[Leica] Leica Quality Falls Off?

[Frank.Dernie at btinternet.com (Frank Dernie)]

Hi John,
AFAIK the Leica lenses which have ASPH rather than ASHPERICAL  
engraved on them have hot pressed rather than ground aspherical  
elements. This type of element is not too expensive and it can  
simplify the rest of the lens design. I am guessing this is why the  
new lens is less expensive than the one it replaces.

BTW I read that you did not keep the Noctilux because it did not  
focus close enough. There is a clue to the reason behind this in  
Erwin Puts book. The close performance of the lens is weak and he  
recommends stopping down if used near closest focus distance -  
perhaps Leica don't let users descend into a focusing distance where  
it is still worse?
Frank

On 11 Mar, 2007, at 02:15, John Collier wrote:

> As the lens it replaced didn't have an Aspherical element, I think  
> they must have cut back somewhere. If I get a 28, it will be non- 
> Asph F2.8 or the Summicron.