seth_honeyman

<p>The used boards have the 35MM f2 Planar for sale at around $700 to $800. That makes it a huge bargain in Leica terms. The Zeiss lenses tend to be a bit warmer than the Leica lenses, perhaps not quite the build quality, but are very sharp and produce a very pleasant image. In any event, whichever you get, you will be impressed by the image quality.</p>

I have 28mm Elmarit v2, a1985 50mm Summicron, a 1974 Elmar-C, and an old Tele-Elmar 135mm. All work just fine

on the M9.

I had Sherry do it last year. I have an original "classic" M6 and I consider it a worthwhile upgrade for the same reasons

as Didier. I had mine done when I sent the M6 to her for a CLA and meter repair.

 

Seth

I think you have a great lineup right now. I would think about picking up an eyepiece magnifier to help with focusing the

90mm and then just enjoy the grandkids.

<p>Hi Raid<br>

Check your email for Golden Touch address.<br>

Regards - Seth</p>

 

<p>Not according to Wikipedia:<br>

 

<p><strong>Hyperfocal distance</strong><br>

<strong>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</strong><br>

In optics and photography, hyperfocal distance is a distance beyond which all objects can be brought into an "acceptable" focus. There are two commonly used definitions of hyperfocal distance, leading to values that differ only slightly:<br>

Definition 1: The hyperfocal distance is the closest distance at which a lens can be focused <strong>while keeping objects at infinity acceptably sharp</strong>; that is, the focus distance with the maximum depth of field. When the lens is focused at this distance, all objects at distances from half of the hyperfocal distance out to infinity will be acceptably sharp.<br>

Definition 2: The hyperfocal distance is t<strong>he distance beyond which all objects are acceptably sharp, for a lens focused at infinity.</strong><br>

<strong>(</strong>Emphasis added)</p>

 

</p>

<p>David<br>

After the Leica M3 was developed, Nikon countered with the very fine S3 and SP rangefinders. The latter was produced well into the 1960's. Many people consider these cameras to be among the best RF's ever built.</p>

<p>I'm using a 19mm Elmarit-R (old style) on my 1DS and am totally pleased. In my view, the super-wides are the best candidates for use. Focus issues are minimized, and Canon's own offerings are not as strong. I use the histogram to establish exposure, zone focus, and most often leave the lens at the shooting aperture. The 1DS viewfinder is bright enough for me to leave the lens stopped down - even to f8 or f11. Try it, you'll like it.</p>

Nigel

 

Walt wasn't being parochial - the SITE is leicarumors.com - US spelling.

Jerry

 

Depth of field does change with crop (think magnification) factor. Check the charts at http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

 

Seth

Since I can't get the file size down enough to fit the upload requiremens, I'll post another link

which gives a better feel for the color and sharpness the lens produces. (Don't worry about

the softness on the train - it was coming through at over 100 MPH)

The 19MM Version 1 works on the 1Ds series and the 5D without modification. I haven't

noticed any particularly high vignetting although there is noticeable chromatic aberration in

high contrast situations. I will try and post a picture which shows this. Overall, I think the

lens is excellent - very high resolution at moderate apertures and great colors. Its probably

not as good as the v2 but is a LOT less money if you can find it.

I came across this article (free access) in the New Yorker magazine about the urge to own a Leica and

thought some of you would also enjoy it.

 

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/09/24/070924fa_fact_lane/?printable=true

Take a look at the Sony R-1. I believe its now discontinued, but is available from time to

time.

 

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscr1/

How can it be old when it hasn't been delivered yet? I think its more a digital equivalent of

the Contax T3 - understanding that we don't yet know what the image quality will be. Its

pocketable, light, and does have that Foveon sensor. At a price point of $1.000, it will be a

tough sell, but then again, Contax sold T3's at about $700.

For an interesting illustration of the effect of sensor size on depth of field, check http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html There is a pulldown menu for most cameras (and thus sensor sizes) as well as the standard 35MM tables. There is a modest change from the 35MM tables, for example, when using the same lens on a canon 1d (which has a crop factor similar to the M8).

 

Regards - Seth

I dropped my Xpan and managed to destroy the rangefinder. The good news was that Hasselblad repaired it for a reasonable price. That was only a few months ago, so I can testify that worries about parts availability shouldn't deter you. Won't the Xpan 11 be under warranty, if so, I'd do it - its a great camera.

Clearly my M2R. I traded it for a Focomat 2A back in the late 80's. Live and learn.

 

Regards - Seth

Those people who actually own and use the camera uniformly report great performance with only rare cases of IR contamination (see Jono Slack, Sean Reid among others). I haven't canceled my order and I don't intend to. If anybody wants to dump their M8 cheap, please send me a note.

If its been in storage for a long time, you should think about having it cleaned, lubricated and adjusted before putting it back into use. There are a number of good services, DAG is one.

 

Regards - Seth

On the other hand, I remember George Bernard Shaw (an avid Leica photographer when he wasn't writing plays) quoted as saying "the Leica was like a salmon, which must lay 10,000 eggs in order that one might survive". Back when film ruled, part of the attraction of the Leica was the ability to take many shots for less than the cost of one large format image. Digital just takes us a long way further.

That's $2900 in Australian dollars - or about $2,200 US. It seems very cheap.

Thanks to all for their comments thus far. Michael - I used both Leica M's and the old Contarex bullseye back in the 60's. The best 50 MM lens I ever used was the Blitz-Planar F2 strapped on the Contarex. That lens had special quality thats hard to explain. It would be nice to be able to freely choose between the the two lens llines.

 

Re3gards - Seth

The Leica M8 has me thinking about getting back into Leica photography. One

problem is the need to rebuild my lens collection. Does anyone know whether

lens coding can be obtained for non-Leica lenses (I'm particularly interested in

the new Zeiss series?

 

Thanks for your help.

I don't think etching a few lines on a lens makes it an "orphan".