Actually Mark, Pete is right in his comparison. That is if you only take MTF graphs as the benchmark. The current Summicron scores 4.6, the Pentax F1.4 equals that however the F1.7 comes out at a mere grade 4.4. The Zeiss Planar 45mm F2 beats them all with a mighty 4.7, I might be wrong but hasn't the 50mm Planar got an M mount? and new at half the price of the Leitz version. In fact perhaps this might be 'Cue' Mr Kyobashi. Enter stage left.
Personally though I couldn't give a tinkers cuss for graphs and statistics. My favourite Leitz lens is the collapsible Elmar F2.8. I find modern Leica lenses too 'clinical' in their drawing, their ' Bokha '(sp ?) is contrived and overall their lenses lack plasticity......Jesus next I shall be clutching my left boob and croaking the ' Star Spangled Banner' or whatever the colonials do in times of stress and emotion.
-------------------- Brian BSRIPN
Oh for the days when Elvis was king and everything else was a 50th @ F11.