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Leica 21mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

MTF: 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH

Performance is very high for a 21mm lens at f/5.6, but wide open the contrast of fine details suffers, and field curvature means that sharpness will vary across the frame.

The MTF suggests a wave-type field curvature , confirmed with field shooting.

Strong astigmatism is present even at f/5.6, and while this often is of little consequence, the orientation of detail in the subject matter can interact to produce unexpected “stress” in the look of the image.

The Leica 24mm f/1.4 Summicron-M ASPH is included below; observe that the 21/1.4 appears to be a higher performer in terms of maximum contrast, but that it has much more astigmatism than the 24/1.4. Which is sharper might depend on the subject matter, but overall the 21/1.4 looks to be the better lens, especially at f/1.4 and f/2.8.

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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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Aperture series 1.4, 2.8, 5.6 available in full article
Leica 21/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH MTF @ f/5.6

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