Warning - qualitative - what makes a good lens? - also includes non-classics

[rgeorge911]

Okay, you've been warned.  As an engineer (as least in a past life), I know the value (and potential lack thereof) of qualitative tests.  But here's one that interests me.

I recently acquired a couple of really nice old LSM lenses - an uncoated 1939 Summitar 50/f2 and a Nikkor 35/f2.5.  Dennis has been after me to show some "glow" (please don't get upset, it's an inside joke - at least I'm not talking bokeh).  Anyway, here are some samples, all shot on a Lumix GF1 (2x crop), no post-processing:

Nikkor 35/f2.5 LSM:

Full size (big)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4372885117_e297be6e62_o.jpg

Leica Summitar 50/f2 uncoated:

Full size (big)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4372885987_fec85fd968_o.jpg





and, for comparison to the latest technology, the Lumix 20/f1.7:


Full size (big)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4372889619_efe7a1ca87_o.jpg

Clearly not the technical winner (in contrast and sharpness), I love that little Summitar.

The detail from the Lumix lens is incredible.  Click on the magnifier on the full size images, and compare the eyes.

Reed

[Dennis Gallus]

Reed,

This is fascinating.  You can really see the improvement in resolution from the 1939 Summitar through the Nikkor to the Lumix.  That being said, I'd have to agree with you that the Summitar is very good in its own right, and has a certain charm to it.  Thanks for posting these with the "big" images.

Dennis

[grizzz]

The third image in this series is a real winner to me. I also like the 4th but I think it is more the subject pose than the image. Griz....

[martolod]

sometimes an image can be just way too sharp

[jamesmck]

What Dennis said about progression of resolution.  The Lumix is amazingly sharp, but a little softness is nice for portraits.  BTW, Christine would make any lens look good :-).

James

[Dean Williams]

The shots themselves, I think are all pretty darn nice.

My own thoughts on the whole lens thing; 
70 years of technological advancement, and this is it?  It wasn't worth the wait.  The two older lenses performed great to start with.

Dean

[LarryD]

You got a great and perfect lens.

[Graham Serretta]

A good lens is a lens that takes 'pichas that make 'ya feel good....