[Leica] Osterloh's new R book

[Hans-Peter.Lammerich@t-online.de]

Yesterday at the bookshop a browsed through Günther Osterloh's new R
book (in German). It now covers the R8, the new zoom and apo lenses. I
already own older issues on M and R. 

Whilst older R bodies are still covered, the paragraphs on dicountinued
lenses have been deleted. This is really bad, because a budget minded
photographer may still want to read about them. On the other hand many
illustrations from the mid/early 1970s are still in, with contemporary
dress and hairstyle of course, showing how to hold the camera etc.! It
does not affect the content, but it certainly does no good to the image
of current Leica gear. The same goes for the really poor quality of the
these illustrations which apparently were scanned from older issues
where they look much better, indeed. 

Günther Osterlohs' books on R and M continue the tradition of Theodor
Kisselbach' s classic "Leica Handbook" and, in addition to the '"manual
and equipment" section represent a comprehensive introduction to
photography. But as the director of the "Leica Akademie", and thus
company employee, his statements are not very critical. His descriptions
of the lenses' performance read like offical press releases The wording
seems to be identical with the small manuals that are supplied with the
lenses and to some extend with brochures. They are very honest, but you
have to read carefully in between the lines like in a travel agency's
catalogue. My, older, M book for instance has a chapter on the pre-asph
Summilux-M 1,4/35 and a loose page on the newer, current Summilux-M
1,4/35. The write-up on the pre-asph remains totally silent about the
well known short-falls of this lens which I indeed own, like and use a
lot (if not the most). On the other hand the insert on the asph mentions
the lack of flare and coma wide open. The reader can make his own
conclusions from that, but it certainly is not as it should be.

It is the most "official" book available on the subject and thus should
have first hand info on equipment operations and specs. Some buyers will
certainly prefer a more independent point of view and a less
conservative attitude towards third party accessories and "creative use
of gear (eg. stacking or combining adapters). As a marketing tool and
expanded product brochure, however, it failed, coming years too late and
- - hopefully - will be outdated again after photokina..

Hans-Peter