Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]"Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter)" wrote: > > Eric, > > With all due respect, no lens performs better wide open than stopped down. > While some may perform better than others wide open, none will ever be > better wide open than at say F8. Most Leica lenses are adequate wide open > but incredibly sharp stopped down. There are some lenses like those from > Pentax that are actually better resolving wide open than a Leica lens, but > they lose at F8 to Leica. Look at any of the tests on Leica lenses, and I > think you will see what I mean. Peter, Not to prolong this, but your comment is an inaccurate generalization. The science of the matter is that every lens made has an optimum performance aperture. Erwin has noted several, none of which are as low as F8. Most of my "pro" photos are taken at large apertures -- that is the primary reason I use Leica lenses, because of their performance wide open. If you can demonstrate a performance advantage for specific competitor's lenses at similarly large apertures, I'll buy them (the new/current Canon L/IS fast 300, 400, 500s may qualify here, for instance). Over several years of research pouring over lens tests, however, I have not found a performance advantage at large apertures, lens series vs. lens series, for other makers. If you have test which prove your point, please post them. David W. Almy Annapolis