Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/05/04
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]<< I have heard rumours that different lens families of Leica lenses (i.e. Elmarits or Summicrons, etc.) reflect differing aesthetic preferences (sharpness, colour saturation, contrast). Is this true? If it is, what is the exact philosophy behind this (what are those families purported characteristics)? Is there any documentation from Leica about this? I know that there are differences; from experience I have learned that I like Elmarits better than others, I'm just not sure why..... >> There is not necessarily a commonality among the design of Elmarit lenses - or among Summicorn lenses. The design of an an Elmarit 50 mm lens is entirely different than the design of an Elmarit 90 mm lens. These terms simply refer to the maximum aperture. Accordingly, it is difficult how there can be any common "look" to Elmarits - or Summicrons or Summiluxes. It is understandable that there could be a relatively common look to lenses of a certain design period or lenses designed by a common chief designer. For example, a certain designer might prefer to sacrifice curvature of field to achieve a better performance of certain other abberations. However, this commonality has little to do with the maximum aperture Tom Shea Tom Shea