Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Walt, I have to agree with you one the lens issue. My nieces senior pictures which I took with a 90 Elmar from 1949 were a great hit. There are differences in lens but for mosst of my purposes at least, it is not significant. I own a mix of lenes from the above mentioned to the 75 Summilux and Noctilux as well as some for the R system, most, but not, all purchased used. (As a publoic school teacher I am definately NOT inthe economic stratosphere) I always base my lens choice for a job on speed and focal length without much thought as to how "sharp" the lens is. They are all sharp enough. I do think Leica has no choice about continuing to improve lenses. The reputation of Leica glass sells cameras and lenses. If R&D lag, eventually it will be said that the lenses are no longer competitive. True or untrue, it will hurt the company and I won't be able to get my favorite tools. Ken Wilcox At 09:37 AM 3/13/99 -0600, Walt wrote: >Has the "law of diminishing returns" no applicability to this >group? Is the economic status of this group (as I've noted >before) so far into the stratosphere that economic issues are >not a factor?.....(for those of you familiar with the allusion, >are we all Harry Pearsons of "the Absolute Sound"?) > >Certainly, if one buys a new lens, and the difference between >the immediately previous model and the current "APO" or whatever >is 10-20%, one should opt for the new one....but in a real-world >example, should I sell my 1970 EXC 50 Summicron for $300 and >buy a new one for $1000? or sell my 35 Summicron for $500 and >buy the "APO" for three times that? I think a dose of reality >is in order. > >The top 1-2% performance gain IN ANY MANUFACTURED object costs >an additional 100% or more (sometimes MUCH more)....and will >make NO better pictures, better sound, better transportation, etc. > >Even though a person has the MONEY to do this kind of illogical >purchasing, it is truly quest for the "holy grail"...a goosechase, >etc....and is not prudent thinking....especially since most people >have trouble with the bodies, and are in no way approaching the >limits of thirty year old optics in their photography. Lets >request reliable, well adjusted RFDR bodies that stay that way, >leave the lenses where they are until the rest of the system >catches up. > >Cheers, >Walt - ------------------ Ken Wilcox Carolyn's Personal Touch Portraits LAW LHSA MEA <wilcox@tir.com>