Wedding with 50mm APO?

[dancook]

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I have been using the 50mm 1.4 ASPH, got some good images at recent weddings - but having just revisited a review of the 50mm APO by Steve Huff - seeing the pop in the images, makes me wonder...

 

I'm looking to see more samples in particular with people, preferably weddings but portraits too.

 

Whenever I do a search here I'm finding lots of debates and not enough photos..

 

 

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[spydrxx]

although I don't have the lens imho, it is all about the lighting, not the lens.

[frame-it]

not many wedding pics but plenty of cool ones

 

https://www.flickr.com/groups/leica-apo-summicron-50mm-asph/pool/

[earleygallery]

My take on the APO is that it's great when you need total edge to edge sharpness and no distortion. Not the lens I'd choose for wedding work over any of the other 50mm options out there.

[dancook]

Yes quite, it could all just be lighting - here's a few of my own 50mm 1.4, just as some kind of benchmark/reference - or just to keep me grounded

 

 

 

 

 

L1000457 by dancook1982, on Flickr

 

L1002955 by dancook1982, on Flickr

 

L1003040 by dancook1982, on Flickr

 

Kent & Kay (141 of 293) by dancook1982, on Flickr

[zakzavada]

http://Photos.zakzavada.com nearly all weddings shot with 50lux asph and Q. Some older canon shots in a couple of the weddings but the bulk of that work is shot with 2 lenses.

[dancook]

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http://Photos.zakzavada.com nearly all weddings shot with 50lux asph and Q. Some older canon shots in a couple of the weddings but the bulk of that work is shot with 2 lenses.

 

50mlux + Q is how I do mine now, sometimes I just want to see how green the grass is - just to be sure

[M11 for me]

I wonder how you can get sharp images at all with moving people in front of the lens at a wedding with f/1.2 wide open. Does that really make sense? What is the percentage of sharp images? Maybe this is again one of these discussions where the experienced Leica shooters have no problem with whereas the newcomers have difficulties to imagine that.

 

I envy those who can do it and of course I like the pictures shown above. They are beautiful. And great that they nicely sit on armchairs rather than dancing :-)))

Edited December 29, 2017 by Alex U.

[dancook]

I wonder how you can get sharp images at all with moving people in front of the lens at a wedding with f/1.2 wide open. Does that really make sense? What is the percentage of sharp images? Maybe this is again one of these discussions where the experienced Leica shooters have no problem with whereas the newcomers have difficulties to imagine that.

 

The M10 I got a few months ago, first rangefinder I've had - manual focus on a rangefinder is definitely new to me.

 

The fact that it slows me down a bit, actually helps me ignore some of the trigger happy moments I'd have with the DSLR and think more about creating interesting compositions.

 

Where I do need to respond quickly, and usually in close quarters - I use my Leica Q, a "point & shoot" on steroids.

 

I've used the combination at three weddings, and it feels like a comfortable combination - shooting about 50/50 between them

[dancook]

I envy those who can do it and of course I like the pictures shown above. They are beautiful. And great that they nicely sit on armchairs rather than dancing :-)))

 

50mm 1.4 Dancing

 

Funky Flare by dancook1982, on Flickr

 

Leica Q 28mm 1.7 Dancing

 

L1460427 by dancook1982, on Flickr

 

 

I used the Q for all the aisle walking shots, lots of context and AF to help get the shot.

 

L1460750 by dancook1982, on Flickr

 

L1460786 by dancook1982, on Flickr

 

L1460988 by dancook1982, on Flickr

[M11 for me]

Thank you. Really well done. 

 

Sorry, but my posts are a bit OT. You wanted to know about APO Cron 50mm. I can not help here.

[M11 for me]

4 of 5 are taken with the Q's AF . . .

[zakzavada]

The M10 I got a few months ago, first rangefinder I've had - manual focus on a rangefinder is definitely new to me.

 

The fact that it slows me down a bit, actually helps me ignore some of the trigger happy moments I'd have with the DSLR and think more about creating interesting compositions.

 

Where I do need to respond quickly, and usually in close quarters - I use my Leica Q, a "point & shoot" on steroids.

 

I've used the combination at three weddings, and it feels like a comfortable combination - shooting about 50/50 between them

 

First rangefinder for me as well. The hit rate is certainly not as high as dslr autofocus work but like you I use the Q for the truly important moments where AF is a must, I was surprised and how infrequently that really is at a wedding. With a properly aligned rangefinder (which mine was NOT, right out of the box) my hit rate has certainly improved, it also helps to give myself a little more DOF, like say 2.8/3.2 to be extra cautious during entrance/exit walks. Also shooting continuously while focusing leads to a higher hit rate. 

[dancook]

4 of 5 are taken with the Q's AF . . .

 

Yup, I said that - and apart from liking the context given by the 28mm focal length, the AF helps me relax in situations like this

[dancook]

First rangefinder for me as well. The hit rate is certainly not as high as dslr autofocus work but like you I use the Q for the truly important moments where AF is a must, I was surprised and how infrequently that really is at a wedding. With a properly aligned rangefinder (which mine was NOT, right out of the box) my hit rate has certainly improved, it also helps to give myself a little more DOF, like say 2.8/3.2 to be extra cautious during entrance/exit walks. Also shooting continuously while focusing leads to a higher hit rate. 

 

good idea with spreading the bets with continuous shutter

[frame-it]

so you're not using the SL+SL50 for weddings anymore?

 

 

good idea with spreading the bets with continuous shutter

[dancook]

so you're not using the SL+SL50 for weddings anymore?

 

no, I'm not.

 

AF too frustrating, and it's nice not being so bulky

[frame-it]

i find the 50 1.4 perfect on my SL..for street photos

no, I'm not.

 

AF too frustrating, and it's nice not being so bulky

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[dancook]

i find the 50 1.4 perfect on my SL..for street photos

 

I'm glad, it was not perfect for me for weddings however.

[MarkP]

Hi Dan,

 

I have the 1.4/50 Summilux ASPH , 2.0/50 APO Summicron, 2.8/50 Elmarit-M and a 1.0/50 Noctilux which was a gift from a friend who is a professional photographer :-).  I don't have any comparison people photographs. 

 

I don't believe that the technical perfection and huge cost of the 2.0/50 APO-Summicron justifies it's use as a wedding lens. I think it would be wasted money. My first choice for people is the Noctilux or Summilux.

 

Without hesitation, I now usually bring my Noctilux for 'people photos' such as family or friends wedding or 'functions', or even casual family get togethers. This is not necessarily to shoot at f1.0 as I am not a fan of the zero-depth-of field look, but that extra stop is there should I need it. Although the size and weight of the lens are inconvenient, there is a gentleness to the Noctilux photographs and colouring and backgrounds that I don't see with my other lenses.

 

I am not infrequently asked by people who know or care little about photographic equipment or technique, what on earth did I use to get those beautiful photographs of people at some family or friend's function when I've sent them the photos/files. Every single time they were the photos taken with that heavy old Noctilux.  

 

Have you considered an old Noctilux? Certainly cheaper than an APO-Summicron.

 

Regards,

Mark

Edited December 29, 2017 by MarkP