Exposure compensation on the M9 and CV lens performance

[jlancasterd]

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Having just (24 hours ago) got my M9, I've been doing some lens and software testing and am finding that, with all of the lenses I've tested so far (CV21/f4, CV35/f1.7 and CV50/f1.5) the camera needs at least a +1 exposure compensation when used in auto mode. Is anyone else finding the same?

 

I'm also finding that both the CV21/f4 and CV50/f1.5 are 'soft' in the corners on a full-frame sensor. The 35/1.7, fortunately, is remarkably sharp across the frame - this is a relief as it will likely become the lens of choice until I can afford a Summarit replacement - on the M8 I used a CV28/f3.5 most of the time for more or less the same FOV.

Edited September 16, 2009 by jlancasterd

[adan]

Well, I'd say the M9 exposes a little less than the M8 - i.e. no exposure comp on the M9 looked about like -0.3 EV on my M8 (which is my normal setting).

 

Also, the M9 jpegs at default look darker than the .dngs at ACR's default settings (i.e, just using whatever settings are embedded in the DNG).

 

As to the C/V lenses, snobs might say "you get what you pay for" - but I'd say that C/V just goes for a more classic "sharp center/soft corners" look that one would find in equivalent Leica screw-mount or early M lenses. The Cosina CEO is a LTM fanatic, which is why he started the whole "Voigtlander" thing in the first place. He wanted the market to have "new" versions of the Canon, Nikon, Leica LTM lenses that were slowly disappearing onto collectors' shelves.

 

My C/V 15 actually showed pretty good resolution on the M9 to the edges, at least from f/5.6 on. (Magenta drift, contrast and vignetting being a different story)

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[Bo_Lorentzen]

Andy,

 

That looks better than the 15mm shot toke posted from Denmark, interesting his problems were in one side of the image, Im wondering if its hidden in the blue shadow.?

 

still very encouraging, Im ordering a 15mm viewfinder. (as oposed to the 21mm)

 

.

[sean_reid]

Having just (24 hours ago) got my M9, I've been doing some lens and software testing and am finding that, with all of the lenses I've tested so far (CV21/f4, CV35/f1.7 and CV50/f1.5) the camera needs at least a +1 exposure compensation when used in auto mode. Is anyone else finding the same?

 

I'm also finding that both the CV21/f4 and CV50/f1.5 are 'soft' in the corners on a full-frame sensor. The 35/1.7, fortunately, is remarkably sharp across the frame - this is a relief as it will likely become the lens of choice until I can afford a Summarit replacement - on the M8 I used a CV28/f3.5 most of the time for more or less the same FOV.

 

I doubt the exposure has anything to do with the lenses. I don't know yet which CV lenses do well on the M9 but I like the pictures I've made with the CV 28/3.5 on the M9.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Vivek Iyer]

Andy,

 

That looks better than the 15mm shot toke posted from Denmark, interesting his problems were in one side of the image, Im wondering if its hidden in the blue shadow.?

 

still very encouraging,..

 

.

 

 

I agree. Looks nice, Andy.

[adan]

Yes, subject matter/composition can mask the color drift and vignetting (actually the color drift is more obnoxious anyway). This was with lens correction turned OFF, since it seemed to be better than a false WATE correction. Once I get my own body, I can play a bit with 21 or 18 corrections (via menu) to see what they do - with my lens and camera.

 

Still a bit of magenta in the very bottom, and on the right, masked in the shadows. My lens shows uncentered magenta drift, so there is very little top and left to begin with.