gazza19 Posted January 1, 2017 Share #1 Posted January 1, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've read various reviews on these 2 lenses that contradict. They say one or the other is too sharp for portraits. Anyone tried both for portraits? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 1, 2017 Posted January 1, 2017 Hi gazza19, Take a look here 50mm - summilux or APO summicron for portraits. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
erl Posted January 1, 2017 Share #2 Posted January 1, 2017 People will say many things about many things, usually in a prescriptive vein. I'm afraid a lot of it is purely personal and subject dependent. On that basis alone I regret to state that you must determine your own parameters and experiment to find your taste. After all, What I call sharp, you may not etc. There are no short cuts finding what suits you and your style. Some will give you plenty of direct advice, but in the end you may not like it. For eg. I say, "why 50mm for portraiture"? A cheeky response I know, but it is intended to stimulate you into thinking "outside the lens". Good luck with your researches and do plenty of hands on wherever you can. P.S. Just noticed you are new here. Welcome. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lucan Posted January 2, 2017 Share #3 Posted January 2, 2017 Same advise as Erl, Why limit to 50mm for portraits? Have a browse >>>>>>> 50 F2 APO and 50 f1.4 ASPH 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted January 2, 2017 Share #4 Posted January 2, 2017 I can't give you a definite answer. However on my M6 with Portra the Summilux 1.4 ASPH has beautiful renderings and skin tones. I also love the shallower depth of field 1.4 allows. Good luck! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentShutter Posted January 2, 2017 Share #5 Posted January 2, 2017 Sharpness is a bourgeois concept – Henri Cartier Bresson 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilentShutter Posted January 2, 2017 Share #6 Posted January 2, 2017 I say, "why 50mm for portraiture"? I love the 135mm for portraits at full apperature. Hard in the old analog days - but easier today when you use the display to focus right to the point. For portraits resolution and "sharpness" is not the main topic (in my opinion). I am a sucker for old glas and the perfect inperfection it renders sometimes.....more importent to me than anything else to get the style I want or looking for. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas fry Posted January 2, 2017 Share #7 Posted January 2, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have both and use both for portraits, the 50mm is a good lens for including the environment with the subject and also good for communication, generally you are closer. The 90 is great for the tighter portrait, both offer superb results. Perhaps get them both or perhaps a summilux and an elmarit, which is also a superb alternative 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tde Posted January 2, 2017 Share #8 Posted January 2, 2017 Henri had his time and we do not nessessarily have to accept all his statements. Photography is not religion. I love the rendering of a lot of Leica lenses depends of your mood and what you are looking for. I don't own a 50 mm APO S as yet, but hope to get one someday as I admire the sharpness and contrast. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 2, 2017 Share #9 Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) Sharpness is a bourgeois concept – Henri Cartier Bresson He said this as a joke, made to Helmut Newton. If you understand Newton's point of view and work, it is very clever and funny. Ever since, these words have been taken out of context. Edited January 2, 2017 by Paul J 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted January 2, 2017 Share #10 Posted January 2, 2017 (edited) I've read various reviews on these 2 lenses that contradict. They say one or the other is too sharp for portraits. Anyone tried both for portraits? There are no lenses too sharp for portraits. Edited January 2, 2017 by Paul J Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza19 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted January 2, 2017 I have both and use both for portraits, the 50mm is a good lens for including the environment with the subject and also good for communication, generally you are closer. The 90 is great for the tighter portrait, both offer superb results. Perhaps get them both or perhaps a summilux and an elmarit, which is also a superb alternative Thanks All, I think this is my best option F1.4 Summilux and F2 90mm Summicron 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lucan Posted January 2, 2017 Share #12 Posted January 2, 2017 Natural choice. Just add either 28mm or 35mm when ready. A logical set up of thousands of photographers,regardless of brand. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazza19 Posted January 2, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted January 2, 2017 Natural choice. Just add either 28mm or 35mm when ready. A logical set up of thousands of photographers,regardless of brand. I already have 35mm Summicron and my Leica Q covers 28mm so it all fits nicely :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted January 2, 2017 Share #14 Posted January 2, 2017 Sharpness is a bourgeois concept – Henri Cartier Bresson HCB actually got quite a few things wrong. I acknowledge that he also got quite a bit right as well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 3, 2017 Share #15 Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) Great lenses for sharp portraits but not for soft ones where i prefer ZM 50/1.5 and Summilux 50/1.4 pre-asph among 50mm lenses. When i need sharpness i prefer the 50/2 apo because its bokeh is softer around f/2-f/2.8 but the bokeh of the 50/1.4 asph is not harsh at full aperture at all. Matter of tastes anyway. As for Cartier-Bresson, his portraits are self explanatory so he was always right of course especially here: « I’m always amused by the idea that certain people have about technique, which translate into an immoderate taste for the sharpness of the image. Is it a passion for detail, for perfection, or do they hope to get closer to reality with this trompe l’oeil? They are, by the way, as far away from the real issues as other generations of photographers were when they obscured their subject in soft-focus effects ». Edited January 3, 2017 by lct 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 3, 2017 Share #16 Posted January 3, 2017 (edited) I've read various reviews on these 2 lenses that contradict. They say one or the other is too sharp for portraits. Anyone tried both for portraits? It is likely that their comments vary depending upon their mood and recent comments. IOW, a dice-throw. . Edited January 3, 2017 by pico 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted January 3, 2017 Share #17 Posted January 3, 2017 Photography, whilst based on a science, is really an art using technical tools. eg. lenses, cameras, etc. Therefore, I suggest, there can be no simple definitive correct, right, whatever, tool or method to achieve one's end result. So asking the OP's question can never be answered definitively! Playing around with the gear is the only way to find an answer. Take a short cut. Acquire the gear and use it. Like it! Keep it. Don't like it! Flog it. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
snooper Posted January 3, 2017 Share #18 Posted January 3, 2017 I actually have both lenses (Summilux and APO Summicron) and my favorite one, for portraits is... ...the 75 Summarit ! (Needless to mention both 50mm are awesome, even if different...) 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kilmister Posted January 3, 2017 Share #19 Posted January 3, 2017 For a portrait I would use a 75mm or 90mm lens. Personal choice, but, the longer the lens and the softer the focus, the better the portrait. Someone with a large nose or chin will carp at paying for a portrait that highlights those features.90mm is perfect in flattening features and the 90mm Summarit is soft enough for anyone. Each to their own. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
snooper Posted January 3, 2017 Share #20 Posted January 3, 2017 Just did a test of what some call "sharpness". Dark place, no proper light, 6400 ISO (!!) and no preparation of any kind... Summarit 75mm and MM2. The crop 100% of the eye shows even too much of "sharpness" for a gentle portrait... This Summarit is really awsome... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/267908-50mm-summilux-or-apo-summicron-for-portraits/?do=findComment&comment=3178386'>More sharing options...
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