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Leica M10: Moiré Can be a Serious Problem
Firmware version 1.9.4.0.
The 24-megapixel resolution of the Leica M10 (and M240 and its variants) can be a serious image quality problem that causes digital artifacts of all sorts. The argument that “24 megapixels is enough” sometimes means awareness and acceptance of the limitations, but sometimes it shows an ignorance of the issues involved, particularly with a sensor lacking any anti-aliasing filter (as with the all M cameras).
One of those issues is moiré as shown on this page—it can render an image unusable. The solution is a sensor that outresolves the lens at least most of the time (oversampling)—and that is just not going to happen with the Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon using a 24 megapixel sensor (using f/11 of f/16 acts as an anti-aliasing filter so there is some recourse if one accepts a loss of brilliance/contrast). Rather, the 24MP sensor just about guarantees digital artifacts for any in-focus image with many types of subject matter. Start looking for it, and it becomes obvious. The only issue is whether the subject matter makes the moiré problematic or not.
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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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LEICA M10 + Zeiss ZM 35mm f/1.4 Distagon
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