So then I have tested the Focotar 50mm f. 4,5 versus the Sigma 70mm Art, and like I expected the Sigma kills the poor veteran like a shark in a goldfish pond. When I put unsharp mask at 100 amount and 1 in radius on the Focotar scan it renders similar to the Sigma without any unsharp mask in the centre of the image, while in the edges the Sigma reigns supreme. No surprises here, but interesting to observe. It also tells me a lot about how immensely sharp the Sigma 70mm Art is, so thank you for the recommendation @Harry. I have scanned one fourth of my 777 portraits in just four nights, and the results are astonishing. One caveat though; I have scanned with the Focotar in daytime, which might have affected the contrast a tad, even though I have the curtains down, it is not like scanning in a totally darkened room. I will do another test when the whole project is over, more for proofing the lens for further use on smaller sensors. Because with this difference in corner and edge sharpness there is no doubt which lens I will use. Sigma is king. Leica is dethroned. At least for me. The Sigma has a little bit more contrast too, but nothing which affects the scan in a negative way, so no advantages there for the Leitz lens really. I think it mostly has to do with coating, but the daylight might be part of it too. Still the Leitz Focotar is sharper in the edges than the Leitz Elmarit. Not by much though, But it’s one seventh of the price, so I would go for the Focotar if one absolutely need to use a Leica lens, like I pathetically felt like I had to until I tried the Sigma. Thank you for all the help and advice guys. Highly appreciated.
1 Like