Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/11/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]>>> Mike Johnston wrote: > > >>>The 50 Summicron has been lens all other 50mm lenses have > been compared against for decades (but not usually zooms) and defines > "Leica"<<< > > Pardon, but this is propaganda. It hasn't been true for at least a > decade or two. It's a very good lens. That's about all I'd claim. > Compared to what would be possible today in a true "reference standard" > 50mm lens, it's not really close. For one thing, it is way too prone to > flare compared to other existing lenses. Mike, Based upon what scientific data-driven consensus have you concluded that the 50 Summicron R is passé? Can you cite comparison tests? Just curious.<<< I didn't say it was "passe," whatever that word would mean when applied to a lens used for creative photography (I'm looking into buying a 50mm f/3.5 Elmar made in the 1940s). I said that the claim that it was the reference standard against which all other 50mm lenses are judged is propaganda, and that is litertally and precisely true based on the definition of the word. I base my opinion on having used it extensively and having also used perhaps 20 other 50mm lenses by a variety of makers, some in multiple samples. If you desire "scientific data-driven consensus," ask Erwin, as that's his bag, not mine. I do think he'll agree with my conclusion, albeit perhaps for different reasons. Ask him if Leica could do better today. The answer is, they unquestionably could. - --Mike