Author: Peter | Prosophos

Tomato-Face™ Technology Alive and Kicking in the Leica SL.

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Prosophos - Tomato Face
The Leica SL continues to garner attention — understandably.  The images from this camera are quite remarkable with respect to micro-contrast, sharpness (“bite”), and tonality.

I unhesitatingly concede this, even though my original post about the SL postulated that this camera might actually kill Leica.

I no longer believe this to be the case, though I still have to question who the intended customer for the SL is (hint: it’s not the professional photographer, no matter what the marketing and some review sites may say).

Now, I will admit, I may be wrong about this too, but getting back to the topic of this post…

The more output I’ve seen from this camera, the more I think that Leica is using their (patented?) Tomato-Face™ technology, first quietly introduced on the Leica M (Type 240).  It’s a more refined version though, with a more subtle tomato rendering.

What is Tomato-Face™ technology?  It’s the high tech advancement in digital imaging processing that converts — on-camera — natural Caucasian skin tones to a red-speckled La Tomatina (Spain’s Tomato Festival) participant’s complexion.

La Tomatina - Courtesy of Latomatina org

↑image courtesy of LaTomatina.org

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You aren’t convinced that this is possible?  Have a look at some of the online images and then get back to me.

Once again, Leica, I’m advising you — for your own good:  please bring back an updated CCD sensor for your next Leica M camera (see My Open Letter to Leica – over 600 photographers agree).

—Peter.

 

Q&A: for Mads (regarding Sigma lenses for Nikon).

Inspiration, Q&A, Teaching point

Sigma 35mm 1.4 ART - Prosophos

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On an earlier post, Mads asked if I had to test several copies of my recently acquired Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART lens, before deciding on the one I own.

The answer is: no.   The first one I evaluated was perfect.

My camera dealer’s Nikon D810 has been calibrated (by Nikon) and the Sigma 35 I tried was focusing perfectly at near focus, mid-distance, and infinity.  On my D810, which is not perfectly calibrated, I need to set the camera to +5 micro-focus adjustment.  This is the same adjustment I need to make to my Nikon 85mm 1/4G (which is also functioning perfectly), in order to achieve proper focus on my camera-lens combination.

I additionally tried out a used copy of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART, and it was focusing perfectly.   My dealer also had a new copy of the same lens, but it was unfortunately front-focusing by about an 3 cm (this shouldn’t dissuade people from buying Sigma lenses… the first few Nikon 58/1.4G lenses I tried were also a little off, and — as already stated above — so is my Nikon D810).

I hope that helps, Mads.   By the way, if you ever plan on visiting Toronto, let me know and it will be my pleasure to welcome you to my city.

—Peter.

My “Open Letter to Leica”…597 signatures so far.

Inspiration

I keep getting signatures for my Open Letter to Leica… including today.

Click on the graphic below to see:

Prosophos Open Letter to Leica

 

Many of you are realizing, every day, the wonderful qualities of the CCD sensor.

Unfortunately, I know that Leica has abandoned it.

But I also know that if anybody can resurrect it , it’s Leica.

Just read some of the comments on the list of signatories, and you’ll know why they should…

BRING BACK CCD.

—Peter.

31 of my Favourites for 2015.

Inspiration

My favourites amongst my images this year, for one reason or another.

Thank you for your continued interest.

(Posted in no particular order.)

—Peter.

 

window-light-portrait

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warm-ebrace

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tousled

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the-sunlight-in-my-universe-part-3

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the-sunlight-in-my-universe-part-1

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the-sunlight-in-my-universe-part-2

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the-prince-of-snow2

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the-moment-before2

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the-mermaid-of-lake-huron

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the-long-faces

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the-green-room

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swing

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summer-solstice-soul-still

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strands-and-curls

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she

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rolling-stone

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relaxation

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pure-tenderness1

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paranoid-android

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not-so-wicked1

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honey-3

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her-new-glasses2

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her-fathers-tree

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happy

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electric

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coach

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camouflage-skin-tones

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boy-of-summer-first-hit-ever

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boy-of-sombre-summer

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angelic

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a-christmas-scene1

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Cameras used:  Leica (M9, M8, M3, 240), Mamiya (7II, RZ67 Pro II), Nikon D810, Sigma DP3M.

Cameras remaining: Nikon D810.

Resolution: Sony A7RII vs. Leica SL vs. Nikon D810 vs. Canon 5DS R.

Inspiration, Q&A, Reader Smackdown, Teaching point

I’ve always found DPREVIEW‘s studio comparison tool useful when evaluating cameras for resolution.

Here is the entire scene (I’ve added the numbers with red circles):

Studio Scene

↑studio comparison tool © DPREVIEW.

 

Now here is the comparison I ran with four cameras of interest (using RAW files).

I specifically focused on the numbered areas above.

Let me know what you think…

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(1):

1

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(2):

2

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(3):

3

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(4):

4

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—Peter.

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Related:  Leica M9 sharpness vs. Sony RX1R, Nikon D800E, Fuji X100s.