RE: [Leica] The 3D Efect

[John Gong <jgong@cisco.com>]

Peter,

I think you're confusing lens design versus the resulting image.  What you describe is a way that Leica would design a rangefinder lens. That point would make sense in that an SLR lens would be designed differently.

However,  since I posted the original comment that sparked this issue, I must clarify what I meant by the 3d effect.  It is the appearance that the subject in focus stands out from the surrounding background and foreground.  Since this is a 2d medium, that effect is no small feat.

I would rather believe that the 3d effect has to do with the contrast characteristics of a given lens.  As I mentioned earlier, the lenses I see this effect are my R series (35 summicron 1st gen, 85 summilux, 35-70 ROM).  I also see them in some of my M lenses (35 summilux aspherical, 75 summilux).


John

At 12:16 PM 12/26/98 -0800, Kotsinadelis, Peter (Peter) wrote:
>
>	George, 
>
>	What you say it partially true.  The fact is Rangefinder use 3
>focusing points and create what is called "tunneling." You set the focusing
>points to achieve a perspective of an image when in focus.  The older
>M-lenses where also designed with this in mind.  Some refer to it as a "3-D
>effect" others refer to it as "rounding."  Call it what you like, but it is
>the effect of the Rangefinder versus an SLR.
>
>	Peter K
>
>> George Huczek wrote:
>>  
>>  At 12:00 PM 22/12/98 +0000, John wrote:
>> One thing I really like about the Leica lenses is their ability to
>> render the in-focus subjects nearly 3d in its differentiation from
>> the background.  I don't know if this is true with Nikkors.
>> 
>> I've heard this so many times that I'm not sure anymore if this is a
>> LUG myth or if there is some truth to it. Older SM Leica lenses may 
>> have been designed optically to bring this about intentionally, but
>> is there any truth to this for newer lenses, or is it just part of
>> the Leica mystique?
>> 
>