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LEICA S-System VS "?" TEST!


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<p>I have posted 3 images at the bottom of my portfolio on photonet. Each image contains 2 images of a scene made with 2 separate camera systems. One of the systems was the Leica S-system with the 70 mm 2.5. The other was made with.....I'll tell you later so as not to bias the ratings. Each of the 3 images represents a specific area/segment of the test shot. Test1 image is a 100% crop of the top left corner of the image. Test2 image is a 100% crop of the left middle and Test3 is a 100% crop of the center of the test image.</p>

<p>Both camera systems captured RAW images that were converted using Photoshop. I did not touch either image other than converting it from RAW to TIFF and then to jpeg (I did use Photoshop to convert the non-Leica image to the same size as the Leica image though). Both images were made with a tripod. The Leica image was made at ISO 160, f16 and the other image was made at an equivalent ISO and f16. </p>

<p>Pick which side you like best (left or right) in each of the 3 images. Just for fun, report your conclusions in this thread - you can even try to guess what the other system is if you like. In a few days I'll tell you which is the Leica and what the ? system is. You are going to be surprised! NOTE: The Leica is not necessarily on one side or the other in all 3 images.</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>right, left, left...may I ask why you chose ISO 160 and not 100? I read on another board where a guy did a test with a Canon, I don't remember which model, and ISO 160 performed better than ISO 100 because it was closer to the native ISO or something like that. Is this why you chose this ISO, or is it coincidence?</p>
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<p>R L R<br>

The first and last pairs confuse a bit because of different magnification, but I tried to imagine the larger image to be the same size as the smaller on the left, and in this case I think R would be better. L looks sharper at first glance, but I think only because it is smaller.</p>

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<p>My first impression is L L R. And it's only the first impression that counts anyway when looking at pictures. I think most people would agree on that. Can't wait to find out what the mystery system is. You really know the photo.net psychology, teasing us with this test!</p>
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<p>1st: L, L, L.<br>

2nd time through: L, L R.<br>

I can convince myself of R, L, R as well. <br>

I wonder if images 1 and 3 are more of a perception/psychology test rather than a camera system test.<br>

Terrific portfolio of images by the way, much better than those in the test :)</p>

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<p>OK all, here is the verdict. The second camera is a Canon 5D mk2 with the $100 50 1.8. </p>

<p>So we have:</p>

<p>1) A $27,000 camera vs a $3,000 camera.<br>

2) 37 megapixels vs 21. <br>

3) A sensor that is 50% bigger<br>

4) A $5,000 lens vs a $100 lens</p>

<p>Out of 24 ratings, the Canon was selected to be best 16 times. The Canon wins!</p>

<p>Now can you pick out which one is the Canon?</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>Well the fine lines look better resolved on the right on the middle one but the womans face is smoother on the left on the middle one. If I had to guess, I would say the right one for the middle too, but i still think the focus, or something, is off on the middle one.</p>

<p>As I said on the similar thread on the EOS forum, these kinds of crop mean next to nothing, <a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml">even prints can deceive.</a></p>

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<p>No reason for sarcasm. But smallest aperture is rarely if ever a good one. Most short lenses start to get visibly soft around F/11 due to diffraction. 5.6 or 8 is probably ideal for the cheap Canon lens, while the Leica is probably sharpest around 4. This test does prove two things. Cheap normal lenses can be optically very good (at least when stopped down). I have and use a similar lens, but seldom wide open. And the current crop of full frame DSLRs are very, very good. Whether 5D2, A900/850 or D3x.</p>
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