Leica APO-TELYT-R 280 mm f/4, Artistic considerations

Chapter 3

Leica R-Lenses	3

__ LEICA APO-TELYT-R 280 mm f/4

In 1993 the 280 mm f/4 Apo-Telyt-R was introduced. Perfor- mance was improved, especially in the outer zones; the weight was reduced to 1875 grams (66.1 ounces) and the price ratio of 4.8:1 was much better.

In terms of performance, both new lenses, the 180 mm f/2.8 Apo-Elmarit-R and the 280 mm f/4 Apo-Telyt-R, are world-class lenses and they represent the finest examples of the outstan- ding excellence of the current quality of optical design at Leica Camera AG.

__ Artistic considerations

Both lenses share essentially the same characteristics, but the strongest visual effects can clearly be seen with the 280 mm lens. Pictures with these lenses show the classical compressed image: two cars in a row look as if they collided and many cars acquire a new wedge shape. Pictures of groups of people look like the paintings of people by Rembrandt.

We can explain this with a small experiment:

Let us photograph two objects of the same size that are located one meter (3.28 feet) from each other at a distance from one meter (3.28 feet) from the first object.

The second object is then twice as far away from the lens as the first object. Therefore the second object will be seen and reproduced at half the viewing angle of the first object.

It will be halved in linear size.

Now we move the camera to a distance of three meters (9.8 feet) from the first object. Now the viewing angle of the second object is 3/4 of that of the first object.

The linear magnification is thus 3/4 of that of the first object. Our brain assumes that large objects are always close to us. As the second object has 'grown' from 1/2 to 3/4 the size of the first object, we assume that it must now be closer to that object.

This effect explains why telephoto lenses produce a compres- sed or foreshortened perspective.