p.1 #1 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
Other than the difference in sensor resolution of 60MP vs 46MP, will I see any image difference (IQ or character) when using an adapted 90/2.8 Elmarit-M lens (11807) on my Nikon Z8 shooting RAW compared to a Leica M11/M EV1 shooting DNG? While the M photosites might deliver better edge sharpness with ultra wide angle lenses due to the oblique angle of the edge rays, a 90 should behave more normally. The difference would probably come down to how the Leica processes the image or any difference in sensor design. I've always liked that lens and any feedback from people that use both cameras would be helpful.
p.1 #2 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
I wouldn't worry about it. I've never shot in on the Z8, but I have on my stock sensor a1, Kolari UT modded a7rII, and my mono-modded bare sensor rII as well as my guy's M11. While the performance metrics across the frame aren't exactly the same across all those different sensors, there's nothing about the changes that make it at all unusable on any of them. It's still a gorgeous portrait lens wide open and nicely sharp landscaper stopped down, regardless of the camera. If you liked it before, you will still like it on your Z8.
p.1 #3 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
Really the only difference will be the sensor. 90mm won’t under perform on the Z8. The Leica shares it’s base silicon with the A7R5 and SL3/Q3, which is still the best small format sensor available for detail/DR (although the DR on the new Sony A75 is also excellent). The Z8 has a small detail/DR hit compared to this.
Most of the time you’ll see little difference but pushed hard the M11 sensor will hold up better.
p.1 #4 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
When adapted on a Sony mirrorless body, the latest version of Elmarit-M 90/2.8 displays visible edge smearing. I wonder if M11/M EV1 has a thinner coverglass despite sharing the same CMOS sensor with Sony A7R4/A7R5. The sensor coverglass’ thickness of Nikon Z series cameras is notably thinner than Sony’s but still thicker than Leica M cameras’, so the adapted lens’ performance may be slightly worse than being mounted on a native M body.
p.1 #5 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
I recently tried comparing a few SL3 RAW files to my experience editing Z8 files in Capture One. One minor issue with the Z8 is that the files can sometimes feel too “thin” to edit. For example, a sky that’s close to overexposed won’t go properly "blue", or shadows won’t recover the way GFX files do. SL3 files feel much closer to GFX than to the Z8.
p.1 #6 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
alanwilder wrote:
Other than the difference in sensor resolution of 60MP vs 46MP, will I see any image difference (IQ or character) when using an adapted 90/2.8 Elmarit-M lens (11807) on my Nikon Z8 shooting RAW compared to a Leica M11/M EV1 shooting DNG? While the M photosites might deliver better edge sharpness with ultra wide angle lenses due to the oblique angle of the edge rays, a 90 should behave more normally. The difference would probably come down to how the Leica processes the image or any difference in sensor design. I've always liked that lens and any feedback from people that use both cameras would be helpful....Show more →
The common understanding is that with a 90mm f/2.8 lens, it should perform equally well on a digital Leica M and Nikon Z (or Sony FE) sensor.
However, when Fred Miranda tested the quite new Voigtländer Apo-Ultron 90mm f/2 VM, it turned out to perform noticeably worse in the corners on Sony, compared to M11. See the link below. That said, the 90mm Apo-Summicron-M performs just as good on Sony (and Nikon Z7), so unfortunately, we can't conclude anything before a rigorous side-by-side test has been done, using two different high resolution cameras.
p.1 #7 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
Much appreciated for the detailed responses. USAF resolution chart results wide open with the 90 Elmarit-M on my Z8 shows very sharp images centrally/mid-field, acceptably good at the edge but soft at the corner due to astigmatism. Stopping down to f/5.6 eliminates most of the astigmatic blur. By re-focusing at a slightly closer focus on the corner target using the EVF, it corrects the astigmatic blur but leaves the center and mid-field a little bit soft. I'll try to test it out on an M11 to see if it corrects the astigmatic corner softness without refocusing. If corner to corner sharpness is required for landscapes, the best option would be to focus normally and stop down to f/8. Below are results wide open at a distance of 1:51 repro ratio for proper reading of the resolution charts.
p.1 #8 · IQ question difference of Nikon Z8 sensor vs Leica M EV1/M11 for RAW (DNG) images
I had the oppotrunity to try the 90 Elmarit-M lens wide open on a Leica M11P at my local camera store and it confirmed the Leica ultrathin sensor stack was responsible for eliminating the corner astigmatic smear. Attached are the results with tightly cropped images. The resolution of the central target was the same as with my Z8 at 88 lp/mm but the corner resolution increased from 28- lp/mm to 56- lp/mm. The astigmatic smear is due a slight focus shift as the image rays pass through the thicker sensor stack of a non-Leica digital camera. The easiest way to compensate is to use a smaller aperture like f/5.6 or f/8 if you want to maintain sharp focus for the rest of the image.
focus on center target, f/2.8. 88 lp/mm
Upper corner target, f/2.8, same center target focus. 56- lp/mm
