Disappointing Full Res files - Must be doing something wrong !

[AdamMark]

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Hello,

I’m on the brink of purchasing a new Leica Q2.

I have downloaded some full resolution ( 82MB ) DNG’s into Lightroom CC mobile.

I have to say that when pixel peeping ( ie expanding the image on my IPAD pro screen x 4 using my fingers ) the peripheral areas of the frame are not crisp.  These are images taken at F5.6 and a reasonably fast shutter speed.

Any suggestions , Am I doing something wrong ? 

Would be grateful to receive any replies - good or bad.

Thanks,

Adam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Le Chef]

Has the software added lens corrections to the images? If not, that’s the first place to address what you consider to be an issue, then take another look.

Edited January 7, 2023 by Le Chef

[AdamMark]

Thanks - Should lens correction be added to the image for optimal image quality ?

[Stuart Richardson]

Hi Adam,

No, I don't think you are doing anything wrong. If you are picky about image quality, the Q2 lens is not super sharp at the edges of the frame. It is quite sharp on center. That said, it is good, just not great in the edges and corners. In some cases there can be field curvature that might mess with the performance a bit, but in general it is not as sharp as Leica's SL Summicrons, for example. If you look at the MTF of the lens, this will be evident. The softness seems to be a trade off for the wide angle and fast lens. In other respects, the lens does quite well. There is not a lot of color fringing, the bokeh is nice, and it is sharp on center even wide open and it focuses extremely close. If the goal is for extra sharp edge to edge sharpness, however, I think there are probably better options. I am not sure any of them from Leica would be cheaper, however.

[Nachtmsk]

Well you said you wanted good and bad.
Unless you are planning on shooting images for a billboard (I'd use a large format camera for that anyway), or you have a definite reason for needing perfection out of your glass, the thing you are doing "wrong" is caring that the edges of the image when blown up 4x, aren't perfect. Don't worry about perfection as much as character. I have the Q2M, the lens is excellent.

[Le Chef]

38 minutes ago, AdamMark said:

Thanks - Should lens correction be added to the image for optimal image quality ?

Yes. That will allow you to see what the manufacturer intended you to see.

[jaapv]

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13 hours ago, AdamMark said:

Thanks - Should lens correction be added to the image for optimal image quality ?

Mandatory. Lens correction is part of the design. 

[250swb]

You still need some sharpening.

[Farrell Gallery]

More shooting, less pixel peeping 

[gotium]

Not sure how closely you are pixel peeping but the Q series cameras are not very sharp at the edges - the lens is very sharp indeed in the center and the overall rendering is usually very pleasing, but if you are a pro landscape photographer you'll probably want something else. I don't think you can turn OFF the lens correction unless you really try.

[bobtodrick]

2 hours ago, gotium said:

Not sure how closely you are pixel peeping but the Q series cameras are not very sharp at the edges - the lens is very sharp indeed in the center and the overall rendering is usually very pleasing, but if you are a pro landscape photographer you'll probably want something else. I don't think you can turn OFF the lens correction unless you really try.

I don’t think many consider the Q/Q2 to be the ideal landscape camera.

[M11 for me]

vor 5 Minuten schrieb bobtodrick:

I don’t think many consider the Q/Q2 to be the ideal landscape camera.

How do you come to that conclusion? 28mm is very well suited for landscape.

 

vor 7 Minuten schrieb bobtodrick:

but if you are a pro landscape photographer you'll probably want something else

What would you propose? Do you mean more resolution or different focal length?

[bobtodrick]

2 hours ago, M11 for me said:

How do you come to that conclusion? 28mm is very well suited for landscape.

 

What would you propose? Do you mean more resolution or different focal length?

Both.  A GFX with a couple of different focal lengths.

You’ll notice Adams or Sexton weren’t out there with a 35mm or a fixed lens Rolleiflex.

Didn’t say you can’t shoot a landscape with a Q…but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

You could conceivably do street photography with a 4x5…wouldn’t be my first choice.

[M11 for me]

vor 13 Stunden schrieb bobtodrick:

Both.  A GFX with a couple of different focal lengths.

You’ll notice Adams or Sexton weren’t out there with a 35mm or a fixed lens Rolleiflex.

Didn’t say you can’t shoot a landscape with a Q…but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

You could conceivably do street photography with a 4x5…wouldn’t be my first choice.

Thx for your clarification. Fair enough. I understand you well.

[AdamMark]

Thanks everybody.  I have placed an order for a Q2 - Super excited 

Does anybody know if the Leica thumb grip has any rubber padding or similar on the back of it ? 

I mention this as I am concerned , that if it doesn’t , then it will scratch the camera body.

Thank you.

Kindest regards, 

Adam.

 

[M11 for me]

I can only talk about the grip of the M11. But this one is done perfectly well and by no means it will scratch your camera. I presume thar the part for the Q2 is made in the same quality bracket.

[gotium]

On 1/11/2023 at 5:13 AM, AdamMark said:

Thanks everybody.  I have placed an order for a Q2 - Super excited 

Does anybody know if the Leica thumb grip has any rubber padding or similar on the back of it ? 

I mention this as I am concerned , that if it doesn’t , then it will scratch the camera body.

Thank you.

Kindest regards, 

Adam.

 

It’s rubber backed but I really don’t think you need it. You get used to the camera without it, and it adds quite a bit of weight. 

[Marc B-C]

2 minutes ago, gotium said:

It’s rubber backed but I really don’t think you need it. You get used to the camera without it, and it adds quite a bit of weight. 

I think this is a decision for each person to make: our hands and fingers are all different. I cannot hold my Q2 comfortably or safely for any length of time without both the thumb grip and the handgrip. 

@AdamMark it is rubber backed and is absolutely not heavy at all. There are also cheaper non Leica versions out there if you wish to try one first without committing Leica money to something you may well end up not using. i bought the Leica Q2 protector but have only used it once. Others may consider it essential.