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SL 50 Lux / 75 Cron... or twiddle thumbs for SL 50 Cron?


JamesBarry

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75 Summicron-M

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75 Summicron-SL

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If you're wondering whether the 75 Summicron-SL renders like a Summilux, the answer is 'no.' 'No' as far as the blur of the OOF areas wide open is concerned. How could it, it's an F/2 lens. What does Peter Karbe mean here then: https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2016/09/setting-a-new-standard-with-leica-sl-lenses-a-discussion-with-peter-karbe-at-photokina-2016/?

 

Let me quote:

 

DF: So, jumping right in, how good are these new prime lenses, the 35, 75 and 90 Summicrons that will be coming out over the next year? 

PK: These primes redefine everything. They are simply amazing in terms of total optical performance, as well as mechanical. Fast autofocus. Next level image quality.

PK:...We’ve tightened and raised the curve, so that f/2 will offer a look that is similar to f/1.4. It is very unique and special. And, at the same time, will offer greater sharpness at the point of focus. The contrast of in focus and out of focus will be more pronounced, which produces a very 3D effect.

 

I think what Peter Karbe means is a special look that is very pronounced with the 50 Summilux-SL and that some have described as depth rendering. The new SL Summicrons have this from what I have seen with the 90 and the 75 but it could be that the shorter the focal length gets the less of an "f/1.4" look these lenses show because of the lower ratio between focal length and aperture.

 

While the 90SL is strictly a portrait lens, the 75SL can be used as a general walk around lens, too, IMO. And I must admit, even if the depth rendering is not as pronounced as with the 50 Summilux-SL, the 75 Summicron-SL is the best lens for it's size and weight I've seen. It creates a very modern look with beautiful colors. The blur is nice, although at times not quite as smooth as with the 75 Summicron-M to my eyes. If you find yourself cropping your 50 images a bit, then the 75 Summicron-SL might be just right for you. Someone was kind enough to lend it to me. I will give it back.

 

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attachicon.gif75 Summicrons_lufv.jpg

 

Thank you for this; v helpful.  I need to study more 75mm images to see if this is a viable prime.  I originally chose a 50 1.4 M as a general purpose lens, not necessarily for portrait shots but I have managed to get to wonderful 'people' shots with this lens.  I can now use the 24-90 as a general purpose lens but need a portrait lens that has that v special look which the moon cannot always capture.  75mm may be the one for this as may the 50 lux SL but I need to dig deeper to determine which length suits best.

 

Thanks again

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Thank you for this; v helpful.  I need to study more 75mm images to see if this is a viable prime.  I originally chose a 50 1.4 M as a general purpose lens, not necessarily for portrait shots but I have managed to get to wonderful 'people' shots with this lens.  I can now use the 24-90 as a general purpose lens but need a portrait lens that has that v special look which the moon cannot always capture.  75mm may be the one for this as may the 50 lux SL but I need to dig deeper to determine which length suits best.

 

Thanks again

Typos! - 'I can now use the 24-90 as a general purpose lens but need a portrait lens that has that v special look which the zoom cannot always capture'

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A bit more buttery behind the focus point with the M lens IMO

 

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75 Summicron-M

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75 Summicron-SL

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The M lens holds its ground here IMO

 

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75 Summicron-M

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But Summicron-SL is way sharper, of course.

 

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75 Summicron-SL

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...

So the natural choice would be the 50SL, but it's AF is slow and it's heft comparable to the 24-90.

 

...

 

 

I did the Beta testing on the latest firmware upgrade.  I wouldn't say the AF is slow at all.  As to size and weight, the 50SL is undoubtedly large and heavy compared to the Summicrons - that goes hand in hand with f/1.4, I'm afraid.  I like the balance of the two wide zooms and the 50 Summilux.  The 90-280, however, is a beast ...

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Let's come back to Peter Karbe's statement in the 2016 Red Dot Forum interview https://www.reddotfo...hotokina-2016/? about the new SL Summicrons:

PK: These primes redefine everything. They are simply amazing in terms of total optical performance, as well as mechanical. Fast autofocus. Next level image quality.
...
PK:...We’ve tightened and raised the curve, so that f/2 will offer a look that is similar to f/1.4. It is very unique and special. And, at the same time, will offer greater sharpness at the point of focus. The contrast of in focus and out of focus will be more pronounced, which produces a very 3D effect.


Based on everything I've seen from the 90 and the 75 SL Summicrons, Leica designed these lenses so that contrast of in focus and fall off behave very much like with the 50 Summilux-SL. This is not to say that the background wide open will be blurred as if the SL Summicrons were F/1.4 lenses. As shown in pictures I've posted, the rendering of the OOF areas is the same as with the 90 Summicron-M and the 75 Summicron-M lenses. But contrast behavior of in focus and out of focus is as pronounced as with the 50 Summilux-SL which offers "greater sharpness at the point of focus" than the equivalent M lenses show and produces a "3D effect" or let's call it 'depth rendering' in order not to confuse it with the 3D-Pop that other manufactures claim.

If one accepts this, the obvious question then is, does the perception of this 3D effect or this depth rendering change when the background is more or less blurred. Because as we move to shorter focal lengths, with the soon to appear 35 Summicron-SL for example, the ratio of focal length to aperture falls and it's this ratio that affects depth of field and therefore determines how blurry the OOF areas will appear.

Let's look at some pictures. First, the iron bird with the 75 Summicron-SL wide open. Yes, to my eyes it has the 50 Summilux-SL look but with a background that is obviously not as blurred at f/2.0 as it would be at f/1.4.

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75 Summicron-SL

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And now with an f/1.4 blur in the OOF areas behind the focus point. The subject in focus stands out more against the background which gives the picture more depth.

 

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50 Summilux-SL

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Edited by Chaemono
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But how about if we magnify the f/2.0 Summicron-SL background by cropping it and therefore make the OOF area that appears in the frame more blurry? Well, then a Summicron starts to look like a Summilux.

 

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75 Summicron-SL crop from previous pictures

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And now the 50 Summilux-SL crop.

 

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50 Summilux-SL crop from previous picture

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This very nice gentleman was patient enough to allow me to change lenses. I still see a subject that stands out more against an f/1.4 background than an f/2.0 one, as it should be.

 

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75 Summicron-SL

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And now with the amazing 50 Summilux-SL

 

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50 Summilux-SL

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And now with the amazing 50 Summilux-SL

 

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50 Summilux-SL

attachicon.gif50 Summilux street performer_lufv.jpg

 

 

Many thanks for all the examples.  I need to get a SL 50 Lux attached to SL body and check its weight/size. This sounds straightforward but I am at least 2-3 hours from my nearest Leica dealer.   I'm not too concerned about its speed as am assured that this is no longer an issue with up to date firmware; but we'll see.  The 50 appeals to me more especially with 1.4 since i have the 24-90.

 

Thanks again for the samples!

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