Hello, the prints shot with 90mm APO are terrible, the subject are so soft, could this be the lens problem or the lab. Thanks!

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), February 19, 2002

Answers

I would have this lens investigated for un-APO behavior. Seriously, why not shoot a roll of Velvia and see what that looks like? The lab can't screw up the focus that way.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), February 19, 2002.

Or if you want to check out the true color rendition of the lens, you might still be able to get Kodachrome 25 from B&H:-)

Seriously, NEVER use print film to check out a lens. There are far too many variables in the mix.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), February 19, 2002.

I can almost guarantee you it is a lab problem -- thing would have to be seriously amiss for the lens to behave this way. As a quick test, put a loupe to your negatives -- details should appear reasonably sharp. If so, your lab screwed up the printing.

:-),

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), February 19, 2002.

At this point, you can check your negatives with a good loupe. Are they sharp? Then the lab didn't do a good job with the prints. Are the negatives soft? Then you need to check your technique and / or equipment.

Use a tripod to arrest camera shake and do several shots of static subjects at various distances. Use the lens at full aperture to check that your rangefinder is in proper alignment. If you have a slightly out of adjustment RF, and have only been shooting with wide lenses, then this new lens would let you know there is a problem.

Only view slides or negatives to judge the results, since they are the first generation image right from the camera. Even a print from an APO lens can look bad if the lab is not up to the job. After you know for sure that the lens / camera can produce great results, then you can go beat up the lab... or better yet find one that does this lens justice.

Good Luck.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), February 19, 2002.