Lens Choice

[rgp]

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Hi

 

I've just tried a second hand 21mm elmarit asph, shooting wide open, the edges are not very sharp, is this normal or could it be a bad lens ?

 

Shot some other M9 files on friends camera, and you are correct, they need more attention, but files are excellent when processed.

 

Probably going to go for just Leica 21 & 50

[adan]

I thought you said you shoot 21 and 15 "stopped down"

 

Super-wide lenses usually have some corner resolution drop at larger apertures compared to moderate wides.

 

The graphs below compare the MTF for the Leica Elmarit ASPH and the Zeiss ZM 21 f/2.8. (red lines - Leica, black lines - Zeiss).

 

The image sample is from my 21 Elmarit NON-asph (1983 era lens, f/2.8, M9, ISO 800). My impression from trials of the ASPH version is that it is not a lot sharper in practice, but contrastier, at f/2.8, in the corners.

 

The only 20/21mm f/2.8 lens I've ever used that was really clean in the corners/edges @ f/2.8 was the Contax-G 21mm Biogon (RIP). About 2-3x sharper than my pre-ASPH. There's an MTF chart for it here: Contax G Lens Page. Not that much better at 40 lppm (bottom set of lines) but holds up better than others at 20 lppm (2nd set of lines up).

 

Caveat: always take mtf charts from different sources with a grain of salt - testing procedures may vary.

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[kanzlr]

and in what realistic szenario do you need a super wide to be sharp in the corners WIDE OPEN.

when is something of interest in the corners when you can not stop down.

[Xmas]

"If it is into Frenels and profiles,..." - "If it is door stepping..."

 

Ummm - Noel, could you translate those terms? I might guess "Fre(s)nels" means "spotlights" and "profiles" is "silhouettes, backlit" by the context - but "door stepping" has me totally lost.

 

Door stepping is standing outside some ones house/workplace/whatever for a celeb exit or entry shot. Sorry it seemed normal English use the other two you got 'spot on'...

 

Noel

[rgp]

Thanks 'adan' that corner crop is exactly the same as I am getting on the test 21 asph.

 

Gosh, you are right, I did say I shoot stopped down (on a tripod), but trying the M9 has changed the way I shoot, and just wanted to see what the lens could do.

 

I wish you had not mentioned the Contax G series 21, I very nearly bought it for my G2 but decided to go digital Leica !!!

 

Everyone else, please don't worry about my accountancy arrangements and claiming the kit against tax, or what I shoot I'm just really grateful for help and advice of people who have been there before when choosing lenses.

[rubenkok]

Hi,

Here http://en.leica-camera.com/assets/file/download.php?filename=file_1750.pdf is some interesting information.

Hope this is some help.

Kind regards,

Ruben