Collapsible Summicron and Type I Rigid Summicron Comparison Shots

[brianv]

This is an informal lens test between two of my Favorite lenses, A late Collapsible Summicron that I CLA'd myself, and a 1957 Type I Rigid Summicron that I had professionally CLA'd. Both are very clean, and I think representative of their type.

This is not a test for absolute resolution of the lenses, but more of the rendition of the two pieces. These are as they came off of the scanner, and re-sized using photoshop. No post-scan processing for contrast or color balance.

First up: The Collapsible Summicron wide-open at F2.

[brianv]

And the Type I Rigid, wide-open:

[brianv]

The Collapsible Summicron at F2 and at F4:

[brianv]

Type I Rigid Wide-Open at F2:

[brianv]

One more with the Collapsible Summicron, wide-open with tight crop for center detail:

[brianv]

Just one more Comparison! Not on the same roll, this is with a 1935 Uncoated Summar at F2:

YES! You can make any modern film look like Kodachrome 10! Can anyone doubt that there is a special quality to these lenses, designed WITHOUT the aid of a computer?

[Delfi_r]

Thanks for sharing. I have just adquired the collapsible and the type I (Dual Range with gogles) and I'm in the process of using them. I expect to get as good results as your photos when I'm done using them.

[Mark Antony]

Interesting, I like the old lenses, I have a 50 Elmar 2,8 and a 90 F4 They have a wonderful soft quality wide open, and are great for giving a '50's look.
mark

[spydrxx]

I love the older lenses, particularly for B&W.

[Erik van Straten]

Thank you for this interesting test. Yes, the Summar is a beauty. Unfortunately, very sensbible to flare. But a good coated Summar could do a very good job indeed.
However, the judgement of lenses in black and white is quite different.
This is what I did with the 50mm collapsible Summicron whide open:

[Erik van Straten]

And this is the rigid, but at F4:

[rotzbremse]

Brian,
Thanks for the comparisons. My rigid Summicron may be of a similar age as your rigid Summicron.

[ampguy]

Thanks Brian, very interesting comparisons.