EXCERPT page containing first few paragraphs. 2024-04-19 17:14:53
UA_SEARCH_BOT_compatible_botmozilla/5.0 applewebkit/537.36 (khtml, like gecko; compatible; claudebot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com) @ 3.149.27.202
For full access, subscribe here. Or click title to login. 
MTF for Leica 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
Wide open at center, micro contrast is excellent. Stopping down to f/2.8 improves it to outstanding levels with only a nudge of improvement to f/5.6.
Peak contrast occurs at f/5.6 which also brings enough depth of field to even out the field curvature sag seen at 12mm offset (short frame edge). Depth of field to sharpen up the “sag” area is an important consideration for any subject that is essentially planar (buildings straight-on, far landscapes, a group portrait, etc). This behavior is also seen with the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH, with field shots showing that f/8 is required for edge to edge sharpness for an infinity scene.
While field curvature displaces focus to a curve instead of a plane, the MTF chart suggests that sharpness on the peak focus curve (slightly variable distance of peak sharpness), MTF should reach world-class levels. This then is the likely appeal of the 28/1.4 Summilux: ultra high micro contrast coupled with ultra high contrast for coarse and medium structures.
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.
