The APO thread

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Archive 2009 · The APO thread

cogitech
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p.8 #1 · The APO thread

Here's an old sample/test I did right after converting my FD 85/1.2 SSC Aspherical. I dug it up for another thread and thought it might as well go here.

Wide open on 5D:

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100%:

This sample was taken while I was still tweaking the rear element position. In it's current configuration it is slightly sharper and has even less LoCA.

Not APO, of course, but do f1.2 lenses get any better?

Sep 26, 2009 at 03:54 AM

sirimiri
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p.8 #2 · The APO thread

(!)

Sep 26, 2009 at 05:21 AM

RustyBug
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p.8 #3 · The APO thread

PSquared63 wrote:
More from the Leica 100 APO

Suh ... weeeeet !!!

I'M SO SOLD ... on the close range. Do you have any midrange & infinity shots that are equally killer.

BTW ... was this straight RAW, RAW/PP or jpg from camera, etc.?

Thanks.

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Sep 26, 2009 at 05:45 AM

Emanuele_C
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p.8 #4 · The APO thread

WOW! I noticed this "APO" thread now only. Great images here. Let me contribute with my Voigtlander 125/2,5 on my Nikon D300...

This is one incredible lens, even compared to my Leica APO-Summicron-R 90/2 Asph that I've converted to Nikon-F mount using Leitax products. The CV125/2,5 is not only perfectly APO corrected and characterized by outstanding resolution figures: it renders also and absolutely beautiful bokeh and reminds me of my beloved Summicron 180/2...

Edited on Oct 30, 2009 at 04:12 PM · View previous versions

Oct 30, 2009 at 10:40 AM

carstenw
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p.8 #5 · The APO thread

PSquared (what is P),

those first two shots have a nice 3D-ness to them (*gasps* come from the Zeiss faction

), especially the fish and the noodles next to it.

I know Leica isn't normally known for that, but a few of their lenses sometimes to exhibit it. The 180/2 portraits from Richard also show a bit.

A lot of nice shots here!

Oct 30, 2009 at 01:00 PM

helimat
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p.8 #6 · The APO thread

Glad to see this thread bumped back up. In an effort to keep 'er going, here are a couple from the CV 125/2.5:

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Nov 02, 2009 at 04:14 AM

RustyBug
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p.8 #7 · The APO thread

Would Sigma APO designated glass be considered true APO ... or should it be considered as a near APO for a compromise in $$$

Nov 02, 2009 at 03:31 PM

gasrocks
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p.8 #8 · The APO thread

No, Sigma APO is more of an advertising gimmick.

Nov 02, 2009 at 07:08 PM

gurtch
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p.8 #9 · The APO thread

ewadler wrote:
Sigma 150/2.8, maybe we should rename this thread to the 150/2.8 macro thread.

I note several very sharp shots with Sigma 150 f2.8 Macro. I note it is available in only Nikon and Canon mount, whereas the 180mm f3.5 Sigma macro is available in Sony 900 mount. Anyone have experience with the 180mm version? As sharp as the 150mm version? I already have a Sony G 70-300, but it's sharpnes I don't think is equal to what I have seen here.
Thanks
Dave G

Nov 02, 2009 at 09:40 PM

Jonas B
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p.8 #10 · The APO thread

gasrocks wrote:
No, Sigma APO is more of an advertising gimmick.

I don't know... Here is a quote from page 4 of this thread:

olyacme wrote:
gasrocks wrote:
As much as I love my SIgma 150/2.8 macro lens, Sigma APO lenses are not really APO.

Sigma's definition is not much weaker than the others', as none of these lenses are "really" APO wide open. Some even have easily noticeable levels of CA and other aberrations. But most of the lenses shown do become technically APO once stopped down somewhat, and that's no mean feat.

As a general rule, put more stock in MTF charts, or spot and ray fan plots if you can get them, than anything that might be subject to a marketing definition.

But you don't agree it seems... Would you like to explain?

Nov 02, 2009 at 09:44 PM

Jonas B
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p.8 #11 · The APO thread

My only disappointment with the Leica APO Elmarit-R 100/2.8 was the defocus CA that sometimes can creep in. Granted, it doesn't show often, but...

Test sample:

On the other hand it was an improvement compared to the OM90/2 Macro. I guess a CV125/2.5 is the way to go. Or Sigma?

Nov 02, 2009 at 10:07 PM

thrice
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p.8 #12 · The APO thread

Wow that's pretty intense Jonas, if I still had my 100APO I would test it but alas I don't

I don't remember it being that bad though, I never saw it in real-world shots.

Nov 03, 2009 at 04:04 AM

Jonas B
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p.8 #13 · The APO thread

Pretty intense, but it is also a test designed to reveal the problem. In real world use the problem showed up from time to time only. Here is an example; first the complete scene, taken outdoors, overcast, no extreme contrasts, but of course strong contrasts in the chrome parts of the bikes. Already at this small size we can see the CA:

Here is the central part of the image enlarged (I don't have the raw file any more) to show more clearly how the defocus CA rears its ugly head:

Then we have another image from the same place and the same time but here I had moved closer:

And a crop from that situation:

And no, there is nothing wrong with the lens. It is perfectly aligned and the resolution is as expected from the Leica MTF curves.

Nov 03, 2009 at 03:40 PM

phuang3
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p.8 #14 · The APO thread

Jonas,

Are you sure they were taken by Leica 100 APO? Here are my samples that I just shot. The LCA is noticable, but is also acceptable.

f/2.8 Full shot @ 1:2 ratio

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100% crop in the center

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Nov 04, 2009 at 03:19 PM

Jonas B
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p.8 #15 · The APO thread

phuang3, yes, I'm sure. Recently bought and eager to see what it could do. Here are two other images for your comparison, taken with the well known Zuiko OM90/2 Macro:

and

So the APO Leica did better than the non-APO Zuiko.

You image is taken way closer than my samples. In the bike samples above you can see the Leica does worse in the first image than in the second one. Maybe the distance matter? And, I'm not sure what the, not very big, difference between your bar code and focus sheet means.

(I wish Paul had figured out the ultimate CA test. I have that modified A4 focus test sheet barely covering the sensor as a "formal" test. Then I just look for stuff and fire away liking or not liking what I get.)

Nov 04, 2009 at 05:08 PM

cogitech
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p.8 #16 · The APO thread

I don't think anything beats this sort of test for defocus CA.

Man, that Zuiko is horrible!

Nov 04, 2009 at 05:45 PM

Jonas B
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p.8 #17 · The APO thread

It's a good test indeed. Simple. Any paper will do. The A4 paper I use, placed to barely cover the sensor means a magnification around 1:10 at the focus plane. The test images were developed in ACR with everything set to default or neutral, contrast to linear and of course no sharpening or saturation increase.

The Zuiko isn't horrible. There is a reason for its good reputation and it has beem used for many a wonderful image. In context and with the demanding audience of this thread... well, I just say it isn't APO.

I admired your CV125/2.5 newspaper test image!

Nov 04, 2009 at 05:53 PM

cogitech
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p.8 #18 · The APO thread

I meant horrible with respect to defocus CA only. I have seen many great images from it, too.

Despite the wonderful (peerless?) performance of the CV 125/2.5, I have sold it. I just wasn't using it as much as I should have and I had other priorities for the money that I had in that lens.

Nov 04, 2009 at 07:47 PM

AhamB
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p.8 #19 · The APO thread

@Paul: Does your wife know about it already that you sold "her" Voigtlander?

Nov 04, 2009 at 08:35 PM

cogitech
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p.8 #20 · The APO thread

AhamB wrote:
@Paul: Does your wife know about it already that you sold "her" Voigtlander?

Yes. We discussed it for hours before making the decision together. It was a somber occasion.

Nov 04, 2009 at 08:38 PM

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