Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/17
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Last week there was some speculation that Leica might introduce a new formulation of the 50 summilux-M lens now that the R version is available. There were some comments made that suggested that the M version of the lens needed improvement when used wide open. I asked if someone could make some computer space available so that I could post a photo showing what the 50mm summilux-M could do wide open. I'd like to thank Alfred Breull <puma@hannover.sgh-net.de> for making the space available and for scanning a photo that I sent him last week. It took only a few days for the photo to get from Canada to Germany once I printed it in the darkroom. The photo was taken last month with a 50mm summilux-M wide open on an M6. I hope that it illustrates that the lens is quite capable of taking nice photos wide open. Pascal wrote: In support of Tom Shea, I can add that, according to the Chasseur d'Images' test report, the Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 is especially soft at the corners (even very soft at the widest 3 f-stops), but an excellent performer as far as center sharpness is concerned (its sharpness is even higher than that of equivalent lenses of Canon and Nikon at the widest 3 f-stops). I have a Summilux-M 50mm and can say I am very pleased with its results & handling! If you know the weaknesses of a lens, you can at least take this into account in photographical praxis and use each lens for what it is best suited. If I want an image with "even sharpness across the entire field", I take the Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. Taking the strengths and limitations of the lens into account, the photo I have posted may help to illustrate what it can do at f/1.4. You may view the photo at: <http://members.aol.com/gallery711/gh.htm> Comments are welcome. Those who suggested that the computer monitor does not show the fine detail that lenses can provide are absolutely right; comparing the high res download to a print allowed me to see that the print held much more detail, tone and subtle gradation than was evident on the monitor. The photo may help to serve as an illustration -- not definitive evidence of lens performance. Mr. Breull's kind offer to post the photo for me has given me the opportunity to illustrate the point I was making about the usefulness of the 50 'lux-M wide open. It has also given me the opportunity to share the photo with others on the LUG. I applaud the LUG webspace project that is currently being considered. It would give others like myself an opportunity to introduce themselves photographically to the rest of the LUG members. I try to view whatever photos LUG members have on display. Doing so enables me to learn from them. I find it to be a very worthwhile experience. Regards, George - -GH