Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/16

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Subject: Re: [Leica] confused
From: "Don Dory" <dorysrus@mindspring.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Oct 2001 23:15:07 -0400
References: <SIMEON.10110121407.A@sova-walt.unt.edu> <3BCCA34D.7F0C26B9@d2.com>

I think the key is not whether the design has been modified, but whether 1)
you would ever focus closer than 3 feet with the 50, and 2) will you spend
many frames wider than F4.  The decision for the DR is easy if occasionally
you would like to focus close.  Likewise, if you mostly shoot somewhere
beyond F2.8 then a clean collapsible Summicron can offer very good value
especially if your main subject is usually near the center of the frame;
rule of thirds composition.

It is only hard if you frequently shoot near F2 and you don't care if you
can't focus close.  Living in LA, you might be able to satisfy your question
by "borrowing" a copy of both lenses and shooting with both under same
conditions.  If you can't see a difference then buy the least expensive.  If
you can see a difference but only if you use slow film on a tripod with
1/500 second or higher then buy the cheapest.  On the other hand, if you can
see a difference in either the outer zones or one renders the subject in the
fashion you find attractive then buy that lens if you can afford it.

The most expensive lens is the one that you buy because it is cheap but you
replace later because it doesn't perform the way you want it to.  That
statement also includes your mental state.  For example, if you have always
wanted a DR just because, then no number of fine lenses will make you happy
until you have a DR.

Don Dory
dorysrus@mindspring.com

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In reply to: Message from Walter S Delesandri <walt@jove.acs.unt.edu> (Re: [Leica] Re: Vertical Alignment at Infinity)
Message from Feliciano di Giorgio <feli@d2.com> ([Leica] confused)