Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/05/18

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Subject: Re: [Leica] copmarison Ricoh 28 and Elmarit 28.
From: "Jacques Bilinski" <jbilin@axionet.com>
Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 19:16:26 -0700

> It would seem that since the Ricoh performs so admirably at the smaller
> apertures, that their programs for designing ashperical elements needs
some
> work where the periphery of the lens is concerned! In turn,

> it raises the
> question- if the aspherical elements of a lens don't perform significantly
> better than traditional elements with sphrical surfaces- why bother? Is it
a
> market ploy for some?

> Any thoughts on this?
> Dan
>

My guess is that the inferior (but still good)  imaging of the Ricoh has a
lot to do with constraints due to lens size and also (probably to a lesser
degree) cost, rather than simply an inferior design. One group of optical
engineers set out to design a tiny 28mm lens for a reasonably priced shirt
pocket P&S, the other set out to design a top performing 28mm for
proffesional use with fewer restictions in size and cost. The 28mm Elmarit
would be massive on the GR1.