Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I wouldn't want to defend a bad lens, Dan, but I don't think that's the case with the 35/2, to my mind. It really depends on the shot, I'd say. I'd ask, "Do I want to satisfy my artistic tendencies or my perfectionistic ones?" Often, the requirements differ. I often like to use "selective focus" which pinpoints the focus on a small piece of my subject and allows the rest to enter Bokehville. Using wide-open apertures is the key. Wall-to-wall sharpness tends to dilute attention from the subject in many of my street shots. The basic 35/2 M gives me the sharpness where I want it -- on the main characters on the stage. I have a Sigma 28mm, f1.8, Aspheric II, I use on my FM2n, which gives me wall-to-wall, tack sharp, perfectly boring shots. I just can't figure out what to do with all that perfection. Having said all that, let me declare my other biases: I think tube radios and stereos sound better than solid state ones. I think LPs sound better than CDs. I'd rather see a play than a movie. I think hardbacks are more fun to read than paperbacks. I think any book is better than reading a web page. Regards, Bruce Feldman Warsaw, Poland Original Message ----- From: dan states <dstate1@hotmail.com> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Saturday, March 06, 1999 6:57 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Summicron 35/2 question >I still like the lens, but try not to use it wide open unless it is >absolutely necessary. The image really becomes presentable at f 2.8, >particularly if you are making prints that will naturally crop the >farthest edge of the frame anyhow. 5x7, 11x14 etc. If you are really >adamant about the f 2 performance, go with the new asph. > >Good Luck >Dan > > >> >> >> >>Hi Dan, >> >>Thanks for your reply. Are you still using the lens?--wide open?? I'm >>going to test it further myself, and decide whether to keep it or trade >>it in. I helps to know that the aberration is "normal." >> >>MK >> >>>This is normal behavior. My 35 f2 does the same thing. I was so >>>curious about this lousy open aperture >>>performance I even wrote Erwin, and he confirmed my results. It seems >>>that until you get to f3.5 the edge >>>performance of this lens is really crummy. I guess the tradeoff is >that >>>it is SO good AFTER 3.5 that most >>>people just don't care. I compared the new asph. and the f2-f2.8 >>>results are MUCH better. I only wished I had >>>waited for the new lens to come out! >>> >>>Best Wishes >>>Dan > > > > >______________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com >