Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Based on the test shots of the Leica 0 which I have seen, I notice that the resolving power is very good but certainly not up to par with the more recent Summicron or even the 1960's Elmarit lens which I use. First of all, the Leica 0 series lens is a 4 lens elements in 3 groups type which is not as powerful as the Elmarit-R 28mm which has 12 lens elements in 10 groups type (giving an example of a typical R lens). Indeed, the Elmarit-R 28mm has more pieces of glass to correct for distortion which may occur because of refracting problems which may be inherent in the Leica O lens. That means that the Leica O suffers from more aberrations in general than the Elmarit. And if you use a 10X loupe to hit on the Leica 0 negative you can tell where fuzziness may occur (at least I could tell based on the test shots from the Leica O I saw) especially in the borders of objects particularly in lower light settings. Indeed if the lens on the Leica O were shortened then you can tell that the corresponding lens in 28mm would suffer from evident distortion particularly in architectural/landscape photographs. Second, the other main problem is that the Leica 0 lens isn't particularly all that fast. Dang, 3.5 is about as bad as a zoom lens and I might as well forget using the Leica O because there isn't a flash sync. Third, spending 2500 dollars for a toy is unwarranted. Dang, I buy cameras to use them and that money could be better invested in a new Leica R3 body or Leica M6 for me. I think that 2500 dollars could be used to get a few top notch lens from Leica which are more practical than the Leica O camera lens, no joke. That's why you don't see National Geographic photogs shooting Leica O out in the field. It's too slow to be useful for varying conditions. And for me, that's the best reason, better than worshipping lens tests which serve to keep beginners duped for the rest of their lives. sincerely, Alfie - -----Original Message----- From: leica@davidmorton.org [mailto:leica@davidmorton.org] Sent: Friday, October 26, 2001 1:57 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: RE: [Leica] To Buy or Not to Buy: a Leica 0 Albert Wang wrote: "That's definitely not true. I doubt that the fewer lens elements in the O series cameras can deliver sharper photographs than the Leica M6 or R8 seriously on any given day. In my opinion, the Leica O-series camera for me is just another expensive toy but I doubt many photojournalists would be using it all that much." I'm *very* impressed by the quality of the O's lens on the pictures I've taken with it. What problems or deficiencies have you seen on your images from the O? CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you have received this communication in error, please do not distribute it. Please notify the sender by E-Mail at the address shown and delete the original message. Thank you for your compliance. - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html