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MTF: 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH
MTF of the Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH is modest wide open— while the center is contrasty, contrast dips strongly over most of the frame, then improves near the edges.
Overall performance at f/2 is very good but not exciting, and while Leica does not provide MTF at f/2 for the 35/1.4 Summilux, it is likely that the Summilux outperforms at f/2 by a handy margin, since even at f/1.4 it appears to match or exceed the Summicron at f/2.
The severe wave seen in the mid zones at f/2.8 and even remaining at f/5.6 shows up in field shots at infinity. This is certainly field curvature, and so one must simply accept that the 35/2 Summicron is not likely to be the best choices for landscape shots (planar) or other planar shots (which is also true for the 35/1.4 Summilux).
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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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