STORM TRACK: July 31, 1978 (Volume 1 Issue 5)

Last April, I made a test comparison between nor 1968 Nikkormat (SN #FT3534061) and my second hand Leica (SN #M4-1182305). Compared were the Nikkormat 50mm lens (SN #747859) and the Leica 50mm fixed Summicron lens (SN #1514355). The test was done with considerable care, after several previous abortive attempts. I used the Paterson Optical Test Target 2, tripod and Kodachrome 25 slide film. The flood lamps used were not chosen for color balance, as I was more concerned with optical sharpness and uniformity. Individual pictures were separately identifiable, since I marked the successive numbers of each on a small part of the test target. Developed slides were projected on a flat and smooth white surface and examined closely, with repeated focusing of each slide. Results: The Nikkormat image was consistently sharper at the largest f stop (2.0) and the Leica was consistently sharper at the smaller f stop tested (8.0). At f 2.8 and 5.6 the same results tended to bear out, but lacked consistency. None of the differences were obvious but required close analysis. It should be noted that the leading edge of the Leica lens was slightly bent from some mishap prior to my purchase of it,. However, this depression is almost invisible and is not believed to have damaged the Leica optics. You may draw your own conclusion. For myself, I now feel more confident in using the Nikkormat, since most important storm photography is taken in weak light. If anyone else has made a similar test comparison, please let me know.