P3D Re: Paired cameras vs Realist

[Eric Goldstein <egoldste@xxxxxx>]

bobh wrote:

> a Tessar Type will beat
> most SLR lenses that have six or seven elements needed only to reach
> f/1.8 or wider

and also wrote:

> The simpler lenses will have better
> contrast with post WW2 glass and less elements that most six or seven
> element lenses or any zoom.


Bob and I love the old glass and are generally in agreement on such
matters, certainly as it relates to the first point above. With regard
to contrast, I would raise the following...

If by "better" contrast you mean higher, than I must say this is not
necessarily so. Classic triplets and tessars, even post WWII lenses, are
only moderate contrast lenses primarily because of their less efficient
coatings and also because they were not optimized for contrast. Modern
prime lenses with ultra high efficiency coatings and apotizing for
contrast have visibly and obviously higher contrast than the classics.

Personally, I don't think that higher contrast is necessarily better
suited for the slide films we shoot (with their limited 6-7 stop
contrast ranges). I actually rely upon classic lenses to moderate the
contrast of much of the location stuff I shoot to help me get it more
confortably on the chrome.

I will say in defense of Bob's comment that in an apples to apples
comparison, a modern Zeiss Tessar (such as those made for contax slrs or
yashica T4 P&S) is a remarkable balance of high resolution and
impressive contrast, and will both subjectively and objectively beat the
heck out of most faster prime lenses...


Eric G.


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