On Mon, 28 Jun 1999, Hans van Veluwen wrote:
> This compilation of replies to totally unrelated threads that recently passed
> the list gives me the feeling that William S. is still watching us...
> ================================
Hans...do you have any idea how many lurkers there are on here ?
I don't either...
> ================================
> According to Olympus, the 40mm/F2 was "the revival of the great Zuiko
> 38mm/F2.8
> lens" for the PEN F, a very thin and small combination indeed. I don't know
> how
> heavy the early Leicas, or the PEN F+38/2.8 were, but I do know that an
> OM-1+40/2 definitely is too heavy to comfortably wear in a pocket. The
> combination *looks* very cute, though...
> ================================
IMO, there's no doubt that OM tried to emulate (and/or cash-in) on
the Leica mystique in SLR guise. But the "pancake lens" thing seemed
to have arrived on the SLR scene from many angles. Olympus, Nikon,
Pentax, Minolta, Konica & Contax all had them. Pocketable ? Only for
masochists or the Photo-Vested. But all these lenses were reasonably
fast; made an SLR much lighter and compact to carry; very sharp and
easy handling (less "nose momentum", a Doris tech-term).
Hans' use of the word cute seems to be an attempt to denigrate the
optic. I don't own one, but wish I did. It is in keeping with
the design philosophy espoused by Dr. Maitani and exemplified
througout the OM system. I do own a Nikkor 45/2.8 GN lens, of
pancake design. A delightful lens, extremely sharp, and very
portable. Plus it works beautifully in front of a bellows.
Cute is as cute does...
*= Doris Fang =*
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|