[Leica] New 12.8 megapixel 5D. Leicanon! :-)

[henningw at archiphoto.com (Henning Wulff)]

At 5:51 PM -0300 10/18/05, Robert Stevens wrote:
>Henning:
>
>Go a few pages further into that thread and you can see the wide 
>angle problem.  I have seen this also on Canon's sample images on 
>the Canon web site.  Not only are the edges of the frame blurred, 
>but objects get a tilt to them.
>
>http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/267995/234
>
>Here is Canon's sample image.  Even in the center of the image the 
>is only coarse detail, not fine detail.  Look at the trees 
>throughout the image and the grass.  It is like a picture taken with 
>a Diana.
>
>http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/eos5d/html/eos5d_sample_4e.html
>
>I am not trying to bash Canon, as I have a whole stable of their one 
>series cameras.  I just think it would not be fair for some of the 
>list members to buy this camera and then find all these problems.
>
>Regards,
>
>Robert
>

I've read most of that (very long...) thread.

Actually, I've tried the 5D with a number of lenses. Canon's wides 
are unfortunately not in the same class as Leica's, and can't take 
full advantage of the sensor.

I haven't tried it with Leica R lenses, as I don't have any and for 
the previously noted mirror interference. I've tried it with a couple 
of Canon lenses, Nikon lenses and a Sigma 12-24. The Sigma did better 
than Canon's 16-35 or 14. My very old Nikon 15/3.5 was significantly 
better except for flare. With Canon's longer focal length lenses the 
5D did wonderfully well; the 85/1.8 and 135/2 that I tried were 
outstanding.

Canon's examples are inexplicably bad, as the camera is certainly 
capable of better. Overall, the 5D seems to be capable of similar 
quality as the 1DsMkII, or for that matter the Nikon D2x except that 
the resolution is very slightly less than the iDsMkII, and the 5D has 
less high ISO noise than either. It definitely produces higher image 
quality than the 1Ds as far as I was able to tell.

As usual, the anti-alias filter in the Canons requires proper use of 
sharpening tools when converting from RAW, but that isn't much of a 
problem with what's available, and low in-camera sharpening means 
that many processing options are open. The general perfomance of the 
5D is great, with wonderful responsiveness  (unless you need a high 
frame rate) with a quiet mirror/shutter, instant on, large buffer and 
very good autofocus performance, even if it doesn't have as many 
points as the 1D series. In the general handling department, the 5D 
has many advantages over the R8-9/DMR combo.

I think it's a very significant camera with a superb range of 
attributes, but it probably isn't the best camera for someone with a 
stable of current wideangle R lenses.

Unless Canon does something very significant in the wideangle lens 
design department in the next little while, your best option for 
superior wideangle digital files is probably a DMR, especially if you 
have recent lenses like the 15/2.8 and 19//2.8.

If you don't have a number of Leica lenses, I doubt that the 
switch/investment to Leica DMR and Leica lenses is worth the expense, 
as significantly superior performance is available from MF cameras 
and digital backs if you really don't feel that the 5D Canon and 
available lenses satisfy you.

-- 
    *            Henning J. Wulff
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