Comparing Image Samples

For some reason, I always feel apologetic when making these posts. First, I am most regretful for not being more timely in my reviews - given that my last one was almost a month ago. And second, I wish I were more thorough, although I suspect that this is something that I will perfect over time, as I trudge along with more experience. What was it that Hannibal Lector said about the Tooth Fairy... he's refining his process? I could only hope for as much.

With this comparison of images between the current version Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit ASPH and the previous version - long story short - from my inspection of the images, they're both pretty much the same, resolved on a 24 megapixel sensor. To be honest, I really couldn't find much of a difference when stopped down. But there does appear to be a noticeable improvement in the current version, with respect to bokeh, when shot wide open at f/2.8. Actually, I find the bokeh significantly better.

Given that, I really don't think that people are going to buy the 28 Elmarit for the sake of it's bokeh. It's really more of a documentarian purposed lens than one used for isolating images. As such, I decided to shoot more documentary type images for my comparison, given that's how I generally use this lens. I mean, I can shoot up closer, which is really the purpose of a proper wide angle, but at 28mm, you're already pretty up close, even when shooting a torso height image.

For most of the images shot outdoor, given that rain was threatening all day, plus the sweltering Hong Kong summer heat, I tried to wrap up the shooting quickly, I shot the images at ISO 800, in order to get the best balance of depth of field and shutter speed, given that's how this lens should be used outdoor. So most of the outdoor images were shot at f/8 under the bright sun, or f/5.6 when in some shade.