[Leica] WAS Leica prices! Now Leitz fast glass!

[Ted Grant <tedgrant@islandnet.com>]

Jem wrote:

<<<<<I was flicking through a small book on the Novoflex system yesterday
(Friedrich Vogt, Focal Press, London, 1963) and the 400mm F2.8 lens was
considered in theory in the book and this is what they wrote:

"....People often ask why is the aperture not greater (than their then
present lenses). This is easily explained by an example. An aperture of 2.8
for a lens of 400mm focal length would require a diameter of approx. 15cm.
Such a glass block would be too heavy, too big and far too expensive! This
aperture would be rarely used because of depth of field considerations
nearly always demand a minimum aperture of 5.6.">>>>>>>

Hi Jem and others,

If my calculation is close, 15cm. is about 6" and that's not so far off for
the 400 2.8 and there are lenses even bigger than that. And heavy too!:)

<<<<<Such a glass block would be too heavy, too big and far too expensive!
This
aperture would be rarely used because of depth of field considerations
nearly always demand a minimum aperture of 5.6.">>>>>>

Boy they sure had the depth thing wrong! This is also interesting as Leitz
at one time did a survey: "what is the widest aperture you use most of the
time?"

This was to determine if they should make faster lenses at the time of the
survey. Responded answers:  The majority, "4 or 5.6"  Leitz in turn asked
themselves: "Why should we make them faster if they don't use it?"

Fortunately better judgment prevailed and the lenses were made faster.

"OK! lets hear it for the Noctilux and super fast long glass!":) The first
"excellent long lens" that I'm aware of, was the APO 280mm 2.8 for the
Leicaflex in 1984.

I couldn't get my hands on one fast enough, as at that point I had been
using a Leica adapted NIKKOR 300 2.8 mounted on a Leicaflex. Quite an
awesome looking piece, drove the Japanese photographers wild and the German
Leica guys went nuts!!!!! :)  A great attention getter at international
sports events.

"Like what the hell is that?" was the usual comment. :) Then came a flood
of questions and "Can I look through it?"

But the 280 was the beginning of some very fine Leica long lenses,
unfortunately excellent quality and fast glass equates to..."HOLY MACKEREL
HOW MUCH?" :)

Thanks for the note, I'm sure others will find it interesting also.

ted


Ted Grant
This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant