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New SL with 24-90... image quality


JamesBarry

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I came from medium format and bought into Leica SL system. The 24-90/SL combo does not have that level of detail. It is like a good 35mm system - not surprisingly as it is one.

 

The results from my 24-90 are sharp and in focus always.(which I can not say for any of my canikonsonyfuji I had).

So superiour to anything you get from a different 35mm system.(yes I had the a7r2 as well as the 5dsr)

 

Shots I took with the 90mm summarit are crisper at any aperture, you would only see that if you compare them 1:1 and on 100%. The results from the 24-90 should be good enough and you would only see a difference in very large prints.

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I read a digiloyd review on the 24-90 after I bought my SL and 24-90 and was shocked to read how bad his experience was with the SL and 24-90. 

So I tried very hard to replicate his problems in order to be able to take the camera back if I could see the same issues.

 

I couldn't replicate his issues as much as I tried. The Sl and 24-90 performs exactly like they should for a 25 megapixel chip matched to a zoom. The 24-90 outresolves thje sensor capabilities. I could not get edfge softness like digiloyd pointed to. I could not get any of the issues he loudly  smashed the table over.

 

The SL has been widely criticised by many - however in my experience it easilly ourtperforms autofocus on the Nikon 800E and 810 I used to own - and the 24-90 is better than any example of similar zoom I have used in Canon and Nikon systems previously - by far. IF one then adds to this mix the ability to use the best Leica M or Zeiss primes and get them to actually focus properly easilly because of the zoom feature - one is miles ahead of traditional mirror box systems - something I never thought I would ever be able to say.

 

The gate tgest posted example is not in focus - let alone sharp.

 

Comments regarding sharpness out of the so called camera box when it comes to digital processing are useless feedback for people. All digital chips require sharpening in order to get maximum IQ from file - amongst other things. Posting images on a forum in order to discuss IQ is probl;ematic because of the need to explain exactly what was done to the file and hwo the file was then prepared for internet viewing - afer taking intoi account the particular sites rules and recommendations.

 

So many variables - so little time! :)

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I read a digiloyd review on the 24-90 after I bought my SL and 24-90 and was shocked to read how bad his experience was with the SL and 24-90.

So I tried very hard to replicate his problems in order to be able to take the camera back if I could see the same issues.

 

I couldn't replicate his issues as much as I tried. The Sl and 24-90 performs exactly like they should for a 25 megapixel chip matched to a zoom. The 24-90 outresolves thje sensor capabilities. I could not get edfge softness like digiloyd pointed to. I could not get any of the issues he loudly smashed the table over.

 

The SL has been widely criticised by many - however in my experience it easilly ourtperforms autofocus on the Nikon 800E and 810 I used to own - and the 24-90 is better than any example of similar zoom I have used in Canon and Nikon systems previously - by far. IF one then adds to this mix the ability to use the best Leica M or Zeiss primes and get them to actually focus properly easilly because of the zoom feature - one is miles ahead of traditional mirror box systems - something I never thought I would ever be able to say.

 

The gate tgest posted example is not in focus - let alone sharp.

 

Comments regarding sharpness out of the so called camera box when it comes to digital processing are useless feedback for people. All digital chips require sharpening in order to get maximum IQ from file - amongst other things. Posting images on a forum in order to discuss IQ is probl;ematic because of the need to explain exactly what was done to the file and hwo the file was then prepared for internet viewing - afer taking intoi account the particular sites rules and recommendations.

 

So many variables - so little time! :)

Hi PeterGA!

I traded in Nikon D810, Nikon 24-70/f2.8 Nano for SL 601 and SL 24-90/f 2.8-4.0 ASPH. I am happy with my decision until now and will not look back NiCan!

Have a nice weekend!

Phongph!

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Just getting the hang of this... ISO 800, 90mm, f/4, 1/125.  Focused on top gate rail, manual, single point (focussed with great care..)

 

Hope this is a clearer example!  Soft?

 

The wonders of AF.

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nb.

from my testing the actual focus point is at or just below the bottom of the cross. It would have been helpful if Leica had used a 'box' to give some idea of the actual limits of the focussing area. 

 

I always tend to pick a focus point that is contrasty and avoid large swathes of granular foliage/buildings/sky etc ..... if I recall I had similar issues in certain situations initially and seem to have 'trained' myself to compensate.

 

I would run some tests on subjects where there can be no doubt whatsoever as to the focus point and at 50 iso with shutter speeds that completely eliminate camera shake (you can ignore aperture).

 

Also ..... the EVF is so good that you should be able to assess images immediately on review with 100% magnification and be confident that it will be the final result...... unlike the M9 and some other cameras where you could never be sure until processed. 

 

If you still get poor results then ask your dealer to swap for another lens (or complete kit). At this price I wouldn't take no for an answer. 

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If the first photo is taken, than any AF issues should not be a problem. (the trees/forest)

If the results with a time as short as 1/500th or 1/1000th are still not crisp (at least in one place/area) then I see currently no other explanation than a "monday" model and would also request an exchange. (Or the camera is set to a lower resolution).

But first it would be wise to test at least one other lens on this camera - the lux if it comes back soon, or the Canon wideangle you still have. Or simply ask the dealer in the shop to lend you another Leica lens for half an hour if possible.

(I am actually a bit surprised that you have not at least one old Leica lens lying around ;)  ) - or maybe you are in a photo club and somebody could lend a cheap old M 50 lens to you ... (or ZM or Voigtlaender)

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nb.

from my testing the actual focus point is at or just below the bottom of the cross. It would have been helpful if Leica had used a 'box' to give some idea of the actual limits of the focussing area. 

 

I always tend to pick a focus point that is contrasty and avoid large swathes of granular foliage/buildings/sky etc ..... if I recall I had similar issues in certain situations initially and seem to have 'trained' myself to compensate.

 

I would run some tests on subjects where there can be no doubt whatsoever as to the focus point and at 50 iso with shutter speeds that completely eliminate camera shake (you can ignore aperture).

 

Also ..... the EVF is so good that you should be able to assess images immediately on review with 100% magnification and be confident that it will be the final result...... unlike the M9 and some other cameras where you could never be sure until processed. 

 

If you still get poor results then ask your dealer to swap for another lens (or complete kit). At this price I wouldn't take no for an answer. 

 

 

Interesting.  I will run more, hopefully, conclusive tests later.  My nearest dealer is 150 miles from where I live so not so easy to borrow a lens for a short test period but hope to get the Lux back soon (this is my only M lens sadly...)  They are fine about exchanging 24-90 for another if it comes to that; we'll see.

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I´ve been using the SL with it´s zoom for about a month now (professionally) and I have to say, that there is nothing soft at all. It focusses like a charm, is spot on and has no focus shift whatsoever.

I just did a comparison with the canon 24-70 ii at all apertures to f8.0 and yeah, optical performance is almost identical. Imo the Leica zoom renders a bit better but it´s very hard to see and might only be my brain because I paid so much for it ;)

 

The 24-90 is tack sharp and I also did a nice shot of Vienna´s giant ferris wheel at 1/15th of a second and with the IS also that came out super sharp.

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I´ve been using the SL with it´s zoom for about a month now (professionally) and I have to say, that there is nothing soft at all. It focusses like a charm, is spot on and has no focus shift whatsoever.

I just did a comparison with the canon 24-70 ii at all apertures to f8.0 and yeah, optical performance is almost identical. Imo the Leica zoom renders a bit better but it´s very hard to see and might only be my brain because I paid so much for it ;)

 

The 24-90 is tack sharp and I also did a nice shot of Vienna´s giant ferris wheel at 1/15th of a second and with the IS also that came out super sharp.

 

 

That's good to hear.  Can I ask what focussing method you use, M or AF, joystick or shutter release? ... grey, miserable, wet and children's half term here so no chance to perform any half decent follow-up testing as yet... desperate to short this out once and for all!

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Hmm. I don't know what the issue might be.

 

I've been using the SL24-90 more and more lately, getting used to its excellent performance and versatility despite the size and weight. Comparing it to my Summicron-R 90mm and M-Rokkor 90mm f/4 (same as Elmar-C), they are each different in their rendering qualities but the performance (sharpness, contrast, etc) when set to f/5.6 or smaller is well "on par" with each other. I've used both manual and auto focusing with the SL lens with equal quality results. Wide open shows a lot more differences—and there certainly ought to be differences between an f/2 prime, an f/4 prime, and an f/4 zoom that differ in age by thirty years.

 

Unless you have a bad example (it certainly can happen), I am not sure what can make the lens perform poorly if your focusing and exposure technique is good.

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That's good to hear.  Can I ask what focussing method you use, M or AF, joystick or shutter release? ... grey, miserable, wet and children's half term here so no chance to perform any half decent follow-up testing as yet... desperate to short this out once and for all!

 

 I was using manual focus. Camera on tripod with first lens shot at 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0 then the other lens. i only focussed once and then shot at all apertures. I was using the shutter release. The reason I was doing this was not to test sharpness actually but to have a bokeh comparison between the two lenses. I was hoping that the sl 24-90 was a big deal better compared to the Canon but sadly it is not :/

Meaning both lenses are stunning, it´s just that the Leica is double the price and 300g heavier und bulkier. i still love it though :)

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I read a digiloyd review on the 24-90 after I bought my SL and 24-90 and was shocked to read how bad his experience was with the SL and 24-90. 

So I tried very hard to replicate his problems in order to be able to take the camera back if I could see the same issues.

 

I couldn't replicate his issues as much as I tried. The Sl and 24-90 performs exactly like they should for a 25 megapixel chip matched to a zoom. The 24-90 outresolves thje sensor capabilities. I could not get edfge softness like digiloyd pointed to. I could not get any of the issues he loudly  smashed the table over.

 

The SL has been widely criticised by many - however in my experience it easilly ourtperforms autofocus on the Nikon 800E and 810 I used to own - and the 24-90 is better than any example of similar zoom I have used in Canon and Nikon systems previously - by far. IF one then adds to this mix the ability to use the best Leica M or Zeiss primes and get them to actually focus properly easilly because of the zoom feature - one is miles ahead of traditional mirror box systems - something I never thought I would ever be able to say.

 

The gate tgest posted example is not in focus - let alone sharp.

 

Comments regarding sharpness out of the so called camera box when it comes to digital processing are useless feedback for people. All digital chips require sharpening in order to get maximum IQ from file - amongst other things. Posting images on a forum in order to discuss IQ is probl;ematic because of the need to explain exactly what was done to the file and hwo the file was then prepared for internet viewing - afer taking intoi account the particular sites rules and recommendations.

 

So many variables - so little time! :)

 

 

This issue digilloyd pointed out was not about AF per se, but an imprecise definition of the focus point in the viewfinder. It was corrected in the first firmware update, so no wonder you cannot reproduce it now. Beyond that, digilloyd always bashes Leica if he can.

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Good morning.  Ok, I tried a kitchen shot, focused on "2" of the tape measure - AF, ISO 50, 90mm, f8, 0.8sec - 20 sec timer using a v sturdy tripod/head

 

Same results using MF and AF at f4 and f8

 

 

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I reckon this could be sharper... I've tried peppers, garlic, saucepan edges and now the tape measure

 

 

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Is the crop at 100% or 200% ? ....... it looks like the latter if this is a crop from the original photo ....... and is the image sharpened at all in LR above the default '25' from a DNG ? ....... or just a straight JPG from the camera ? 

 

I've tried a similar set up .......

 

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same camera settings ....... DNG sharpened to 80 (probably a bit more than needed) in LR and exported as 100% crop ......

 

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Still not sure what is going on.......

 

If you are using JPG out of camera ..... have you got the JPG menus settings correct ???

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