Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]1/ I have a question about my newly acquired lens. Its a 35mm f2 summicron, Canadian #20658xx can anyone tell me anything about it? 2/ I had been using a 35/2 from 69 I believe with a little ab on the aperture ring and I'm not particularly happy with the sharpness wide open. --> This is the only part I'll comment on: My personal opinion, for what it's worth, is that this lower sharpness property, in many lenses, can become useful when a photographer knows what to expect at such critical apertures and actually makes the most of it's "flaws" towards specific "creative" ends. In other words: sharpness is NOT everything in photography. What about "residual" tonal gradation, shadow detail, highlights' subtlety, color accuracy when its acutance / edge resolution goes down somewhat at f/2.8 or f/2 ? My point is to try and "sell" you your older lens (Devil's Advocate): What would you say if we look at your problem this way: film emulsions have, for the most part, evolved quite a lot in thirty years. What sort of results are now possible at f/4 with this "old" lens using today's improved emulsions, either B&W or color, at light levels that would have demanded a wider aperture "back then" ? Then compare today's stuff with your older slides or prints ... It's twisted logic, I agree, but I hope you realize there's still quite a lot of "photo mileage" left into your older lens ... (and value -- compared to most other brands). [ Now, IF your wallet itches, there's only one way to cure that ... : trade both older 35mm lenses and get the latest which should last you another 20-30 years before it becomes obsolete, if ever, unless photo lenses' optics make a totally unexpected quantum leap, performance wise. Go wild and get the f/1.4 ASPH ???] Andre Jean Quintal 3/ Will I like this lens any better or will I NEED a ASPH35/2?