Sharpness of the 50 Summilux questionable....

[chikne]

Hi,

this is regarding the Pre ASPH version by the way.

I just got some color shots back and the results are disappointing to say the least, you can see for yourself:

They are the first color shots I've done with this lens and in a long time, I've only used the summilux for black and white since I've had it and it didn't seem to be such a big deal on black and white. On this shot I expect the guy to clearly pop out from the background, here he just seem to be part of the background!
Or would some of you think that this could be due to the quality of the film? I would find it surprising but not impossible, it was the only affordable roll I could find on that day =)

For the life of me I just don't understand if this is the summilux in general or if I could have a bad sample. I can't see haze inside the lens, though there are cleaning marks on the front element...

Oh dear 🙄

 

[Todd.Hanz]

looks like the focus is off slightly either in the scan or in your camera. the film grain may also be contributing.

Todd

 

[jja]

What does the rest of the roll look like? As an owner of the last pre-asph summilux, I can say that my lens is plenty sharp, and this is compared to to the latest Summicron, M-Hexanon, and Elmar-M, all which I've owned.

There could be any number of problems with the photo above, from user focusing error, exposure error, badly developed or scanned film, or even problems with the particular lens, but it's hard to tell from just one photo.

Do a search for samples, and you will find some very sharp photos taken with this lens.

 

[MikeL]

I'd say something must be wrong with your lens, camera, scanning, or movement of your subject. I'd take a tripod shot on your next roll to check, but the two I've used have been plenty sharp.

Edit: Didn't mean to repeat what jja said, he beat me to it!

 

[jja]

Here's a sampling. The two color photos in this group look pretty sharp to me:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10229578@N00/tags/summilux/

 

[chikne]

Thank you!!! I am trying with different settings, I think too that it could be something wrong there, not quite used to the color process.... Though I think the film is crap!

jja your shots are sharp!!!

 

[chikne]

Not too sure if this is any sharper

What's that blue corner about :bang:

 

[nobbylon]

must admit that when I first got mine I was slightly dissapointed with it. I have been using it quite a lot, getting used to it and now really like it. Softer than my other 50's wide open but with practice on the focus i've had some nice results. Stopped down it's nice and sharp.
there's a few pics on my flickr from it. I would say stick with it and use some decent film before making a judgement
rgds j
ps i think your shot is either focus related, or rubbish film

 

[Telewatt]

it looks...🙁...what film and settings of the camera you used?..

I use the older Summarit 1,5/50mm and it is sharp!

regards,

Jan

 

[chikne]

Errr.... the film is some colorama 😱 I wouldn't normally use this but it's all I could find at the time. As for the settings I can't be sure but they would have been f2 or a smaller aperture since there is no vignetting, and 1/250

 

[MCTuomey]

without some kind of dof reference, it's very hard to assess what's wrong. i would guess with others that you've not focussed the lens properly.

do some shooting stopped down in consistent, fairly bright light so your shutter speed is at least 1/125. that'll give you enough "cushion" for focus error and camera shake.

 

[Ronald M]

I tried a few. All were junk until F8. Plus there is tons of distortion of straight lines. The 1959/1961 `lux was a far better lens .

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I tried a few. All were junk until F8. Plus there is tons of distortion of straight lines. The 1959/1961 `lux was a far better lens .

yeah, they're junk:

pre-asph...all shot wide open:

and one from the 2nd version Summilux

...pure junk, I hope Gabriel doesn't post any from his junky lens 😉

Todd

 

[chikne]

Todd you're getting me worried there, I don't think I've ever got a sharp shot with my summilux

 

[chikne]

Might have found one

 

[Telewatt]

The lens should be sharp!..😉

here a test of the older Summarit and the Summilux....the two lenses are quite well!





(summarit)..

regards,

Jan

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

Not to sound snarky, but do you get sharp photos with other fast rangefinder lenses wide open?

 

[chikne]

Not to sound snarky, but do you get sharp photos with other fast rangefinder lenses wide open?

You're right, this should be cleared in the first place 🙂

50 summicron

40 rokkor

 

[chikne]

AH the summilux at f8!!!

 

[MikeL]

Ronald M, you must have had bad samples.