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MTF
Unlike its 50mm f/0.95 sibling, the Leica 75mm f/1.25 Noctilux-M ASPH shows far superior control of field curvature wide open and at every aperture. Indeed, its MTF at f/5.6 is flatlined at levels similar to the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 APO-Planar*.
* Although the Otus 85 reaches higher levels, the Otus 85 has more astigmatism. On the other hand, the Otus 85 is measured (real world) MTF. How well an actual sample of the Noctilux 75/1.25 actually performs might well differ from Leica’s computed theoretical MTF, which also also does not take into account sensor cover glass on a real camera nor flare under real-world shooting conditions.
Performance at f/1.25 is very high and with a quite flat field, considering that it is both f/1.25 on full frame and that this has half the depth of field of a 50mm f/0.95. Bear in mind that pinpoint focus is mandatory with a tiny focusing error greatly reducing this performance. Only maximum magnification Live View will suffice for getting the eyes sharp in a portrait, or for just about anything else (if one is shooting at f/1.25).
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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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