Planes separation in images

[Al_OOF]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I would like to have the comfort of your opinion on something that I have often noticed when reading reviews in which different lenses were compared, with explanatory images. Apart from sharpness or other parameters I almost always noticed that the images made with Leica lenses had the specific characteristic of having a better separation between the various planes, in depth. For example, I remember some photos of vegetation where, in non Leica lenses, branches and leaves at different distances were flattened, while with Leica the separation of the groups at different distances was more evident.

Have you noticed a similar effect ?

In case I think it would be difficult to explain why in technical terms ...

[tobey bilek]

Leica lenses excel at local contrast.   The latest somehow have slim plane of focus dropping off fast closer and further.   Makes your subject stand out.  Chief designer likes this .

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[pico]

Older lenses have more spherical aberration which gives a different impression of 3D.

[Al_OOF]

Older lenses have more spherical aberration which gives a different impression of 3D.

But my consideration was on the comparison between Leica lenses and other brands of the same age, not between old and new. So this could mean that Leica lenses have more spherical aberration than other brands ... (?)

[pico]

But my consideration was on the comparison between Leica lenses and other brands of the same age, not between old and new. So this could mean that Leica lenses have more spherical aberration than other brands ... (?)

 

In my humble opinion, Karbe's designs flatten OOF which results in harsh backgrounds. Transitions at the boundaries in focus are a different story; they are better in the shallow focused area but overall image suffers. That's my impression with the result that I will refrain from Karbe, indeed, I will not obtain any APO lens, either.

 

If I were to find a position for a Karbe lens it would be in reconnaissance photography.

Edited December 3, 2017 by pico

[a.noctilux]

Micro contrast may be the answer.

 

Some even say nano contrast, but that's another story.

 

Mainly, on my lenses, Mandler's lenses are in this type : Noctilux 1.0 , Summilux 50mm and 75mm .

Subtle rendering of colors is another answer.

 

To have idea of micro contrast..

Here is a link, even the blog does't mention Leitz/Leica (but Zeiss):

http://yannickkhong.com/blog/2016/2/8/micro-contrast-the-biggest-optical-luxury-of-the-world