WATE evaluation

[Englander]

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Many people had been requesting information about the performance of the WATE, especially with and without "lens recognition." I compared it to the Nikon 12-24. I did not have a 486 for the WATE. I put in a 24 with a 486 (it is mislabled as 24 WATE) and it highlights a problem of cyan shading that appears more distracting than the vignetting of the lenses without "lens recognition". All images are "straight" with no sharpening or other additives, photo-manipulation or straightening, etc.

 

I put these tests in a downloadable proof sheet of the WATE at various apertures both with and without "recognition" at http://www.yousendit.com/download/KUDksag%2FbWx5TA%3D%3D

 

I also put resolution tests--again with no additives--at 100% crop, here:

http://homepage.mac.com/joeenglander/PhotoAlbum8.html

 

Sorry, I do not have the time nor the lenses necessary for full fledged testing. But I thought this information might be valuable to those thinking about the WATE. If you cant' see it: the geometric (?) distortion at 21 is a curve about 1 inch, at 18 about 1-1.5 and with the 16, maybe 2 inches. I put in guides to help you see it. The WATE is higher in contrast and does not lose sharpness at the edges the way the Nikon does. Of course, the Nikon costs less than a third of the WATE. My impression is that wide-open the WATE is somewhat lower in contrast than other current Leica lenses, but at 8 is very good. It is much smaller and lighter than I expected; reminds me of one of the 90/4 tele's.

 

I also apologize for not cleaning up my room before I made the tests. Should have combed my hair, slicked down the cowlick...well, I used to have one!

 

Joe

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[c6gowin]

Thank you Joe for posting this. I have downloaded the file and will look it over closely tonight.