EXCERPT page containing first few paragraphs. 2024-04-15 22:45:58
UA_SEARCH_BOT_null @ 3.137.192.3
For full access, subscribe here. Or click title to login. 
Leica Q: Extreme Barrel Distortion Degrades Sharpness, Reduces True Resolution, Decreases Field of View
The Leica Q (or Leica Q2) 28mm f/1.7 lens trades off a massive level of optical distortion for other optical characteristics (all lens designs are tradeoffs), leading to degraded performance not far from center, but even for edge and corner performance. The losses are unavoidable when correcting this massive level of distortion. This is not a lens that can ever make a fully sharp picture, because distortion correction stretches pixels apart for at least 75% of the frame.
As the analysis shows, the claimed resolution of the Leica Q is a false marketing claim, since the actual usable recorded pixels is only 22.4 megapixels (approx) and there are the quality losses from stretching pixels apart (due to the pronounced distortion of around 13%, and its correction).
Article continues for subscribers...
Diglloyd Guide to Leica is by yearly subscription. Subscribe now for about 25 cents a day ($90/year).
BEST DEAL: get full access to ALL 8 PUBLICATIONS for about 75 cents a day!
Diglloyd Guide to LEICA contains in-depth coverage of Leica M system cameras and lenses, with additional coverage of Leica M Monochrom, Leica Q.
Special emphasis is placed on Leica M lenses and certain Zeiss ZM lenses.
- Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away.
- Save money by choosing the right lens for your needs the first time, particularly the Summilux/Summicron/Elmarit choice and/or Zeiss ZM.
- Make better images, a sort of “cheat sheet” saving yourself months or years of ad-hoc learning. Processing parameters are discussed and shown.
- Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops [past 2 years or so].
- Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
- Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
- Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.
Want a preview? Click on any page below to see an excerpt as well as extensive blog coverage, for example on Leica.
LEICA Q (Typ 116) + 28.0 mm f/1.7 @ 28mm
[low-res image for bot]