Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]May I point out that not all of Erwin's Leica lens reports are unabashedly positive. Take for instance his report/test of the 40mm f2.8 Focotar enlarging lens for the V-35 enlarger. He compared it to the 50mm f2.8 APO Rodagon (or was it the Componon?), and concluded that the Focotar was an excellent lens and was just dandy for the 3X - 16X autofocusing range of the V35, but did not compare favorably with the 50mm lens at larger magnifications. His conclusions agree with my test of the 40mm Focotar lens that I own. But I was a little put out at him for "unfairly" comparing the 40mm Focotar to a 50mm lens of recent design from another manufacturer. After all, 50mm lenses are easier to design than 40mm wide angle enlarging lenses. Why didn't he compare the Focotar against another 40 mm enlarging lens such as the 40mm f2.8 APO Componon? Again, however, the APO Componon is a recent design, and the Focotar was designed in the late 70s or early 80s. Why, I asked myself, didn't he test it against the 50mm f4.5 Focotar-2, and keep it in the Leica family. Embarrassing! How could Erwin commit this dastardly deed against our beloved Leica Company???!!!!!! Ferrel Anderson