Alpha_Geist
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rscheffler wrote:
Adam: It could also be that the amazing performance of the ZM35/1.4 achievable on Leica M in landscape shooting situations (where high across frame performance is desired) is not possible due to edge smearing on the a7 cameras, unless they've been Kolari modded. Therefore the lens is possibly more often used in shallow DOF and bokeh situations instead. Quite frankly, I've been very disappointed with the technical aspects of 'landscape' images I've seen made with the ZM on a7 cameras due to the poor edge performance, knowing how well the lens performs on Leica M. Unless the Sony is modded, IMO, the ZM's potential is wasted, though of course also depends on the photographer's intent with the lens on that system.
IMO, from my brief experience with it, and seeing the great images from it in this thread, it's technically the best 35mm M mount lens you can currently buy, if high sharpness/performance is what you want. IMO, the only area where it gives up something is in how it handles background rendering when there is only moderate subject/background separation. In this respect, the RX1's 35/2 Sonnar is still best.
There was recently a post on RFF with a few comparisons between the ZM and the 35 Lux FLE, with the ZM generally offering slightly smoother background rendering. The FLE is often criticized for how it handles backgrounds, though will certainly depend on the situation and your preferences. At least one test I've read measured the FLE as higher resolution in the very center of the frame, but the ZM was better and more consistent across more of the frame. The FLE has what a lot of faster Leica lenses have - wavy field curvature with some mid zone dip. The ZM has a much flatter plane of focus.
I saw your post about your recent Leica M acquisition - congrats! The 28 Cron is one of the few fast wide Leica M lenses that doesn't have a wavy plane of focus. Rather, its field curvature is gradually away from the camera towards the edges of the frame. With some practice, you can get pretty good results placing a subject off center and compensating for the field curvature with some front focus. The 50 Lux ASPH definitely has the mid zone dip and can be problematic at times. I find it quite difficult to work with off center subjects and in the f/2.8-4 range. Instead I tend to use that lens either wide open or stopped down more than f/5.6. I have no experience with the 75 Cron, but it and the 50 Lux ASPH share very similar optical design and apparently also similar character....Show more →
Wow! Ron, thank you for the breakdown on the ZM and the 28 Cron! I definitely appreciate the time and (above) effort in helping to answer my question. I still have the Sony A7II, but I don't have any intentions of having the sensor modded, if it's ever available for the A7II. From my (basic) understanding, there is a cover glass on the A7 series sensor that is a bit thicker than the cover glass on the Leica sensors; which causes the color shifts and corner smearing that is absent on Leica cameras. Thus, my inquiries into the ZM for flatter plane of focus on the Leica sensors without the IQ gremlins. The ZM looks like it would fit my intended use, sharp across the plane stopped down and a stellar performer wide open too! I may have to rent the lens for a weekend and have at it. I know it's a big bugger compared to some of the other M offerings, but I'm willing to accept that after using DSLRs and compatible lenses for some time. 
For the 28 Cron, its field curvature is more "extreme" at the far corners, with less of a dip from center to mid? I haven't had much time to shoot with it, so I haven't seen its field curvature yet. I'm guessing I'll have better luck using LiveView and playing with focus to see what is sharp and what isn't across the frame. Maybe that's how I will experiment with putting subjects off center like you mentioned. Now I'm curious how the corners fair when stopped down also. Haha! I chose the 28 Cron for experimenting with street photography as that style of shooting isn't a comfort zone for me. Time to step outside that zone and live a little methinks.
I hope to start sharing some photos soon. Been pretty busy with usual work and family duties, but a vacation to Colorado next month should surely get some creative juices flowing.
Thank you Ron for delving into the intricacies of the ZM and Cron/Lux lenses! I thoroughly enjoy your photos and Flickr stream. I'm sure I'm not the only one here who is inspired by your work!
Adam
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