Lens similar to the 100mm Summicron S

[Csacwp]

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The 100mm Summicron S is an incredible lens.  I'm wondering what M-compatible lens is most similar to it?  Maybe the Noctilux 0.95 or 1.0, or the 80mm Summilux R?  Remember that the 100mm S lens is actually an 80mm with the medium format sensor.

 

[adan]

A bit difficult to compare lenses across different formats. And with so many factors that give any lens its character.

 

In gross character (apparent perspective, amount/quality of background blur - stuff you can see in a 600x400-pixel image) the 80mm R or its very close cousin the 75mm Summilux-M will approximate the 100 S.

 

In the fine details wide-open (judging from larger online pix with the 100-S - I don't have the S system) I think a 100-S lover might be rather disappointed with the slightly soft details, lower contrast, greener tint, and color aberrations (color fringing) with those close-to-40-year-old designs @ f/1.4.

 

Peter Karbe, designer of the 100 S, said the 75M (and thus the 80R, by association) is "his least favorite Leica lens."

 

I suspect the Karbe-designed 75mm APO-Summicron-M f/2 would be most like the 100S - still very crisp and sharp closeup at f/2 (thanks to a floating element and ASPH elements, which the 100S also uses), with more modern Leica Germany color compared to the Mandler Canadian glass of 4 decades past. But with a shorter focal length on a smaller format, probably some differences in amount of background blur.

 

Which is not to say the old lenses are not very desirable and beautiful in their own way - I just got rid of a 75 APO and replaced it with a Mandler-era 90 f/2, for use on the M10. Because it better fits with my other c.1980 lenses' look (non-ASPH 35 f/2 and 21 f/2.8). But it is no 100S, either.