Differences? 50mm Lux vs Elmar from F4 to F8

[Dikaiosune01]

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I do apologize in advance, I feel as though this could be found through the search bar, with so many people asking "what should I buy" type of lenses. However, I haven't been able to find anything relevant when focusing on the keywords "lux", "summilux" and "elmar".

 

Situation: I'm helping out a friend with a portrait shoot; as a second shooter. Because my equipment will need to be secondary, I'm trying to nail down what I will be shooting with. And because i shoot 50mm most of the time, I'll stick to a single 50. The question I'm struggling with is which 50mm lens do I 'want' to bring. In one corner, we have the amazing sharp (frustating to focus) Summilux asph. In the other corner, we have the 50mm Elmar (first version). The perfectly round aperture blades; and the classic leica glass.

 

Since lights will be involved, and I'll have access to a trigger, things should be made easier because most shots will be made around F/5.6; and shooting wide open will likely not be a relevant issue to deal with.

 

Due to my own inexperience, I'm having a little trouble discerning the differences when shooting beyond F4. I wanted to see if anyone here could chime in on their opinions.

 

Note: I recently sold my usual lens (50mm planar) to fund for the summilux asph; and I'm still getting a handle on how to handle it. On the other hand, the elmar has alway been a lens I've dabbled with and never used it extensively.

[Jeff S]

You own the lenses; why not just try them under anticipated conditions and see?

 

Jeff

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[250swb]

Take both? Just an idea, the Elmar doesn't take up a lot of space.

 

I'm assuming you find the Summilux frustrating to focus because it has a stiffer focus ring, but with use you will forget about it so all you need to do is use it more. It won't get lighter in action but you will get more acclimatised to it.

 

As for the best lens on a portrait shoot I think the Summilux. You can use it wide open for the tried and tested shallow DOF dreamy mush type of shot, or stopped down for critically sharp work. In the basic file the Elmar would give a gentler softer transition in tone stopped down as it has less micro contrast, which is nice in a portrait, but in the digital age you can do the same thing (more or less) by post processing a Summilux file.

 

Steve

[pgk]

Due to my own inexperience, I'm having a little trouble discerning the differences when shooting beyond F4. I wanted to see if anyone here could chime in on their opinions.

I'm not so sure that its inexperience;). Whilst there will be differences, at mid-apertures and in controlled lighting condition where hopefully flare will not be a significant problem, differences will not be dramatic, but rather more subtle and will require looking for (lower contrast, less precise definition away from the centre, propensity to flare, etc.). That said, personally I'd have no hesitation in choosing/using the Summilux Aspheric whatsoever given the choice (I've owned both and my only 50mm these days is this lens).

[lct]

The first version of the Elmar 50 is significantly less contrasty so i would try both lenses before deciding personally.