Re: [Leica] I'm baffled

[Evelyn <dkhong@pacific.net.sg>]

Jim

I suspect that variety is very much the spice of life.

Dan K.

At 10:36 AM 18/5/99 -0700, you wrote:
> I'm a little baffled. I've been on the LUG for two or three years. I've
>read with much interest, all of Erwin's lens dissertations, on the LUG, on
>his web site, and as magazine articles. I know the majority of you LUGgers
>do the same. I do all of the necessary things to produce the utmost in
>image quality. The best lens for the job, tripod when necessary, etc... And
>much of the LUG discussions, over the years, has been on the fact that
>Leica lenses are at a level, somewhat higher than the competition. They
>perform better wide open than the competition. They have a neutral color
>balance, smooth Bokeh, excellent fine detail recording, etc...
> 
> Then, some manufacturer (like Ricoh, Cosina, Voigtlander, Tokina...),
>produces a lens that fits Leica cameras. Many LUGgers go GAGA! When will
>they be available, where can I buy them, etc...
> 
> WHY?????
> 
> I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why someone would want to
>deliberately produce images of lesser quality, using a (new) brand-x lens,
>when for the same money, they can buy a used Leica lens that will out
>perform the brand-x lens in every way.
> 
> Am I missing something here???
> 
>"" lenses. I would like to know what I am missing. What is the attraction?
>Etc...
> 
>"" lenses, and even very old SM non-Leica lenses. They were hand computed
>and possess unique imaging qualities that get lost in modern computer aided
>designed lenses. And there is a certain amount of nostalgia with these
>lenses. But the Ricoh 28 ASPH is simply a mediocre lens, even when compared
>to older Leica 28mm lenses. Who wants new mediocre?
> 
>"" imaging qualities. I just made a 16x20 Ciba of a tulip, E200,
>1/1000@f/2.8, shade, handheld. There are two other tulips behind the
>primary tulip, both very out of focus, along with plant leaves even farther
>back. All of the out of focus stuff is as smooth and serene as silk. The
>tulip in focus, is razor sharp, and even though it's on E200, shows no
>degradation at 16x20. Amazing.
> 
> Would I want a 28mm Ricoh? Hell no! Or a 75mm Ricoh (if it existed) Double
>hell no!!!
> 
> JMHO, and looking for answers...
> 
> Jim
> 
> 
> At 04:59 PM 5/18/99 +0200, Erwin wrote: 
> 
> A comparison of the 28mm Ricoh GR and the Elmarit-M and R versions of the
>28mm. 
> 
> The Ricoh (#02818) is a diminuative lens. The chrome version with the
>focusing aid is very Leica like. Mechanically it showed a slight axial play
>in the distance ring mechanism and a very slight decentring. 
>    The corners are very soft with outlines of large subject detail clearly
>visible. 
>   resolved, with a faint trace of softness. At f/16.o the performance
drops. 
> The close-up performance ( 1 meter) is identical to the infinity setting. 
> 
> The Elmarit-M 2.8/28mm (#3793205) at full aperture shows a high contrast
>image with very fine detail crisply rendered. 
>
> ...
> 
> Erwin
>