Re: [Leica] Have High Hopes for Heliar

[InfinityDT@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/24/99 6:36:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
TTAbrahams@AOL.COM writes:

<< <snip> There are a couple of 'caveats" to 
 consider, using it on a M6 tends to give you underexposed foreground — the 
 angle of view can severely fool the meter.>>

The 21 has a tendency toward this so I'd suspect the 15 would be worse.  I 
often meter through a 90 or 135 lens to create a sort of pseudo-spotmeter.  
Habit formed with the 21SA which doesn't meter at all on the M6.

 <snip><<The finder takes in about 93% of 
 the view so you get more than you see (if you are shooting slides it is 
 probably within the slide mount tolerances).>>

 The M is just not a Nikon with 100% viewing and I've learned to put up with 
a few surprises in the final shot.  If I was shooting slides for stock or 
something I think I would get really frustrated with that quirk of the M.

 <snip><<The front element is quite 
 exposed, so beware of sharp objects in camerabags etc.>>

This is the only lens I've ever had that I couldn't put a UV filter on.  If 
it survives unscathed for a while I might just take 'em off all the rest ; )

 <snip> <<It is a lightweight 
 lens and the alloy in the barrel is prone to dings and dents (mine went from 
 Mint to Exc-in about a week)! I have found that optimum aperture is around 
f8 
 - f11, at 4,5 it shows vignetting and at f16 there is a beginning of 
 diffraction that gets quite visible at f22. None of these 'flaws" are really 
 Heliar exclusives, it is more a function of the rather extreme focal 
length.>>

Great experiential advice.  Much appreciated.
 
<snip><< Word of advice, do NOT sell the 21 Asph. I avoid selling any Leica 
lenses>><snip>

Tom, so far I've avoided selling any of mine.  Counting the Heliar, I'm at 
25.  Good thing about that "Thou shalt never have enough Leica lenses" rule.  
Is there a rule about bodies (9)?  How about Leitz ball-and-socket tripod 
heads (24)?  Can the rule stretch to  Nikon  (I'd be *truly* embarassed to 
cite those numbers)?  

DT