Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2017/01/07
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Yesterday was my first full day with the SL and 90-280mm zoom. The SL is unchanged since I first tried it a year ago, what's new (for me) is the lens. Given the storms and family obligations for the next several days it will probably be another week or more before I can use the camera more. >> >> Recapping my initial thoughts about the SL: the solid construction, >> responsiveness, file richness, the simple, configurable, no-nonsense >> control layout, and viewfinder (with one exception) continue to delight >> me. >> >> I'm still annoyed by the inability to make the viewfinder's exposure >> preview mode permanent; it's enabled by a half-press of the shutter >> switch or can be configured to be activated by the fn button (where the >> DOF preview button is on Leicaflexes). The viewfinder reverts to >> automatic brightness after each exposure. If the subject and background >> are similar tones, no big deal. OTOH if there's much difference between >> the subject and background tones it can be very distracting particularly >> when using spot metering and the subject is dancing around the field of >> view, as avian subjects often do. >> >> The 90-280 is spectacular, nearly as good as the 280/4 APO. I haven't >> seen any color fringes either spherochromatic (color fringes in OOF >> high-contrast objects) or laterally. This lens would do well with a >> higher-resolution sensor. Much higher. Which brings up a problem: >> aliasing and moire. >> >> Feather detail, a very sharp lens and a sensor without AA filter can be a >> difficult combination to work with. Moire-reducing software and >> occasional cloning out scrambled pixels become necessary for the best >> quality files. This is less a problem with the Sony a7II which has a >> similar-sized sensor and an AA filter. I still see some color aliasing >> when using the 280/4 APO on the Sony but not nearly as much as the 90-280 >> on the SL. Combine the Sony with the Canon FD 500mm f/4.5 L and color >> aliasing is never a problem, in part because the lens has some lateral >> chromatic aberration, correctable with software. >> >> My test subjects were familiar birds in my yard, lured within range of a >> 280mm lens with seed, water and fruit. This was my first opportunity to >> try the SL's AF in the field. I found that the most reliable use of this >> feature was single-point manual focus, which means that a touch of the >> joystick focusses the lens at the focussing point. The SL's AF is quick >> and quiet and assuming it locks onto the right target its accuracy leaves >> nothing to be desired. No micro-adjustment ever required. >> >> As I expected, the AF system focuses on the nearest point within its AF >> area meaning the bird's shoulder or wing and not necessarily its eye. >> Manual fine-focus is possible by pressing the lower-left key on the >> camera's back, with brings up 3x or 5x magnification in the viewfinder in >> two steps. I find that 3x is an excellent compromise that allows >> critical focus over a significant area of the image. I wish the Sony >> offered this option instead of jumping directly to 5x. I also wish the >> SL would offer the 3x option with the joystick button when using >> non-electronic lenses. >> >> When using a native lens the lower-left key is the only option for >> bringing up viewfinder magnification, so I have to take my left hand away >> from the focussing ring, move it to the camera's back to press the key, >> then back to the focussing ring. Not the most effective technique. >> Maybe I can train my nose to press the key. The 90-280 is a >> focus-by-wire lens; the zoom is mechanical. Both rings rotate smoothly >> and the resistance of the two rings is identical. When using manual >> focus the focusing ring is sensitive to the rate of turning the ring: >> quick rotation = large changes, slow rotation = small changes. Very nice. >> >> The lens's optical stabilization works well, probably better than the >> Sony's sensor stabilization, but subject motion is the limiting factor >> more often than the stabilization technology. In practical use the >> Sony's stabilization would have done just as well. >> >> Enough words, show some pictures! >> >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/temp/L1000046_crop.jpg >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/temp/L1000065_crop.jpg >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/temp/L1000091_crop.jpg >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/temp/L1000108_crop.jpg >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/temp/L1000116.jpg >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/temp/L1000131_crop.jpg >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com/temp/L1000206_crop.jpg goregous Doug. >> >> Doug Herr >> Birdman of Sacramento >> http://www.wildlightphoto.com >> http://doug-herr.fineartamerica.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information