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Assessing Field Curvature— Green Paint (M240)
Comparison used the Leica M Typ 240.
The Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH is a high performance lens but with some behaviors that degrade image quality on the “wrong” subject. As shown in the glacial erratics analysis, its rearward focus shift cannot be called minimal.
Not so obvious in the glacial erratics analysis is a field curvature strongly hinted at by the MTF chart (see the deep undulation at f/2.8). While that subject tolerates it well, in general it is a Bad Thing: its field curvature makes the 35/1.4 Summilux a compromised choice for planar subjects. For example, even f8 is barely adequate to provide a sharp image field for distant landscapes as field usage has proven to the author on a variety of occasions—disappointing.
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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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