Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/12/16

[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]

Subject: Re: [Leica] Re: Which third lens? 24 or 50
From: RBedw51767@aol.com
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1998 08:24:00 EST

Alan:

I would like to add another comment.  I also own a Hasselblad Superwide which
is very high on my list.  The 38mm Biogon is known for it's phenomenal
qualities.  When the bubble level on the Superwide is centered you simply
cannot find distortion.  When the 21mm Leica is level it too produces straight
lines and undistorted images, very similar to the Biogon.  With the gigantic
gains in film quality I am beginning to question the need for the larger
negative.  The 21mm is a remarkable lense.

Bob

<< Bob (and Fernando)
 
 I must second the enthusiastic comment regarding the 21mm Asph. I was at
 first frightened by the idea of dealing with a second viewfinder. In
 reality, it does simplify life by giving an extremely easy (and large)
 way of composing the image. I never had any parallax or framing problems
 with it, even with quick 'n dirty shooting. The 21mm allows very easy
 pre-focusing because of its gigantic depth of field. So at the end of
 the day, one only has to check the exposure once in a while in
 viewfinder nr 1. That is all. It would be even easier to use if the M
 provided aperture priority automation of course.
 
 The resulting images are extremely 'lively' (focused action all over the
 frame), sharp (of course) and totally immune to flare or distortion.
 This is the lens that makes me believe some of the rap regarding the
 'superiority' of Leica designs: compared to the 20mm Nikkor I used
 previously, there is a real, obvious, quality leap in the final images.
 
 It is a pleasure to use, a fun way of including people in the forefront
 of the image without anyone noticing, an easy way of making a boring
 subject look unique and spectacular. All in all, maybe the most useful
 lens in my M setup....
 
 Alan
 
 
 RBedw51767@aol.com wrote:
 > 
 > Fernando:
 > 
 > Please don't overlook the wonderful 21mm Aspheric.  I haven't decided which
is
 > my favorite lense, the 21 or the Noctilux.  The 21 is extremely easy to use
 > because of the viewfinder and it's clarity.  The only negative part of the
 > viewfinder is that you need to go back to the M6 viewfinder to check meter
 > readings.  There are no rangefinder images to align.  The depth  of field
is
 > so deep that focusing accuracy is not an issue.  You can take marvelous
 > pictures in the tightest of places and the sharpness is right there with
the
 > 35/1.4 Asph.  Needless to say, I love it.
 
  >>