Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2015/12/05

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Subject: [Leica] Which has more central Resolution: Sony 28-70 or Leica 28-70?
From: photo at frozenlight.eu (Nathan Wajsman)
Date: Sun, 6 Dec 2015 07:31:17 +0100
References: <001b01d12fa9$62e55430$28affc90$@verizon.net>

I got tired just reading this?I test lenses by going out and taking pictures 
with them.

Cheers,
Nathan

Nathan Wajsman
Alicante, Spain
http://www.frozenlight.eu <http://www.frozenlight.eu/>
http:// <http://www.greatpix.eu/>www.greatpix.eu
PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws 
<http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws>Blog: http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/ 
<http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/>
Cycling: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator 
<http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator>
YNWA













> On 05 Dec 2015, at 23:07, Frank Filippone <red735i at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
> Which has more Resolution: Sony 28-70 or Leica 28-70?  The question had
> bothered me ever since I got the A7, when either lens would fit on the same
> body...
> 
> There are really good reasons to not care, including AF and Auto Diaphragm
> operation of the Sony.  But which would have would have better glass?
> 
> 
> 
> My application is mostly travel photography. in which case things like
> distortion issues, vignetting, color cast,, etc have a lesser value to me
> than brute force net resolution.
> 
> 
> 
> With a couple of 28-70 in hand I went a'testin.
> 
> 
> 
> The Sony 28-70 F3.5-5.6 is the "kit" lens usually associated with the A7
> bodies.  It is not expensive to buy on its own, and as part of the Kit, is
> hard to turn away.
> 
> The Leica 28-70 F3.5-4.5 Rom lens is the third model ( first was designed
> and made by Sigma, and not considered a superb lens optically or
> mechanically, second is the Sigma designed, Kyocera made lens, and the 
> third
> is apparently a slightly modified Sigma design, modified by Leica, and 
> built
> by Kyocera.  Depending on what you read, the second and third or third only
> have a different barrel.  Again, depending, the third is a Leica designed
> barrel and has modified optics. FYI, Kyocera is/was the company that 
> brought
> back the Contax name..  The third version is the only one with factory ROM.
> 
> 
> 
> Some will ask, well why not test the Leica 28-90 lens, the one with a
> splendid reputation?  Because I do not have access to one, and the price
> point is too high for my interest!  35-70?  Different range meaning that a
> direct comparison is difficult, not available to me, but I am working on
> accessibility...
> 
> 
> 
> How did I test?
> 
> A7 camera,  24MP, no IS.  ( no, I do not own a 36MP camera so the test was
> done with existing equipment)
> 
> Tripod
> 
> Delayed shutter release. no movement introduced errors
> 
> Electronic first shutter.. no shutter slap
> 
> RAW Files
> 
> Manual focusing at 11.3x ( or whatever) magnification.  LCD or eye level?  
> I
> used the eye level.  GG type focusing.  No assist.
> 
> Cheap Chinese adapter from R to NEX. cost me $12.  Any questions or dissing
> of this cheap adapter, go back to the price point.  It is worth $12 to do a
> test,  Not $200 or more.
> 
> Only the central area of each lens was tested in depth, spot check
> examination of the corners had the same results.
> 
> 
> 
> What was the control lens?  
> 
> 50 Summilux ASPH, probably the best lens in Leica's M portfolio, with the
> possible exception of the 50 APO ASPH Cron ( which I have no access to). 
> 
> It was mounted using a Novoflex adapter.
> 
> 
> 
> What Focal lengths were tested?  28, 50 and 70 mm
> 
> What F stops?  F4 and F8
> 
> 
> 
> How did I compare images?  Raw files in LRcc, latest version, updated 24
> hours before. 1:1
> 
> 
> 
> What LR settings were used?  None,.  All set to basically un-touched,
> neutral
> 
> 
> 
> What was used as a test image?  A section of the outdoor fence at my house.
> 
> 
> It was made from cedar, is 44 years old, and has enough character to allow
> minute comparisons of image quality.  Bug holes, wood texture and all.  
> 
> Distance was about 15 feet.
> 
> 
> 
> What ISO?  ISO320 for all.
> 
> 
> 
> Now that you have read all the caveats.. The results...
> 
> 
> 
> The 50 ASPH Summilux is the best by a fraction. 
> 
> The Leica Zoom lens held its own, and was a CLOSE second.  ( Surprise!  The
> Zoom was surprisingly good, especially when the design was done in the late
> 90's by a company that was supposed to be second rate : Sigma. Proves you
> should never believe everything you read, even if it is on the Internet!)
> 
> The Sony lens was not bad, but not as good as the Leica lens.
> 
> 
> 
> The differences were in the fine details, where Leica really did a better
> job than the Sony.  This was at all Focal lengths, all apertures.  Center
> and corners too.
> 
> 
> 
> Define "better"?  small details were obviously sharper and clearer in the
> Leica at 1:1 in LR.  Edges crisper.. Overall small detail contrast was
> higher.
> 
> Overall contrast and color were very close in all 3.
> 
> 
> 
> Is it worth it to switch to the Leica if you have the Sony?  YMMV.  You 
> give
> up AF, a big deal for many.  You give up auto diaphragm, a big deal to me.
> 
> The Leica lens is a bit longer, a bit more in diameter and a bit more 
> heavy.
> 
> 
> The positive?  You get better image quality...
> 
> 
> 
> No, I did not test for CA, etc.  This was an initial test to see if I 
> wanted
> to go further... Which I will not.
> 
> 
> 
> The difference in IQ was not enough to outweigh the negative user aspects 
> of
> the Leica.. IMO.
> 
> 
> 
> What might change my final decision?  A sensor with more MP may NEED a
> better lens.  At 36MP?  43MP? 50MP?  64MP? 
> 
> I don't know, but there is a point where more  resolution is needed than 
> the
> Sony can deliver.
> 
> 
> 
> But that is not in the budget for me for the foreseeable future... in which
> case, I can worry about it then.
> 
> 
> 
> Frank Filippone
> 
> Red735i at verizon.net
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
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Replies: Reply from john at mcmaster.fr (John McMaster) ([Leica] Which has more central Resolution: Sony 28-70 or Leica 28-70?)
Reply from tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant) ([Leica] Which has more central Resolution: Sony 28-70 or Leica 28-70?)
In reply to: Message from red735i at verizon.net (Frank Filippone) ([Leica] Which has more central Resolution: Sony 28-70 or Leica 28-70?)