[Leica] autofocus macro

[lea <lea@whinydogpress.com>]

<<(and remember that, if your main purpose is macro photography, autofocus is of
very little use at all),>>

This is the second time in a week (maybe 2) that I've seen a statement like this.
Could someone explain WHY autofocus macro isn't of use. I use it all the
time...from 35mm to 645 and you couldn't pay me to give it up.

Perhaps the statement comes from people doing a different type of macro work than
what I do?
Lea

Pascal wrote:

> On 01-05-2001 16:06, Barney Quinn, Jr. wrote:
>
> >I have things narrowed down to an R8, an F3 which comes with some great
> >glassware, or a new EOS body with a 28 to 70 f2.8  L lens. I need an SLR
> >because
> >I do a lot of close ups of flowers. (I've heard, by the way, that the
> >Leica 60mm
> >macro is a hell of a lens.) Metering is a key issue for me. I believe that
> >photography is really paining and writing with light, and I do a lot of
> >work in
> >tough lighting situations. A great deal of my stuff is back lit.
> >
> >What am I getting into if I get the R8 and the 28 to 80 mm zoom. One of
> >the best
> >cameras in the world? Or a piece of overpriced jewelry not made in Germany
> >by a
> >company who can do nothing right and who is on the verge of going out of
> >business equipped with a with a Sigma lens that only someone with more money
> >than brains would buy all of which will brand me as an idiot who can't manage
> >his money when he is seen in public with it?
>
> Lots of questions, Barney.
>
> A choice between the R8 and F3 on the one hand, and an EOS on the other
> hand is easily made. If you need or want autofocus, there is no choice.
> If you need or want a fast midrange or wideangle zoom lens, there is no
> choice :-)
>
> If you don't need or want autofocus (and remember that, if your main
> purpose is macro photography, autofocus is of very little use at all),
> you have to choose between the R8 and the F3. If you need or want a fast
> midrange or wideangle zoom lens (f/2.8), forget the Leica since the Vario
> 35-70/2.8 ASPH can no longer be ordered (only about 500 pieces made).
>
> Strictly speaking in terms of bang for the buck, the Nikon F3 system
> offers better value for money. The F3 body is still excellent by today's
> standards (though lacking somewhat in comparison to the R8) and you cand
> find some excellent lenses in the manual Nikkor line at very decent
> prices. The Micro-Nikkor 55/2.8 is an excellent lens and one of the very
> best Nikkor lenses for that.
>
> Financial issues aside, the Leica R8 system has a lot to be commended
> for. The body is, IMHO, superior to the F3. So  it should be given the
> fact that the R8 was born about a decade later than the F3... A brighter
> viewfinder, a decent TTL flash system, a built-in flashmeter, higher
> X-sync, superior ergonomics, convenient motor/winder-add ons.
> As for the Leica R lenses, difficult to buy a "mediocre" lens. In fact,
> there aren't any in the current R lineup. If you were thinking about the
> Vario 28-70/3.3-4.5 (current version), it is a very capable lens but
> maybe not the best Leica has to offer at these focal lenghts. A wideangle
> zoom is scheduled for release in the not-too-distant future (probably a
> 21-35/4.0). Telephoto zooms offer a wider choice between medium (f/4.0)
> and fast (f/2.8) aperture lenses. If you are into macro, two of the
> world's best macro lenses are Leica's: the Elmarit 60/2.8 and the Apo
> Elmarit 100/2.8. You can't go wrong with either of these two lenses.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Pascal
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>
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