Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/15
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Julian wrote: > I'm not looking for a magic answer here, but maybe for opinions from >those who have actual first-hand experience as opposed to just reading >about this stuff. I am happy with my R8 system, except when it comes to >focusing indoors, especially with anything wider than my 50mm >Summicron-R.>>>>> Hi Julian, A tip for indoors with wider than 50mm R. Turn the focuing ring to the closest point of focus so that when you look through the view finder, everything is totally visual mush!!!!! Then start to focus on the subject from there, rather than from infinity to closer. It's much easier to see the image snap into focus from visual oblivion to sharp, than going from infinity to closer, where you find you squiggle back and forth looking for the sharpest point of focus. Worked for me for years. <<<<<I am omitting the pre-ASPH 35mm Summilux, because I have heard that the lens requires an appreciation of its "character" rather than its sharpness and clarity, especially at the wider "indoor" apertures.>>>>> Sorry Julian you've been fed a crock! The 1.4 35 Summilux is a beautiful lens, sure it's not as distinct as the "aspheric," wide open. But it's a wonderful lens that creates negatives shot at 1.4 in available darkness that stand to be enlarged to 16X20 prints. And yes they are sharp! Ask the folks at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography what my prints look like. Or look at some of the images in my book, "This is Our Work." where I used it wide open. I'd say for what you want to shoot and you can find a good "user 35 Summilux" at a good price, go for it. Besides if you don't like what you see in the end negs and prints, you can always sell it! So please don't write off a wonderful lens simply because some techno freak gave you bad advice. <<<<Is the 50mm Summilux good enough at apertures smaller than f1.4 to compete with the two Summicrons, which enjoy such a fine reputation? Or am I missing the boat by some of my rejected choices noted above?>>>>> You're talking apples and oranges! Better to ask the question, "Do I want to make great photographs or do I want squeaky sharp edge everything crispy clean with no feeling in the image pictures?" Hell the 50 Summilux is another fine lens at any aperture, does it have the same sharpie edgeness as the Summicron? Nope, but who cares! It's the end photograph that counts and it's feeling, people are not going to look at your pictures and say,"Ooooooh what nice sharp edges you have to the contents!" Man you always have to weigh this Leica "sharpie edge" stuff with what you are doing and is it absolutely necessary to have a test bench sharp edges or do you want photographs that capture the mood and feeling of the situation. Just my candid opinion. :) ted Ted Grant This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler. http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant