Adding fuel to the fire... My introduction to the IQ180 was 9 days ago at 5am. I didn't have a whole lot of time with it and I was trying to help lead a PODAS workshop at the time... so my testing was not in depth by any means. I threw the 35mm XL on my Rm3d, shifted it 15mm to the left and let it fly. The resulting LCC image was so frightening and that combined with reports here caused me to drop the IQ180 from my consideration without further exploration.
Now that I've got a few days off and am still haunted by the awesomeness of the IQ GUI, I've begun to re-explore that test. The P65+ and the P45+ before it have been so good to me that I feel I owe the brand a little more generosity.
Now, again, this was with the Schneider Apo-Digitar 35mm XL (which everyone says should NOT be used with the IQ 180), the camera is shifted 15mm (5mm more than anyone should really EVER shift this lens) and there was no Center Filter.
The two images are captures from the IQ180 (left) and then the P65+ (right). You'll notice I had the IQ180 ISO set to 100. Why? It was 5am and there was no coffee in sight!
I set the P65+ Light Falloff Correction to 56% because that's where I liked it esthetically (I typically back this correction off some to increase image depth). The IQ180 Light Falloff Correction is set to 73% to achieve corner readouts comparable to the P65+. 17% more correction... not too bad. It is obvious the IQ180 develops more fall off than the P65+ (which has more falloff than a P45+).
I would have absolutely no issues delivering either file to a client (if, ya know, it was a decent composition with better light). The over-shifted composition with the new WAT LCC on the IQ 180 at 73% correction has no issues to my eyes.
So how do I feel about everything now? I think I was too quick to dismiss the IQ180. It does provide just amazing detail, nicer clarity than the P65+ and allows for Big *** Prints. This hasn't convinced me to trade in my P65+ right away, but it has convinced me to do more real world testing. I especially want to see the difference with images that are inherently darker and see if corner noise is an issue.
I dig the little Schneider 35mm and I really love my 43mm and am not anxious to swap those out for the big, heavy and pricey Rodie HR's to solve falloff on the IQ180. But if I can integrate the new back into my current kit, I think I'll be a happy camper.
*All conclusions and opinions above are purely subjective and I have been known to be wrong about **** on occasion.
CB