Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/05/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I am not sure of the cost of the Ricoh lens, but all things considered, perhaps the newer Japanese made lenses are less expensive then their German counterparts. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to buy the latest and fastest Leica lenses on the market. And other may not need the fastest optics, so a slower affordable 28mm F2.8 that fits a camera someone already owns, and more importantly their budget is better than no lens at all. In the end, its the photo that counts not how many lines per mm the lens will resolve. Peter K - -----Original Message----- From: Jim Brick [mailto:jimbrick@photoaccess.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 18, 1999 10:36 AM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: [Leica] I'm baffled I'm a little baffled. I've been on the LUG for two or three years. I've read with much interest, all of Erwin's lens dissertations, on the LUG, on his web site, and as magazine articles. I know the majority of you LUGgers do the same. I do all of the necessary things to produce the utmost in image quality. The best lens for the job, tripod when necessary, etc... And much of the LUG discussions, over the years, has been on the fact that Leica lenses are at a level, somewhat higher than the competition. They perform better wide open than the competition. They have a neutral color balance, smooth Bokeh, excellent fine detail recording, etc... Then, some manufacturer (like Ricoh, Cosina, Voigtlander, Tokina...), produces a lens that fits Leica cameras. Many LUGgers go GAGA! When will they be available, where can I buy them, etc... WHY????? I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why someone would want to deliberately produce images of lesser quality, using a (new) brand-x lens, when for the same money, they can buy a used Leica lens that will out perform the brand-x lens in every way. Am I missing something here??? This is an honest question. Not a blast or any other form of harassment. Not flame bait. I would simply like to know. I personally, am not even remotely interested in these new brand-x lenses. One of the main reason I use Leica, is for the "Leica" lenses. I would like to know what I am missing. What is the attraction? Etc... I do understand why one uses older "Leica" lenses, and even very old SM non-Leica lenses. They were hand computed and possess unique imaging qualities that get lost in modern computer aided designed lenses. And there is a certain amount of nostalgia with these lenses. But the Ricoh 28 ASPH is simply a mediocre lens, even when compared to older Leica 28mm lenses. Who wants new mediocre? One of my prize lenses is the 75/1.4 Summilux. A hand computed lens with "OUTSTANDING" imaging qualities. I just made a 16x20 Ciba of a tulip, E200, 1/1000@f/2.8, shade, handheld. There are two other tulips behind the primary tulip, both very out of focus, along with plant leaves even farther back. All of the out of focus stuff is as smooth and serene as silk. The tulip in focus, is razor sharp, and even though it's on E200, shows no degradation at 16x20. Amazing. Would I want a 28mm Ricoh? Hell no! Or a 75mm Ricoh (if it existed) Double hell no!!! JMHO, and looking for answers... Jim Erwin