Lens Contrast

[hoot]

The only RF lenses I have experience with are 50-odd years old. As far as I can see without having anything to compare them with, their contrast tends to be rather low, meaning that even on very bright days with harsh sunlight, it is easy to control highlight and shadow detail in the wet darkroom.

I have heard people say that modern Leica M lenses tend to have low contrast, whereas the V/C line of lenses has extremely high contrast. If this is true, does it mean that shooting a V/C lens in harsh sunlight will strongly reduce the likelihood of being able to salvage highlight and shadow detail?

The reason I'm posting this in the Zeiss forum is that I'd like to know where the new line of ZI lenses are on the contrast scale, and whether anyone has had trouble shooting them in harsh light.

 

[back alley]

not really enough experience yet.

but i would venture to say that the zm lenses i have are in between the cv and the older canon glass in terms of contrast.

 

[monaho]

You of all people should know sharper is better you old fud.

 

[SDK]

The new Zeiss ZM and newer Leica M lenses like the ASPH ones generally have low flare, high contrast, high resolution and superb color rendition. Zeiss ZM lenses are a bit smoother in gradation and out of focus rendition than the Leica ASPH lenses. They are all very different from old "glowy" low contrast/high flare Leica lenses. I prefer the new lenses, both Leica and Zeiss.

 

[Ronald M]

I mix Summitar, 3.5 Summaron, 12/15/25 CV, 90 4.0 elmar, with say a version 4 Summicron without a problem. Never did I wish I developed or exposed differently for the different lenses.

Now there will be differences if you go to uncoated lenses. As long as the lenses are CLEAN INSIDE, mix and match.

 

[hoot]

Thanks, everyone. Maybe I should mention that 90% of what I shoot is Neopan 1600.

 

[ronnie_retro]

Hoot,

The ZI lenses are definitely high contrast. I noticed the difference right away shooting Provia 100 (fairly low contrast by slide film standards) compared to shooting with my 1980's Nikon 50mm f/2, which was noticeably lower in contrast. If you shoot B&W you might shoot at 1/3 lower ISO than rated to be sure to get shadow detail.

 

[hoot]

Thanks, Ronnie. (Thaaaaat's my name too!)