[Leica] wideangle PC

["Buchholdt, Hans" <hans.buchholdt@sealaska.com>]

     Andre Jean Quintal wrote:
     
     >     Oddly, the "perpective control" might just be the one
     >     i'd consider #1, even before the 35mm. But i wouldn't want
     >     to risk lessening "my" overall system capabilities
     >     where vast "infinity focus" landscapes are concerned,
     >     possibly the "traditional" 35mm focal: then AGAIN:
     >     what about that "perspective control" model,
     >     for such an application ?
     
     
     Andre, I have a 35/4 PA-Curtagon - I do like it alot, and use
     it fairly often, I'm a nature photography specialist - the
     35 PC is my oldgrowth SE Alaska rainforest lens along with
     a 21/4 SA. 
     
     I'm not familier with the specific Escher works your refering
     too, but I do know that the minimum focus distance for the
     35/4 PC isn't that close...its not a near focussing lens,
     although its minumum distance escapes me just now. For plants
     two inches tall or less, I don't think its capable of making
     trees or a forest out of them -- interesting idea though, if
     I'm following you correctly -= the 35/4 PC can get interesting 
     perspective effects other than the standard up-shift of 
     tall things.
     
     Other than that though, I like the 35/4 -- mine is an ancient
     one though (labeled Schneider-Kreuznach fur Leicaflex) and
     flares like nothing else I own. I would assume later examples
     have better coatings -- the 7mm shift comes in extremely
     handy in getting correct looking images of trees 80meter+
     tall. I'd like alittle more than 7mm of shift though, but
     the lens weighs about the same as my 50/2 so just has
     to be the lightest 35mm format PC lens ever made.
     
     Olympus makes specialist macro lenses similar to the
     Photars - I think only Leica and Olympus play in that field.
     
     
     Anyway "normal" working field kit:
     
     R5 (with the GMP r-grip, yes R5's are itsy-bitsy)
     R4sp(with motordrive and grid intenscreen)
     21/4 SA
     35/4 curtagon
     28/2.8
     90/2.8 (elpro 3)
     180/3.4 
     400/6.8 (with stock)
     Metz 32z2
     Bogen 3001/w 3262qr 
     
     Alternate - Wildlife
     
     R5(with motorwinder)
     R4sp(with motordrive & grid intenscreen)
     28/2.8
     90/2.8 (w/Elpro 3)
     180/3.4
     400/6.8 (shoulderstock)
     560/6.8
     1.4x APO
     Bogen 3221s /w NPC Prohead
     
     Alternate - travelling VERY light!
     
     R5 (GMP r-grip)
     35/4 PC
     90/2.8 (w/Elpro 3)
     300/5.6 SP Macro Tamron Adaptall
     
     Since I'm a biologist, and have to carry lots of analysis
     gear aside from photo stuff I sometimes have to go for
     the VERY light! outfit. Usually its kit #1 or #2, both
     carried in a Domke Outpack Daypack.
     
     (Doug, how does the Domke compare to the LowePro?)
     
     I figure one the these years I'll get an R8, but I keep
     thinking an R6.2 is what I've really been needing.
     
     Hans Buchholdt
     Juneau, Alaska