[Leica] Budget Conscious Leica Users

[richard-lists at imagecraft.com (Richard F. Man)]

Hi James,
The main thing is that you lose one stop, and since this is for a SLR, it 
makes focusing more difficult. As for picture quality - it depends on how 
size enlargement you are making and what YOUR acceptance of quality is. In 
other words, shoot some pictures and see if you like them!!!

At 07:44 PM 6/21/2004, JAMES NICHOLS wrote:

>I bought my first used Leica LTM in 1952, a Model III factory-converted to 
>a IIIa.  I have enjoyed Leica photography since that time, though since 
>requiring full-time eyeglasses, I have also used other systems.  Now 
>retired, there is no way I can afford a $2500 lens, though  I enjoy 
>reading about the advances in these systems.  Do any of you recall the 
>days when a Leica was only a dream for you?
>
>Because I'm on a budget, my SLR is a Pentax Spotmatic SP, for which I have 
>an SMC Takumar 55mm 1.8, a great lens,  a Soligar 35mm 2.0 Retrofocus, and 
>a Hanimex 135mm 2.8.  The 35mm will focus down to 1 ft.  I also have a 
>Soligar 2X Converter, which, when used with the three lenses,  gives me a 
>wide selection of focal lengths.  This combination is exceptionally good 
>with the 35mm, since it provides a 70mm, close functioning combination.
>
>My question is this.  How much does the use of the doubler impair the 
>quality of the image?  To my eyes, I see very little degradation from the 
>images I make with a lens alone.  I don't have the equipment to study 
>large enlargements, so I thought I would turn to some of you for your 
>thoughts.

// richard (This email is for mailing lists. To reach me directly, please 
use richard@imagecraft.com)