Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/06/15

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Subject: [Leica] E200, Fuji 100/1000, 35/1.4 ASPH, Ferdinand
From: jimbrick@photoaccess.com (Jim Brick)
Date: Mon, 15 Jun 1998 17:31:51 -0700

I spent the past two weekends in Carmel/Monterey CA. Burned a dozen rolls
two weekends ago, eight rolls this past weekend. I was testing several
things. First: testing my new 35/1.4 ASPH. Second: testing E200 in my M
camera, normal 200 outside, EI 800 inside. This weekend I used the new Fuji
100/1000 instead of E200. Mostly at EI 200, some at 100 and some at 800.
Nearly all EI 800 exposures were at 1/15 or 1/30 at f/1.4 . The light was
really low. It's possible that Fuji 100/1000, at EI 200 (P1 processing) can
compete head on with E200. I've only glanced at the results and both films
look good. I'll give a report as soon as I carefully check the results.

I used Velvia in my R camera (tripod) and only used the 100/2.8 APO.
Flowers, water droplets on grass, and 1:1 of the droplets using the 1:1
screw-on Elpro (I think it's called an Elpro) made specifically for the
100/2.8 APO. This lens and Velvia are an incredible combination! All of my
exposures were in the 1sec to 1/8th range. MLU on every image. They are so
sharp, they look like they are etched in the film emulsion. Even at f/2.8 .

Back to the 35/1.4 ASPH. What an amazing lens! The only difference between
f/1.4 and f/8, is a difference in DOF. The subject plane actually seems
sharper at f/1.4, but that's because a sharp subject and an out of focus
background gives the *impression* of increased sharpness. I cannot believe
the sharpness I'm getting, hand held! A year ago I would have said
"impossible". But I'm a believer. M camera (no mirror and diaphragm
mechanism) and soft release, makes for a very usable hand held camera. My
single complaint is not having DOF preview. To get proper DOF is more work
with the M camera. Can't just pull the lever and look at it.

Last week LUGger Ferdinand visited Jeff Alford and me. We met at Keeble &
Shuchat Photography. Ferdinand bought an Abrahamsson winder, and I gave him
my Abrahamsson soft release prototype (I've been using a Fred Ward soft
release for eight months and have become accustomed to it's particular
nuances.) I like Tom's release and I'm happy he's going into production
with it. We all talked for several hours. Had great fun. I hope Ferdinand
likes the winder because I think I talked him into getting it. I like mine
so much, I cannot imagine using my M6 without it. Ferdinand photographed
Yosemite, Monterey/Carmel, and Napa Valley (California wine country).
Ferdinand is a great guy. I hope he publishes some of his pictures on the
WWW. Ferdinand, I hope you had an uneventful, restful, smooth trip home to
Cebu City, Philippines. You need to tell the LUG about your trip and your
trip photography.

Jim



Jim Brick
(650) 470-1132

http://www.photoaccess.com