Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/02/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I put a new version of the RX1 v. M9/Biogon 2.8 image comparison at http://www.paulroark.com/RX1-v-ZM-at.28.jpg In this one I added a panel adjusting for the pixel count differences of the 2 sensors. On the focus issue, the good news on the RX1 for me is that it had an "infinity stop." This is essential for me when doing dual focus, hand held shots, which is rather frequent. The scale in the viewfinder indicates distance. When the marker gets to the end, further turning of the lens does nothing. (Everything in that camera is fly by wire.) As far as I could tell the infinity focus had been set reasonably "correctly." Again, of course, that would be a compromise across a wavy field. The central area of the lens and the very edge appeared to be close to their peaks. I have also posted the MTF curves for the optics involved, as well as the DxO sensor summary. See http://www.paulroark.com/Leica-Zeiss-Sony-RX1-MTF-DxO.jpg . Looking at these curves, you'll note that the Sony lens does not show the values for 40 lp/mm. Looking at the visual results, I'd guess that Zeiss emphasized maximum contrast at an 8x10 size print and/or the typical monitor size of their expected market. Between the optic's high low-resolution contrast and the overall image's higher apparent contrast, the Sony makes a striking monitor presentation. I've uploaded the RX1 image taken at f/2.8, but reduced in size to what might show on a typical monitor (for example mine; many on this list have much better). See http://www.paulroark.com/RX1-28-defaults_DSC0002.JPG The image was processed through the Sony raw converter at default settings. These include image sharpening and "automatic" noise reduction. One potentially major factor in how a prospective purchaser might react to the camera's performance is the print or image size that is the target for the image files. For my 22 x 30 inch B&W landscape prints, I need sharpness at the pixel level. The MTF line I pay the most attention to is the 40 lp/mm line. That is where the Biogon performs. It may be that Sony is targeting maximum apparent sharpness at the monitor level. There, the Sony images really do perform well; they are sharp and bright. But that is not the output I'm targeting. Paul www.PaulRoark.com