The wide angle issue

[gmaurizio]

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I once tested a salpe of the 17-35, and I have to say this particular 17-35 was nor really sharp at f2.8 and f.4. Even my 17-55 was sharper at 17 and at 35 mm.

 

Tom, there is no arguing about the fact that Leica has better quality control than Nikon or Canon. That does not mean that if you find a soft sample of a Nikon lens, Nikon will not take care of it for free, since they really do. In our experience, we had more problems with Leica lenses than with Nikon lenses out of the box.

I see many posts about poor performance of items, and I guess if these people just take it as a fact of life. The 17-35mm is known for sample variability, and it might take a trip to Nikon to adjust, but it is a RAZOR SHARP lens, magnificent performer. So far, we only could use in its design point with film or the Kodak DCS pro (not a good low light camera). Now the D3 opens up a new view of these lenses, as well as the superb 105mm F2 DC, the 85mm F1.4 and the 28mm F1.4 AF.

While rangefinders used to have an edge in shorter focal lengths due to the better accuracy, the D3 51 points AF system challenges that and, in my opinion, succeeds. If not for the fact that focus shift is better controlled due to more elements spread to correct aberrations. The price paid is in bulk and weight, but definitely not in image quality.

Time will tell, and I love my Leica, being PJ. I guess we will have to learn to live with multiple systems, since there is no way one system will cover every possible professional need.

Also, mastering wide angles takes a lot of patience and skill. I wonder when the wide-angle fashion fades, how many people claiming they can not live without their 21mm or 15mm, can actully show WOW pictures. Most of our work still is with 35mm (fov equivalent) and 50mm. Very few wide angle shots make it to the public.

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[sean_reid]

Now, if Voigtlander were to offer a rangefinder couled 15mm, that would upset the applecart. IMHO, it would have to be a screw thread though so it could be coded...

 

That's exactly what they should do. They did it with the 25. The 15 should be next - good point.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[wparsonsgisnet]

... If you get a chance, take a look at the ultra-wides for RF article again. The "depth", "3D" etc. is primarily contrast. .

 

I think the WATE is an excellent and versatile lens (and I recommend it) but my favorite "15" is the Zeiss 18. That lens, in my mind, sets the optical standard in ultra-wide RF lenses ,,, Sean

 

Sean, I will revisit your reviews during next week.

 

I guess I used the wrong description in my comment before. I am usually disappointed by lenses other than Leica's (have not used any Zeiss lenses, yet). If Leica does not produce the wide prime I want, I will be looking at the Zeiss 15mm f2.8. I will also evaluate the Leica 15mm-R f2.8 lens.

 

What I meant by depth is really what I call the "roundness" of images from Leica lenses. They contribute a 3D effect to images. These images are more tangible to me. This is, of course, fortunate for Leica.

 

I see an apparent roundness- 3dimensionality-substantiality to images from Leica lenses. It has been apparent to me with images from the DMR and the M8 as soon as they appeared on the Forum. This is what appeals to me in imaging.

 

The pix I get from the CV15 are fine. As I have posted, I have to crank it to f11 to get a good shot. This is particularly odd to me since the image is already degrading at this point from diffussion. I had a used CV15 and sent it back and got a new one. It will do until something that costs enuf comes along.

[tom0511]

Tom, there is no arguing about the fact that Leica has better quality control than Nikon or Canon. That does not mean that if you find a soft sample of a Nikon lens, Nikon will not take care of it for free, since they really do. In our experience, we had more problems with Leica lenses than with Nikon lenses out of the box.

I see many posts about poor performance of items, and I guess if these people just take it as a fact of life. The 17-35mm is known for sample variability, and it might take a trip to Nikon to adjust, but it is a RAZOR SHARP lens, magnificent performer. So far, we only could use in its design point with film or the Kodak DCS pro (not a good low light camera). Now the D3 opens up a new view of these lenses, as well as the superb 105mm F2 DC, the 85mm F1.4 and the 28mm F1.4 AF.

While rangefinders used to have an edge in shorter focal lengths due to the better accuracy, the D3 51 points AF system challenges that and, in my opinion, succeeds. If not for the fact that focus shift is better controlled due to more elements spread to correct aberrations. The price paid is in bulk and weight, but definitely not in image quality.

Time will tell, and I love my Leica, being PJ. I guess we will have to learn to live with multiple systems, since there is no way one system will cover every possible professional need.

Also, mastering wide angles takes a lot of patience and skill. I wonder when the wide-angle fashion fades, how many people claiming they can not live without their 21mm or 15mm, can actully show WOW pictures. Most of our work still is with 35mm (fov equivalent) and 50mm. Very few wide angle shots make it to the public.

 

I have the 28/1.4 and 85/1.4 and I am struggeling with myself to replace my Nikon bodys with a D3 because of these two lenses. A good AF might allow me to get a better percentage of sharp images when shooting wide open but I allways found the 85 too long with the dx multiplier.

But I am worried since the D3 is even a bit bigger/heavier than the d2x, which I allready find big.

I also wonder how the D3 with good lenses compares to the Leica lenses on a M8 or on a DMR.

I wonder how a D3+85/1.4 compares to a M8+75/1.4 or M8+50/1.4 image in character.

cheers, Tom

[gmaurizio]

I also wonder how the D3 with good lenses compares to the Leica lenses on a M8 or on a DMR.

I wonder how a D3+85/1.4 compares to a M8+75/1.4 or M8+50/1.4 image in character.

cheers, Tom

I would say the 105mm f2 dc trumps leica lenses. The 85 f1.4 is very good.