50mm lenses.

[noddy]

Hi all, can anyone who has used an Elamar and a Summitar (50mm) tell me what the difference is, using both B&W and colour film?

I realise the variation in aperture sizes, it’s the image quality I’m interested in.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Andy

[dkpeterborough]

Get the Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition and see lens performance data and MTF curves for nearly all Leica lenses made up to the date of the book's publication

dunk

[bill]

Hi Andy,

I have both. I use the Elmar far more than the Summitar, mainly because of the compactness of the latter, which makes my IIIc truly pocketable.

That said, in the image stakes, I prefer the results I get with the Elmar. Here are some examples:

Elmar:

Decisive Challenge 1.jpg

IIIc Lloyds Building.jpg

Summitar:

Guildford 8 anachronism.jpg

IIIc Laycock Village 1.jpg


I think the results I get with the Elmar suit my subject matter better. I rarely need the speed of the Summitar.

I'm afraid I hardly shoot colour, with my IIIc, so can't help you there.

Regards,

Bill

[noddy]

Thanks for information and the picures, it really helps to see side by side comparisons. I'll look into this book too.

Cheers

Andy

[rubenkok]

Hi Andy,
Here is some nice reading Leica M-Lenses - Their soul and secrets
50mm f/2,8 Elmar; page 46
50mm f/2,8 Elmar-M; page 47
unfortunately it has no information on the Summitar lens.
Hope this is some help,
Ruben

[eyedeebee]

Great link!

[noddy]

Thanks for the link Ruben, its a realy interesting read.

Andy