Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/04/20

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To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: RF Viewfinder vs. Reflex Viewfinder (was: Phillistines...)
From: Michael Reichmann <michaelr@interlog.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Apr 1996 15:42:36 -0400

It's a misconception Michael that perspective changes with focal length.
The only thing that alters perspective is repositioning the camera.
Changing focal length only changes image magnification, and for the same
image size, perspective is always the same.

The same with depth of field.  For the same image size changing focal length
does not change depth of field.  Only image size and aperture change depth
of field.

For example -- take a shot of something, say a person standing 30 feet away,
with some forground and some background objects as well.  Use a 35mm lens
then a 135mm lens both at the same aperture.  If you blow the 35mm shot up
so that the image size (person) is the same as with the 135mm, you'll see
that the shots have the same perspective and the same depth of field.


As for the switch from an SLR to the Leica M -- it does take time, but
you'll find that there are subjects that each excels at.  I get frustrated
when I only have my M with me and try and do nature and landscape (though
the Leica image quality is superb), and on the other hand hate using my
Nikon F4 for street shooting.

Cheers,

Michael


At 11:47 PM 18/04/96 -0400, you wrote:
>In my transitions between Nikon reflex and Leica M, I have to adjust to
>the fact that perspective is different. On one hand, the reflex viewfinder
>displays objects in the perspective of the focal length of the attached
>lens (e.g. wide angle lenses show wide angle perspective). What ways to
>people compensate for the fact that the Leica M viewfinder, though framing
>accurately, displays only the perspective of a 40-50mm lens. That is, the
>perspective of the finder image cannot change to match, for example, a
>28mm or 135mm lens. I wonder if I compose differently with my M6's 35mm/2
>Summicron M vs. my Nikon FM's 35/2 Nikor? 
>
>
>Michael Volow, M.D. (mvolo@acpub.duke.edu)
>Department of Psychiatry, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC
>919 286 0411 Ext 6933
>
>
>
>