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2019-09-06 Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art: Evaluating Flare Control

2019-04-25 Leica 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Elmarit-SL ASPH: Severe Flare Issues on Panasonic S1R

2018-05-25 Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

2017-11-01 Nikon D850: Flange Focal Distance is WAY Off (2nd Sample)

2017-10-25 Zeiss Milvus 25mm f/1.4 Aperture Series:Flare with Sun Just Out of the Frame

2017-09-01 Voigtlander 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar Aperture Series: Sunstars and Flare (Sunstar Palm)

2017-06-02 Nikon AF-S 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED

2017-06-02 Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.4E ED

2017-05-17 Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G

2016-09-08 Zeiss Announces 3 Milvus Lenses for Nikon and Canon DSLRs

Diffraction

Getting peak performance from your lens.

1. Diffraction Flare with Stopping Down (Barn Interior)

Understanding Modulation Transfer Function (MTF)

Understanding resolution and contrast graphs..

1. MTF Introduction

How to Test A Lens

How to verify a good sample and assess all aspects of lens performance..

1. Know Your Goals
2. Testing for Flare

Image Contrast With a Polarizer

Pros and cons of using a polarizer..

1. Filters: Loss of Image Contrast With a Polarizer (Zeiss 35/1.4 Distagon)

Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-SL ASPH

Fast apochromatic prime lens for L-Mount cameras..

1. Lens Flare for Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-SL ASPH
2. Examples: Lee Vining Canyon (Panasonic S1R)

Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-SL ASPH

Fast short telephoto lens for L-Mount cameras..

1. Flare

Leica 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Super-Vario-Elmar-SL ASPH

Ultra wide angle premium zoom lens relying on distortion correction..

1. Lens Flare for Leica 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Super-Vario-Elmar-SL ASPH

Nikon AF-S 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5 Fisheye Zoom

Compact fisheye zoom..

1. Introduction to Nikon AF-S 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5 Fisheye Zoom

Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Nikon’s bread and butter telephoto zoom.

1. Flare

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II

Ultra fast 200mm with gorgeous bokeh and high resolving power..

1. Overview of Nikon 200mm f/2G ED VR II

Canon 14mm f/2.8L II

In-depth review of the Canon EF 14mm f/2.8L II including flare, distortion, field curvature, resolution charts, numerous field examples and comparison to the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G. The Canon EF 14/2.8L II is a superb lens, but with some peculiarities which may enhance or degrade its appeal for different uses. The review is as much a “user guide” as a review; even if you use this lens it’s well worth your time to read this review..

1. Flare

Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5 Color-Skopar

Very compact ultra wide angle..

1. Main—20/3.5 Color Skopar ASPH

Voigtlander 40mm f/2.8 SL II Color-Skopar

Ultra compact normal lens..

1. Main—40/2 Ultron SL II

Voigtlander Nokton 58mm f/1.4

Normal lens..

1. Main—58/1.4 Nokton SL II

Canon TS-E 17/4L

Ultra wide angle tilt shift with tremendous versatility.

1. Canon 17/4L: Flare

Canon TS-E 24/3.5L II

Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II.

1. Canon 24/3.5L II: Main Page

Canon TS-E 135mm f/4L Macro

Medium-long telephoto tilt/shift lens.

1. Flare Examples

Nikon 19mm f/4E ED PC-E

Ultra wide tilt/shift lens.

1. Overview of Nikon 19mm f/4E ED PC-E

Shift Lenses for Nikon and Canon

[Older material, but still relevant]. Shift lens performance of Nikon/Canon/Schneider/Olympus on various cameras..

1. Nikon PC-E 24mm f/3.5D ED
2. 28mm PC Super Angulon vs Nikon 28mm f/4
3. 35mm Shift Lenses: Olympus 35mm f/2.8 Sinaron Digital
4. Nikon PC-E 45mm f/2.8D ED

28mm Shift Lenses for Nikon

[Archive] In-depth review on the Nikon D2x of the Nikon 28mm f/3.5 PC-Nikkor, Nikon 28mm f/4 PC-Nikkor and the Schneider 28mm f/2.8 PC-Super-Angulon. Flare, distortion, color fringing, color rendition, sharpness, ergonomics, aligmnent, sample variation..

1. Flare

Pentax HD FA 50mm f/1.4 SDM AW

All-new high performance design..

1. Examples: White Mountains

Pentax HD DA Limited 20-40mm f/2.8-4 ED DC WR

APS-C mid-range zoom equivalent to 30-60mm on full-frame..

1. Pentax HD DA Limited 20-40mm f/2.8-4 ED DC WR Overview

Pentax HD DA Limited 40mm f/2.8

APS-C slightly tele normal lens equivalent to 60mm on full-frame..

1. Aperture Series: Waterfall and Backlit Mountains(Pentax K3)

Canon 35mm f/1.4L II

Canon’s updated fast 35mm prime, evaluated on Canon 5DS R..

1. Overview of Canon 35mm f/1.4L II
2. Performance on a Portrait at f/5.6
3. Aperture Series: Icy Waterfall To High Peaks

Sigma 12-24mm f/4 DG HSM Art

Fast constant-aperture ultrawide zoom..

1. Aperture Series @ 12mm: Sunlight on the Beaver Pond

Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art

Mid-range optimized groundbreaking f/2 zoom..

1. Sigma 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art
2. Panorama: Oneida Lake (Nikon D810, 14 frames)

Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Sigma’s fast high performance wide angle..

1. Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
2. Aperture Series: Extreme Backlighting, Cherry Blossoms (Canon 5DM3)
3. Aperture Series: Huge Barn Interior (Nikon D810)
4. Aperture Series: Defunct Ranch Buildings at Sunset (Nikon D810)
5. Aperture Series: Huge Barn Interior (Nikon D810)

Sigma 28mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Extraordinary optical efforts for outstanding performance..

1. Overview of Sigma 28mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Sigma’s fast and affordable moderate excellent wide angle..

1. Flare

Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Extraordinary optical efforts for outstanding performance..

1. Overview of Sigma 40mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art
2. Flare

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Sigma’s fast high performance normal lens..

1. Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM A (Art Series)
2. Aperture Series: Backlit Bristlecones (5D Mark III)

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Sigma’s best portrait lens..

1. Aperture Series: Extreme Adverse Lighting: Saddlebag Lake Reflections (Nikon D810)

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

Extraordinary optical efforts for class-leading performance?.

1. Overview of Sigma 105mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM on Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is a worthy contender in the crowded 50mm area. See how it performs compared to the Canon EF 50/1.4 and EF 50/1.2L..

1. Ghosting and veiling flare

Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G VR

Nikon’s latest wide range zoom with vibration reduction and fixed f/4 aperture..

1. Flare Into The Sun

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

Nikon’s latest 50mm lens compared with the Zeiss ZF 50/1.4, Nikon 50/1.4D and Sigma 50/1.4..

1. Flare
2. Sagittal Coma Flare

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G

Nikon’s High performance normal lens.

1. 58/1.4G vs NOCT-Nikkor vs Voigtlander 58/1.4 SL (D800E, Street at Night)

Canon 24mm f/1.4L II

State of the art design in a fast ultra wide angle lens..

1. Overview: ergonomics and optical qualities
2. In-depth example: stopping down at night
3. Flare into the sun and night

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 20mm f/1.8G

Nikon’s fast ultra wide angle..

1. Aperture Series: Glacial Erratics in Blue Skylight, Westering Sunstar (D810)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.8G

Versatile autofocus wide angle..

1. Introduction to Nikon 24mm f/1.8G

Canon 11-24mm f/4L USM

Extreme wide angle zoom..

1. Examples: Manzanar (5DM3)
2. Flare: Angle to Sun vs Bulbous Front Element (5DM3)

Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III

Is the 3rd time the charm?.

1. Flare Control
2. Examples #1 of 3: Conness Lakes Area, Brilliance on Snow

Canon 16-35mm f/4L IS

Canon’s compact image stabilized wide angle zoom..

1. Aperture Series @ 16mm: Sunstars and Flares (Canon 5DM3)

Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G

State of the art design in a fast 85mm lens..

1. Flare: 85/1.4G vs 85/1.8G

Nikon 24mm Lens Choices

Options for a 24mm lens: Nikon 14-24/2.8G, Nikon 24-70/2.8G, Nikon 24/2 AI-S, Nikon PC-E 24/3.5. Sharpness, distortion, flare, field curvature, shooting impression and ergonomics..

1. Overview and introduction

VIO POV.HD 1080p Helmet Camera

A helmet-mountable HD video camera for sports or action or underwater..

1. Video Quality of the VIO POV.HD

Medium Format Magazine

Articles written for MediumFormat.com..

1. Maximize Image Quality with Shot Discipline, Overview with Key Tips
2. Maximize Image Quality with Shot Discipline, Part 4: Optimal Exposure (February 2019)

Fujifilm GFX 50S Image Quality

Image quality assessments..

1. SHOOTOUT: Fujifilm GFX vs Nikon D850 vs Sony A7R III: Sunrise, Lundy Canyon Waterfall

Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R WR

Ultra wide angle equivalent to 19mm f/3.3. .

1. Examples: Cerro Gordo (GFX 50S)

Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR

Mid-range zoom lens equivalent to 26-53mm f/3.3..

1. Examples: Eastern Sierra (GFX 50S)

Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR

Moderate wide angle equivalent to 37mm f/2.3..

1. Aperture Series: Across Green Icy Lake to Blue Mountainside (GFX 50S)

Hasselblad HC 50mm f/3.5 II

High performance moderate wide angle.

1. Examples: Saddlebag Lake Area, Conness Lakes Area

Hasselblad HC Macro 120mm f/4 II

High performance all-arounder macro lens.

1. Flare

Hasselblad XCD 30mm f/3.5

25mm equivalent..

1. Flare Control

Pentax 645 Lenses (645D tests)

A variety of 645 lens tests on the 645D.

1. Aperture Series: Pentax-A 75mm f/2.8 (Mosaic)

Image Quality Issues

Unique challenges of digital infrared..

1. Hot Spots
2. Hot Spots and Levels/Curves in Photoshop
3. Lens Flare

Canon Lenses

How Canon lenses perform for infrared use..

1. Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS

Zeiss Milvus Lenses

Outstanding build and optical quality across a wide range of focal lengths..

1. Overview of Zeiss Milvus

Milvus 15mm f/2.8

Milvus garb for the venerable 15/2.8 Distagon, with improved lens coating..

1. Overview of Milvus 15/2.8
2. Aperture Series vs Nikon 14/2.8D: Spring Leaves on Riparian Tree

Milvus 21mm f/2.8

The classic 21/2.8 Distagon improved..

1. Overview of Milvus 21/2.8

Milvus 25mm f/1.4

Highest performing 25mm from Zeiss ever..

1. Flare for Milvus 25/1.4

Milvus 50mm f/1.4

Outstanding build and optical quality in a normal lens..

1. Milvus 50/1.4 Flare

Milvus 85mm f/1.4

Outstanding build and optical quality in a medium tele..

1. Milvus 85/1.4 Flare, Extreme Backlighting

Optical Performance

Sharpness and rendering..

1. Subtleties of Rendition

15mm f/2.8 Distagon

Ultra high performance in an extreme wild wide angle lens..

1. 15/2.8 Flare
2. Aperture Series: Pine Creek Stormy Light (Nikon D810)
3. Examples: Lundy Canyon, Early Winter

18mm f/3.5 Distagon

A brilliant, but also colorful character..

1. 18/3.5 Distagon Main Page
2. Flare
3. Saggital Flare

21mm f/2.8 Distagon

Brilliant imaging, even wide open, but with a few quirks. (Review in progress) .

1. 21/2.8 Distagon Main Page
2. Examples
3. Examples ZE/Canon Landscape
4. Examples: Lundy Canyon, Brilliance at the Big Beaver Pond
5. Flare
6. Aperture Series: Pine Creek Stormy Light (Nikon D810)

25mm f/2 Distagon

Ultra high performance with a fast aperture..

1. Examples (White Mountains Snowy Day)

25mm f/2.8 Distagon

A gem with unusual close-focus..

1. 25/2.8 Distagon Main Page
2. Examples

28mm f/2 Distagon

An artist’s drawing tool..

1. Saggital Flare

35mm f/2 Distagon

Balance and poise..

1. 35/2 Distagon Main Page

50mm f/1.4 Planar

Brilliant imaging in a compact package..

1. 50/1.4 Examples

Otus 28mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon

Fast high performance APO wide angle..

1. Veiling and Ghosting Flare
2. Aperture Series (night): White Truck at Night

Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon

Ultra high performance apochromatic normal lens, first in the Otus line..

1. Where’s the Flare?
2. Extreme Contrast Lighting
3. Flare vs 50/2 Makro-Planar
4. Secondary Color Aberrations and Point Spread Function vs 50/2 Makro-Planar + Canon 50/1.2L, 50/1.4 (5D Mark III, Barn Interior)

Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon Rendering Style

Rendering style, bokeh and beauty..

1. Examples: Snowstorm Lundy Canyon (Nikon D850)
2. Night Shooting: Moonrise over Kuna Peaks (Nikon D800E)

Otus 85mm f/1.4 APO-Planar

Ultra high performance apochromatic medium telephoto, overview and technical..

1. Otus 85mm f/1.4 APO-Planar Overview
2. Flare and Sunstars with Otus 85/1.4 APO-Planar

Otus 85mm f/1.4 APO-Planar Rendering Style

Rendering style, bokeh and 'transparency' without peer..

1. Aperture Series vs Nikon 85/1.4G: Boreal Skiing Slope at Night (Nikon D850)

Otus 100mm f/1.4 APO-Sonnar

Razor sharp with gorgeous bokeh..

1. MTF for Zeiss Otus 100mm f/1.4 APO-Sonnar, Full Series
2. Examples: Campus, Late Day (Nikon D850)

85mm f/1.4 Planar

True-to-life imagery..

1. 85/1.4 Planar Main Page

100mm f/2 Makro-Planar

King of bokeh! Corner-to-corner sharpness, world class..

1. Comparison to Leica 100/2.8 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R

Conclusions

Summary and wrap-up..

1. Future Lenses (speculation/wish)

Zeiss LensSpire Articles

Articles written for Lenspire.ZEISS.com..

1. Macro and Close-up Shooting, Especially Outdoors
2. Zoom Lens or Prime? 15/18/21mm Lenses
3. Micro Contrast and the Zeiss 'Pop'
4. Zeiss Fills Out the Milvus DSLR Lens Lineup with the 21/2.8, 35/2, 50/2M, 100/2M
5. Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8 Distagon: Class-Leading Performance in a Compact Package for Stills or Video on Sony Mirrorless
6. Astrophotography Tips, Especially with Zeiss Otus 28mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon

Binoculars

What to look for in a binocular, plus reviews..

1. Zeiss Victory FL 8 X 32 T*
2. Zeiss Victory RF 10 X 45 T*
3. Zeiss Victory FL 8 X 56 T*
4. THREE Nikon EDG 8X42 and 7X42 and 8X32

Understanding optics

Understanding lens performance..

1. Understanding Lens Flare

Ask Lloyd Chambers

Questions and answers on photography and computers and more..

1. Lens hoods, Grazing flare and Contrast

Zeiss ZF.2 and Zeiss ZE Lenses For Canon and Nikon

Zeiss ZF.2 and Zeiss ZE Lenses For Canon and Nikon.

1. Focusing, Build Quality, Color, Flare, Bokeh
2. Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 APO-Distagon
3. Mini Review: Zeiss ZF/ZE 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar

15mm f/2.8 Distagon Zeiss Interview

Q&A on the 15/2.8 Distagon with Dr. Hubert Nasse.

1. Zeiss 15/2.8 Distagon Q&A — Veiling and Ghosting Flare

Infrared

Beyond deep red, seeing the invisible..

1. Leica M8 — Infrared Imaging
2. Zeiss ZF Lenses for Infrared

Nikon D200 vs D2x

Vintage 2006 comparative review of Nikon D200 vs Nikon D2x..

1. LensEvaluations

Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM

High speed normal lens optimized for Canon mirrorless..

1. Aperture Series: Sprinter Headlights at Dusk
2. Conclusions

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM

Bread and butter all-around zoom..

1. Aperture Series @ 41mm: Oak Tree Sunstar

Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Ultra high speed normal lens, flagship of the line..

1. Introduction to Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

Mid-range zoom expressly designed for Nikon Z cameras..

1. Shootout @ 35mm, Nikon Z 45-70/4S vs 35/1.8S: Stand of Bare Aspen by Creek

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM

High performance wide angle..

1. Aperture Series: Quadrangle Shadows and Rising Moon

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM

Top-grade medium telephoto..

1. Examples: Natural Light Outdoor Portraits with Eye AF

Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM

Razor sharp medium telephoto with apodization filter..

1. Examples: Portrait Model (A7R II)

Sony FE 135mm f/1.4 GM

Top-grade telephoto..

1. Flare with Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

Native-mount ultra wide angle high performance zoom for mirrorless..

1. Overview of Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art
2. Flare Control

Rokinon 12mm f/2.8 Fisheye

Fisheye lens for Sony mirrorless..

1. Examples: Snowy White Mountains

Voigtlander FE Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical

Fast lens speed for versatile rendering..

1. Flare

Voigtlander FE 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar Aspherical

Ultra high grade performer at a modest price..

1. Aperture Series: Flare and Sunstars

Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95

Speed to match the Leica Noctilux..

1. Aperture Series: Sunset Silhouetted Trees (A7R II)

Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G

Extreme wide angle zoom..

1. Introduction to Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G
2. Examples: Dana Lakes and Glacier Canyon

Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Vario-Tessar

Comapact ultra-wide zoom for Sony full frame mirrorless..

1. Flare Control

Ricoh GR

Razor sharp 28mm lens on APS-C sensor and outstanding usability and features..

1. Examples: White Mountains (Barcroft)

Sony Cybershot RX1R II

Diminutive full-frame camera with 35mm f/2 fixed lens..

1. Flare Behavior from f/2 - f/22

Olympus M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO

Wide angle zoom equivalent (14-28mm equivalent)..

1. Overview of Olympus M.Zuiko 7-14mm f/2.8 PRO

Panasonic Lumix G 8mm f/3.5 Fisheye

A fisheye with great contrast and high resolving power..

1. Aperture Series: Wyman Cabin Interior

Panasonic Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm f/1.2 ASPH

Fast, bright and highly corrected medium telephoto..

1. Examples: Las Vegas Strip (Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II)
2. Flare Control (EM1)
3. vs Voigtlander Nokton: Olympic Bar (EM1)

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Superb ergonomic design in a compact camera..

1. 7mm Comparison: Olympus SHG 7-14mm f/4 — Panasonic 7-14mm f/4 (Garage Bikes)
2. 12mm Comparison: Olympus SHG 7-14mm f/4 — Olympus 12mm f/2 — Panasonic 7-14mm f/4 and 12-35mm f/2.8 (Garage Bikes)
3. 14mm Comparison: Olympus SHG 7-14mm f/4 — SHG 14-35mm f/2 — Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 and 7-14mm f/4 — 12-35mm f/2.8 (Garage Bikes)

Fujifilm X-Pro2

Fujifilm's 24MP APS-C offering..

1. Image Quality: Grid Artifacts

Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS

Wide angle zoom equivalent to 15-36mm.

1. Overview of Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS

Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18mm f/2 R

A compact fast pancake lens..

1. Aperture Series: Wyman Cabin Table (X-E1)

Zeiss Loxia 21mm f/2.8 Distagon

Outstanding ultra wide angle performer..

1. Examples: White Mountains Before Snowstorm (A7R II)
2. Aperture Series (Night): Arcade View at Night (A7R II)
3. Aperture Series (Night): Confluence of Two Shadows (A7R II)

Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon

Manual focus moderate wide angle for full-frame mirrorless..

1. Aperture Series: Sparkling Sun on Lake (Evaluating Point Spread Function)
2. Loxia 35/2 Flare

Zeiss Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar

Manual focus normal lens for full-frame mirrorless..

1. Loxia 50/2 Flare
2. Field Examples: Yosemite Area (Sony A7R II)

Zeiss Loxia 85mm f/2.4 Sonnar

Manual focus telephoto lens for full-frame mirrorless..

1. Flare Behavior for Zeiss Loxia 85mm f/2.4 Sonnar

Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2 Distagon

Autofocus wide angle for Sony full-frame mirrorless..

1. Examples: White Mountains (Sony A7R)
2. Examples: Lundy Canyon, Hoover Wilderness, Dana Meadow (Sony A7R)

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 Sonnar

Autofocus portrait lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless..

1. Examples: White Mountains (Sony A7R)

Zeiss Touit 12mm f/2.8 Distagon

Ultra wide angle lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..

1. Flare Control

Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 Planar

Normal lens for Sony NEX or Fujifilm X..

1. Examples: New York City (Evening on the High Line, Sony NEX-7)

Panoramas with the iPhone 6s Plus

Shooting + post processing tips with high-res examples..

1. iPhone 6s Plus: Dealing with Lens Flare
2. iPhone 6s Plus: Example Panoramas

Sigma dp0 Quattro

21mm f/5.6 equivalent FOV lens..

1. dp0 Quattro Green Flare Issue

Sigma dp2 Quattro

45mm f/2.8 equivalent FOV lens..

1. dp2 Quattro Green Flare

Lens Quality control

How good is Leica quality control?.

1. QC: 50/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

Leica 16-18-21mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH

Leica’s ultra wide angle zoom lens..

1. Flare and Sunstars

Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH

Leica’s widest prime lens..

1. Flare Behavior Across Apertures (Beaver Pond, M240)
2. Aperture Series: Lundy Canyon Sunstar (M240)
3. Aperture Series: Sidelit Barn at DeChambeau Ranch (M240)

Leica 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Leica’s fastest and widest lens..

1. Examples: Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (Bristlecones)
2. Comparison: Leica 21/1.4 vs Leica 21/3.4 (Interior)

Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH

Leica’s best-performing 21mm..

1. Flare: Leica 21/3.4
2. Veiling Flare 21/3.4: Shaded and Unshaded
3. Examples: Silver Canyon Contrasts (M9)

Leica 24mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Leica’s fast wide angle..

1. Examples: Yosemite and White Mountains (M9)

Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH

Leica’s best-performing 24mm, and with a flat field..

1. Veiling Flare 24/3.8: Shaded and Unshaded

Leica 28mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Leica’s fast 28mm..

1. Aperture Series: Church At Night (M240)
2. Aperture Series: Tables, Empty Chairs, Balloons (M240)

Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH (pre-2016)

Leica’s widest lens utilizing built-in frame lines..

1. Veiling Flare 28/2: Shaded and Unshaded
2. 28/2.8 vs 28/2 Death Valley Water Tank (M9P)

Leica 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH (2016)

Tweaked 2016 redesign..

1. Overview of 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH (2016)

Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-M ASPH (pre-2016)

Leica’s smallest and lightest M lens with superlative performance..

1. Veiling Flare 28/2.8: Shaded and Unshaded

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH (2010 FLE)

Leica’s superlative and most natural lens for the M..

1. Veiling Flare 35/1.4: Shaded and Unshaded

Leica M 50mm Lenses

Six models to choose from..

1. 50/2 APO vs Noctilux (M240, Orange-Bark Pine Tree)
2. Sony A7R: Noctilux, Summilux, APO Summicron, Zeiss 50/2 Planar (Red Barn)

Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH

World’s fastest 50mm full-frame lens..

1. Veiling Flare 50/0.95: Shaded and Unshaded

Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Leica’s superlative normal lens..

1. Veiling Flare 50/1.4: Shaded and Unshaded

Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

The world’s best 50mm lens is outstanding, but with some limits..

1. Examples: Yosemite Erratics and Granite (M240)
2. Aperture Series: Church Mosaic and Lens Skew (M240)
3. Aperture Series: Church Mosaic (Sony A7R)

Leica 50mm f/2 APO Flare

Ghosting and veiling and ring flare pre/post production fix..

1. 50/2 APO ASPH Flare Overview / Timeline
2. 50/2 APO ASPH Flare (Nov 2013 Sample)
3. 50/2 APO ASPH Flare (April 2013 Sample)
4. 50/2 AA Flare Under Field Conditions (June 2013 Sample)
5. Veiling Flare 50/2 AA: Shaded and Unshaded (June 2013 Sample)
6. 50/2 APO ASPH Circular Ring Flare (June 2013 Sample)
7. 50/2 APO ASPH Flare (Internal Reflections, June 2013 Sample)

Leica 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

Leica’s medium tele for Leica M..

1. 75/2 APO Flare

Leica 75mm f/2.4 (2.5) Summarit-M

Leica’s budget 75mm medium telephoto..

1. Veiling Flare + Bokeh, Barn Interior (M240)
2. Aperture Series: Mining Camp Bunkhouse (M240)
3. Aperture Series: Green Barn (M240)

Leica 90mm f/2.2 Thambar-M

Leica’s retro telephoto..

1. Focusing the Leica 90mm f/2.2 Thambar-M (with examples)

Leica 90mm f/2.4 (2.5) Summarit-M

Leica’s compact 90mm for the M..

1. Notes: 90mm f/2.4 (2.5) Leica Summarit-M
2. Flare Series: Barn Interior (M240, 90/2.4)
3. Flare: 90mm f/2.5 Leica Summarit-M
4. Examples 90/2.5 Summarit-M: Backyard
5. 90/2.4 Summarit vs 90/2 APO-Summicron: Green Lichen Barn Exterior (M240)

Leica 90mm f/2 APO-Summicron-R ASPH

Compact lens for portraiture or similar..

1. Secondary Color Correction ('Purple Fringing') vs Zeiss ZM 85/2 and 85/4 (Barn Interior, M240)

Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon

Fast and ultra high performance moderate wide angle rangefinder lens..

1. Aperture Series: Fading Maple Leaves In Backlit Creek (M240)
2. Aperture Series: Granite Glacial Polish to Cloud’s Rest (M240)

Zeiss ZM 35mm f/2 Biogon

All around razor sharp performer..

1. Veiling Flare ZM 35/2: Shaded and Unshaded

Zeiss ZM 50mm f/2 Planar

Pleasing and relatively inexpensive normal lens.

1. Veiling Flare ZM 50/2: Shaded and Unshaded

Zeiss ZM 85mm f/4 Tele-Tessar

Compact high performance medium telephoto..

1. Aperture Series: Olympic Bar (M240)

Voigtlander M 50mm f/1.1

A slightly slower, but smaller and lighter alternative to the Noctilux, at 1/10 the price..

1. Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.1 — Flare

Blog posts, reverse chronological

2019

2019-09-06 Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 DG DN Art: Evaluating Flare Control

2019-04-25 Leica 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 Elmarit-SL ASPH: Severe Flare Issues on Panasonic S1R

2018

2018-05-25 Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art

2017

2017-11-01 Nikon D850: Flange Focal Distance is WAY Off (2nd Sample)

2017-10-25 Zeiss Milvus 25mm f/1.4 Aperture Series:Flare with Sun Just Out of the Frame

2017-09-01 Voigtlander 65mm f/2 Macro APO-Lanthar Aperture Series: Sunstars and Flare (Sunstar Palm)

2017-06-02 Nikon AF-S 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED

2017-06-02 Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.4E ED

2017-05-17 Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G

2016

2016-09-08 Zeiss Announces 3 Milvus Lenses for Nikon and Canon DSLRs

2016-02-09 Reader Comment: Big and Heavy Sony G Master Lenses

2015

2015-12-21 Sony RX1R II: Evaluating Flare

2015-11-13 Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Distagon: Arc Flare vs Zeiss Milvus 21mm f/2.8

2015-10-04 Extreme Backlighting with Sony A7R II

2015-10-01 Reader Inquiry: Zeiss Batis Weather Sealing

2015-08-26 Announced: Canon 35mm f/1.4L II

2015-06-18 Sigma Announces World’s First Full-Frame f/2 Zoom for Canon, Nikon, Sigma Mounts: 24-35mm f/2 DG HSM Art

2015-06-10 Announced: Sony RX10 Mark II, Sony RX100 Mark IV

2015-05-22 Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Aperture Series: Defunct Ranch Buildings at Sunset

2015-05-17 Leica 90mm f/2.4 Summarit-M Flare Series: Barn Interior, Angle of Light

2015-04-09 Leica 75mm f/2.4 Summarit-M: Veiling Flare, and Bokeh

2015-03-27 Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Flare Control: Aperture Series 'Extreme Backlighting, Cherry Blossoms'

2015-03-19 Canon 11-24mm f/4L Aperture Series: Ghosting Flare Series at 24mm

2015-02-05 Canon 11-24mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Zoom

2014

2014-11-09 Flare: Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Biogon and Loxia 50mm f/2 Planar

2014-10-02 Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 APO-Planar: Flare Control

2014-07-24 A conversation with Ming Thein on the Pentax 645Z and Nikon D810 and More

2014-07-06 Sigma dp2 Quattro: Lens Hood and Lens Flare

2014-07-02 Sunstars and Flare with the Canon 16-35mm f/4L IS USM

2014-06-22 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH: Evaluating Flare with Late 2013 Production Sample

2014-04-10 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 'Art' (for Canon, Nikon, etc)

2014-03-26 Leica 16-18-21mm f/4 Tri-Elmar-M ASPH: Flare Assessment

2014-03-16 Panasonic Nocticron 42.5/1.2: Flare

2014-03-03 Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH: Aperture Series 'DeChambeau Ranch House

2014-03-03 Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH: Aperture Series 'Beaver Pond Meadow'

2014-03-02 Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH: Aperture Series 'DeChambeau Yellow Wagon'

2014-03-01 Leica 24mm f/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH: Aperture Series 'Glistening Rocks Waterfall'

2014-02-28 Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH: Flare Behavior over Aperture Range

2014-01-22 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 'Art' (for Canon, Nikon, etc)

2014-01-06 Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM 'Art' (for Canon, Nikon, etc)

2013

2013-11-25 Leica 75mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH: Flare Examples

2013-10-24 Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH: Flare

2013-09-15 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH: Update on the Flare Issue—Leica Confirms “4 Minor Issues” with respect to Lens Flare

2013-08-15 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH Update on the Flare Issue

2013-08-12 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH: Circular Ring Flare

2013-08-04 Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH: Will Leica Address the Flare Issue?

2013-08-04 Leica 50/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH vs 50/0.95 Noctilux-M ASPH: Orange Bark Pine, Yosemite (Leica M240)

2013-07-14 Leica M Typ 240 Usability

2013-06-25 Flare Control with Leica M Lenses and Especially the Leica 50/2 APO Summicron-M ASPH

2013-06-23 Leica, Nikon, Zeiss, Sigma, Ricoh, Fujifilm Mountain Shooting

2013-06-12 Leica 50/2 APO Summicron-M ASPH: Concentric Flare Rings Plausible Explanation

2013-06-03 Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon vs Nikon 14-24/2.8 Under Difficult Lighting (Flare)

2013-04-25 Reader Comment: Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 Distagon

2013-04-22 Leica 50/2 APO Summicron-M ASPH: Flare Control

2013-02-25 Flare Assessment — Sigma 35/1.4 DG HSM A1

2012

2012-07-19 Nikon 85mm f/1.4G vs 85/1.8G Veiling and Ghosting Flare

2011

2011-12-05 Leica 21mm f/3.4 Super-Elmar-M ASPH Examples and Flare

2011-10-25 Veiling Flare With and Without a Polarizer

2009

2009-12-28 Nikon 70-200/2.8G VR II flare examples

2009-12-27 Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II — flare

2008

2008-12-24 Nikon 50mm f/1.4G — what avian species?

2008-08-22 Zeiss ZF 18mm f/3.5 Distagon First Impressions

2007

2007-10-01 Flare control

2006

2006-07-22 Infrared flare with the 85/f1.2L II USM

2006-07-20 More on infrared hot spots