Digital BW, The Print

Normally it would be the inverse . . . the smaller aperture (2.0, 2.8) is easier to design a superior optic, HOWEVER, the tendancy from camera manufacturers has been towards "extreme", utilizing aspherics, and rare earth, or synthetic glass to produce high-speed (1.4, 1.8). Manufacturers have put most of their design intelligence into the so-called professional level optics, consequently you do get a better lense (for most part), and at a price that I am sure you have noticed is a little? higher than the norm. Still there are things to consider. Mr. Jodoin wrote all kinds of praise for anything Canon makes as long as it costs more than a few thousand. (I wonder who the major advertisers are in his rag). Why I say that is due to the fact that until recently, I maintained two (yes 2) 35mm systems, at MY own expense. One of them was Canon, and while I owned and enjoyed the 85 f1.2L, I was also the proud and happy owner of an 85 f1.8, that with the exception of wide open and a stop or two down, was far sharper than the 1.2L. I made my living with this gear for a while, not writing ad copy like some people . . . actual real world, money making, live experience . . . which customers, not camera manufacturers, paid me for.

If you have a good relationship with a dealer (a professional level . . . it is rare they wish to grant favours to someone they see once a year), ask them to try out a couple of samples. A dealer who wants to work with you ought not to cringe at that. Most of my medium format optics (gone now . . . haven't shot with an RB or 'blad for years) were acquired that way, and ALL of my large format glass was acquired after testing various samples.

good luck
Paul Aparycki
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: bjornaagedk 
  To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 11:40 AM
  Subject: [Digital BW] Re: 1D Mark II optics



  Is there a connection between the small aperture max (1.4, 1.2) and the sharpness?
  Or what about the canon lenses that has max aperture 2.0 / 2,8 ??

  Bjorn

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