Here are the results of a paired comparison between the Leitz 50mm f/2
Summicron-M and the Olympus 50mm f/2 Macro Zuiko lens. I added a third lens
in the same class, the uncommon Canon FD 50mm f/2. Differences are
significant at the 1/3rd grade level for the first two, and full grades only
between them and the Canon lens.
Conclusions: the Summicron has better contrast throughout the aperture range,
but the Zuiko has better resolution at it's optimal apertures. The Summicron
is superior in image detail at the two widest apertures, esp. in the corners.
The Zuiko holds high SQF grades through more apertures than does the
Summicron, making it less necessary to select a "sweet spot." Light fall-off
is marginally less pronounced in the Summicron.
Under a high powered loupe, at f/8, the following rankings reflect image
rendering ability:
Center:
50mm f/1.8 MC Zuiko, then 50mm f/2 Macro Zuiko, then 50mm f/2 Summicron which
equals the 50mm f/3.5 Macro Zuiko
Corner:
50mm f/2 Macro Zuiko, then 50mm f/1.8 MC Zuiko, then 50mm f/2 Summicron which
equals the 50mm f/3.5 Macro Zuiko
Differences are quite minor and confounded by differences in exposure.
*************
Leitz 50mm f/2 Summicron-M (4th generation 1978 "Mandler" design,
multi-coated)
Leica M2 with self-timer
Distortion: None
Vignetting: B @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A @ f/4
Aperture Center Corner
f/2 B- B+
f/2.8 B A-
f/4 B+ A-
f/5.6 A A+
f/8 A- A-
f/11 B+ B+
f/16 B+ B+
Note: Moderately high contrast at f/2.8 to f/5.6, and f/16; high contrast at
f/8 to f/11.
Olympus 50mm f/2 Macro Zuiko (multi-coated)
OM-2000 with mirror and aperture prefire
(re-evaluated over results previously posted)
Aperture Center Corner
f/2 B- B-
f/2.8 B- B
f/4 A- A-
f/5.6 A- A
f/8 A+ A+
f/11 A A-
f/16 A- B+
Note: Moderate contrast at f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/16, moderately high
contrast at f/8 to f/11. Paired comparison to the Leitz 50mm f/2 Summicron-M,
with differences significant at the 1/3 grade level.
Canon FD 50mm f/2 (new mount, S.C.)
Vignetting = C @ f/2, A- @ f/2.8, A @ f/4
Distortion = none
Aperture Center Corner
f/2 B- B-
f/2.8 B+ B
f/4 A- B+
f/5.6 A- B+
f/8 A- B
f/11 B B
f/16 B+ B-
Note: moderate contrast, except moderately low at f/2 and f/16.
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