Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/03

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Subject: Re: [Leica] RE: soft focus vs out -of- focus in an ultimate sharpness world
From: Eric Welch <ewelch@ponyexpress.net>
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 23:00:24 -0600

At 04:07 PM 12/3/97 -0800, you wrote:

>Your claim that diffraction is less of a problem with longer focal lengths
>is incorrect.  The limit of resolution (as measured by the Rayleigh
>criterion) of a diffraction-limited lens is given by

As far as I know, Leica has only two diffraction-limited lenses. So what
good are those numbers?

Seems to me by what you say is that the limit to resolution is r=L f/D. But
who says any lens is at the limit?  As I heard it, the angle of light in a
wide angle lens is much more severe (light passing over the edge of the
aperture). And thus diffraction is increased compared to the light
travelling through a telephoto where the light is diffracted less becasue
the angle of attack on the edge of the aperture blade was less severe.

So please, define what diffraction limted means. Seems to me these numbers
don't make sense.
==========

Eric Welch
St. Joseph, MO
http://www.ponyexpress.net/~ewelch

Make it idiot proof and someone will make a better idiot.