The M9, lenses and the "red edge" problem

[Ecaton]

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On another note, I went out with the M9 on Saturday, mostly using the Cron 28. However, I tried to use the CV 12 to see how bad the vignetting would be. What I found is that with some correction in Lightroom, it's doing quite well. The many dust spots on a new M9 sensor surprised me somewhat, though.

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[Ecaton]

Hmm - FWIW I'm very happy with the Zeiss 18. For the number of times I need this focal length it's great value - tack sharp, good colour rendering, and with the LR graduated filter I have no problem correcting red edge...

 

This one looks like a very interesting wide option. 18mm, 28mm, 50mm, in the bag sounds tempting.

[chris_tribble]

This one looks like a very interesting wide option. 18mm, 28mm, 50mm, in the bag sounds tempting.

 

I think the Zeiss 18 is a highly useable lens - and when you take the price difference into account it's a snip. I bought mine used and it cost me around £650. New they're over £1000. Although the 1/2 stop faster 18mm Elmar is at the bottom end of the Leica price range these days - £2100 or so - cheap compared to the Leica 21 & 24 Summiluxes I still use this FL so little I couldn't bring myself to invest this much in the Leica product when the ZM does a pretty good job..

 

BTW - re dust on the sensor, you expect MORE in the early stages. Later, dust (for me) becomes progressively less significant as everything beds in.

[Alnitak]

On another note, I went out with the M9 on Saturday, mostly using the Cron 28. However, I tried to use the CV 12 to see how bad the vignetting would be. What I found is that with some correction in Lightroom, it's doing quite well. The many dust spots on a new M9 sensor surprised me somewhat, though.

 

I suggest using CornerFix to clean up both the red edge issue and the vignetting. I can see a touch of red on the left in your image; in this case the subject tends to hide the red pretty well. You can also see why a level helps with this lens looking at the horizon.

 

As for the dust, the M9 is a dust machine for the first month or so, but then things settle down. The shutter is wearing in and tossing dust, the mount is getting smoothed off from lens mount/dismount cycles, and bits of oil are being tossed from the shutter as well. It takes some wet cleaning in the first month to deal with it.

 

Jeff

[Baptiste]

The many dust spots on a new M9 sensor surprised me somewhat, though.

 

I got the bad surprise to see that as well on strongly closed pics. I'm not sure these are dust, but maybe oil from the shutter?

[Alnitak]

Just an update. Many of you may be aware that my first M9 was replaced a few weeks ago when the IR cover plate on the sensor cracked. In what appears to be a confirmation of the camera itself playing a significant factor in the red edge issue, I am now getting occasional red edges/corners on the left side with my WATE at 16mm. Before this, I never had it happen once in thousands of images.

 

Jeff

[ho_co]

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Very interesting, Jeff. Thanks for the heads-up.

 

(A case of "you pay us now, or you pay us later," would you say? )

[Jerry_R]

I am now getting occasional red edges/corners on the left side with my WATE at 16mm. Before this, I never had it happen once in thousands of images.

Oh no... So now we understand ones, who admitted they have from time to time red corners with their WATE... Uhhh...

 

I would claim that at Leica at your place...

 

And fact is, that I almost decided to follow you and replace CV 15mm. Now my mind is clear again...

And will wait slowly for new CV 12mm version and its first results.