Re: [Leica] Re: 21mm F4 Cosina test

["onetreehillclw" <onetreehillclw@compaq.net>]

Thanks for the update Dimitrov.

It's hard to top the old 21/3.4

Chris Williams

- ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "S Dimitrov" <sld@earthlink.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 10:36 PM
Subject: [Leica] Re: 21mm F4 Cosina test


> 
> Well, I knocked a half a dozen prints this morning, using a V35 with a
> 40 focotar. I printed on Agfa MCP 310 RC. As I stated earlier I used
> Neopan 1600 and 400.
> 
> The first thing I knew was that this was not Leica glass, even my wife
> this evening saw the immediate difference. But, it does have very good
> contrast and sharpness, somewhat reminiscent of Nikon glass from the
> 60's and 70's. And it does exceptionally well with flare control. Light
> falloff is barely noticeable, as I was shooting wide open at dusk at one
> point. Stopped down at F16 with Neopan 1600 in bright sunlight, I think
> I'm seeing some diffraction or fringing as it's starting to soften up a
> bit affecting the overall image clarity.
> 
> I'll have to test it with other manufacturers emulsions, as I'm sure
> each will behave differently with this optic. I'll be trying the high
> speed emulsions only, 400 and up, to satisfy my curiosity.
> 
> One thing about its performance, is that, yes, it is a better performer
> than the 21mm F4. But, from my experience, I can see just from my simple
> test that it won't outperform the 21mm F3.4. I realize that this is just
> one lens, and I'll gladly stand corrected if I'm wrong. But in my
> opinion, the Cosina 21mm relegates the 21mm F4 to the status of a walnut
> crushing "collectible," while enhancing the worth of the 21mm F3.4 even
> more. I used my former 21mm F4 for 3 years, and the 21mm F3.4 for ten
> years, under the usual horrid lighting conditions. 
> 
> But what a lens, it certainly puts new life in the use of the LTM boxes.
> It just has that light heft and compactness that makes using the earlier
> bodies such a pleasure.
> 
> The truism that there is no substitute for Leica glass certainly holds
> true, in spite of these "new innovations."
> 
> 
> That's it for now.
> 
> Best,
>  Slobodan Dimitrov