andym911 Posted January 5, 2013 Share #1 Posted January 5, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I had a couple of hours today to do what I had been meaning to do for a while...test my small herd of LTM lenses and try to see if there are significant quality differences between them. I rarely print above 30x40cm so this was the level at which I wanted to compare them. Don't worry this is not scientific, it was simply taking a the same photograph with different lenses and comparing results. THe executive summary is the visible differences were very very small. The lenses I used were: Elmar 35/3.5 Summaron 35/3.5 Old version Summaron 35/3.5 Latest version Canon LTM 35/2.8 Elmar 50/3.5 black Scale Elmar 50/3.5 Red Scale Summicron 50/2.0 LTM latest version (limited edition) Summaron 28/5.6 (just for fun) The camera was a IIIf and the film was Kodak Tri-X developed in Rodinal 1:50 for 13 minutes. Scans were done identically on my trusted Flatbed Epson and imported to LR with no modifications whatsoever. Exported files shown below were with low sharpening for web, thats it. I will only post 2 images because otherwise its boring.. Here however my rating in terms of quality of final image. In the 35mm area: Best Canon 2.8 2nd Best Elmar 3.5 3rd Best Summaron 3.5 old version 4th Best Summaron 3.5 New version The differences between the Canon and the Elmar were visible.I was surprised at the excellence of the Canon lens. In the 50mm area: Best Summicron 50 2.0 2nd Best Elmar 3.5 Red scale 3rd Best Elmar 3.5 Black scale The differences between the Best and 2nd Best were very very minor, almost negligible on a A3 print.I was surprised at the excellence of the Elmar red scale. Anyhow this might prove useful for some who are thinking which LTM to buy... The package of the IIIf and an Elmar or two (or a Canon) is tremendous value and on a very high quality level. A lovely companion even though they are as old or older then me... best Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 5, 2013 Posted January 5, 2013 Hi andym911, Take a look here LTM lens observations. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andym911 Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted January 5, 2013 canon 2.8 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! 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/195505-ltm-lens-observations/?do=findComment&comment=2206752'>More sharing options...
andym911 Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted January 5, 2013 elmar 35/3.5 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! 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/195505-ltm-lens-observations/?do=findComment&comment=2206753'>More sharing options...
andym911 Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted January 5, 2013 Summicron 50mm latest version 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! 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/195505-ltm-lens-observations/?do=findComment&comment=2206758'>More sharing options...
andym911 Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted January 5, 2013 Elmar 50 mm Red Scale 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! 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/195505-ltm-lens-observations/?do=findComment&comment=2206760'>More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted January 5, 2013 Share #6 Posted January 5, 2013 I did a similar test of the 5cm Elmar lenses I had at the time, BS, RS and 2.8. I found that the RS was the best of the bunch, but as you say the margins are small. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted January 5, 2013 Share #7 Posted January 5, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks - interesting comparison. I agree that the LTM Canon lenses I've tried have been better than I expected, and are certainly bargains compared to old Leica lenses. I've added both a Canon 50 1.4 and 50 1.8 recently. The 1.8 in particular is a nice lens on a IIIf. I have another roll in the camera now. I often do quick test shots of these on my M9 - but film on a IIIf is the true test. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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