[Leica] IMG: LE1CA Photo MAKING WIDE ANGLES SHARP EASILY!

[jhnichols at lighttube.net (Jim Nichols)]

Ted,

I appreciate the tip.  I will certainly give it a try at my next 
opportunity.  The Leica-R lenses are a great value, and I look forward 
making them work for me.  On the Oly 4/3 system, the 28 is very close to 
being a normal FL, but the DOF and focusing still have the WA 
characteristics.

Jim Nichols
Tullahoma, TN USA
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <tedgrant at shaw.ca>
To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 12:39 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] IMG: LE1CA Photo MAKING WIDE ANGLES SHARP EASILY!


> Jim Nichols offered:
> Subject: [Leica] IMG: LE1CA Photo
>
>>>> Focusing ease seems to be a function of focal length, with the 60mm 
>>>> focusing with ease, and the 28mm more of a challenge, particularly in 
>>>> low light.  The linked image is one of my first with the 28.
>>
>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Table+Top.jpg.html<<<<<<<<
>
> Hi  Jim,
> OK here is the simplest "focusing fix it" for any wide angle lens. Once 
> you get the feel and screen look comfortable,  wides should never ever be 
> a problem again.
>
> 1: With a wide angle lens on body, before you even look through the 
> viewfinder turn the lens with a quick turn to it's closest focus point 
> stop at the end of the barrel turn.
>
> 2: Now put the camera to your eye and everything will be wildly out of 
> focus. Now begin to focus from there, in other words you'll begin to turn 
> the focus ring toward the infinity end. Obviously you do this carefully 
> watching for the sharpest focus moment, which with any luck the sharpest 
> point should "pop" sharply into focus.  Do not squiggle the lens back and 
> forth once you hit the "in focus point" or you might as well go right back 
> to the closest point and start over.
>
> The reason going this manner is quite simple.
> The lens before we place the camera to eye with a wide at it's usual place 
> of infinity, everything through the viewfinder appears in focus.
>
> As you begin to focus to a closer position it is harder for the eye to 
> lock on the sharpest wide point! Because you are going from sharp looking 
> for another sharp point.
>
> But if you do the opposite and start from the wildly out of focus close-up 
> end, the eye recognizes sharpness much easier because you've come from a 
> completely wildly blurred image to a now, "sharp image!" The eye 
> recognizes sharpness much easier from this direction than going from sharp 
> trying to look for another sharp spot.
>
> A few tries and you'll find this is so simple and accurate you'll use it 
> all the time with wide lenses.
>
> I've done this for years using 15mm to 28's and it's never failed me and 
> so much easier and accurate. Certainly far less time consuming twiddling 
> back and forth trying to get it sharp right on the mark.
>
> cheers,
> Dr. ted
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