One of the problems with moving element focusing is that it
also changes all the corrections. Lenses can be designed with
optimum correction for only one object distance (or magnification
factor). At others there is a loss of some sort. It is not
difficult to design front element focusing triplet and Tessar
type lenses so they are used in many small cameras.
Voigtlander used whole lens focusing in several of their
folding cameras which allowed the use of standard, fixed element,
lenses. Zeiss did not and I think relied on very careful design
to get adequate performance. These lenses may be sharp in the
center of the field but show problems at the margins. Often
stopping down mitigates the problems. Most cameras of the 1930
and 40s were designed with the assumption that the negatives
would be contact printed or not enlarged very much.
I have heard stories of very sharp performance from some
front element focusing cameras. One of the features of the Zeiss
Super Ikonta is an excellent rangefinder which contributes to the
quality of the images.
Someone asked about Plaubel and Linhoff. I think part of the
answer is that the name Planar is a trade name of Zeiss and was
used for at least three or four different designs. Also Schneider
made both five and six element Planar type lenses, they made the
Xenotar in large format focal lengths and I am pretty sure
Linhoff offered them for the Technika. Have to go back to
catalogs I have in storage to find out.
On 10/10/2018 12:16 PM, Eric Goldstein wrote:
I have yet to see a good MF f/2.8 Tessar-type. There is a reason Zeiss
and Schneider added a couple more degrees of freedom to get to that
speed.
My super Ikonta 6 x 9 has a front focusing 3.5 coated Tessar... it
does not hold a candle to the 80 f/2.8 Planar on my 2.8C, even at f/8
or f/11
