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MTF: Zeiss ZM 18/4 Distagon
Performance is very high for an 18mm lens, with center contrast showing exceptional values that declines steadily to the corners.
Aperture f/4 is somewhat weak outside the catral 2/3 of the image area, so stopping down to f/8 is advised. In this respect, the Leica 18mm f/3.8 Super-Elmar-M ASPH shows its merit, maintaining much superior definition over the outer areas of the frame at f/3.8.
Stopping down to f/8, the 18/4 Distagon is very competitive with the Leica 18/3.8 SEM, but with lower definition in the far corners. Taking the analysis further than that requires field comparisons.
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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.
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