Re: [Leica] Re: which lens

["David W. Almy" <dalmy@mindspring.com>]

Charlie,

To suggest that 1950s Leica optics perform at the same level as 1990s
Leica optics is nonsense. Any opinion based on science will confirm
this. Attacking Dan K.'s motives and views also is without merit.

I am pleased that you are pleased with your Elmar. Good shooting. But
can't you do so without disparaging those who use current designs and
appreciate state-of-the-art optical performance?  

We agree that the end-result image is still dependent on the shooter
first and equipment second. We disagree that the improvement of modern
glass is very small, particular at full aperture, where I do much of my
work. 

David W. Almy
Annapolis

- ----------------------------------------

Summicron1@aol.com wrote:
> 
> what is this crap, dan? You make 1950s leica optics sound like model Ts. I
> can hear the victrola playing in the background as you talk about "that
> period look" and "retro-look."
> 
> Leica optics always had a distinctive look to their images because of slight
> unresoved errors, but only the slightest -- they are as sharp as anything
> made today and as capable of producing a "modern" image (whatever the hell
> that is) as they were then. I just got done shooting a series of
> architectural studies with my 50 mm 3.5 Elmar (ca. 1956) and they are as good
> as anything you would get with your modern hasselblad, whatever.
> 
> so why you dissing them? u work for Leitz? They pay you to push the aspheric
> lenses?
> 
> Cross stitch this somewhere everyone will ya: Leica Made NO bad optics. They
> are all Excellent. You feeling silly about all the money you paid for them
> and have to talk yourself into believing they really are $2000 better?
> 
> and remember, no matter  what lens you use, the end-result image is still 95
> percend dependent on the shooter and only 5 percent on the equipment. The
> added improvement of modern glass is, in that formula, very small indeed.
> 
> charlie trentelman
> ogden, utah
> 
> In a message dated 1/29/0 8:07:47 AM, you wrote:
> 
> >If I might add, if you are using the M camera for a living then go for the
> >current crop of lenses which are in a class of their own and will produce
> >pictures of current vintage look and has the optical attributes of modern
> >lens designs. If you are going to enjoy your picture making
> >("making" as in the sense of artistry), try out some of the older vintage
> >optics and you'd be quite pleased with the period look that you get -
> >especially on monochrome films. Who knows, your clients might even be
> >thrilled with some retro-look shots taken of them in monochrome and with a
> >leica 1950 lens!
> >
> >Dan K.
> >