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Test Photos of Leica Dual Range (DR) Summicron


RayD28

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Been evaluating the beast.  Might trade for 50mm Lux.  Took some test photos a few weekends ago and sent them to Ilford USA for developing, scans, and prints.  Chose Ilford because I thought they'd do a reasonable job so I can eliminate the possibility of incorrect development or quality of scanning device.  Probably other labs doing just as good work but I didn't have time to research.  These images are from large JPEGs I imported from the Web into Lightroom and then exported to appropriate size for the forum.  I was most curious about close focus and rendering and sharpness.  Shot with HP5+ at 400.  Used a light meter and used M3.  

 

I'm posting a few photos for your consideration and opinions.  Subjects and compositions are boring as I was eager to get the film sent and get the results.  Tested both normal and close focus.

 

Forgive me and advise if I should have posted these in another thread for sub-forum.

 

Normal focus range:

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Edited by Raycpa
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Another normal focus.

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Another normal focus

 

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Final normal focus

 

 

 

 

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Close focus

 

 

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Another close focus

 

 

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Another close focus

 

 

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Final close focus.  This was the shortest distance I could get.  

 

 

 

 

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You shouldn't judge a lens on a single roll of film. I have a DR, it is tack sharp at all ranges and apertures. Try a few more films, have them developed at a couple of different labs.

 

The scans you get from most labs are also usually not very good.

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A close focus sample from my DR. Ilford FP4+, home developed and scanned.

 

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A regular range photo, from the same roll above.

 

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I'm curious as to which 50 Summilux you are considering. Pre-ASPH lens will give you nothing over the DR except the added stop of speed going from f/2 to f/1.4. Image quality no where near as good as the DR. If you are looking at a 50 Lux ASPH, you will see an improvement in IQ and speed, but you will loose the close-up capability. Either Summilux option will cost you quite a bit in the trade.

Another question is what is it about the DR you are unhappy with? A clean one is hard to beat. Another lens you might consider is the Zeiss 50/2 Planar ZM. One of the best lenses for Leica out there.

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I'm curious as to which 50 Summilux you are considering. Pre-ASPH lens will give you nothing over the DR except the added stop of speed going from f/2 to f/1.4. Image quality no where near as good as the DR. If you are looking at a 50 Lux ASPH, you will see an improvement in IQ and speed, but you will loose the close-up capability. Either Summilux option will cost you quite a bit in the trade.

Another question is what is it about the DR you are unhappy with? A clean one is hard to beat. Another lens you might consider is the Zeiss 50/2 Planar ZM. One of the best lenses for Leica out there.

 

I'm considering the ASPH.  The Lux will work on the M3 and my M-P.  I have a 50 Cron (v5) and I could sell/trade it and the DR and get the Lux.  I am definitely on the fence because the DR and M3 just seem right together, and I will rarely need the extra stop offered by the Lux.  However, I'm used to having a 50 1.4 in pocket, going all the way back to my Olympus OM-2 days.  Psychologically I miss the extra stop but in reality I won't need it very often.  

 

Another factor is the DR's focus ring is a little sticky and I'll probably have to spend money to get it adjusted.  It won't be much but it might some dollars I could use towards the Lux.  

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You shouldn't judge a lens on a single roll of film. I have a DR, it is tack sharp at all ranges and apertures. Try a few more films, have them developed at a couple of different labs.

 

The scans you get from most labs are also usually not very good.

 

Good advice.  What kind of scanner do you use?

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The DR comes into its own when using fine grained film (25/50 asa) on a contrasty day..in the middle F stop range..

Back in the day...the DR with either Pan F or Tech pan..was unbeatable..

And on T-max it can be great as well..

It tames the contrast..and ups the resolution..certain subjects profit from this..

On cloudy days in color.it has a nice palate as well..

And w/Tech pan..you can close in on 4x5 results..grainless beautiful high resolution 11x14's..

But you have to do all the film development and printing yourself..to realize the results..

Edited by tsleica
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