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MTF: Summilux-M 35mm /1.4 ASPH (2010 FLE)
MTF of the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH is modest wide open.
While MTF for f/2 is not provided, we can expect that contrast rises substantially for f/2.
Stopping down to f/2.8 raises the MTF by a large amount, but with a pronounced wave to the curve almost certainly indicating a field curvature. Shooting a planar will show very high central sharpness, followed by much softer mid-zone detail, followed by increasing sharpness to the edges, followed by a modest falloff to the corners.
Stopping down to f/5.6 raises MTF to exceptional levels, with the wave in the MTF largely overcome— but bear in mind that the actual zone of sharpness is still curved in terms of subject distance.
Shooting planar subjects (a building a group of people lined up, etc), one should definitely aim for at least f/4 in order to ensure reasonably even sharpness across the frame. But in fact, weakness in the mid zones with planar subjects still is observable at f/8 on a 24-megapixel sensor, so one should not consider the 35/1.4 Summilux a good fit for distant landscape scenes—the Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon is far superior in every metric (not just MTF).
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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.
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