Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/11/16
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Walt I once owned so many Micro Nikkors that I thought they were reproducing. My best lens ever was the 28/2.8 R. The 35/1.4 ASPH M, 21/2.8 ASPH and the 28/2.8 M aren't far behind. But there was something special about that R lens. I feel Leica lenses are a cut above everything else. And the 28 R was the best of the best. Mine wasn't even the latest version, but it didn't have a weakness. It seemed immune to flare. It was exceptionally sharp corner to corner. Images taken with it had remarkable contrast. I didn't hesitate to shoot it wide open. Negs from it printed effortlessly. Sometimes I wonder why I sold it. I guess because I feel that lenses play less of a role in digital world. It used to be that the taking and enlarging lenses had the most impact on the final print. Today many other factors come into play. I once thought a lens could make or break a photo. I don't think that's true with digital. There are many good lenses, but few great ones. A bad lens can still break a digital shot, but an exceptional one can't lift a photograph to another level like it can with film. I'm not willing to trade my DSLR zooms for a prime lens just because it might have better image quality. I use primes when I need speed or something a little more compact. My 17-55/2.8 DX is solid. It's just has zoom disease (i.e. it's too big and too slow) DaveR -----Original Message----- From: Walt Johnson [mailto:walt@waltjohnson.com] Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 12:42 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] chimping, now Leica Sins Dave Never had anything but excellent results from the 6 or 7 Micro Nikkors I've owned. If there were a vote for the best lenses ever made my choices would be 21mm ASPH 50mm Summicron 55mm Micro Nikkor and without a doubt the 105mm Nikkor. Walt David Rodgers wrote: >Walt, > >Kodak used a close up of the back of an opened Rolex used in various >brochures to promote the high resolution and acutance of Tech Pan. I >don't know if anyone recalls the image, but it was ubiquitous in the >Kodak literature in the 80's. > >It was an impressive image and it stuck out in my mind. Years ago I >happened to mention it in the Compuserve Photo Forum. I got a private >response from member of the forum. He worked for Kodak and he'd taken >the photo. Everything was standard, including exposure, development, >etc. There was no special tweaking done by Kodak, IOW. He said the lens >used was a 55/2.8 Nikkor. > >A couple of years back I sold my 55/2.8 to buy a 60 AF. I sort of regret >it, even though my reasoning was sound. The 60 metered on my D100 and >the 55 didn't. > >The 60 is no slouch, but I have a special fondness for the 55. It was a >very versatile lens. Probably better at infinity than the 60, and equal >up close. I had the extension tube so I could still go 1:1 with the 55. > >I've always liked close up photography (and many years ago made my >living photographing insects). I got into the R system for the express >reason of getting a 100 APO macro. Oddly I never acquired one. If I get >back into the R system it will be to use that lens. > >daveR > >-----Original Message----- >From: Walt Johnson [mailto:walt@waltjohnson.com] >Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2006 8:31 AM >To: Leica Users Group >Subject: Re: [Leica] chimping, now Leica Sins > >Slobodan > >Years ago, I did the same thing. Enjoyed copying artwork much more than >setting up remotes for shuttle launches. I'm curious as to your methods >since my experience with the 55 Micro Nikkor was fine. I used tungsten >light and film exclusively, after trying several other procedures. If I >had to choose one camera and lens to own, my choice would be a Nikon >with that 55mm. > >Walt > > > > > >_______________________________________________ >Leica Users Group. >See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > >