digitalfx Posted January 1, 2016 Share #1 Posted January 1, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can anyone give their thoughts on the 50mm APO on the SL? I am considering this lens for the SL and would like to know if it performs as well on the SL as it does on the M and if its worth the cost to "upgrade" from a 50mm Summilux. thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 1, 2016 Posted January 1, 2016 Hi digitalfx, Take a look here 50mm f2.0 APO Summicron M + SL ??. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Joshua Lowe Posted January 1, 2016 Share #2 Posted January 1, 2016 I own both lenses but I don't own an SL, though I've tested an SL with the Summilux mounted. I thought it looked about the same as it does on the M240. I'd take the APO over the Summilux every time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalfx Posted January 1, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted January 1, 2016 Thanks, I am looking for feedback specifically on the SL Body though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrp Posted January 2, 2016 Share #4 Posted January 2, 2016 Both lenses work well on the SL, but they have rather different renderings (the Summilux creams out the background, the Summicron has a more natural, less artsy look). The Summicron also has much lower aberrations than the Summilux and so is better for night scenes, scenes with lots of hight contrast edges, etc. You can see some sample pics on the SL in recent Steve Huff articles. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Posted January 2, 2016 Share #5 Posted January 2, 2016 (edited) I never got the chance to use my 50mm Summilux-M on the SL since I sold it to help fund the purchase of the SL. However, I can speak to the 50mm Summicron-M APO and SL combination. They work extremely well together! I notice no difference in image quality between the 50-APO on the M(240) and on the SL. Obviously, the SL has better high ISO performance, and I find the colors more accurate out of the SL, but aside from that no difference at all. As far as whether the Summicron APO is worth the upgrade... I'm very happy with mine. It is smaller and lighter than the 'Lux and has better pop wide open than the 'Lux did at f/1.4 or f/2. Worth it, though? The 'Lux was no slouch, so I'm not sure I could recommend it as an upgrade. I think it comes down more to the rendering of the two lenses. I prefer the Summicron since it basically becomes invisible in my images--I just see the picture without seeing how the lens has "interpreted" the picture. I kind of like that, but others may disagree. Attached is a sample image from last night taken with the SL and the 50mm-APO. It was shot at f/2.8 (since f/2 showed just a bit of astigmatism in the corners that was visible on "point source" lights). Shutter speed was 1/125s. ISO was 800. This is the San Francisco Bay as seen from the Oakland hills roughly thirty minutes after sunset. I really like how the combination worked together. Oh, any banding you might see is from the conversion to JPG. While the SL does show some banding at ISO 12500 and above, that's not an issue at ISO's at or below 6400. - Jared 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! Edited January 2, 2016 by Jared 12 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/255075-50mm-f20-apo-summicron-m-sl/?do=findComment&comment=2960128'>More sharing options...
don daniel Posted January 2, 2016 Share #6 Posted January 2, 2016 I have tested my Apo-Summicron-M 50mm on a SL, but only a few minutes. Results are as good as on the M240, at high ISO even much better. It just looks ridiculous on the SL because it is so tiny. And I did not like the handling. I also found it nearly impossible to focus correctly without magnification. But that's me. The SL convinces me with the AF-zoom-lens, M-lenses work better with a rangefinder camera. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalfx Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted January 2, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is it smaller than the Summilux? I don't have any issues focusing the Summilux, I can't imagine its that much different 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Posted January 2, 2016 Share #8 Posted January 2, 2016 It is, indeed, smaller than the Summilux. Also lighter. That said, I don't have a problem with handling on the SL. Focus does work best with the focus aid on the SL, If that's a problem, just stick with the zoom. In general she focusing manually, for lenses of 35mm and below I'd rather have the rangefinder focus of the M. For lenses of 75mm and above, I'd rather have the magnified focus of the SL. At 50mm it really depends on subject and f-stop. If you need fast focus, though, I'd take the autofocus on the SL zoom. - Jared Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
egrossman Posted January 2, 2016 Share #9 Posted January 2, 2016 (edited) The 50 APO is wonderful on the SL. Easy to focus (although the camera feels a little unbalanced given the small size of the lens). Colors are magic and the bokeh very smooth. Edited January 2, 2016 by egrossman 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted January 2, 2016 Share #10 Posted January 2, 2016 The Apo 50 is fine on the SL, and performs just as on the M pari passu. As for focusing, then any M lens you are used to on the M will take getting used to all over again on the SL, because your hand fits round the front of the camera at a different angle; it's not worse, it's just different, so it inevitably slows you up to start with. Is it worth it? Without a scale of measurement, this is a meaningless question. A professional can measure whether it is worth it by cost-benefit analysis and ROI. All amateur pursuits are not worth it unless they give you measurable benefits of health, attractiveness to the other sex etc. So if you can afford it, and you want it, then buy it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
don daniel Posted January 3, 2016 Share #11 Posted January 3, 2016 It is, indeed, smaller than the Summilux. Also lighter. That said, I don't have a problem with handling on the SL. Focus does work best with the focus aid on the SL, If that's a problem, just stick with the zoom. In general she focusing manually, for lenses of 35mm and below I'd rather have the rangefinder focus of the M. For lenses of 75mm and above, I'd rather have the magnified focus of the SL. At 50mm it really depends on subject and f-stop. If you need fast focus, though, I'd take the autofocus on the SL zoom. - Jared That is what I tried to say. You cannot be sure that focus is correct on the SL, if you use your lens stopped down. It is very easy to focus a noctilux wide open on the SL. It is rather difficult to focus a 50mm lens stopped down with the electronic viewfinder, and it is nearly impossible to focus a wide angle lens unless you activate magnification. I think the handling with the original af-zoom is just perfect. I'd wait for the Summilux-SL 50mm. I guess it will render as good as the Apo-Summicron-M 50, but with an extra stop. And it will be very comfortable to use because of autofocus. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfunnell Posted January 3, 2016 Share #12 Posted January 3, 2016 I have the SL and the 50 APO combination and find it very nice to use. Small size is great wonderful images from the SL and I have no difficulty with focussing it. I think until the 50 Summilux-SL 50 sounds wonderful but it is much larger. Just my 2c 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerndReini Posted January 3, 2016 Share #13 Posted January 3, 2016 It is a wonderful combination. I don't own the SL, but I tested it with my 50Apo. I posted some portraits in the SL image thread. Focusing is wonderful with the movable magnification point and the lens's rendering is optical perfection. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
selerski Posted January 5, 2016 Share #14 Posted January 5, 2016 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/255075-50mm-f20-apo-summicron-m-sl/?do=findComment&comment=2962532'>More sharing options...
selerski Posted January 5, 2016 Share #15 Posted January 5, 2016 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! 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/255075-50mm-f20-apo-summicron-m-sl/?do=findComment&comment=2962535'>More sharing options...
digitalfx Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted January 16, 2016 The prices on the 50mm APO have dropped dramatically...I just couldn't resist, now I have three 50mm M lens...Is it time for an intervention? 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! 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/255075-50mm-f20-apo-summicron-m-sl/?do=findComment&comment=2970024'>More sharing options...
agencal Posted January 16, 2016 Share #17 Posted January 16, 2016 I have been using 50mm Apo for a long time.It was pleasure to use it on m240.I have tried many combinations for years including canikons but what i see is nothing comes even close to M+50mm Apo.It has a clearance like midium format.It is like looking from a glassless window with your own eyes.At f2 it is like 3d.I have gone Cuba with many lenses and systems but all my shots were with this set up and %90 wide open. Now i have SL and trying SL with 50 Apo at studio.What i found is most of the colours they look the same with M-P 240 or maybe SL has more contrast on colours which seems good but when it comes to RED M is more accurate. For image quality SL is a hair sharper but M shots are more bodied and has a bit more 3d rendering.This comes close when you stop down but at f2 and 2.8 i thing M+50 apo beats SL+50 Apo about pop and natural rendering. Maybe outside will be a different story but with studio lights what i found are these. Hope helped 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugues33 Posted January 18, 2016 Share #18 Posted January 18, 2016 An example SL + APO SUMMICRON 50mm 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! 1 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/255075-50mm-f20-apo-summicron-m-sl/?do=findComment&comment=2971145'>More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted January 18, 2016 Share #19 Posted January 18, 2016 Would someone who owns both an SL and a 50 APO mind posting a few pictures of the combination? I am trying to get a sense of what people mean when they say it looks/feels odd to have the small lens on the SL. (I would like an SL for the organic use of a telephoto, not the M-240 kludge, but I can't see myself investing in a new 50 prime. Therefore, I'd love to know whether having the 50 APO on the SL is a viable kit for some everyday situations.) Many thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted January 18, 2016 Share #20 Posted January 18, 2016 Hi John, For what it is worth: I find the handling of the SL+50APO combo unproblematic. As you allude to, others might feel it differently, possibly based on the size of the hand/length of the fingers. For my hand, corresponding to X or XL-sized gloves, I find the combo a joy to use! I don't have any images of the combo to share though (on travel). 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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