Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/07

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Summicron 35/2 wide open
From: Thomas Kachadurian <kach@freeway.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Mar 1999 21:55:41 -0500

What exactly are you shooting at F2 that this edge softness creates a 
problem. Unless you are reproducing a page of newsprint (why would 
you do that at F2?) what are the chances that everything in a 
photograph would be in the exact same narrow plane of focus as your 
main subject. For images with details throughout the frame, like 
landscape images, you would be shooting at 5.6 or 8 anyway. At F2 
it's not what's in focus that counts, but what happens as things move 
out of the plane of focus. In the darkroom you can't create the 
subtle softness and effects that occur in images made with a Leica.

Some one please give me an example of an image you'd make at F2 where 
edge to edge sharpness in the plane of focus matters.

Tom

 that are cAt 6:43 AM -0800 3/7/99, dan states wrote:
>Hi Bill, I agree that the effect can sometimes be usable, and I have
>produced some unique shots when I kept it in mind.  I guess I would
>rather try to achieve said effects in the dark room, and at least have
>the option of sharp results in the field.  I have had many occasions
>where I had to resort to a faster film to hand hold the shots.  I
>dislike most fast films for the obvious image quality reasons and would
>certainly appreciate an extra stop of usable speed.
>There also that nasty question of price...I paid $1,100 for my lens
>new....I was expecting perfection....
>
>I am curious about users of the oldest versions of the 35 F2.  Many feel
>it was better than the last non asph.  How does the older lens' edge
>quality compare to the newer version?
>
>Best Wishes
>Dan
>.
>>
>>I know this is going to sound blasphemous to this list, but there are
>some
>>Leica users who actually like this crummy effect. Chances are, if you
>are
>>shooting wide open with fast film then the light is not very available
>and
>>edge unsharpness becomes an effect. And I can't get that same crummy
>effect
>>with my Nikon 35mm f2. The Nikon prints don't have the same sharp,
>unsharp
>>look (glow) that the Leica prints do. I hope there is more to
>photography,
>>Leica photography even, than edge to edge tack sharpness. If there
>isn't,
>>I'm doomed. ~:)
>>
>>Bill Franson
>>
>
>
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Thomas Kachadurian
WEB PAGE: http://members.aol.com/kachaduria