Mark_L Posted July 2, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 2, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) How does the summicron 50 mm perform on the M8 for portrait. I experience that the 75 is often difficult for portraits close by due to the 100 mm equivalent and the focus distance of 90 cm. Also, when you have the 35 cron as well, how many times would you switch for portrait. On the M8 the difference is between a 50 and a small 70. Is that to close to make a difference? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 Hi Mark_L, Take a look here Summicron 50 mm for portrait?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Christoph13 Posted July 2, 2011 Share #2 Posted July 2, 2011 I absolutely love the 50 Summicron including for portraits on my M8. It is by far my most used lens, very small, inconspicuous and optically brilliant. That said,if you already have the 35 Summicron, the 50 might be a bit too close indeed although some people swear by using both lenses for different purposes. Personally, I prefer to travel light, often with a single lens only. More often than not, this would be the 50 Summicron for me but your mileage may differ. Which 75 do you have? I once evaluated the 75 Summicron and loved its close focusing (0.7m). It is tack sharp though, maybe a little too honest for flattering portraits. For this purpose I like the 50 better. If there hadn't been a mechanical problem with this particular lens I would have been tempted to go for it nonetheless. The 75 Summilux is the 800 pound gorilla in the room for portraits (pun intended ). I haven't played with it but have seen absolutely gorgeous portraits taken with it. I'll stop blathering, lens choice for portraits is perhaps the most personal choice for an M photographer. Ask three, get four opinions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
framestore Posted July 2, 2011 Share #3 Posted July 2, 2011 For portrait, I can go any lenses but probably will stick to either 35 (46.55mm on FF) or 50mm (66.50mm on FF). Resources are available, here (flicker: Leica M8 Summicron 50mm Portrait) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wstotler Posted July 2, 2011 Share #4 Posted July 2, 2011 How does the summicron 50 mm perform on the M8 for portrait. I experience that the 75 is often difficult for portraits close by due to the 100 mm equivalent and the focus distance of 90 cm. Also, when you have the 35 cron as well, how many times would you switch for portrait. On the M8 the difference is between a 50 and a small 70. Is that to close to make a difference? The 50mm does a great job. Face, upper body, 3/4th views. Back up for full body. Switch to 35mm not required if you can back up. Samples of 50mm Summicron on M8, mostly portraits: Summicron 50mm - a set on Flickr Cheers! Will Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holybasil Posted July 2, 2011 Share #5 Posted July 2, 2011 The 50mm does a great job. Face, upper body, 3/4th views. Back up for full body. Switch to 35mm not required if you can back up. Samples of 50mm Summicron on M8, mostly portraits: Summicron 50mm - a set on Flickr Cheers! Will Those are some great portraits you got there! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_L Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted July 2, 2011 Which 75 do you have? I once evaluated the 75 Summicron and loved its close focusing (0.7m). It is tack sharp though, maybe a little too honest for flattering portraits. I have the Summarit 75 because I believe it should have been a price/quality king and I did not believe those that say it is not a real Leica, considered them very snob, but they may be right, I do miss some 'soul' or 'glow' in the pictures I take with it (perhaps shouldn't have tried the summilux 75 from a good friend. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJDrew Posted July 3, 2011 Share #7 Posted July 3, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm not sure which Summicron version you're speaking of. I use a mid-70s type 3 and really like it for portrait work - particularly as the more subjective qualities of the lens match the focal length very well from where I stand. 50mm gives me enough to work with in the viewfinder to be sure I'm capturing expression well - and at that between 50 - 85mm (35mm FoV equivalent) range, I think the very sharp with nice transitions to OOF areas suits "honest" focal length and the very modest perspective compression it offers. I offer two examples - one more processed that the other. 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! 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/155840-summicron-50-mm-for-portrait/?do=findComment&comment=1721816'>More sharing options...
hoppyman Posted July 3, 2011 Share #8 Posted July 3, 2011 These are with the Summilux 50 ASPH, not the Summicron but the focal length is fine on the M8 for a wide variety of people photography. Framing with a 50 is a bit easier than with a 75 on the M8 too. Having said that in my view the APO 75 is superb on the M8. Manager, Fine Art Photo gallery photo - Geoff Hopkinson photos at pbase.com Materialtr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
framestore Posted July 3, 2011 Share #9 Posted July 3, 2011 Samples of 50mm Summicron on M8, mostly portraits: Summicron 50mm - a set on Flickr very nice pictures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark_L Posted July 3, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted July 3, 2011 Thank you for the information, I decided to exchange the Summarit 75 for the Summicron 50, summarit is very sharp but the handling for me personally does not go as smooth as with the summicron, this is about the sturdy focus ring. Often I miss that shot because I can't focus fast enough, never happens with my summicron 35. Of course the cron 75 is considered an amazing lens, but currently no budget for that. Second reason is the 90 cm focus distance, in many situations I can not step back further). Third reason is that the 50 is an f2 which I have grown accustomed to with the 35. Fourth reason, the summarit has something 'cold', but that is just in my head ,which does not make it less important:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christoph13 Posted July 4, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 4, 2011 Hi Mark I haven't used the 75 Summarit enough to dismiss it but I did use the 50 Summicron which I originally bought because I wanted a 50 and there was no Summilux around (plus the budget). The ugly duckling quickly became a lens that continues to amaze me, its response to different subjects and its out-of-focus rendering characteristics vary with distance, aperture etc. If you know it well, it will let you take lovely pictures. I am not saying that suddenly all other 50s have lost their appeal to me but I will say that they would only join the Summicron, not replace it (if it ever happens). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyril Jayant Posted July 4, 2011 Share #12 Posted July 4, 2011 I have Summicron 50 mm 35mm and 90 mm but not the 75mm. I think 50 mm is very ideal for portraits and 90mm is not very easy . But all Summicrons are very good in contrast and sharpness. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredSF Posted July 4, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 4, 2011 Don't know much about the M8 (crop factor) but I've used that lens on full frame Ms and it works great for portraits. If it means stepping back one meter, you should go for it. I have many examples on my site (again full frame). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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