Which portrait lens? 100 or 120?

[Daedalus2000]

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Hi everyone,

 

Can anyone give me any input on how the new 100/f2 lens compares to the 120/f2.5 as a portrait lens? Are there significant differences in IQ and/or AF speed? I guess for macro work the 120 is better.

 

Many Thanks.

[Dhuff]

I recently purchased the 120 after having shot twice with both. I would say the AF is a little better with the 100, but not in any dramatic sense. I have also not detected any real IQ difference either. The 100 is my preferred focal length for portraits and is faster. However, the 120 is CS, a very good length for portraits as well, and offers the macro ability. For these reasons, my choice was the 120.

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[Daedalus2000]

I recently purchased the 120 after having shot twice with both. I would say the AF is a little better with the 100, but not in any dramatic sense. I have also not detected any real IQ difference either. The 100 is my preferred focal length for portraits and is faster. However, the 120 is CS, a very good length for portraits as well, and offers the macro ability. For these reasons, my choice was the 120.

 

Thank you, I appreciate your input. I am thinking of the 120 non-CS.

[peterv]

I think that's a wise choice. The 100mm is a very nice lens with beautiful OOF areas, but the 120mm is so much more versatile, especially the CS version, which I have too. DOF difference will be very small, I think. Maybe the 120mm is a bit more 'brutal' for portraits, but it's quiet easy to take down a bit of sharpness in post.

[basse]

I agree with everything. But it should also be noted that the 100mm has a shorter focal length and therefore can appear less flat faces. Just Portraits of women appear in this way slimmer in half portrait. In my experience Portraits are more readily accepted (at this high level). This is not always easy in female customers. The colors are changed, although that seems to be due to the settings in the profile of the 100mm lens.

But in the sum gets the 120mm certainly preferred. It´s phantastic!

[stephan_w]

I never loved a macro-lens with it's mostly hard contrasts for portrait work. IMHO the 100 is a much better lens in this respect. Also, the hunting for focus can get a real problem with the 120. If you don't need the macro (or the CS), then the 100 is a clear winner.

[dritz]

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The 120 is based on the 100 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R, yes?

 

Does the 100 Summicron-S have a similar connection to an R lens... perhaps the 80 Summilux-R?

 

Thanks.

[JeffoJeffo]

Perhaps an old Kinoptik 100mm f2 conver to S mount will do the job? Still like the old lens on portrait as they are less constrast is less with fine details. It's my own opinioin of course.

[dritz]

Just did a portrait shoot with the 120 on the S2. The images below are at 1/45th, f4.8, ISO 640. The challenge was shooting at such a slow speed. I used a tripod, so lens weight wasn't an issue, and autofocus was fast enough (not that I'd complain about a faster focus as with the 100 Summicron-S... so I'm told).

 

Given the above, the 120 is superb for the task, and has the benefit of providing macro capability (and using the Elpro from the 100 Macro-Elmarit-R!). As you can see from the second photograph, managing depth of field is a challenge even at f4.8. Notice how the hair on the forehead center is OOF while at the right side it is in focus -- matching the focus plane of the eye.

 

But I still wouldn't kick the 100 Summicron-S out of bed if I found it there!

 

Regards.

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[Daedalus2000]

Thank you everyone for your very useful replies. At the end, I got a second hand 120 lens, as it was the most affordable option and has the benefit of macro.

[fjheimann]

I have the 120 non CS, also the 180 wit Elpro (CS)

As better I regard 180+ Elpro.

Greets,

Franz

Edited December 20, 2014 by fjheimann

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

What does CS stand for and what is it??

[Jeff S]

http://www.reddotforum.com/content/2012/03/testing-the-cs-lenses-on-the-leica-s2-740/

 

If you're going to get the S, probably a good idea to look at all of David Farkas' blog posts….apart from lots of other basic MF stuff.

 

Jeff

[hoppyman]

some recent (retouched) images with the Summarit S 120. If you like to fill the frame for dramatic portraits there's not much DoF even stopped down a lot. 
http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/image/158919214
http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/image/160308687
http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman/image/160475024
 

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Fantastic Geoff

[Jeff S]

Glad you appreciated my link, too, Neil.  

 

I'm done helping.

 

Jeff

[Guest NEIL-D-WILLIAMS]

Glad you appreciated my link, too, Neil.  

 

I'm done helping.

 

Jeff

No NO NO don't be like that mutton Deaf.........I did check out David Farkas' blog and got a bunch out of it. I have also been watching the Leica videos about the MF and really getting my head wrapped around all this MF stuff.

As always your help is very much appreciated

[albertknappmd]

I find it hard to answer the original question as both lenses are superb. The 100 however is lighter and faster. More traditional Leica look with Bokeh but then again, it is so subjective. Simply put, you really cannot go wrong on this one!

Albert

[kaikeong]

Thank you, I appreciate your input. I am thinking of the 120 non-CS.

Go for the CS version if the price different is not much. You never know when you may need higher shutter speed for flash usage especially outdoor shooting 

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Hallo,

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