horosu
Well-known
Hello,
I know this has been discussed frequently here, but I felt there was not a single topic devoted to that subject.
How do modern lenses compare to the old school Summicrons or Summarits with respect to Black&White rendering? Which drawing do you prefer?
I know this has been discussed frequently here, but I felt there was not a single topic devoted to that subject.
How do modern lenses compare to the old school Summicrons or Summarits with respect to Black&White rendering? Which drawing do you prefer?
sirius
Well-known
I'm very impressed with what I've seen from the CV Nokton and the Zeiss Planar. The Zeiss being my favorite. The Zeiss Sonar (f1.5) has some of the old school lens magic to it while also having many modern qualities, however it can be unpredictable in it's handling.
For the old summicrons, I think the Summicron DR has a beautiful rendering with the right combination of sharpness and contrast for my taste. Old lenses will flare more than modern.
Those are the only lenses that I've seen enough results from to give a positive opinion about. You can try doing a search in Flickr to see how lenses render.
Judging from your signature, it looks like you have a couple of all-star lenses already.
cheers
For the old summicrons, I think the Summicron DR has a beautiful rendering with the right combination of sharpness and contrast for my taste. Old lenses will flare more than modern.
Those are the only lenses that I've seen enough results from to give a positive opinion about. You can try doing a search in Flickr to see how lenses render.
Judging from your signature, it looks like you have a couple of all-star lenses already.
cheers
horosu
Well-known
My two lenses are fantastic for color photography. I have not tried a rigid/DR Summicron for BW but have heard that it yields very nice results particularly due to the combination of high resolution/low contrast.
What is preferable : the lack of flare and the sharpnes of modern lenses or the old-type signature?
What is preferable : the lack of flare and the sharpnes of modern lenses or the old-type signature?
Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
Where's the Summitar ?! Please list it, otherwise I can't vote! 
Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
Horosu, how is the Planar?
Post some pictures some day.
Post some pictures some day.
2tcreative
Established
Also, need a selection for Voigtlander and perhaps other.
ferider
Veteran
There is a list of lenses that are missing and that I feel are important:
In the M-mount bucket, there was an M-mount 50/2 collapsible.
There is also the 50/2 Heliar.
On the LTM Mount side, usable with adapter, there are
5+ lenses from Canon that many of us like, 3+ Nikkors, Jupiter 8 and 3, etc.
And of course the 2 CV screw mount 50s.
Best,
Roland.
In the M-mount bucket, there was an M-mount 50/2 collapsible.
There is also the 50/2 Heliar.
On the LTM Mount side, usable with adapter, there are
5+ lenses from Canon that many of us like, 3+ Nikkors, Jupiter 8 and 3, etc.
And of course the 2 CV screw mount 50s.
Best,
Roland.
Rik
Established
how about adding my trusted Noctilux?
horosu
Well-known
Hey Marc,
Thanks for your great lens. I am midway through my second roll (color) and I am impressed so far...However BW may be a different story, isn't it?
I am sorry for not listing more lenses, but you can only have 12 options . I don't know if one can add more options to a poll : the Nokton, the Summitar, all the LT lenses, the Heliar 50/2 and 50/3.5, etc
Thanks for your great lens. I am midway through my second roll (color) and I am impressed so far...However BW may be a different story, isn't it?
I am sorry for not listing more lenses, but you can only have 12 options . I don't know if one can add more options to a poll : the Nokton, the Summitar, all the LT lenses, the Heliar 50/2 and 50/3.5, etc
peter_n
Veteran
Surely the question is what do you prefer?horosu said:
The visual qualities of various lenses is a personal thing. We could proffer three opinions on a particular lens and you might not agree with any of them. The only way to answer this question to your satisfaction is to try lenses out for yourself, a time-consuming but ultimately rewarding endevor. Very much second best is to go to a site like flickr and look up the lenses you are interested in.
horosu
Well-known
Does anyone know how to add options to a poll?
like2fiddle
Curious
sorry, I don't know how to modify a poll. If you can though, please try to add the Summitar (my favorite), and as Roland pointed out, the many Canons, etc.
), and as Roland pointed out, the many Canons, etc.Vics
Veteran
I love my Summicrons, both the Collapsible and the DR, but I suppose the DR is the most versatile of the two. I like the low/medium contrast, high definition image for shadow detail and then I just get the contrast back in the darkroom. I think it's the best way to get those really deep-looking blacks. The prints really sparkle!
nobbylon
Veteran
I really like my 1967 collapsable Elmar. A real bargain of a lens and I notice there is one on here for sale at the moment for 150 quid! lovely bokeh.
sirius
Well-known
It is interesting that the current 'cron is so unpopular. I wonder why?
cmogi10
Bodhisattva
I like the current cron, I've also had great results with the CV Nokton.
R
rich815
Guest
The DR has a wonderful sharpness without being overly contrasty, great combo for B&W work, IMHO.
gavinlg
Veteran
If you're going to be doing people work, I recommend the sonnar. I dont have one myself but man the images from it look beautiful
J. Borger
Well-known
I tried:
50 summitar
50 summicron (current version)
50 summilux pre-asph (last version before asph)
50 noctilux
50 summilux asph (still own it)
and am finaly in heaven with the 50 rigid summicron.... 1st type (my version is a minty from 1957) ............
50 summitar
50 summicron (current version)
50 summilux pre-asph (last version before asph)
50 noctilux
50 summilux asph (still own it)
and am finaly in heaven with the 50 rigid summicron.... 1st type (my version is a minty from 1957) ............
Last edited:
richard_l
Well-known
That's news to me!sirius said:
Richard