Re: Lenses and Contrast

[P3D George Gioumousis <georggms@xxxxxxxxxx>]

P3D Sam Smith wrote
> 
> A short time ago there was a discussion about contrast in lenses, and the
> fact that most modern lenses have much more contrast than older ones. Can a
> lens actually increase the contrast of a scene, or is this just in
> relationship to other lenses? My theory about a low contrast lens is that
> 
No lens ever really increases contrast, it's just that some lenses decrease
it less than others. Each surface causes some internal reflections, then there
is dirt on the lens, and sometimes internal reflections from the innards of
the camera. Other things being equal, a lower f/number would tend to reduce
contrast.

My first good camera was a Rollei 4x4, using 1 5/8 square negatives, with
a 60 mm, f/3.5 lens. My first good 35 was a Miranda Sensorex with a 50 mm,
f/1.8 lens. The Miranda slides looked a little washed out compared to
the Miranda slides. We took to using the Rollei less because an SLR is
much more versatile, and finally 127 slide film vanished around 1982.

I think the difference was less glass in the older camera.
>
> By the way, my Stereo Miranda is now on the 3D Hacker's website. Any
> comments or criticisms would be appreciated.
> 
> Sam
> The 3D Hacker
> 
> http://www.barint.on.ca/~sam/imn23d.htm
> Sam
> website: http://www.barint.on.ca/~sam/imn23d.htm
> 
-- 
George Gioumousis           /---\        |       /---\ 
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