[Leica] Irwin and PhotoDo Will Only Lead You Into The Wilderness

["Buzz Hausner" <buzz.hausner@verizon.net>]

I absolutely hate this "which lens is highest quality" shtick.

Every lens has its own unique qualities, it is not a matter of the 35
Summicron is better than the 50 Summicron, that sort of comparison leads
you nowhere.  To me, the only rational analysis is to begin from ones
photographic interests and decide which lenses will best help you
achieve your vision.  If one's photographic aesthetic is limited to
producing negatives as sharp as measurably possible, than one should be
looking into large format.

Forget about Irwin's site.  Forget about PhotoDo.  Just about all modern
lenses produced by reputable manufacturers will produce fine images on
35mm film shooting hand held.  Ask yourself what kind of pictures you
want to take, evaluate your shooting style, and balance your checkbook.
However, I for one find it absolutely ridiculous to simply throw open
the question of which among a gaggle of lenses are "the best," and
expect other people to either tell you what to buy or confirm a
reluctant expenditure.

Rant over.  For now.

	Buzz Hausner

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
[mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of
Garrettson, Dr. Charles
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 4:27 PM
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: [Leica] RE: Leica Users digest V26 #95

Hello all. I am looking for advice. My current WA/normal lens lineup is:

35mm Leica ASPH
21mm Voigtlander Skopar
15mm Voigtlander Heliar

which has served me extremely well. In looking towards next year,
however, I have been thinking this:

The latest generation of the Summicron 50 appears to be perhaps the
highest quality lens in the Leica lineup [as Erwin Puts says, for
example: "at f/2.8 it exhibits perfect qualities." I have never seen ANY
reviewer ever make any such comment about any other lens, in my memory.
If I recall correctly, PhotoDo ranks it a 46 or higher--about as high as
it gets for ANY lens, period, etc.]; 28mm would be wider than the 35,
with very little distortion still, and the widest I could go without
needing to use a separate viewfinder, so why not sell the 35mm ASPH and
get a 50 Summicron and the excellent Voigtlander 28 f/1.9 Ultron until I
could afford a 28mm Leica ASPH?
	That, to me, makes a lot of sense, but in perusing Erwin's site
of late, I saw a reference in his article on the 28mm ASPH that the 50mm
Summicron is now last in quality in the Summicron line, behind the 90,
the 28 and the 35. If that is true, then much of my incentive to make
the change is gone.
	I welcome the group's thoughts on any advice anyone might care
to offer: Should I stick with my current lineup or make the change? If
you wish to email me separately, that would be fine.

Many thanks,
Chuck Garrettson
 

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