Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Share #1 Posted December 15, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi, I bought a WATE new from Leica store 6 years ago. I tested it for the first time a few months ago and it is the most miserable soft lens I have ever used. I put it on tripod and used remote cable but it makes me really sad. Is there a trick to shoot with this lens or I have a lemon? I have attached a few photos. Also for comparison I have attached a photo with 90 Cron F2. It is a world of difference. 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! 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/316093-wate-produces-very-soft-photos/?do=findComment&comment=4098899'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 15, 2020 Posted December 15, 2020 Hi Leicabuff, Take a look here WATE produces very soft photos. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted December 15, 2020 here is another one. I took a photo with my iphone and that is at least 5 times sharper. 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! 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/316093-wate-produces-very-soft-photos/?do=findComment&comment=4098901'>More sharing options...
Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted December 15, 2020 I will tomorrow morning take some more photos with it. I think I only tried it on 16mm. I will try with 18mm an 21mm. Any suggestions are very appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted December 15, 2020 Share #4 Posted December 15, 2020 You have about 4 stops over exposed for the WATE photo and a much lower shutter speed. One image is at 33% and other at 100%. Also, take a photo with the image covering the same area, e.g at 30x focal length. Hard to say which is sharper when your image has fewer pixels covering the image Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted December 15, 2020 Share #5 Posted December 15, 2020 3 hours ago, Leicabuff said: I bought a WATE new from Leica store 6 years ago. I tested it for the first time a few months ago and it is the most miserable soft lens I have ever used. Didn't you know Leica lenses come with a "USE BY" date? You have to at least open the box and use them once within a month, or they spoil..... 2 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
logan2z Posted December 15, 2020 Share #6 Posted December 15, 2020 1 hour ago, adan said: Didn't you know Leica lenses come with a "USE BY" date? You have to at least open the box and use them once within a month, or they spoil..... I better get my Elmarit 28mm out of the box then. I've had it for three months and have yet to shoot a photo with it. Damn pandemic... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted December 15, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) vor 3 Stunden schrieb Sandokan: You have about 4 stops over exposed for the WATE photo and a much lower shutter speed. One image is at 33% and other at 100%. I didn't setup the exposure. Even if I bring down the exposure, it is soft. One image is shot with 90mm and the other one with 16mm. How can I else show the closeup area when 100% with 90mm would show you only middle frame? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted December 15, 2020 vor 2 Stunden schrieb adan: Didn't you know Leica lenses come with a "USE BY" date? You have to at least open the box and use them once within a month, or they spoil..... Are you serious or you are trying to be funny? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted December 15, 2020 Share #9 Posted December 15, 2020 vor 10 Minuten schrieb Leicabuff: I didn't setup the exposure. Do set the exposure, then. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted December 15, 2020 Share #10 Posted December 15, 2020 If I put my sunglasses on and look closely at the vastly over exposed second image it looks like it is sharp, but not at the point where the OP has focused in the first photo. Is this simply a case of some front focusing that needs adjusting? As an alternative I like Andy's explanation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobert Posted December 15, 2020 Share #11 Posted December 15, 2020 This is so unlike the WATE. The foto’s should be sprankling and sharp. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted December 15, 2020 Share #12 Posted December 15, 2020 I would set exposure and focus carefully, with an EVF preferably. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkP Posted December 15, 2020 Share #13 Posted December 15, 2020 57 minutes ago, Leicabuff said: Are you serious or you are trying to be funny? Are you serious or trying to be funny? 4 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Blanko Posted December 15, 2020 Share #14 Posted December 15, 2020 (edited) I would agree that the second photo is significantly overexposed but does not necessarily seem to be blurry. Setting the exposure properly and focusing based on the scale or electronic viewfinder/liveview should provide a reliable basis to judge whether your WATE creates soft images or is as sharp as I would know this from my WATE. Maybe you have one of the special Thambar WATE limited edition? 🤔😏 Edited December 15, 2020 by Robert Blanko 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Michel Posted December 15, 2020 Share #15 Posted December 15, 2020 In general, images posted on a website are basically useless for any sort of diagnostics. The WATE image that you posted, a screen capture, does not show anything useful for anyone to be able to advise or help you. Since you purchased the lens from a Leica store, you may want to takeout there and speak with someone competent there; just maybe there is an issue with your lens. I have a WATE. It produces sharp images. For exposure, remember that the centre-weighed meter measures about 1/3 of the scene area;.that sometimes can result in a skewed exposure unless you evaluate the scene and adjust it. The EVF can help for that. For focusing: (if needed!) , best is to focus with the rangefinder, and view with the EVF, unless you have the frankenfinder. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted December 15, 2020 Share #16 Posted December 15, 2020 7 hours ago, Leicabuff said: One image is shot with 90mm and the other one with 16mm. How can I else show the closeup area when 100% with 90mm would show you only middle frame? Stand back farther when using the 90 - so that the whole picture is made with the same total field of view as with the WATE. To reasonably compare performance from two leses of different focal lengths, you need to position the lenses so that the scene fills the frame equally with both (equal magnification). That will be closely proportional to the ratio of the focal lengths. I.E. to fairly compare a WATE at 16mm to a 90mm lens, you should photograph the subject from 0.8 meters (50 x 16mm) with the 16mm - and from 4.5 meters (50 x 90mm) with the 90mm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaeger Posted December 15, 2020 Share #17 Posted December 15, 2020 He probably has a HATE lens... or WHAT... just rearrange the letters and it will work as expected. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share #18 Posted December 15, 2020 (edited) vor 10 Stunden schrieb pop: Do set the exposure, then. So you mean set everything manual? I did but it still overexposure for some reason. None of the other 3 lenses does this. I usually set the aperture and set to A and let the $7000 camera decide the exposure but I have a light meter. Will use that to set manual. vor 10 Stunden schrieb lct: I would set exposure and focus carefully, with an EVF preferably. I use EVF. When using EVF it doesn't show the issue. vor 10 Stunden schrieb 250swb: If I put my sunglasses on and look closely at the vastly over exposed second image it looks like it is sharp, but not at the point where the OP has focused in the first photo. Is this simply a case of some front focusing that needs adjusting? As an alternative I like Andy's explanation. Dang! You are the MAN! It front focus so much that I can't even see in the photo. I focused much higher and see the button of the paper is in focus, BUT it is still not sharp. vor 10 Stunden schrieb Gobert: This is so unlike the WATE. The foto’s should be sprankling and sharp. There is something wrong with this lens. Edited December 15, 2020 by Leicabuff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share #19 Posted December 15, 2020 vor 9 Stunden schrieb MarkP: Are you serious or trying to be funny? That is a dumb comment. You don't make fun of people who are struggling with something. It is not funny! vor 2 Stunden schrieb jaeger: He probably has a HATE lens... or WHAT... just rearrange the letters and it will work as expected. That is a dumb comment. You don't make fun of people who are struggling with something. It is not funny! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicabuff Posted December 15, 2020 Author Share #20 Posted December 15, 2020 I have never dropped the lens. Why would front focus so much? What is the reason for overexposure? I can't see any of these issues with EVF. Neither overexposure, nor the front focusing. Please keep your black humor for yourself. If you can't help then move on to the next thread. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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