First: shouldn't this be in the optics and lens section?
Here is a little comparison I made between my three 35mm RF lenses: elmar 1936, summaron 1954, summicron 2003 (asph); just a comparison for fun (we all know the outcome of course), with quite unequal lenses, only focal length is the same.
First set of three pics are taken at f 3.5 (also the summicron). Under each pic there is a link for if you would like to have a look at the original file. Second set of three pics is at aperture f 16, the elmar at f 18.
Oh and the elmar is uncoated.
some conclusions:
- the elmar wide open is not sharp - only a bit in the center, does not render the colors naturally, no contrast. At f 16 the elmar is almost overall quite sharp, quite reasonable at least in the far edges;
- the summaron is even wide open already quite sharp, however not in the far edges of the pic, does not render the colors very naturally, not much contrast. At f 16 the summaron is overall very sharp and provides a little better color rendition but still lacks contrast;
- the summicron compared is wide open already most sharp, beautiful color rendition and very contrasty; but of course this is what you might expect from modern technology.
Elmar 1936 at 3.5: http://www.xs4all.nl/~kpmg0072/images/test/elmar%203.5.jpg
Summaron 1954 at 3.5: http://www.xs4all.nl/~kpmg0072/images/test/summa 3.5.jpg
Summicron 2003 at 3.5: http://www.xs4all.nl/~kpmg0072/images/test/summi 3.5.jpg
Elmar 1936 at 18: http://www.xs4all.nl/~kpmg0072/images/test/elmar 18.jpg
Summaron 1954 at 16: http://www.xs4all.nl/~kpmg0072/images/test/summa 16.jpg
Summicron 2003 at 16: http://www.xs4all.nl/~kpmg0072/images/test/summi 16.jpg