[Leica] Optical Reference Standards

["David W. Almy" <dalmy@mindspring.com>]

Lucien wrote (Bravo!!!):

> If you want the best image quality:
> 
> R 15mm
> R 19mm
> M 21 Asph
> M 24 Asph
> R 28mm or M 28mm
> M 35/2 Asph. or 35/1,4 Asph.
> M 50/2
> R 50/1,4
> (M 50/1)
> R 60mm
> M 75mm
> M 90/2 Apo-Asph
> R 100/2,8 Apo
> R 180/2,8 Apo - R 180/2 Apo
> R 280/4
> Apo Modul System 280/2,8 - 400/2,8 - 560/5,6 - 800/5,6
> Apo Extender 1,4 X
> Apo Extender 2 X

All of the above "Best in Class" lenses are current production models.
Each represent the highest optical performance available on the market
today, irrespective of costs. The definitive list of optical reference
standards probably also should include several Leica zooms:

R 70-180/2.8 Apo
R 35-70/2.8 Asph.
R 105-280/4.2

The non-Leica members of this list would be interesting to compile, and
will be different in a week (as may be the Leica list). For now, they
might include:

Nikon 
300/2.8 AF-S (these four, being autofocus, stand adjacent to the Leica
nominees)
400/2.8 AF-S
500/4 AF-S
600/4 AF-S
20-35/2.8 AF
60/2.8 AF
24/2 AF

Canon
17-35/2.8 L
300/2.8 L (ditto these two with the above)
400/2.8 L II

Contax
16/8 Hologon G
21/2.8 G
28/2.8 G
45/2 G
90/2.8 G

Candidates for this list should be qualified based only on a consensus
of rational testing, not emotional anecdotes.

Now, anybody have any winning lottery tickets?

Cheers,

David W. Almy
Annapolis, Maryland

P.S. The contents of the list above is why I have 2 M6s, an R8 and 8
lenses.