Leica M9P Sensor Defect Example

Published in my Guide to Leica is an example of a bad pixel column on the M9P sensor. All digital sensors are susceptible to such issues, but since most DSLRs contain an anti-aliasing filter which blurs away the issue, it rarely becomes visible. But the Leica M9 / M9P does not have an anti-aliasing filter, so any such defects show up.

Sensor defects can generally be mapped out in software, so my Leica M9P is at Leica being fixed. I will of course verify that the map-out does not result in some other oddity.

Leica M9 vs Sony NEX

Which is sharper? Which has the best color?

Now published in my Guide to Leica is a comparison of the 18MP Leica M9P to the Sony NEX-7 and Sony NEX-5N, using the Leica 24mm ƒ/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH on the Sony NEX bodies, and the Leica 35mm ƒ/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH FLE (2010) on the Leica M9P.

At about $1200, the 24-megapixel Sony NEX-7 is a fraction of the price of the 18-megapixel Leica M9/M9P. Has the time of the ALLVIEW camera arrived?

Test scene

Fujifilm 16MP X-Pro1 Now Available for Pre-Order

Fuji X-Pro1

B&H Photo has the 16-megapixel Fujfifilm X-Pro1 and the Fuji 18mm ƒ/2, 35mm ƒ/1.4 and 60mm ƒ/2.4 lenses available for pre-order.

I will be reviewing the X-Pro1 as a priority, to be included in DAP, also with some coverage of Leica M lenses in my Guide to Leica.

The Fuji X-Pro1 is an exciting new ALLVIEW camera, as it can take not only the Fuji lenses, but also Leica M, Zeiss ZM and Voigtlander M-mount lenses.

See my discussions of the Fuji X-Pro1 sensor and Fuji X-Pro1 lenses and lens mount, and the using Leica M, Zeiss ZM and Voigtlander M-mount lenses on the Fuji X-Pro1.

Acratech GP-ss Ballhead Specs

Read my review of the Acratech GP and GP-ss ballheads. Highly recommended.

Acratech has released specs on the new GP-ss ballhead, a diminutive but full-featured head for traveling light.

Acratech GP-ss ballhead specs

Another ALLVIEW camera: Ricoh GXR with Leica M Mount

Architectural and interior photographer Kit L comments on the Ricoh GXR (another ALLVIEW camera) with its GXR Mount A12 For Leica M Mount Lens module—

I know that when you were looking at the GXR, the M-module had not been released. I have a GXR, the EVF, and the M-module, and a bunch of tiny CV lenses.

Here is a sequence of completely uncorrected (apart from WB) images for a customer; all were shot at ƒ8, using the CV 12/5.6,

The colours are accurate, the distortion is very low, and the great upside of that modular design is that you can put the camera right into the corner of any room, tilt the EVF up, and see pretty much the whole room with this lens. Focus (if you need to), press the shutter, step out of the way, wait for the timer to do its thing, and you're done. Unless you have tried to do this with (say) a Nikon D3/D3s or a Sony A850, this aspect might not mean much—but all the Live View in the world (D3/D3s) won't help you one iota if you can't see the LCD. And using right angle magnifiers on the OVF of either the Sony or the Nikon will not tell you critical focus. If you do use Live View (Nikon) and a Hoodman loupe, for example, the camera–tripod will need to be far enough out of the corner to let you get behind it—meaning the amount of any interior the lens will cover will be reduced.

Personally, the GXR is the most intelligently designed tool I have ever used, and this claim covers a lot of camera territory. It is also incredibly customisable, and all settings are really saved (is anyone at Nikon listening?). All settings may be recalled and edited after being saved, too.

The EVF and the LCD both use an innovative separate-button approach to the focus aids, which really work. F1 enlarges the image; F2 engages a Black/White full-screen peaking mode (on either the full, or magnified, image) and a half press of the shutter button returns you to full screen for final framing. It works, and it works well, and it's quick to use.

Is it perfect? No, it needs a better EVF, and you really can't use the LCD either for accurate image review for either critical sharpness or colour, but I do use the histogram—and now I know what the camera is doing, I trust it and have made some lovely images with exposure spot-on, too.

Only APS-C, and only 12Mp, but no AA filter, and truly excellent inexpensive lenses. It's not until you see the images on a decent monitor that you realize what detail the camera's capturing. And, according to Ricoh, this module has been optimized for WA lenses; this CV 12 looks as good (to me) as the 14–24 looked on the D3, and that's a very good camera–lens combination indeed. And the Sony APC-C 16Mp sensor is rumoured to be coming out soon in what will be called the 'A-16 M-module', but without AA filter, and that will be even better than the current one.

DIGLLOYD: Looks like yet another great ALLVIEW option for Leica M, Voigtlander M and Zeiss ZM lenses!.

Color: it appears to me that there is some modest bluish color shading in the corners, only to be expected since the Leica M8 and M9 are not free of this, even with lens correction.

Ricoh GXR with Cosina Voigtlander 12mm ƒ/5.6 Heliar
(image © Copyright 2012 Kit Laughlin, used with permission)

Sony NEX-5N Color Shading With Leica M Lenses (and Sony 24/1.8)

Just published in my Sony NEX review in DAP are color shading results on the Sony NEX-5N with Leica M lenses. The results are markedly different from the Sony NEX-7 color shading results.

Why is this interesting (besides color)? Because color shading (caused by ray angle issues) might well be a predictor of off-center sharpness, at least that is my hypothesis, which I shall be testing with some field work coming soon in my review.

Thanks to B&H Photo for making the Sony NEX-7 and Sony NEX-7 and Sony lenses available for testing— see my gear pages for handy buying links with in-stock status.

Sony NEX-5N color shading with Sony 24/1.8 Sonnar and Leica M lenses

Reader Comment: Acratech GP Ballheads

Reader Chuck T comments on the Acratech GP ballhead:

I have been using one of these, on my lightest weight tripod for 3+ years now. I do love the light weight and very smooth action this ball head affords me. I would like to mention a few notes I have discovered.

1) I also use a lot of Really Right Stuff gear, and this Acratech GP ball head cannot use any of the RRS clamps. The clamp that comes with the Acratech is the one you must use.

2) Although the "gimbal head" mode looks very intriguing, it makes nearly all tripod situations unstable. This is because the Center of Mass has moved sideways AND (because you are using the gimbal mode for heavy lens with their own footer) the Mass of the "lens plus body" is quite large. Both of these cause this mode to be a poor choice.

3) I regard this Acratech ballhead + clamp to be an excellent choice for a light-weight model. Dirt does not get "sucked" into the ballhead so it stays clean.

4) Some of the RRS ballhead models have 2 knobs for adjusting clamping force on the ball. I really like this feature but it is unavailable with Acratech.

5) At the time of my purchase, I did not have a choice of QR clamp verses screw clamp.

DIGLLOYD: As for clamps, the Acratech design is pretty nifty in the robust way it attaches, I don't see this is as a major issue, but it is a consideration. The heads do have the choice of screw knob or lever now.

Gimbal head mode: no experience there.

Clamping force on the ball; well I’m using my Arca Swiss Cube for the big stuff, the Burzyinski with an oversized RRS clamp for the really heavy duty stuff, and the Acratech for my lighter weight stuff (though it’s plenty sturdy).

Continuing:

PS, Thanks for the "abnormal" reviews on your website (non-lens or camera body items). Things like; headlights, ballheads, tripods, clothing, backpacks, filters, books, etc.

When I start to think of something I would like to see a review of, you normally come up with it! Amazing.

DIGLLOYD: All as part of Service to my readers.

Acratech GP-ss with screw clamp

Reader Comment: B+W XS-Pro Filters Don’t Fit Sony 24/1.8

Reader BK comments on the B+W XS-Pro filters:

Unfortunately I wasn't thinking about your posting last month when I ordered my Sony/Zeiss 24/1.8 Sonnar for NEX-7 (which is still back-ordered) w/ the XS-Pro filter. The filter indeed does not work with the lens hood. Since Zeiss does not make a 49mm UV filter, I guess I'll return the XS-Pro and get the tried and true B+W 010 MRC.

FYI in case you want to let your other readers know that this is not just a ZE/ZF.2 issue. Any idea whether the 010 MRC actually works w/ this lens/hood?

DIGLLOYD: The B+W 010 MRC or Zeiss filters will both work, because they match the diameter of the lens threads (I verified that a B+W 49mm does indeed work on the Sony 24/1.8 just now). The B+W XS-Pro is a crazy design that extends outwards slightly, resulting in incompatibility with various lenses— a poor investment should your lens collection grow or change.

Sony NEX-7 + Sony 24mm ƒ/1.8 Sonnar — “Bad Sample” Documented

Just published in Making Sharp Images is a new case study of the Sony NEX-7 + Sony 24mm ƒ/1.8 Sonnar, showing the severe left-edge blur problem noted in the previous Black Mtn Radio Towers example. I repeated the results on the Sony NEX-5N to prove that it is not a camera issue; it is a lens issue, and highly instructive. And I actually went back and re-shot several more times to confirm it.

The case study is also published in DAP in my review of the Sony NEX-7.

Thanks to B&H Photo for making the Sony NEX-7 and Sony NEX-7 and Sony lenses available for testing— see my gear pages for handy buying links with in-stock status.

Sony NEX-5N + Sony 24mm ƒ/1.8 Sonnar

Sony NEX-5N, and 24mm Comparison on NEX-5N and NEX-7 Coming

I did some shooting today with the NEX-7 and NEX-5N with three 24mm lenses (Sony 24/1.8, Sony 18-55 zoom, Leica 24/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH).

I will be showing how these lenses perform on the NEX-7 and NEX-5N soon. The results might be surprising (well, not with Leica). Subscribe to DAP to get the scoop, which will be incorporated into my already extensive Sony NEX review.

Thanks to B&H Photo for making the Sony NEX-7 and Sony NEX-7 and Sony lenses available for testing— see my gear pages for handy buying links with in-stock status.

The scene below makes an excellent basis for comparisons— very fine detail approaching and exceeding sensor resolution, all infinity focus.

Sony NEX-5N + Leica 24mm ƒ/3.8 Elmar-M ASPH

Acratech Ballheads — Small, Light, Full-Featured, Robust

I’ve been using the Acratech GP ballhead for a few months now on my light and medium tripods, and I like it a lot. I’ve also just received the GP-ss model, which is even smaller and lighter, yet full-featured, something I value when I carry my camera gear on my mountain bike.

Read my review of the Acratech GP and GP-ss ballheads. Highly recommended.

Acratech GP-ss ballhead

Binoculars: “Legally blind, given her back a view of the natural world”

Canon image stabilized binoculars

Last year I reviewed a variety of binoculars.

Brian (and Esta) writes:

My wife is legally blind, she has vision similar to Macular Degeneration but not quite the same disease.

These Canon optics have given her back a view of the natural world that was previously not available to her. Your review was instrumental in our purchase decision.

DIGLLOYD: Wonderful!

The reviews required a lot of work, so I thank readers for using my B&H links to buy them at B&H Photo, especially since B&H made the reviews possible by providing the binoculars for review.

Reader Likes Nikon 60/2.8G Macro, Asks About Zeiss 25mm and 28mm Distagons

See also May 19, 2011 reader comments on a similar topic.

Nikon 60mm ƒ/2.8G

Markus M in Germany writes:

I wanted to thank you again for your great advice as regards the Nikon AF-S 60 Micro! I have bought the lens used from a dealer in Germany, and I am very happy with it. It is very sharp, and also great at distances further away (not infinity), in my opinion better than the Zeiss ZF 50 in this regard.

As you have shot with the Zeiss ZF 28 and the new ZF 25, I would be interested which lens you consider to be sharper. It is clear to me that you like the 25 better:-)). As regards the 28, I would be really interested in your opinion as regards the following:

You wrote in the review that the 28 behaves really well when shooting into the sun/ contralight. How does the 25 compare?

Color: Is the 28 similar to the pureness/ clarity of the 25?

Sharpness: Is the 28 as sharp in the centre of the frame as the 25 (it is clear from what you wrote that the 25 is considerably better in the edges)? Or at least comparable?

CA: It is clear that the 25 is considerably better than the 28. But I think the 28 can be corrected in postproduction.

Ability to manual focus handheld: Is one of them considerably easier than the other?

I am asking this because I got a quite good deal for a 28 (second hand, around 500,- Euro), but if the difference between them is huge ("night and day"), I will pass it nevertheless. To be sure I will keep my Nikkor 24 f/ 1.4 G (especially for moving subjects, or taking photos at night), which is a fine lens also. I like the focal length around 24 mm:-)).

Again thank you so much for giving me your personal opinion! It is very much appreciated!

DIGLLOYD: one has to be careful with “better” because the term takes meaning only when adequate context is given.

The new 25/2 Distagon is better corrected for color than either the 25/2.8 or 28/2 Distagon, and it would be my preference over either of those.

I use the 25/2.8 Distagon more than the 28/2 Distagon primarily because of focal length (field of view). But the 28/2 is really designed more for environmental portraits or similar documentary context. The 28/2 has more field curvature which is particularly strong to the corners, but this is actually less than most other 28mm designs of other brands, so keep the context in mind. Stopping down to ƒ/5.6 largely makes this point of no importance except for the far corners.

Both have similar properties: high contrast and brilliance, and the 28/2 has an extra stop to play with, which I really like for its own reasons, especially for its vignetting (ditto for the 25/2.8 at ƒ/2.8). Both lenses have some lateral chromatic aberration, but I have not found this to be an issue in most of my shooting. Both lenses are very sharp and contrast at center by ƒ/4.

    

Zeiss 25mm ƒ/2.8 Distagon, Zeiss 28mmm ƒ/2 Distagon

Trouble Getting that Lens you Want? Rent it!

Lately certain lenses from Leica and even Nikon have been in short supply. Why not rent one from LensRentals.com, to see if the lens is really what you like?

I’m incredibly impressed by the way in which LensRentals.com keeps improving their “game”. They have a very serious committment to being the best in the business. What other rental company keeps this kind of high quality blog and articles and dedicates staff to some very serious lens research (see the articles).

The rental process is super easy, the gear has always operated perfectly, and the shipping process a piece of cake.

Disclosure: LensRentals.com has helped me expand the work I can do by supplying test lenses when I need them for testing (I pay shipping, but otherwise free). They are also an advertiser on this site. Try somewhere else if you like, but I’d pay these guys if I had to (I hope they don’t read that part!).

LensRentals.com