The 24-90
Aram Langhans
(Semi) Retired Science Teacher
& Unemployed photographer
"The Human Genome Project has proved Darwin more right than Darwin himself
would ever have dared dream." James D. Watson
From: leicareflex-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:leicareflex-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Frank Filippone
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2015 10:05 PM
To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [LRflex] Re: A close-up look at some SL Photos
What lens was used?
BTW, reading Jpeg files for testing if the lens is sharp is not the best
methodology. You want to see the actual RAW output file..
Frank Filippone
Red735i@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:Red735i@xxxxxxxxxxx>
I was given the opportunity to look at two full size JPEG files taken with
the SL camera. The undisclosed source told me that the files are minimally
processed almost "out of the box" files, and asked that I share my thoughts
on them with the group w/o sharing the actual photos. Taken of course with
a preproduction SL, since none are in production. The photographer, not the
source, is said to be a pro working mainly with a Canon 5D. He states: "Did
those snaps last night at the studio of Leica headquarter in Wetzlar after
the official product launch (800 people from all over the world!). These are
quick developments in PS from DNG-Raw."
One file is of a model decked out in some feathery outfit.. The shot goes
from above the head to the elbow, to give you an idea of scale. I will say
the sharpness is amazing. No doubt due to the lack of an AA filter and of
course Leica glass. I was a bit put off by the fact that the photographer
missed the eyes for focus, and instead I have a very sharp rendering of the
nose. Sharp indeed. But no doubt a smaller f-stop would have been useful.
EXIF says f-5.6, so the photographer must really have missed the focus.
Probably the mob of people was a real factor here, too. Looking around the
photo for the in-focus aspects, the fine feathers and textures of the
clothes are truly very sharp. This could have been a very nice portrait. It
was taken at ISO 100 and at 1:1 I cannot see any "grain" in the out of focus
areas.
The second photo is of some kitchen knives on a rough plank with some wood,
fruit and a few other things scattered about. The camera is at perhaps a 60
degree angle to the surface. Again, the depth of field seems to be lacking.
It is focused dead center, but with insufficient DOF to make any judgements
about corner sharpness, because they are not in focus. But again, looking
at what is in focus, it is very sharp. Wonderful textures in the wood and
objects. Not dissimilar to when I use my Leica 35-70/4 on my Nikon. It
outshines my Nikon lenses. It was taken at f-5.0 and 65mm, ISO 200.
The color on both are amazing. The detail is also amazing. I have no doubt
this camera will compete well with existing DSLR's and mirrorless cameras as
far as image quality is concerned. Wish I could have seen photos that would
test the dynamic range, but not so with these photos.
Hope this give some of you more information than you already had. I am not
paid by Leica, nor can I afford to use Leica anymore, other than the R
lenses I have adapted to my Nikon.
Aram
Aram Langhans
(Semi) Retired Science Teacher
& Unemployed photographer
"The Human Genome Project has proved Darwin more right than Darwin himself
would ever have dared dream." James D. Watson
