In article
>In <4u2aeh$95n@newsstand.cit.cornell.edu> d_ruether@hotmail.com (Bob Neuman) >writes: [much wisdom deleted ;-]
>>No contest!) To be valid, compare the truly excellent Nikkor 28mm f2.8 AIS
>>and 35mm f2 AIS MF prime lenses (not a zoom - good as they can be, zooms are
>>rarely in all ways the equal of primes) to the Contax equivalents (and not
>>just center performance - the edges and corners are important, too!).
>According to a reputable Dutch camera magazine, the Carl Zeiss 1.4/35,
>1.4/50 and 1.4/85 lenses are sharper in the image center, and
>especially in the edges, and have more contrast over the entire image
>than the Nikon 1.4/35, 1.4/50 and 1.4/85 equivalents. I know that
>your beloved 28/2.8 lens isn't included, but the picture should be
>clear.
Ummm, yes, but other "test" reports can give contrary results - and
personal experience can go either way, but it is more useful than believing the results of flawed magazine test procedures, IM(NS)HO....
>>Then
>>tell us about how the similar-type lenses compare. BTW, I think that much
>>of the reputation that Contax enjoys is due more to skillful image-making
>>(advertising and marketing, which includes leaving the somewhat false
>>impression that Contax/Zeiss are German [which is supposed to mean something
>>in terms of quality, but I have never figured out what...;-]) than to >>reality.
>Carl Zeiss is a German company, and the adjective German definitely
>implies a certain quality standard, as far as photo equipment is
>concerned.
Umm, the above is that to which I was refering...;-)
BTW (as I understand it), many "Zeiss" lenses are made in Japan by a
company with more than a casual relationship with Yashica, a company
not known for the outstanding quality of their optics before the Zeiss connection..... And, what is that standard to which you refer? I saw a
high percentage of defective Leitz lenses back when I bothered to try out
such things...;-) (Even a VERY expensive Leitz double-aspheric 35mm f1.4 rangefinder lens that I had the opportunity to check out recently showed
some noticeable optical misalignment.) I still argue for ignoring the mythology and "test" reports, and for objectively (or subjectively ;-) examining the hardware for oneself.
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