neal Posted January 11, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 11, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is for anyone who doesn't believe that old glass can be sharp. This photo was taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 with a mint condition 1935 vintage 50mm F2 Summar. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! detail 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! detail ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/239736-old-lens-quality/?do=findComment&comment=2745751'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 11, 2015 Posted January 11, 2015 Hi neal, Take a look here Old lens quality. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Michael Hiles Posted January 11, 2015 Share #2 Posted January 11, 2015 Nice pictures. Old lenses easily impress. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 12, 2015 Share #3 Posted January 12, 2015 Very impressive. Working aperture for your shots? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neal Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted January 12, 2015 f 12.5 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 12, 2015 Share #5 Posted January 12, 2015 The Summar was the fastest standard lens in its day but, by modern standards, rather soft at full aperture - yet usable. Your example shows just how much it has improved when stopped down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shac Posted January 12, 2015 Share #6 Posted January 12, 2015 Neil - a huge thank you. It is such a relief from the usual pixel-peeping madness and complaints about lenses. Cheers David 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neal Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted January 12, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) David, this one is pretty good at full aperture, contrast is a bit low but that can be corrected in PS. This Summar is sharper than my late production Summitar 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenshacker Posted January 14, 2015 Share #8 Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) I recently picked up a Leitz 5cm F1.5 Xenon- went for a reasonable price as there were some nasty reflections in the images of the lens. With some help across the globe, I was able to disassemble the lens and get the haze out. Wide-open on the M9, Marine Museum, Xenon And at F4, 1/25th sec hand-held. Marine Museum, Xenon The front and rear elements are clean, with the haze out: dramatic improvement. I think a lot of the bad rep comes from scratched glass and internal haze. A little more flare than my "really clean" Summarit, the Xenon is uncoated. I did a "Super-Speed" shootout between this lens and a Zeiss Sonnar 5cm F1.5 from 1934, converted to Leica mount. The Xenon did far better than the reputation had me believe. The 1934 Sonnar, wide-open. Marine Museum, Quantico Edited January 14, 2015 by Lenshacker 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted January 15, 2015 Share #9 Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) This is for anyone who doesn't believe that old glass can be sharp. Very nice examples, Neal & LensHacker. Good job in sorting out the Xenon too. Out of curiosity before I packed away my kit last Friday I tested my '61 50mm f2.8 Elmar against my new 40mm f1.4 Nokton. I just set very flat (studio flash) lighting and put the M8.2 on a (Leitz Tiltall!) tripod. The Elmar only focusses down to 1m so the subject was small in the frame in both cases (see third picture). To counteract the shorter focal length of the Nokton I moved the 'pod closer to allow for a similar 'size' in the frame. Here are selective enlargements of the results. These (obviously) are JPEGs @ screen-res of 72dpi & quality 10 in order for them to fit on the screen. The originals are, of course, sharper but as these are both at the same 'level' they can be used for direct comparison. Elmar top; Nokton below; Standard sharpening on body; no sharpening in PS6; both shot f11 @160 ASA. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Edited January 15, 2015 by pippy Dating Elmar Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/239736-old-lens-quality/?do=findComment&comment=2747415'>More sharing options...
Michael Hiles Posted January 16, 2015 Share #10 Posted January 16, 2015 These seem to me to indistinguishable - and both impressive. Old lenses stopped down usually provide excellent images. New lenses usually seem to outperform at wide apertures. If there is no need for f1.0 or 1.4 (which I never do), saving a small fortune has many attractions - $5000 for something i don't need gives me pause for reflection. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.