GH4 + Leica 25mm: Fuzziness?

[derekpanther]

Hi folks,

 

I'm a total newbie when it comes to shooting video, so please bear with me. I've recently had a chance to play around with a GH4 and a few lens (Leica 25mm f1.4, Lumix GX 12-35mm, and a Nikon 50mm with adapter). 

 

I was wondering if there was a way to get clearer focus with the 25mm lens? Just when I think I have something in focus, I notice a lot of fuzziness around edges (see my example below):

 

I shot this test at f1.8, ISO 400. 

 

 

In comparison, here are stills from all three lenses:

 

Leica 25mm: '>

12-35mm: '>

Nikon 50mm: '>

 

[jonpais]

stop the lens down

[leeys]

That is spherical aberration, have you not heard? It's what causes the "Leica glow". :P

 

You'll need to stop the lens down. See if it goes away at f/2.8

[andy lee]

the Fujinon 25mm f1.4 c mount is very usable wide open at f1.4 and a fraction of the cost of the Leica

[johnnymossville]

the Fujinon 25mm f1.4 c mount is very usable wide open at f1.4 and a fraction of the cost of the Leica

 

This lens works with no vignetting?   

[andy lee]

yes its great , you have to modify the rear so it fits on a micro 4/3 adaptor , but its as sharp as my Carl Zeiss C/Y F1.7 50mm Planar

I also use the Fujinon 35mm f1.7 which is a Zeiss Distagon Equivilant - its that good!!

[derekpanther]

That is spherical aberration, have you not heard? It's what causes the "Leica glow". :P

 

You'll need to stop the lens down. See if it goes away at f/2.8

 

Thanks for the tip, leeys! I went to f/2.8, and things became crystal clear :) Awesome, thanks again, and to everyone else who replied!

 

Before (f/1.8): '>

After (f/2.8): '>

[Inazuma]

The edges were just out of focus, surely?

[Mozim]

The edges were just out of focus, surely?

 

I was going to say the same but it looks like nothing is in focus at all when shooting at f/1.8. 

 

In my experience, the Pana 25mm f/1.4 is decently sharp wide open. It does get a little better when stopping it down but I don't hesitate to use it at f/1.4 or f/1.8. What I noticed when shooting wide open in very contrasty conditions is that there can be quite a bit of purple fringing... but none of the fuzziness you described!

[derekpanther]

I was going to say the same but it looks like nothing is in focus at all when shooting at f/1.8. 

 

In my experience, the Pana 25mm f/1.4 is decently sharp wide open. It does get a little better when stopping it down but I don't hesitate to use it at f/1.4 or f/1.8. What I noticed when shooting wide open in very contrasty conditions is that there can be quite a bit of purple fringing... but none of the fuzziness you described!

 

I think you're right-- after playing around a bit more, I've been able to get some really crisp footage, even at f/1.4. I guess my hands were really unsteady in that first 1.8 test!

 

f/1.4: '>  and '>