Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2011/06/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mark Rabiner offered: Subject: Re: [Leica] New Leica M Stuff >>>>The white house photographers in the 80's most of them had over one >>>>shoulder an M with a 21mm SA on the other shoulder a nikon F with a 105 2.5 or 80 or a few others. A super Angulon for them and many have been the reason to own and use a Leica. The 21mm focal length has been basic for Leica use for many many decades. Zone focusing. Highly corrected non distortion. In a very compact unobtrusive package.<<<< An M camera, M9 back to wherever with a 21mm lens can be a fantastic tool during many assignments in the middle of throngs of people and action happening. Good, bad and ugly gatherings! Those who do not, have not and likely will not, nor ever work in massive crowds with a 21. It is a God sent lens! But more likely see it as a lens of distortion and too wide for practical use other than for a "wide angle view" for a country side scene. When in fact the 21 is magical in that you set it at an appropriate aperture of choice, leave it there, let the camera select shutter speed and all you have to do is look through the attached on board view finder and shoot away at all kinds of things swiftly! Avoiding the necessity of focusing while some clown with a placard or club is about to give you a whack while taking the time to focus. So you are involved in super wide scenery, no problem take your time, enjoy the weather and fresh smelling country side. The perfect composition is acquired in no haste, a fun event. Move the camera and lens into a mob of hundreds or more and you really don't want to be focusing because if you're taking time to focus, some whacko type is going to hit you over the head because you are "TAKING PICTURES!" And mob violence folks never like to have their pictures taken. Whereas a Leica and 21 is up to the eye .... "CLICK!" and you are moving on to the next idiot, clicking again and again before anyone actually realizes you are really taking pictures! Yep expensive, but there are other manufacturers 21's available. I now use a CV 21 that is razor sharp that I wouldn't trade if I had to buy a Leica. I also realize that is blasphemy, big deal get over it! As this lens is quite amazing. getting off track here. Just look at it as a tool in crowded moments and you'll capture images you other wise wouldn't. cheers, Dr. ted :-)