Image Sharpness of Summicron-C 40mm

[plittman]

I have recently purchased a CLE and both Summicron-C 40mm and Elmar-C 90mm lenses.

Despite having read many reviews about how sharp the 40mm lens is, I can't help feeling disapointed by the results from this lens. The images just don't seem that sharp. I'm defining sharpness as how focussed and clear the image appears when I enlarge the JPEGs or TIFF scans.

The 90mm lens appears to produce sharper images, and I had use of a new 28mm ASPH Elmarit which was significantly better again.

I'm shooting only Provia 100F, and scanning images on a Coolscan 8000 at 4000 dpi.

As far as I can see, the Summicron is perfectly clear and in great condition.

I don't believe it is a rangefinder calibration issue as I'm getting good results from the Elmar 90mm and the Elmarit 28mm.

Any thoughts? Thanks..

 

[Beemermark]

I'd say the Summicron probably has more resolving power then your film, so the problem might lie in post processing.

 

[kevin_v]

Could you offer any examples? (Of the 40 and the 90 or 28) Could it be high resolution, low acutance?

 

[plittman]

I'll upload some examples when I get home tonight. Thanks

 

[rbelyell]

interesting. i dont doubt your experience, all i can say is mine has been the opposite. i have and love both lenses, but the 40 seldom comes off my camera as i feel its one of the best, sharpest lenses ive ever used, RF or slr.
tony

 

[BobYIL]

What lens do you know as sharp? Would you believe if I say it's as sharp as the Summicron 35/2 asph. except at f2, not only on film but on digital too? It's one of the sharpest Leica lenses, there must be some other problem..

 

[plittman]

What lens do you know as sharp? Would you believe if I say it's as sharp as the Summicron 35/2 asph. except at f2, not only on film but on digital too? It's one of the sharpest Leica lenses, there must be some other problem..

On the CLE, my only experience has been the 28mm ASPH, and 90mm Elmar-C. From the results I have obtained, both perform better.

The sharpest images I have taken come from the 50mm and 75mm lenses on my Mamiya 6MF, but it's an unfair comparison given the format difference.

 

[gilpen123]

Pretty sharp lens here's one sample I was able to retrieve. Taken with the CLE.

 

[rbelyell]

plitman, i believe on this point you are a lemming, so i would indeed look to your lens for a problem. send it infor a cla. probably the best $50 you'll ever spend.
tony

ps that first picture drew blood it was so sharp! ):

 

[raid]

http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6299856&size=lg

I compared the Summicron-C to a Pentax 43mm/1.9L. Both lenses are superb lenses.

 

[plittman]

plitman, i believe on this point you are a lemming, so i would indeed look to your lens for a problem. send it infor a cla. probably the best $50 you'll ever spend.
tony

ps that first picture drew blood it was so sharp! ):

Good idea about the CLA. I will have that done as soon as possible. Will still upload some samples tonight. I'm interested to have another perspective on this. I just don't know if the resolution will be sufficient on the forum to make a comparison.

 

[mfogiel]

Set the lens to F 5.6 and MANUALLY set it to infinity, then put the camera on a tripod or use 1/1000th of a sec shutter speed if possible. Then see the results - if they are still unsharp, it means either the lens has been reassembled by a dog, or it is off relative to infinity - in both cases it should be adjusted. Normally, you should get images like that:

2008070520 by mfogiel, on Flickr

 

[plittman]

Sample Images

Sample Images

Here is a sample from each lens. Apologies for the mundane subjects and not sure of the size limits on the forum will allow the differences to be seen:

Summicron-C 40mm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80892268@N06/7413242980/in/photostream


Elmarit 28mm ASPH

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80892268@N06/7413245950/in/photostream


The images others have posted using their Summicron-C lens' look clearer than mine (I think)

Elmar-C 90mm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80892268@N06/7413251348/in/photostream

If any one has time to take a look, interested to hear your comments on the differences.

 

[mfogiel]

I do not see a particular sharpness problem in this photo at your max viewing size. However, the DOF is quite substantial - maybe you were shooting with apertures like f11 or f16 ? In this case, the relative lack of "crispness" could be attributed to diffraction.
Try to test the lens at f 5.6.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'd say its more of a scanning issue rather than a problem with the lens. Was this shot below taken in Cronulla by any chance?


MAY 12 4 by drumalbyn, on Flickr

 

[plittman]

I'd say its more of a scanning issue rather than a problem with the lens. Was this shot below taken in Cronulla by any chance?


MAY 12 4 by drumalbyn, on Flickr

No. This is north end of Bondi beach. Beautiful autumn / winter day. I'm not sure it's the scanner. They are all scanned at the same settings on my 8000ED. Going to take the 40mm in tomorrow for CLA. Will see how it goes when I get it back.

 

[jonmanjiro]

No. This is north end of Bondi beach. Beautiful autumn / winter day. I'm not sure it's the scanner. They are all scanned at the same settings on my 8000ED. Going to take the 40mm in tomorrow for CLA. Will see how it goes when I get it back.

Oh, its Bondi. I knew it looked familiar. I clearly need to get back home more often...:bang:

FWIW your scan doesn't look any worse than some scans I get from my Coolscan 5000. The film only has to be sitting a little "un-flat" for sharpness to be adversely affected. I've seen several times from lenses I know to be sharp. Do you use anything to help hold the film flat?

 

[k__43]

I've stopped judging lens sharpness by shooting slide - it seems like sometimes scanners just don't get that medium right. Use low ISO b/w film.
Also the asphalt of the sidewalk on your shot seems quite sharp - dunno where your focus was.

I find the cron-c to be sharp, just not in the corners when shot at f/2.
thinking about it I might not be able to sell it (as I intended) - it's so nice.

 

[plittman]

I have taken my lens and body into Foto Riesel here in Sydney today to be adjusted and calibrated. Hoping that will make a difference.

 

[Palaeoboy]

The 40mm Summicron is a slightly sharper lens than the Elmar-C so one should expect the other way around to what your experiencing. The shot at Bondi looks like you well stopped down past the lens' sweet spot. Shoot a bit more around 2.8 to 5.6 and you wills see some magic there. It wont be as sharp as the ASPH till 5.6 but it does have a charm all its own. My favourite Leica lens for sure.