica photography was B&W and contrast could be easily manipulated by paper selection. It is the lens that won the famous Modern Photography "shootout" beating Nikon, Canon, and Olympus in terms of resolution, topping over 100 l/mm on high resolution film. When color photography took over most of the market, Leica recomputed the lens to maximize contrast rather than resolution. The later configuration is six elements. Leica asserts that the visual effect is to give a sharper, more contrasty impression although the actual resolution is slightly poorer than the older model lens. Both are named Summicron, by the way. The later lenses are fixed mount only. Either is an excellent lens. If I shot a lot of B&W, I would opt for the older lens, if a lot of color, I would go for the newer. LarryZ