Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/10/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]At 12:56 05/10/96 +0100, you wrote: >In article <199610042059_MC1-A07-7797@compuserve.com>, "George R. >Zachar" <102413.1577@compuserve.com> writes >>Uh, what's an MTF test? And, in plain English, is >>it possible to explain how intentional lens aberrations >>can be made to selectively fuzz parts of an image and >>not others? >> >>I am genuinely curious. I am thinking of sinking a lot >>of money into a camera system, and if you can prove your >>point, my decision will lean toward seasoned Leicas. > >My own (uninvited!) response to this is to suggest that trying out a >Leica outfit and looking at the results might provide more useful >evidence for system selection than any scientific explanation of why a >lens does what it does. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, not >in the analysis of the recipe. Ultimately, it's what the results look >like that we have to live with after spending the money. I saw a look, >or character, in my first Leica photographs I'd never seen before with >any other equipment and I knew I wanted that look. I made a decision I >can live with. In fact I get happier about it all the time. :-> >-- >joe b. > Just to add that Leica, unlike most cameras, is not a sunk cost, but an investment. I 'well seasoned' means other than brand new, then with a good plan of what you want and some patience in its acquisition you can acquire a great system for not much more than a new system of one of those other brands. If history is an indicator, the investment may even be a better hedge against inflation than the stock market. And to boot, you get to use the investment rather than hiding it in a vault or just hanging it on a wall. Oh, by the way, if 'sinking a lot of money' into a camera system bothers you, maybe you should look at an alternate brand which may cost far less. I think that most will agree that acquiring a Leica system is not for the tight fisted. While most brands today will take more than adequate photographs, in this hobby/business the cost for small incremental increases can be costly. That what separates Leica (and German Contax glass) and 'Blad from the rest. Brian Levy, J.D. Toronto, Ont. dlevy@worldy.com