Crenshaw84 Posted June 15, 2014 Share #1 Posted June 15, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey guys, new to the forum and I had a question about a strange occurrence with my T: Every time that I have the Leica T at f/2 with the 23mm and I go to the closest focusing point with a subject, the camera automatically switches to a different aperture. So for instance I'll be at 2.0, try to get a nice blurry background and the camera will either switch to 2.5 or 2.8 depending on distance. I'm perplexed by why this is happening. No other camera I've ever used has done this. It's almost like the T doesn't want me to shoot with those parameters. And I'm shooting everything in manual mode with RAW selected. Any idea why it's doing this? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 Hi Crenshaw84, Take a look here Leica T w/23mm Changing Aperture Automatically. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
barjohn Posted June 15, 2014 Share #2 Posted June 15, 2014 If I recall correctly, this is the way the lens is designed and is mentioned in one of the manuals. I do remember reading this but can't recall where I read it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 15, 2014 Share #3 Posted June 15, 2014 Any idea why it's doing this? Thanks. To maintain the high image quality that Leica requires ....... to achieve this across all the image would otherwise require a lens costing 2-3x the price and be a lot bulkier..... Leica chose to stop down and save your wallet instead. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboch Posted June 15, 2014 Share #4 Posted June 15, 2014 As far as I experienced it, it is only happening at very small distances. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted June 15, 2014 Share #5 Posted June 15, 2014 To maintain the high image quality that Leica requires ....... to achieve this across all the image would otherwise require a lens costing 2-3x the price and be a lot bulkier..... That's a smart feature! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crenshaw84 Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted June 15, 2014 To maintain the high image quality that Leica requires ....... to achieve this across all the image would otherwise require a lens costing 2-3x the price and be a lot bulkier..... Leica chose to stop down and save your wallet instead. So instead of letting the operator control the shot, they've chosen to override creative control? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted June 15, 2014 Share #7 Posted June 15, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) This behavior, or as some want to call it, favor done to us by Leica is reason enough to not get the Leica T for me. Barring situations where I'm limited to using the lens wide open. I use rarely use lenses wide open but when I do it is important for the lens to be fully open. I couldn't give this control up. On the other hand, I'm fairly certain I'm not the target market for the T. The wife, whose birthday gift will be this camera, isn't going to be bothered by this behavior. I wonder if Leica will give the user the choice for the lens behaving this way via future firmware update. I dunno how it would be implemented...maybe have full control in manual mode? Edited June 15, 2014 by CaptZoom for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 15, 2014 Share #8 Posted June 15, 2014 (edited) This behavior, or as some want to call it, favor done to us by Leica is reason enough to not get the Leica T for me. Barring situations where I'm limited to using the lens wide open. I use rarely use lenses wide open but when I do it is important for the lens to be fully open. I couldn't give this control up. On the other hand, I'm fairly certain I'm not the target market for the T. The wife, whose birthday gift will be this camera, isn't going to be bothered by this behavior. I wonder if Leica will give the user the choice for the lens behaving this way via future firmware update. I dunno how it would be implemented...maybe have full control in manual mode? It is only for very close distances ...... and I cannot think of a lot of reasons for wanting LESS d.o.f at distances less than a metre anyway ..... if anything there is usually annoyingly little ..... Edited June 15, 2014 by thighslapper 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted June 15, 2014 Share #9 Posted June 15, 2014 Are we certain that aperture cannot be locked to a desired setting? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptZoom Posted June 15, 2014 Share #10 Posted June 15, 2014 It is only for very close distances ...... and I cannot think of a lot of reasons for wanting LESS d.o.f at distances less than a metre anyway ..... if anything there is usually annoyingly little ..... Exactly...when you do have a reason, it's vitally important. I'd rather Leica (or any other manufacturer) not do me such favors. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeicaS2 Posted June 15, 2014 Share #11 Posted June 15, 2014 At that close a distance, the out of focus variation in treatment of f2.0 vs 2.8 would be pretty hard to see, but the lens performance must be visible. I bet Leica would prefer to see written complaints on this forum rather than photos displaying the problem. CaptZoom, if you are used to paying for M lenses that allow you to have fantastic performance wide open and very close, you are right, no need for a T for you. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 15, 2014 Share #12 Posted June 15, 2014 You can stick a noctilux on it with a T to M converter and a couple of OUFRO's and take macro shots at 0.95 if you want The 23/2 is not the only lens you can use ....... and it's not designed for macro use anyway...... even though it focuses down to 11cm ...... Throwing the dolly out of the pram because you can't use f2 at 11cm is a bit churlish .... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
theboch Posted June 15, 2014 Share #13 Posted June 15, 2014 You can stick a noctilux on it with a T to M converter and a couple of OUFRO's and take macro shots at 0.95 if you want The 23/2 is not the only lens you can use ....... and it's not designed for macro use anyway...... even though it focuses down to 11cm ...... Throwing the dolly out of the pram because you can't use f2 at 11cm is a bit churlish .... Wow I did not yet notice that it can focus that close. Great. I happily take the f2.2 or f2.8 as a trade in. Usually 30cm is the limit... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted June 15, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 15, 2014 Wow I did not yet notice that it can focus that close. Great. I happily take the f2.2 or f2.8 as a trade in. Usually 30cm is the limit... .... oops ...... sorry ....11 inches ......... if you want 11cm you need an X-Vario Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howsol Posted June 15, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 15, 2014 Sean Reid wrote the following: "Leica will have the specifics but is seems that we lose F/2.0 at roughly a half meter focus distance and, as the subject gets closer, that maximum drops to F/2.2, F/2.5 and F/2.8." IMHO, having a 35mm Leica lens focus at F/2.0 down to 20" and then losing one stop as the distance gets smaller is no big deal. How close do you want your subject with a 35mm? I'm impressed with how close the lens focuses. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vikasmg Posted June 16, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 16, 2014 Sean Reid wrote the following: "Leica will have the specifics but is seems that we lose F/2.0 at roughly a half meter focus distance and, as the subject gets closer, that maximum drops to F/2.2, F/2.5 and F/2.8." IMHO, having a 35mm Leica lens focus at F/2.0 down to 20" and then losing one stop as the distance gets smaller is no big deal. How close do you want your subject with a 35mm? I'm impressed with how close the lens focuses. I agree. 11 in is amazing anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satijntje Posted June 27, 2014 Share #17 Posted June 27, 2014 I agree. 11 in is amazing anyway. For leica yes, for other manufacturers no:D John 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted July 6, 2014 Share #18 Posted July 6, 2014 Strange behavior to me, intentional or not. Maybe this is not the AF camera for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted July 7, 2014 Share #19 Posted July 7, 2014 the difference is trivial ....... 3 shots 45cm, 30-35cm, 28cm ......... first is minimum distance for f2, middle f2.5, last is closest focus point at f2.8. I can't see much difference in DOF...... I'm not sure any of this is of any consequence except to macro photographers ...... who are not likely to be using a 35mm equivalent lens anyway ...... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/228872-leica-t-w23mm-changing-aperture-automatically/?do=findComment&comment=2625794'>More sharing options...
IkarusJohn Posted July 15, 2014 Share #20 Posted July 15, 2014 I'm not sure any of this is of any consequence except to macro photographers ...... who are not likely to be using a 35mm equivalent lens anyway ...... I don't know. I will probably use my Nikon micro lens (with stacked adapters) with the T - I've been very impressed with what others have achieved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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