Re: [Leica] LUG, Leica culture, lens testing and No BS

["dan states" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

Regarding Leica lenses testing well...Take a look at the latest 
Photodo.com test of the 28-70.  They seem to 
think it's a hunk of coal based on the 2.8 score they gave 
it.......Pretty suprising considering the very good 
performance of several Canon short zooms on the same website.  While 
some of what Walt says about testing 
being a bit esoteric may be right, there is no ignoring such a tank 
result in a lens that lists for as much as two 
of my first cars!  

Objective lens testing provides the same service to the consumer as any 
other product review.  The consumer 
should read more than one, and decide on the value of the item for 
themselves.  Professional criticism is a 
valuable tool for educating consumers.  Without it I would have plunked 
down the full fare for the movie "Cabin 
Boy"!


>Boy,  300+ messages ....  mostly from lens test vs. usage.
>
>Anyway, I think tests and usage each have a place.  Most Leica lenses 
test
>very well.  I don't think there has been a Leica lens someone has 
really
>trashed (well, except maybe the Hektor).  Testing can show the value of 
a
>lens at various apertures and save people a lot of money when deciding 
on a
>lens.  
>OTOH, using a lens is where the rubber meets the road.  Does anyone
>remembers the Nikkor 38-76mm zoom? The one Nikon apologized about 
because it
>was not a sharp optic.  It tested lousy.  But still sold in large 
numbers to
>many PJs and others in the 60s because it offered something they 
wanted, a
>short zoom! Even if it was not as tack sharp as say the 50mm F1.4 
Nikkor,
>they found it usable.
>
>For Leica we have talked about the Noctilux.  While it TESTS OK wide 
open,
>it is better stopped down.  Those that realize this and use the 
Noctilux for
>its intention are happy with it at F1.  Those that use F8 most of the 
time
>can look at the "test data" and perhaps decide on a Summicron-M Asph 
which
>may test better at F8, so they can save $$$ and maybe buy LUG, 
something
>else :-).
>
>Peter K
>
>PS If Erwin is speaking as Mr. Spock... Does that mean Eric is Dr. 
McCoy,
>a.k.a. "Bon

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