On 19 Oct 2004 at 8:53, Raimo K wrote:

> Stop laughing. Distortion is not an aberration. By distortion you describe a
> situation when e.g. straight lines are not reproduced straight. "Distortion:
> Causes image of window frame (for example) to bow out (barrel type) or in
> (pincushion type), but does not influence sharpness. Not improved by stopping
> down." Lens test glossary, Popular Photography, September 1984.

Like the recent discussion regarding "osmosis" the absolute meaning really 
depends where you draw your references from. The fact is that Herb mentioned 
that the lens in question showed signs of distortion in the corners, he could 
well have substituted the word aberration in that general context but he 
didn't, it was that simple. Strangely I (and I expect most other listers) still 
understood and appreciated the point he was making, and that's the point.

BTW I'll laugh when I feel Like it :-)


Rob Studdert
HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA
Tel +61-2-9554-4110
UTC(GMT)  +10 Hours
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications/
Pentax user since 1986, PDMLer since 1998

Reply via email to