For all interested, Mike Johnston's latest issue of The 37th Frame contains part 1 of his 35mm lens review. Included are the 35 Pre-ASPH Summicron-M, the Nikkor 35 f1.4 AIS, The 35mm f2.8 Contax slr lens, the original Konica Hexar 35 f2, the Oly 35 f2 OM lens, and the Canon 35 f3 EF lens. Next issue will reportedly feature the SMTC Takumar 35 f2 screwmount, the 35 f1.4 Summilux ASPH Type 1, the AF Nikkor 35 f2, the 35 f2 Summicron-R, the Pentax SMCP-M 35 f2, and the Contax 35 f1.4. He also intends to announce the best 35mm lens he's ever tested. I found this issue to be a good read, and am looking forward to the next (and of course, his conclusions).

For those of you who do not know, Mike is the former editor of Photo Techniques magazine, and a really fine writer (not just on things photographic). He is also a connisseur of optics, having owned and/or tested literally hundreds of lenses over the years. He also introduced the concept of "bokeh" to our shores a few years back (don't remember exactly when) with a series of articles in Photo Techniques. His latest writing is found in his newsletter, The 37th Frame. It's a non-commercial (no advertising), opinionated, and at times controversial, newsletter in the mode of David Vestal's GRUMP. IMO, it's the real deal. Nothing is glossed over and there is no pandering to advertisers. And as a long time M6 user, I value his opinions on Leica photography.

For more info: www.37thframe.com

-- Kent Phelan (kent@phelan.org), April 01, 2002

Answers

At $18 per year, it's worth getting a susbcription. I've been happy with mine.

-- Mitch Alland (malland@mac.com), April 01, 2002.

Ditto!

-- Todd Phillips (toddvphillips@webtv.net), April 01, 2002.

Yup. Even though the newsletter is short, it contains 10x the content of a typical issue of Popular Photography or any other such magazine.

-- Douglas Kinnear (douglas.kinnear@colostate.edu), April 01, 2002.

This newsletter deserves support because it's good and there's nothing else like. Because the URL may be hard to find, I am posting it here:

www.the37thframe.com

-- Mitch Alland (malland@mac.com), April 01, 2002.

I've dropped almost all of my magazine subscriptions except for Mike Johnston's new 37th Frame. Mike seems to be finding his pace with issue #3; good stuff to be read and whether you agree with it or not, it will keep your interest. It's worth the $18.

-- John (mymacv@aol.com), April 01, 2002.

Uh, Mitch, there is no "the" in the name. The full name is www.37thframe.com.

Hopefully this is will work: 37th Frame

-- Kent Phelan (kent@phelan.org), April 01, 2002.

Kent:

You're right: the url I posted is for something else. Well, I did say that Mike Johnston's url is hard to find.

-- Mitch Alland (malland@mac.com), April 01, 2002.

I haven't recieved #3 yet (it take a little longer it to reach Denmark), but I too will recommend this newsletter. It is an refreshing read and a project worth supporting.

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), April 02, 2002.

Thanks to all for the accolades and information on this newsletter. Based on the opinions here, (plus the link), I have just sent Mike my check for a year's subscription.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), April 02, 2002.