Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/21

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Subject: [Leica] Lens Names
From: Marc James Small <msmall@roanoke.infi.net>
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 11:44:03 -0500

At 10:32 AM 12/21/97 -0500, Steve wrote:
>The 2.8/50 Elmar is 2.8, so their designations seem to cross boundries.

This is the special case which proves the rule.  The Elmar began life as an
f/4.5 lens, then moved to f/3.5.  By 1940, it had standardized on f/4, with
the 50mm f/3.5 being the exception.  This lens was subsequently opened to
f/2.8, oestensibly at Eisenstadt's request.

To be consistent, this SHOULD be the "50mm f/2.8 Elmarit" but, then,
"foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds", and what would us
photo historians have to do to earn a living if it all made sense the first
time around?  Gads, we'd probably all end up practicing law or some equally
vile fate ...

Marc


msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
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