Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/08/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> The Olympus OM system also has a good reputation for macro work. The 50 > mm f/2 and 90 mm f/2 are reputed to be the equal of Leica glass. The 4T > body is available (used) for about the same $$ as the Contax, and a "2" > series for around $200. You could also pick up a 50 mm /f3.5 for $160, > and get a 50 mm f/1.8 for another $30 for non-macro work. The 50 will > get down to 1:2 on its own, and 1:1 with a 25 mm extension tube. > > See this site for a detailed OM lens tests: > > http://members.aol.com/olympusom/lenstests/default.htm I'm glad someone mentioned Gary Reese's OM lens test site. While the site is largely devoted to lenses for the Olympus OM system, Gary has several Leitz/Leica lenses on the site as comparisons. There's also a few Nikkor, Canon, and Minolta and Pentax lenses. Kyle's favorite bargain rangefinder (Canonet QL-17) is there, too, and it doesn't come off badly. Gary uses a large USGS topographic map of the Grand Canyon as the test target at 1:40. The target has low-contrast as well as high-contrast components. He evaluates the resulting slides on a good projector. The result is a very consistent and real-world evaluation. He also shows how the mirror and automatic diaphragm on an SLR significantly affect picture quality. Anyway, if you want to see how a few Leica lenses compared to the others, check out Gary's site. He includes the 50mm Summicron-M and 90 APO Summicron-M, and the 28mm Elmarit-R and 90mm Summicron-R. Of course, bokeh, "glow," "look," and Pride of Leica Ownership are not included in the tests. :-) - --Peter Klein Seattle, WA