the last word

We looked at the overall image and the upper right corner here. Now, let’s take a look at some crops from near the center of the two sets of images. The Summilux is clearly resolving better. The MTF charts told us that it would. The diffuse flare of the Nikkor softens the image. The color… [Read More]

Both the 2007 Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH and the 1952 Nikon 50mm f/2 Nikkor-H, when used on the Sony alpha & Mark II (a7II), suffer from corner smear. Since corner smear not only reduces resolution, but imparts its own — IMHO, really ugly — look to the image, I’m foregoing test charts and MTF calculations… [Read More]

I tested the on-center resolution of the subject of yesterday’s post, 2007 Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux and the 1952 Nikon 50mm f/2 Nikkor-H on the Sony alpha & Mark II (a7II). Here’s the protocol: Camera, lenses, RRS  generic plate Landscape orientation Arca Swiss C1 head RRS TVC-44 legs. Imatest SFRPlus target  Focused using live view at… [Read More]

In 1958, I spent all the money I’d saved from my summer job — $180 — to buy a used Nikon S2 with a 50mm f/2 Nikkor-H lens. I still have the camera, although it has been relegated to the status of ornament since I decommissioned my darkroom. I still have the lens, which has… [Read More]