Average Leica pinsharp keepers?

[dhsimmonds]

The British Journal of Photography (BJP) published a comparison review of the Nikon D3 annd Canon 1DMkiii pro cameras by a working news photographer in real working situations. (issue 2nd July 2008).

The D3 did not appear to do so well as some reviews have suggested.

In fact when both were using their respective 70-200 F2.8 A/F lenses the D3 failed to nail one single pin sharp image compared to the 1Dmkiii's 18.5%. the figures were Canon189 shots of which 26.9% usable and 18.5% pin sharp. The Nikon D3 out of 198 shots only 5.5% were usable and 0% pin sharp!

I thought that both these statistics were appalling for top of the range pro cameras and it set me wondering what the average equivalent Leica m/f stats would be in similar circumstances. I would have been appalled if my DMR only gave me 5.5% usable images and whilst not all are pin sharp (my old eyes are fast approaching 3 score years and ten!) enough are to enable me to compete and exhibit many of my Leica images.

I have to say that the testing was tough in the BJP report, for example a 14 year old boy running at 25 degrees towards the camera. The Canon nailed this perfectly but the D3 failed this test with the 70-200. the D3 fared rather better with the Nikkor 24-70 F2.8G ED AF-S lens. The reviewer's summary indicated that Nikon needs to produce many more lenses designed for their FX sensors.

How would your stats hold up against these figures using a manual focused Leica?

[robsteve]

Dave:

When I shot sports, I probably got the same or more pin sharp keepers with the Leica, but the Canon was also shooting at two or three times the frame rate, so the ratio for the Leica would be higher. In other words, in a football or hockey game, I might get the same amount of keepers whether shooting the DMR or the Eos 1D, but with the 1D, I was shooting 8fps, rather than 2.5.

I also noticed this in film, shooting the R9 with 4.5fps motor and and an EOS 1v with a 10fps motor. Both cameras with their respective 400mm f2.8 telephotos. The Leica was better at follow focusing the players coming down the field and the Canon was better at panning over to the action and getting an in focus shot, such as a header in soccer.

Robert

[dhsimmonds]

Thanks Robert. I respect your figures as I have always admired your focusing skills especially with the longer and smaller aperture lenses. I start to struggle even with F4 lenses!