Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/05/17

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To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: Leica Desires
From: Eric Welch <ewelch@gp.magick.net>
Date: Fri, 17 May 1996 22:28:58 -0700

At 04:11 PM 5/17/96 -0400, you wrote:
>I am also interested in doing lens tests of Leica lenses. I have 
>evaluated several different lens test systems (Modern Photo 1968 USAF, 
>Edmund Sci Co, a third proprietary chart [can't remember name]) and the 

My prejudice, but test charts tell you little about a lens's performance. If
you can't test the MTF curves (big bucks), at various distances from the
center to edge, curvature of field, astigmatism, coma, chromatic aberration
and numerous other things, you aren't going to be able to tell which lens is
"best." Even then, how are you going to know how to interpret it without a
degree in optical engineering? The best test in the world is to go out and
test the lens in the conditions you shoot in the most. The same light you
prefer, and with the film you prefer. Check the results and then go from
there.  There are no "objective" tests. All are subject to qualification.

==========================
Eric Welch
Grants Pass Daily Courier


Replies: Reply from "joe b." <joe@azurite.demon.co.uk> (Leica Lens Tests)
Reply from Michael Volow <mvolo@acpub.duke.edu> (Re: Leica Desires)