Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/10/22

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Subject: RE: [Leica] OFFLIST Xpan
From: "Dan Honemann" <danh@selectsa.com>
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 09:21:43 -0400

> I tend to avoid camera stores ;)  The dual 'personality' appeals to me
> but the f/4.0 is a bit slow for me. Maybe have a Noct for the dark
> areas?

Yes, you've hit on the biggest disadvantage of the Xpan, which is why it is
a compliment to, and not a replacement for, a Leica M (IMO, of course).

> Anyway, the lens performance at f/4.0 to f/8.0 parallels the same
> apertures of the Summicrons? That would be where I would shot most of
> the time.

I couldn't tell ya--I don't own one, just had a photo teacher who did and
let me play with it.  He claimed the images were just as sharp as with his
Leica glass, so there you have it, if third-hand hearsay means anything to
you. :)

> I would go for the 45mm but that 30mm is tempting but so $costly$ I
> would be using both normal and pan modes as I don't like to carry a ton
> of gear!

Right.  The 45 would give you a comparable viewing angle as a 25mm when in
panoramic mode; that's plenty wide enough for me.  Seems like the perfect
lens for the X if you were to buy just one.

Dan