Lens Coatings from the Fifties

[Guest moonwrack]

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A continuation of my query about the visual effects achieved with older lenses. I recently compared a 1939 Elmar 50mm f3.5 with a 1958 50mm Summicron, using transparency film. There was not a lot of difference between the two (the Elmar was surprisingly sharp and contrasty, even with a tiny chip out of the front element). I also used a much later production 35mm Summicron from the same viewpoint. This was much sharper and more contrasty that both the 50mm lenses. So, (and it seems logical) current coatings are more effective than those of the Fifties? In seeking to create pictorial effects by getting away from clinical sharpness, are the lenses of the Fifties a sort of half-way house between the Thirties and today?

[bill]

A continuation of my query about the visual effects achieved with older lenses. I recently compared a 1939 Elmar 50mm f3.5 with a 1958 50mm Summicron, using transparency film. There was not a lot of difference between the two (the Elmar was surprisingly sharp and contrasty, even with a tiny chip out of the front element). I also used a much later production 35mm Summicron from the same viewpoint. This was much sharper and more contrasty that both the 50mm lenses. So, (and it seems logical) current coatings are more effective than those of the Fifties? In seeking to create pictorial effects by getting away from clinical sharpness, are the lenses of the Fifties a sort of half-way house between the Thirties and today?

 

The short answer is yes. Coating technology has improved out of all recognition over the years, both in terms of durability and light transmission. That said, there is no doubt that lenses from different eras have different "looks".

 

I have lenses from the thirties, fifties, sixties and today, and think of them partly as a "palette" or perhaps more accurately, a set of brushes. Once you understand the "fingerprint" of each lens, you can use it accordingly. For example, I have five 50mm lenses; in chronological order - a 3.5 Elmar, a Dual Range Summicron, a Canon 1.2, a 2.8 Elmar-M, and a 2.5 Colour Skopar. Notwithstanding the capability of some of those lenses to be used on any body (the LTMs) I can choose the lens to suit my needs, and the end result I wish to achieve.

 

Regards.

 

Bill

[Guest moonwrack]

Thanks, Bill. Here's a shot taken with the Summar using HP5 in Ilfotec. I like the slightly ghostly image of the castle although the sky seems rather grainy (too much unsharp mask?). I should have some Fujichrome results in a couple of days.