Re: filmscanners: RE: filmscanners: Scanner resolution (was: BWP seeks scanner)

[Arthur Entlich <artistic@ampsc.com>]

Rob Geraghty wrote:

> 
> I have a couple of old and AFAIK not particularly great K-mount
> lenses which I can use on my MZ5.  The clarity of photos taken
> with the f1.9 50mm lens in particular seem *vastly* better than
> photos taken with the Sigma 28-80 AF zoom.  Even when the
> autofocus is spot on, it doesn't seem to get close to the 50mm
> in sharpness.  On the other hand, the 50mm seems to have a bad
> case of red colour fringing which is very noticeable when scanned.
> 

In general, some of the older fixed focus lenses proved to have better 
glass, and if they are well multicoated they can be great.

One of my best lenses is a Nikkor 135 2.8 tele.  It is a Q series, which 
was a quality multicoated glass.

About 10-15 years ago, the SLR manufacturers recognized that the vast 
majority of images shot on 35mm film never made it beyond 4 x 6 or at 
most 5 x 7" prints.  As a result, they stopped trying to make lenses for 
the amateur market that resolved much more than what was necessary for 
those size prints.

Yes, the pro-level lenses at thousand$ each still maintain the qualities 
of those older lenses, but at mucho mas dinero.  But the general lenses 
available today with most 35mm cameras at several hundred of dollars 
each are slower lenses, compromise overall resolution when they are 
zooms, by keeping weight down and sometimes even using aspheric plastic 
molded lenses.  Also, some of the cams and mechanics in the lenses are 
sloppier or wear due to the materials used.

My best lenses, overall, are selected lenses I bought which were made in 
the 1960-70s.  Of course, they can't be made autofocus, so I compromise 
when I need that feature by using AF lenses.

Art