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MTF: 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH
MTF of the Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH shows very high contrast levels centrally at f/1.4, with a wave similar to that of the 35/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH. Like the 35/1.4 Summilux, contrast rises near the edges to high values.
While MTF for f/2 is not provided, we can expect that contrast rises substantially for f/2, tempered by a likely mild focus shift hinted at by the modest increase in contrast from f/1.4 to f/2.8 followed by a larger boost to f/5.6: without focus shift, we should expect peak central contrast by f/2.8.
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 scene 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.
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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.
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- 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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