[Leica] Re: [Lieca] Infinity focus tip

[Jim Brick <jim@brick.org>]

At 01:49 PM 12/17/97 -0500, Pete and Bob wrote:
>Infinity is the thing that describes how positive integers there are in the
>world.
>
>Its a few other things too, but that gets too technical.
>
>As far as lenses go, I'm not sure what the optical definition is... :)
>
>Pete
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Afterswift@aol.com <Afterswift@aol.com>
>To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
>Cc: photoforum@nas.isc.rit.edu <photoforum@nas.isc.rit.edu>
>Date: Wednesday, December 17, 1997 1:41 PM
>Subject: Re: [Leica] Infinity focus tip
>
>
>>Dear Colleagues,
>>
>>I would like to hear more discussion on the nature of Infinity, both in
>>technical and field contexts. I've never heard a convincing definition of
>it.
>>
>>
>>Bob

=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D  ANSWER =
 =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D

Merriam Webster states:

Main Entry: in=B7fin=B7i=B7ty
Pronunciation: in-'fi-n&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties

1 a : the quality of being infinite
  b : unlimited extent of time, space, or quantity
    : BOUNDLESSNESS
2   : an indefinitely great number or amount
3 a : the limit of the value of a function or variable when it tends to
become numerically larger than any preassigned finite number
  b : a part of a geometric magnitude that lies beyond any part whose
distance from a given reference position is finite <do parallel lines ever
meet if they extend to infinity>
  c : a transfinite number (as aleph-null)
4   : a distance so great that the rays of light from a point source at
that distance may be regarded as parallel=20

After digesting the above definitions, I believe Brooks trained me
correctly. It is my belief, both from schooling and experience, that if you
set a lens on the infinity stop, open the lens wide open (f/1.4 or f/2) and
take a picture, basically nothing in the picture is truly in focus. Maybe
"acceptable" focus, but not within the bounds of what we would call
"critical" or "good" focus.

Jim