Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/09/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Frank: Thanks for the compliment. I love the detail which I get on 11x14 film. I agree that the quality of process lenses is great for the use for which they were designed, that is 1:1 copying... but not so good at infinity at their maximum coverage. I've acquired a few of them to use with the 11x14, ones with at least 1/2 meter coverage because the 11x14 needs about 450mm. Much to my dismay, and even though they have the coverage, they're only sharp in the middle and go much too soft in the corners. The photo of the maple tree, the one taken with the Ronar 420mm process lens shows this. The problem as explained to me by an optical engineer is that process lenses lack the one element, (making them less expensive originally) which would render the corners sharp, because it isn't needed in process lenses because they are not used for infinity or near-infinity photographs. He further explained that if I were to use the same 420mm as a 1:1 macro lens on my 11x14, that the corners would be sharp. I can barely extend the bellows enough for a single cell Protar shot (590mm) so 840mm for a 1:1 with the Ronar is out of the question. So it and a 210mm process lens which I thought would make a nice cheap wide angle for the 11x14, are used on the 8x10 instead. I'd like to get a 200mm Grandagon or a 210mm Super Angulon someday, in the meantime I use the Protar and a Symmar-S 360mm on the 11x14. Jim Frank Filippone wrote: > Jim... I do not question the quality of process lenses. With few > exceptions, they are pretty darned good. They are, however, big. And were > discounted from my choice list for only that reason. > > NICE shots.... I especially like the skyline.... when everything hits at > one > time, it is amazing how good LF lenses can be...... > > Frank Filippone > red735i@earthlink.net > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >