A zoomlens with a constant aperture and excellent image quality demands many single lens elements and a large physical volume for correction purposes. Leica lenses are supposed to have mythical qualities in this respect. This V-E has a quite steep gradient from sharp to unsharp. The first zone of unsharpness exhibits shape preservation, that is the larger objects keep their geometrically correct form, but loose detail information and in the second zone shapes loose their characteristic form and become amorphous color blotches of various patterns. The very large object forms have somewhat harsh outlines.
Atmospheric perspective is enhanced and the sharpness plane is pressed into view quite forcefully.
This effect is most visible in the 70 position. The 35 position naturally has these effects to a smaller degree and with a smoother gradient. Night pictures are quite demanding as specular highlights, deep shadows and large bright light sources generate secondary reflections and veiling glare and halo effects . The V-E is outstanding here. Light sources very close together at far distances are separated clearly and without fuzzy rings and have a brilliantly clear luminance.