Re: [Leica] 35mm 2.0 Aspheric (long)

[TTAbrahams@aol.com]

 Being 50% of the LHSA Viewfinder article team that ventured their opinions on
the 35/2 Asph (the other 50% being Roy Moss, President of LHSA for the last
couple of years) I should explain the article. It is not a “test” in so far
that we do not use charts, optical benches, micro contrast analysis or
anything more radical than film and cameras. I appreciate Erwin’s analysis of
equipment and very much respect his knowledge, but being a skeptic by heart, I
never believe anything until I have tried it myself. Well, bungee jumping is
one exception, I believe it is exciting and I have no intention of trying
myself!
 The LHSA equipment reviews are based on users opinions, my feeling about the
35/2 Asph is that it is an evolutionary lens, it is better than the 35/2 that
precedes it, but it is not “jump up and down, bring in the dancing girl and
break out the champagne” better. I also state that if you do not have a 35/2
at the moment and you are contemplating buying one, get the Asph. If you
already have a late version 35/2 I dont feel that it is worth the effort to
trade this one for a new Asph, UNLESS you primarily work with the lens wide
open.
 There is a reason that the reviews are done in black and white. I shoot
mainly (99%) in this medium and Roy is also a devoted black/white shooter.
Being a Newsletter the Viewfinder is printed in black/white with color cover
and color sections. Reviews are done in black/white, other stuff in color. The
Viewfinder accepts no advertising and is paid for by the membership dues of
the LHSA and the contributors are not paid either. 
 I have seen examples of Newsletters for a multitude of camera clubs,
collector societies and special interest groups from around the world and I am
glad to say that LHSA Viewfinder is the best example I have seen anywhere (
this is not an official test, it is my opinion!!!). For those of you who are
members of the LHSA and can study the material on the printed page, your
opinions are valued and for those of you who look at it on screen, unless you
have equipment that is of a caliber when it comes to screen resolving power
that I dont know about, join the LHSA and put forward your ideas, opinions
and, yes, product reviews to the Viewfinder editor. - By the way, between us,
Roy and I have a good 80-85 years of experience with Leicas and photography.
There are  certainly people who know more than us, but we are both known to
voice opinions when asked. 
For our next performance we are trying out the Tri-Elmar (me), the 21/2,8 Asph
(Roy) and the Leica M6HM ( Dick Gilcrest/Roy). To partake in this, join the
LHSA and  yes there are also some really interesting opinions exchanged over a
couple of beers at the LHSA annual meetings (this year in October in Denver,
Colorado) or at our spring shooters’ meet. Join LHSA and remember, there is
more to life and photography than resolution charts!
Tom A