Using `\left(` and `right)` puts a space after an operator [duplicate]

Question

When I use \left( and \right) to get appropriately sized parentheses for an operator, a space is created between the operator and the parentheses. I think it looks bad. Is it intentional? If so, why? If not, is it easy to 'repair'?

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[active,tightpage]{preview}
\PreviewEnvironment{align*}
\begin{document}
\begin{align*}
    \log(a) &= 0\\
    \log\left(a\right) &= 0\\
    \log\left(\frac{a}{b}\right) &= 0
\end{align*}
\end{document}

Gives the following output:

Answer 1

Using the \mleft ...mright` pair also yields a correct spacing. Compare:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{mleftright}
\usepackage[active,tightpage]{preview}
\PreviewEnvironment{align*}
\begin{document}

\begin{align*}
    \log(a) &= 0\\
    \log\left(a\right) &= 0\\
    \log\mleft(a\mright) &= 0\\
    \log\left(\frac{a}{b}\right) &= 0\\
    \log\mleft(\frac{a}{b}\mright) &= 0
\end{align*}

\end{document} 

Answer 2

The space looks good. But if you still want to decrease the space between the operator and the parentheses, a quick method is to use a negative space, \!. It works in this way:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage[active,tightpage]{preview}

\PreviewEnvironment{align*}

\begin{document}
\begin{align*}
    \log(a) &= 0\\
    \ \\
    \log \left(a\right) &= 0\\
    \log\!\left(a\right) &= 0\\
    \ \\
    \log\left(\frac{a}{b}\right) &= 0\\
    \log\!\left(\frac{a}{b}\right) &= 0
\end{align*}
\end{document}

The result is below.

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