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Aperture Series: Mosaic (Leica M9)
This page shows the image quality from f/2 - f/16.
Four complete series were taken, refocusing each time (with the M9 rangefinder, one can never be sure if focus is optimal).
Comparing the series, this example appears to represent the very best that is possible with the 28mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH. With a later digital M such as the M Typ 240, focusing issues become less prone to error (e.g. rangefinder accuracy).
The results seen here are about as good as one might find in any 28mm lens, but note that 18 megapixels is a far cry from 36 megapixels (the Nikon world as of early 2014).
The lighting was awful, and those gold tiles are very hard to deal with; they push the limits of the AdobeRGB color gamut right to the edge.
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Diglloyd Guide to Leica is by yearly subscription. Subscribe now for about 25 cents a day ($90/year).
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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.
Want a preview? Click on any page below to see an excerpt as well as extensive blog coverage, for example on Leica.
