Lens types

[Toshack10]

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Is there anywhere on an internet that explains the differences between the lens types?

 

I have a Digilux2 which has a vario-Summicron lens which I assume has similarities with a straight Summicron but different from the Noctilux and the Sumarits and Elmarit, for example

 

Each lens will have it's own fstops/length(s) but what are the differences between them indicated by the name...?

 

This may be obvious but not to me!

Thanks

[earleygallery]

Is there anywhere on an internet that explains the differences between the lens types?

 

I have a Digilux2 which has a vario-Summicron lens which I assume has similarities with a straight Summicron but different from the Noctilux and the Sumarits and Elmarit, for example

 

Each lens will have it's own fstops/length(s) but what are the differences between them indicated by the name...?

 

This may be obvious but not to me!

Thanks

 

The names Leica use are related to the largest f-stop of the lens. Generally, a Summicron is an f2 lens. Summarit is f2.5. Summilux f1.4.

 

The Digilux and other Panasonic based fixed lens compact cameras use zoom lenses. Leica had some input into the lens design but they are made by Panasonic and branded as Leica.

[tele_player]

Exactly what you asked for, from noted Leica expert Ken Rockwell:

LEICA Lens Names

 

 

Is there anywhere on an internet that explains the differences between the lens types?

 

I have a Digilux2 which has a vario-Summicron lens which I assume has similarities with a straight Summicron but different from the Noctilux and the Sumarits and Elmarit, for example

 

Each lens will have it's own fstops/length(s) but what are the differences between them indicated by the name...?

 

This may be obvious but not to me!

Thanks

[philipus]

noted Leica expert Ken Rockwell

 

*ducking*

 

To add to what James said, and discussing names only, the names don't really mean much. For many, there's no consistency in terms of the widest aperture of the lens. Historically, Elmars have existed from 2.8 to 6.3, Hektors from 1.9 to 6.3, Summarits from 1.5 to 2.5 etc. Not even the venerable Noctilux has managed to remain on one single widest aperture but the name has been used, it seems, mainly to indicate the widest possible aperture which Leica has been able to manufacture at a given point in time. Only the Summicrons and Summiluxes have had any form of consistency in this respect.

[Toshack10]

Thanks all, I wish I could say it was now clear but let's just say "clearer":D

[Orient XI]

Once upon a time the lens name gave a clue to the construction of the lens. The simplest was the Elmar, this was a three group lens; front converging, centre diverging, last a doublet of diverging and converging elements. This construction was to be found in Elmars of 35, 50, 90, and 135mm focal length; their maximum apertures ranged from f/2.8 - f/4.5. Note: the later 135mm f/4 Elmar does not share this construction!

Extending the focal length range or increasing the maximum aperture originally required at least one additional element. Before the introduction of lens coating this usually meant one or two of the singlet lenses of the Elmar construction became a doublet. Lenses of this type went by the name of Hektor. In the 28mm f/6.3 Hektor the first and last elements were doublets. The 135mm f/4.5 Hektor had a central doublet of of converging and diverging lenses but with a singlet, converging final element. Both the 50mm f /2.5 and the 73mm f/1.9 Hektors consisted of three doublets.

The Summ**** prefix initially denoted a symmetrical 6-element lens. The classic construction was converging first element, converging/diverging doublet, apperture, diverging/converging doublet, and final converging lens. Moves to wider apertures than f/2 or shorter focal lengths than 50mm, and reduction of vignetting were accomplished by the adding more lens elements to the basic construction.

After the golden age commercial considerations intruded upon the scene and the names of lenses merely denoted the maximum aperture regardless of the construction used. This is less helpful than intended as exceptions abound.