Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/22
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've experienced this too, with some '80s M glass, and noted that it tended to flare rather easily, but in a controlled manner, which generally resulted in some localized loss of contrast, not a clearly-defined blotch on the photo. The same might be said of the pre-T*/HFT Zeiss glass that I use. (I hope to try the newer stuff sometime!). Used properly, I find the results to be maybe technically flawed but aesthetically pleasing! I think my new 50 Elmar is "sharper" and "contrastier" than the Canadian 50 Summicron I once owned, though it works well. I like Fuji's and Mamiya's MF cameras, and here, tend to create compositions in which a great sense of sharpness is an asset. I'd agree that some of these lenses do appear sharper than my Zeiss or Leica lenses (maybe sharper than real life), but I don't try any of that fancy out-of-focus-background stuff with 'em unless said background is typically dark and low-contrast. Points of light shining through out-of-focus foliage doesn't look so hot. With my M and Zeiss glass, I'll chance it--if it doesn't flare excessively, it tends to look pretty good. - -----Original Message----- From: Thomas Kachadurian <kach@freeway.net> > >With the exception of Ted, who talks of Leica glass as I might cutlery, I >have never thought, or heard that Leica's strength was sharpness. > >I use Leica lens for these reasons. > >1. Smooth tonality, easy to spot on B&W film, but more important with films >like Velvia because it turns the blazing contrast into resolvable shadows. > >2. Detailed images. Often the micro details visible in a Leica image make >an image look less sharp. But the details are what allow those great >enlargements. > >3. Great color. I can't say that it is specificaly warm, because my Canon >lenses are warm, but sometimes neutral tones can go a bit yellow with the >canon glass. The Leica lenses give you the thing that makes evening light >so nice, without the color shift. > >4. Smooth Boke. Sorry guys, but it's there. If you want sharpness shoot >with a Fuji GS645s. It's a 120 camera that will cut you with it's >sharpness. But make sure everything is in focus, because the out of focus >areas look terrible. The thing I love about the 50mm Summicron is how the >things that aren't sharp are rendered. I had a 1960s vintage Nikkor 50mm >1.4 that was nearly as nice, but it was a unique specimin, I tried to find >others and never could. >