M9 / Lens correction LR4???

[x-ray]

I keep trying to talk myself out of an M9 but not having much luck.

I have a question about lens correction / coding / lens profiles when processing raw in LR4.

I understand the lens coding thing and understand the lens can be selected in the menu if I would rather do that then have lenses coded. My question is, I use LR4 for processing my Nikon digital images and Hasselblad Phocus for my Hasselblad digital. The lens data coded in the exif data triggers, for lack of a better word, the correct profile in the lens correction module of LR4 or Phocus which in turn corrects distortion, vignetting and chromatic aberrations. Phocus and LR4 work much the same is why I mention it. If I shoot raw and process in light room and do not select a lens in the camera or have the lens coded can I correct the lens issues in LR4 from the pull down menu? Are the lens profiles in LR4 functioning the same as the in camera correction? I may be wrong but I assume in raw the correction is actually done in post and triggered by the lens code data where as it is done in camera if you shoot jpg's. Is this correct? In LR4 can the auto lens correction be overridden?

I never shoot jpg's other than for contact sheets so can I do the corrections for my lenses in post processing in LR4?

 

[krötenblender]

Yes, in LR4 you can activate lens correction and then select the lens and several other things via menu. If your lens is not in the menus, you can manually correct the raw and then save the values as new profile. It's pretty easy.

 

[x-ray]

Excellent! Then for raw shooters the lens coding isn't necessary or even selecting a profile in camera if using LR4.

GREAT!

 

[jaapv]

The lens corrections are pretty minimal, though...

 

[x-ray]

Thanks for the info.

I finally talked myself into a new M9 and ordered one this evening. Tough decision but it does appear most of the card writing issues and crashed are being or have been resolved. Most of my concerns have been put to rest and now the next thing is to just enjoy using it.

Last month I talked myself out of an M9 and bought a D800 with Nikon zooms and Zeiss primes. I was quite disappointed in the wide open performance of the Zeiss lenses and returned them. The Zeiss only performed well at f5.6-8 which just wont cut it for my documentary work. It's fine for most commercial but not documentary.

I started rethinking the M9 again and decided to take advantage of my great Leica and Zeiss glass and once again be able to shoot a max aperture. This is what happens when I rethink, I buy a new camera.

Thanks all for your help in making the decision.

Don

 

[DamenS]

So you find the Zeiss ZM lenses have better performance wide-open than the Zeiss ZF ?

I must admit I'd be a bit concerned about buying a camera which has been on the market for quite some time and is of such a high price where it only appears as though most of the known issues "are being" resolved - I'd wait until they are resolved, or see what the M10 has in store for us and at what price.

 

[icebear]

Thanks for the info.

I finally talked myself into a new M9 and ordered one this evening. Tough decision but it does appear most of the card writing issues and crashed are being or have been resolved. Most of my concerns have been put to rest and now the next thing is to just enjoy using it....

Thanks all for your help in making the decision.

Don

Don,
congratulation on your decision. Just follow the instructions to format ANY SD card when you use it the first time in your M9 and you will have no issues what so ever.

I'm not really heavily into architecture photography so any potential curvature of the lenses hasn't been a concern for me. Or the 2/35 asph has none ...😉.

Maybe you will be positively surprised and forget about the correction options altogether.... One thing that you might want to consider besides the coding itself, the new mount will also correct any backfocus issues that are almost a non issues with the physical thickness of film but can be bothering here and there (fully open, closest distance) when you use the lenses on the M9. I have 2 lenses in for coding right now.

Enjoy your new tool and let us know, how you like it and of course let's see some shots.

 

[x-ray]

So you find the Zeiss ZM lenses have better performance wide-open than the Zeiss ZF ?

I must admit I'd be a bit concerned about buying a camera which has been on the market for quite some time and is of such a high price where it only appears as though most of the known issues "are being" resolved - I'd wait until they are resolved, or see what the M10 has in store for us and at what price.

I started shooting digital in my work when the Nikon D1 came out. That was about twelve years and I have yet to see a digital camera that didn't initially have problems. The D1 had many issues and at that time the camera had to go back to Nikon to have firmware updated. Nikon didn't get things right till the D1x which I bought and that too had problems. Leica is just trying to get their digital legs under them. This is why I didn't buy one until now. I suspect the M10 will have its own issues and take a year or so to iron out. When they get fixed I may upgrade if the camera offers something I want.

I've been very lucky I guess. My new D800 has been flawless but there are known issues.

Yes I feel the ZM lenses perform better wide open compared to the ZF 2 on the D800. I bought the 25/2, 35/2 & 100/2. The D800 is brutal on lenses. The 100 was amazing at all apertures but from f2-4 there was terrible aberrations with smearing purple fringing around bright contrasty areas like leaves against the sky. I've never seen it so bad in any lens. It correct well inLY4 however. The 25 was terrible in the outer 1/3 wide open and e en extended into the inner area. This improved by F8 but never disappeared. The edges and corners were unusable at wide apertures. The 35 was quite soft in the outer 1/3 until f5.6 and became good. It was. Ever as sharp as I expected. It was acceptable but. It up to the cost of the lens.

I have a Nikon 16-35 f4, 24-70 f2.8, 70-200 f2.8 VRII, 85g 1.8 and the 24 & 85 pc lenses. Every one of the Nikon lenses performed at least as good if not better as the Zeiss at the same apertures. It was like they were f8enses not f2. I need lenses that are usable wide open.

My medium format digital is A Hasselblad V system with all current Zeiss glass. I use the CFV39 back and all of my MF glass performs quite well T max apertures. They do improve a little when stopped down but they're excellent wide open. This is what I expected from the ZF glass but didnd get.

Let's hope my M9 is a good one.

If Zeiss lenses need coded who do you send them to? Is coding with a pen ok? It's the back focus correction driven by the menu lens selection too?

Many thanks for all the info

Don

 

[x-ray]

I should mention that the M9 will primarily be for my documentary work. My architectural work is done either on the D800 or my Technikardan 23 and digital back. I don't see M's as good architectural cameras due to inaccurate frame lines and the lack of PC lenses.

 

[ChrisN]

...

If Zeiss lenses need coded who do you send them to? Is coding with a pen ok? It's the back focus correction driven by the menu lens selection too?

...

Don

Don - congratulations on the move and looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the camera for your work.

Some info on the ZF lens coding issues here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71629

 

[robinsonphotography]

I've got a D800E and Leica M9...nothing beats the resolving of the M9 with my 35 Summicron that I have in Nikon. Even with the extra pixels, that just absolute sharpness, only the Leica has it. But of course in LR4, there's basically no lens correction for the 35 summicron....it just doesn't need it I guess? Not sure, I qualify as "commercial not documentary" so I've never much cared, mostly just a sharpness freak--it keeps me happy there.

 

[jaapv]

The only corrections LR applies are vignetting and distortion. The only time they are really useful is when a lens has non-linear distortion and it matters for the subject. All other corrections applied are just a bit of automation of stuff one can do easily in Photoshop. And with Leica and Zeiss lenses it is usually not needed at all. Correction of a misfocussed shot is utterly impossible in LR. There are, however, a few forensic-based programs that will enhance real focus, like Focus Magic.

 

[Photon42]

[...]

If Zeiss lenses need coded who do you send them to? Is coding with a pen ok? It's the back focus correction driven by the menu lens selection too?

Many thanks for all the info

Don

Hi Don,

lenses below 35mm normally require coding for color cast correction and vignette (probably partly due to the sensor design).

Normally, the lens flange can be taken off and machined. There is one exception with the 4.5/21, I think, where it is not advised to take the flange off yourself. Since I don't have this lens, I can't also further comment on it.

I've coded most of my lenses using a Dremel after marking the proper placing with the Lens Coder stencil and a Sharpie, but also did initially send flanges to John Milich, NY, to have them equipped with proper grooves. Not sure he still does it. You could also ask a machine shop to actually add a very small (0.3mm) groove to the flange in the critical area and then add your codes using the Lens Coder stencil and a Sharpie.

BTW my understanding is that the Leica lens code applies color shift correction and vignette correction in camera (when this functionality is switched on), no matter if it is RAW or JPEG.

Cheers
Ivo
(still keep using your Leicavit)