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Focused on the Leica M, plus Leica S2 and select Leica R lenses
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LEICA M Typ 240
Leica M Typ 240 In Use
Overall design and behavior.
- Leica M240 — Intro
- Leica M240 — Press Release with Commentary
- Sensor Aliasing (Checkerboard)
- Usability: Live View and EVF
- Auto Exposure with 'Advanced' Metering
- Usability: Variety
- Usability: Bottom Plate and Tripod Mounting
- New Game: Leica M240 + 50/0.95 Noctilux
- Noise and ISO: Leica M Typ 240 vs Leica M9P
- Leica M Typ 240 Dynamic Range
- Leica M240 — Reader Comments
Leica M Typ 240 Compared To Other Cameras
Resolution, focus shift, aliasing, etc.
- M240 vs M9 (Propane Tank)
- M240 + 50/2 APO ASPH vs Nikon D7100 + Sigma 35/1.4 DG HSM
- M240 at 28mm vs Sigma DP1 Merrill: Native Resolution
- M240 at 28mm vs Sigma DP1 Merrill: Matched Resolution
- M240 at 28mm vs Sigma DP1 Merrill: Downsampled Resolution
- M240 + 50/2 APO ASPH vs Sigma DP2 Merrill
- M240 + 50/2 APO ASPH vs Sigma DP2 Merrill (Bottles)
- M240 + 50/2 APO ASPH vs Nikon D800E + Zeiss 50/2 Makro-Planar
Leica M Typ 240 With Alternate Lenses
With Live View and EVF, non-M-mount lenses become feasible.
LEICA M Monochrom
Leica M Monochrom In the Field
Field shooting the Leica MM, and comparisons.
- Examples: Initial
- Examples: Pine Creek Tungsten Mine and Environs
- Shadow Noise and Highlight Detail at ISO 320
- Noise Behavior with 'Push' of ISO 320 (Dolls)
- Leica MM vs Leica M9P (Dolls)
- Leica MM vs M9P (Saddlebag Overlook, Yosemite)
- Leica MM vs Nikon D800E (Dolls, Downsampled)
- Leica MM vs Nikon D800E (Dolls, Upsampled)
- Leica MM vs Nikon D800E (21mm, Pine Creek Tungsten Mine)
- Leica MM vs Nikon D800E (28mm, Pine Creek Tungsten Mine)
- Leica MM vs Nikon D800E (35mm, Pine Creek Tungsten Mine)
- Leica MM vs Sigma DP1 Merrill (Dolls)
POST PROCESSING
LEICA M9
User’s Guide and Review of the Leica M9
High resolution digital rangefinder
- Leica M9 Main page
- Leica M9 Long Term Findings
- Ergonomics and Usability
- Introduction to Rangefinders
- Composing with a rangefinder
- Sensor Bifurcation issue (M9 CCD)
- Sensor Defect: Bad Pixel Column (M9 CCD)
- Sensor Specular highlights issue (M9 CCD)
- Sensor Highlight Posterization (M9 CCD)
- Infrared sensitive? (M9 CCD)
- Noise (M9 CCD)
- M9 Conclusions
Focusing with the Leica M9 Rangefinder
Focusing issue
Live View (not), Rear LCD, Image Review
Modern digital features lacking with the M9.
Ray angle and Color Shading With M Lenses
Off-center color casts, off-center sharpness.
- Color uniformity and Lens Correction
- Ray Angle From Lens Exit Pupil
- Color Shading General Discussion
- Color Shading for M-Mount lenses on Sony NEX-7
- Color Shading for M-Mount lenses on Sony NEX-5N
- Color Shading for M-Mount lenses on Leica M9
- Color Shift Stopping Down (Sony NEX-7)
- Lens Correction Examples (mostly for Zeiss)
Considerations in choosing a lens.
Focal lengths, color, weight and travel considerations.
Data Sheets.
Technical specifications from the manufacturer.
LEICA M Wide Angle LENSES
Leica 16-18-21mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
Leica’s ultra wide angle zoom lens.
- Notes: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- MTF @ 16mm: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- MTF @ 18mm: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- MTF @ 21mm: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- MTF Compared: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- Distortion: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH
- 16 vs 18 vs 21: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (Alpine Canyon)
- 16 vs 18 vs 21: 16-18-21/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH (Tiled Rooftops)
Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
Leica’s widest prime lens.
Leica 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
Leica’s fastest and widest lens.
- Notes: 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- MTF: 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Distortion: 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Comparison: Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M vs Zeiss 21/2.8 Distagon on D3x
- Examples: Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Examples: Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (Bristlecones)
- Comparison: Leica 21/1.4 vs Leica 21/3.4 (Interior)
- Comparison: Leica 21/1.4 vs Leica 21/3.4 (Rockfall)
- Comparison: Leica 21/1.4 vs Leica 21/3.4 (Water Tank)
- Comparison: Leica 21/1.4 vs Leica 21/3.4 (Ashford Mill)
Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
Leica’s best-performing 21mm.
- Notes: 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
- MTF: 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
- Distortion: 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH
- Examples: Leica 21/3.4 — Color Uniformity on M9P
- Flare: Leica 21/3.4
- Aperture Series: Leica 21/3.4 — Cottonwood
- Aperture Series: 21/3.4 — Tile Rooftops Aerial
- Aperture Series: Leica 21/3.4 — Miner’s Cabin Interior
- Aperture Series: Leica 21/3.4 — Rancher’s Cabin Exterior
- Aperture Series: Leica 21/3.4 — White Mountain Aspens in Deep Shade
- Leica 21/3.4 vs Zeiss ZM 21/2.8 (M240, Picnic Table)
- Examples: Leica 21/3.4 — Silver Canyon Contrasts
- Examples: Leica 21/3.4 — Snow Biking in Cottonwood Canyon
- Examples: Leica 21/3.4 — White Mountains Snow Day
Leica 24mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
Leica’s fast wide angle.
Leica 24mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
A discontinued but excellent 24mm.
Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
Leica’s best-performing 24mm, and with a flat field.
- Notes: 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
- MTF: 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
- Distortion: 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH
- Examples: Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH (Yosemite)
- Field Curvature: Leica 24/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH vs 24/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
- Aperture Series: Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH — Cottonwood
- Aperture Series: Cabin #9 Exterior New!
Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
Leica’s widest lens utilizing built-in frame lines.
- Notes: 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- MTF: 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Distortion: 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Sharpness: f/2-f/16 Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Examples: Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Examples: Leica 28/2 (Beach, NEX-7)
- Leica 28/2 Summicron vs Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit (M9P, Cabin Exterior) New!
Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
Leica’s smallest and lightest M lens with superlative performance.
- Notes: 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
- MTF: 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
- Distortion: 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH
- Examples: 28/2.8 Elmarit — Environmental and Outdoors
- Aperture Series: 28/2.8 Elmarit — Tile Rooftops Aerial
- Examples: 28/2.8 Elmarit — Focusing Error Case Study
- Leica 28/2.8 Elmarit vs 28/2 Summicron (M9P, Cabin Exterior) New!
Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (2010 FLE)
Leica’s superlative and most natural lens for the M.
- Notes: Leica 2010 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- MTF: Summilux-M 35mm /1.4 ASPH (2010 FLE)
- Distortion: 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- MTF: Prior version vs 2010 Summilux-M 35mm /1.4 ASPH
- Aperture Series: 35/1.4 — Tile Rooftops Aerial
- Aperture Series: 35/1.4 — Tile Rooftops Aerial (NEX7)
- Examples: Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (Yosemite)
- Aperture Series: Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH — Bristlecone
- Aperture Series: Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH — Mining Cabin
- Compared: 35mm f/1.4 Summilux vs 35/2 Summicron vs Zeiss 35/2 Biogon (M9P, Cabin Sink) New!
- Compared: 35mm f/1.4 Summilux vs 35/2 Summicron vs Zeiss 35/2 Biogon (M9P, Cabin Exterior)
- 35/1.4 Summilux vs Zeiss 35/2 Biogon (M240, MTB)
Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
Leica’s f/2 35mm for the M.
- Notes: 35mm f/2 Leica Summicron-M ASPH
- MTF: 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Distortion: 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
- Examples: 35mm f/2 Leica Summicron-M ASPH
- Comparison: Leica 35/2 Summicron-M vs Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon
- Comparison 2: Leica 35/2 Summicron-M vs Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon
- Comparison 3: Bitingly-sharp Zeiss 35/2 Biogon vs Leica 35/2 Summicron
- Leica 35/f2 vs Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon vs Leica 35/1.4 Summilux and 35/2 Summicron (M9P, Cabin Exterior) New!
LEICA M 50mm LENSES
Leica 50mm Lenses
Six models to choose from.
Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
World’s fastest 50mm full-frame lens.
- Notes: 50/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
- MTF: 50/0.95 Leica Noctilux-M ASPH
- Distortion: 50/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 50/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
- Leica 50/2 Summicron vs Leica 50/0.95 Noctilux
- Shootout (Aerial): Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH vs 50/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
- Shootout (Controlled): Leica 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH vs 50/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH
- Examples 1: 50/0.95 Noctilux
- Examples: 50/0.95 Noctilux (Misc)
- Examples: 50/0.95 Noctilux (White Mountains Snowy)
- Examples: 50/0.95 Noctilux (Yosemite)
- Examples: 50/0.95 Noctilux (Wide Aperture Landscapes)
- Examples: Noctilux 50/0.95 Focus Series 15-frame “movie”
- Examples: 50/0.95 Noctilux Aberrations
Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
Leica’s superlative normal lens.
- Notes: 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- MTF: 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Distortion: 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 50/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
- Examples: 501.4 Summilux-M (Variety)
- Examples: 50/1.4 Summilux-M (White Mountains)
- Examples: 50/1.4 Summilux-M (NEX-7, Portraits)
- 50 Summilux vs 50 Noctilux (Joshua Tree)
Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
The world’s best 50mm lens is outstanding, but with some limits.
- Notes: 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
- MTF: 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
- Distortion: 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
- Vignetting: 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
- 50/2 APO ASPH Flare
- 50/2 APO ASPH Flare (Internal Reflections) New!
- Focus Shift with the 50/2 APO ASPH (Dolls)
- Focus Shift with the 50/2 APO ASPH (Pellegrino Bottles)
- Focus Study (Leica M Monochrom, Dolls)
- Color Bokeh (Secondary Longitudinal Chromatic Aberration, Dolls)
- Focus Shift with Color Filters on M Monochrom
- 50mm 4-way Comparison (M240, Wagon)
- 50mm 4-way Comparison (M240, Fruit Platter)
- Aperture Series (M240, Onions and Ginger)
- Examples, Various (M240)
Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron-M
Leica’s compact low-distortion normal lens.
LEICA M Telephoto LENSES
Leica 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
Leica’s medium tele for Leica M.
Leica 75mm f/2.5 Summarit-M
Leica’s Budget 75mm lens.
Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH
Leica’s longer tele for Leica M.
Leica 90mm f/2.5 Summarit-M
Leica’s compact 90mm for the M.
ZEISS ZM Lenses
Zeiss ZM 5mm f/2.8 Distagon
Notes and examples.
Zeiss ZM 18mm f/4 Distagon
Compact high performance, ultra low distortion.
Zeiss ZM 21mm f/4.5 C-Biogon
Zero distortion ultra-wide.
Zeiss ZM 25mm f/2.8 Biogon
Compact wide angle with brilliant contrast.
Zeiss ZM 28mm f/2.8 C-Biogon
Compact wide angle.
Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2 Biogon
All around razor sharp performer.
- Notes: 35mm f/2 Zeiss ZM Biogon
- MTF: ZM 35mm f/2 Biogon
- Distortion: ZM 35mm f/2 Biogon
- Vignetting: ZM 35mm f/2 Biogon
- Examples: Lee Vining Canyon Zeiss ZM 35/2
- Examples: White Mountains ZM 35/2
- Examples: Abandoned Mining Site
- Examples: Zeiss ZM 35/2 Miscellaneous
- Examples: Zeiss ZM 35/2 Forest (NEX-7)
- Focus Accuracy of Zeiss 35/2 Biogon vs Leica 35/1.4 FLE (Dolls)
- Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon vs Leica 35/1.4 FLE (Dolls, Focus adjusted Biogon)
- Zeiss ZM 35/2 Biogon vs Leica 35/1.4 Summilux and 35/2 Summicron (M9P, Cabin 9) New!
Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2 Planar
Pleasing and relatively inexpensive normal lens
Zeiss ZM 85mm f/2 Sonnar
Ultra high performance (discontinued)
Voigtlander M-Mount Lenses
Voigtlander 50mm f/1.1
A slightly slower, but smaller and lighter alternative to the Noctilux, at 1/10 the price.
- Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 Overview
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 Ergonomics
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 Image Quality Summary
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 — Flare
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 — Field Curvature (Towers)
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 — Field Curvature (Pond)
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 — Shooting at f/1.1 in Daylight
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 Aperture Series: MTB
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 Aperture Series: Bridge
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 Aperture Series: Mossy Trees
- Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 Examples
LEICA R APO Lenses
Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R ASPH
Compact lens for portraiture or similar.
Leica 100mm f/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R
Superb all-around macro and general-purpose lens.
Leica 180mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R
World’s best mid-range telephoto lens.
- Introduction: 180mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R
- Converting to Nikon F Mount
- MTF: 180mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R
- Vignetting: 180mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R
- Distortion: 180mm f/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R
- Examples: Nikon D4 + 180/2.8 APO-Elmarit-R (Zoo)
- Examples: Stitched Panorama (San Francisco)
- vs Sigma 180/2.8 APO and Voigtlander 180/4 APO (D800E, Dolls)
- vs Sigma 15/2.8 APO, 180/2.8 APO, Voigtlander 180/4 APO, Nikon 70-200 VR2 (D800E, Rulers)
- vs Sigma 180/2.8 APO (D800E, Mosaic)
Leica 280mm f/4 APO-Telyt-R
Compact and ultra high performance long telephoto.
LEICA S2
Leica S2 37.5 Megapixel Medium Format DSLR
How does Leica’s medium format entry measure up in ergonomics, image quality, etc?
- Leica S2 Main page
- Precision for Maximum Resolution
- First Impressions
- Field Shooting the S2 in Yosemite
- Malfunctions of Camera and Lens
- Shooting Tips
- Usability: Buttons, Menus, More
- Usability: Image Review
- Auto Exposure
- Color Bokeh
- Axial Color (Purple Fringing)
- Diffraction: Optimal Apertures
- Moire and Aperture
- Software Correction vs Other Brands
- Reader Comments
- Alternatives: DSLR Without Anti Aliasing Filter
- Alternative Systems to the Leica S2
- Leica S2 User comments
- Conclusions
Examples
Examples and comparison from the various lenses
- Examples from Yosemite High Country
- Examples: Day 1 Experiments
- Examples: Golden Gate Bridge
- Examples: High ISO
- Autofocus Backfocus at Close Range
- Assessing Autofocus in the Field
- More Autofocus Errors
- Autofocus vs Manual Focus Accuracy (Mosaic)
- Comparison: Leica S2 vs Nikon D3x (3D)
- Comparison: Leica S2 vs Nikon D3x (Mosaic)
- Comparison: Leica S2 vs Nikon D3x Deconvolution Sharpening
- Leica 180mm f/3.5 APO-Elmar-S — Asymmetry
ALLVIEW CAMERAS
ALLVIEW— Any Lens Live View Camera
Eliminating the camera body barrier— any kind of lens with Live View EVF and LCD, and especially Leica M-mount.
HISTORICAL, please see Guide to Mirrorless.
ALLVIEW Cameras
Terrific backup bodies or even primary body for M-mount lenses.