and Sigma's Roadmap

[bags27]

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But they do exist... And the top-end, long CaNikSon lenses are expensive, usd10000+.

And from what I understand, it's because a lot of these aren't bought by private photographers, but by media agencies who lend them to their photographers or by rental businesses.

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The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Chaemono]

And now the Sigma Art 50/1.4 on the SL with adapter vs. the 50 Summilux-SL. Let’s get the positive out of the way first. Sigma knows how to develop sharp fast lenses. Not quite as sharp as the Leica lens wide open and the further one gets away from the center the more discernible this will be, but, still, the difference in perceived sharpness is insignificant, IMO, and certainly not worth the USD 4,300 price difference. So, why pay up for the Leica lens you will ask. Well, let’s look at some pictures.

 

First, a portrait of a very friendly gentleman who was kind enough to pose. He plays a barrel organ that he built himself. 

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-P8KGKc/i-qGjfHKb

 

SL + Sigma Art 50/1.4 @f/1.4 (a breeze to focus with the SL)

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[Chaemono]

And now a bit off center.

 

DNGs here:

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g136827531-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=TjeWOqpwDXeXcIYv1iGLuwJxWFdPzE-OXn7CPGd35mM=

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g119890256-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=X17APWiCYz_Pl2rVBXxGuLq03RQo2jK1PVFBFUnsgNw=

 

 

SL + Sigma Art 50/1.4

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Summilux-SL

[Chaemono]

Let's come to one of the biggest differences. The Sigma Art 50/1.4 in a way emulates the 50 Summilux-SL, or, maybe, the other way around, except that Sigma does not take the optics to perfection. Leica is willing to do so and charge accordingly. If this matters to you, then the 50 Summilux-SL is well wort the price. First, in terms of contrast behavior around the focus point and the fall-off behind it. There is a gradual, controlled fall-off with the Leica lens that results in nuances of delicate subtlety and smoothness in the pictures. Now, this will not always be visible nor matter sometimes depending on what one is shooting. But it's there and in some cases it makes a big difference.

 

In the next examples, I couldn't get closer to the subjects. They were having their picture taken and I was asked to step a bit back in order not to appear in the frame. The difference would have been more pronounced could I have gotten closer. Over in one of the threads of the M10 forum, someone wrote that German lenses render red more accurately than Japanese lenses and that this constitutes part of the 'Leica look.' So, I tried to find something with lots of red in it.  

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-P8KGKc/i-qGjfHKb

 

Japanese red

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German red

 

 

[Chaemono]

See the smoothness in the fall-off, the rendering of detail in the girl's hair behind the focus point in the Leica picture.

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-P8KGKc/i-qGjfHKb

 

Japanese red crop 1

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German red crop 1

[Chaemono]

One must applaud Sigma for making a lens that in many situations looks like it can rival a Leica five times more expensive and one has to look very closely for nervousness in the bokeh, for double lines, double lips, and double chins, what have you.

 

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-P8KGKc/i-qGjfHKb

 

Japanese red crop 2

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German red crop 2

[Chaemono]

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How about CA/PF you will ask. Well, how about it? The 50 Summilux-SL pictures are virtually free of it. Let's look at some comparisons.

 

DNGs here (for ye of little faith  ):

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g71032509-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=UYOQxEpkdDhqdktuSISG5z2U7CyprqmHRs9eYS5rYDs=

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g162654665-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=YOvP_8FOWRdVDbcMrBwNaVSzQUNTwzODlyo6yt5JiZw=

 

SL + Sigma Art 50/1.4 crop @f/1.4

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50 Summilux-SL @f/1.4 (so clean - darn it, Leica, ho do you do it? Some will say software corrections baked into the DNGs. Who cares, it's not there and one doesn't have to deal with it in post).

[Chaemono]

Here another strength of the 50 Summilux-SL. Not only does it exhibit hardly any CA/PF, it captures more information in areas of extreme highlights than the Sigma lens. The Sigma lens here was used at a slightly slower shutter speed to help it deal with the situation. 

 

DNGs (for ye of little faith) here:

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g528999706-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=TdMTTUXSQh9MJ5EaCoVNsZI3xw3rfT4tl8zF8cVPSFY=

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g30684643-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=Gbj7FzkStl9GaiYIFONkyOtC7dzC18qn_HDl745TTTc=

 

SL + Sigma Art 50/1.4 crop ISO 100 f/1.4 @1/3200 sec.

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50 Summilux-SL ISO 100 f/1.4 @1/2500 sec.

[Chaemono]

And let's do one more and, please, consider donating to your favorite charity for all this work. Lift the shadows all the way and look at those smooth 50-Summilux-SL tones. 

 

The two comparable DNGs here:

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g195511088-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=1v88fNfnKhnqQ9Pzg4JW95rjDA7tFuFu-lsRYNKNlrw=

https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g39285867-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=QfkItj9atug85Yj9EVbWMnCmMlyn-581MjaVennHyPg=

 

But now only the Sigma version.

 

SL + Sigma Art 50/1.4

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SL + Sigma Art 50/1.4 crop (that's a tough one. It shouldn't happen)

[HeinzX]

What I really miss in the Sigma roadmap is the 105 macro, this has stabliser and an IF but is not even available for

Sony E. The 70 mm macro, which is included has either a stabiliser, nor an IF an it is reported, that the AF is slow and

the noice level should be rather high. All in all it is not a desirable lens for me, whch I want ot use both woth the SLand the SL. Unfortunately there is no real alternative available by Leica, not even in the roadmap of them. I hope,

Panasonic will have one in future.

[Chaemono]

Let's show a few more and try to see whether there is a discernible difference in plasticity and depth rendering that results from the way the Sigma Art 50/1.4 and the 50 Summilux-SL render. To me, there is. It's not obvious in all pictures and, even if it is, not everyone will see it. I clearly do but with the subjects shown below some will say it doesn't matter. Fair enough, they are just test shots. The Summilux-SL to my eyes has that plasticity that results from the way contrast around and behind the focus point creates depth and dimension. Some may ascribe this effect to 'micro-contrast.' I shy away from using this term as it is unclear what it really means. Here, I rather focus on the difference of contrast behavior between the two lenses. The Sigma Art is sharp in the center wide open, no doubt, but the way resolution drops very quickly after the focus point makes the background fade away suddenly. This creates the illusion of a very sharp object against a blurry background. As a result, at times the Sigma Art lens may be perceived as being sharper. The 50 Summilux-SL maintains enough contrast after the focus point to resolve more detail in the immediate background which only fades away slowly and smoothly. This gives the 50 Summilux-SL pictures more depth. BTW, the new SL Summicrons also show this effect. Let's look at some pictures and the links to the DNGs are included.

 

First pair. The detail on the tiny screw is incredible in both. It says 'THE A2.' It's amazing, jaw dropping resolution wide open. Slightly different angle with the Leica lens but, still, more plasticity to me. 

Sigma Art 50/1.4 + SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g696470944-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=xVrmEg4h3zZoY1KAPIaC7mvt_P-UcQJyPKR603wQgqo=

50 Summilux-SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g636202510-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=eBswRb1Yksnexvr3bhKEU8mfxhkmKJesTD65Ja7VpQ8=

 

Second pair. Again, the Leica lens shows more depth.

Sigma Art 50/1.4 + SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g1068483641-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=qMgacDv4PdZl_roUl4Oi8qR6mpKQDw2A0T1f482YFec=

50 Summilux-SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g1037655429-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=PyVlbjeYqT5RY68HF4qlqXHbMYGnoptvUk6FRkrihzA=

 

Third pair. Leica lens shows more depth.

Sigma Art 50/1.4 + SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g750283887-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=-8iHvnyiKSVEA31cokZ_dT2uTzQpuK4T_SAOcicprn4=

50 Summilux-SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g868801404-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=657MC5U6eY3f_ftTiHXpNzJOGPPHELZ99OqG4XqBXJw=

 

Fourth pair. Now, here it gets interesting. Couldn't find a better model. One needs to adjust WB to match and apply equal amount of sharpening, of course. The eye in the Sigma Art picture appears to be sharper but it's not. It just stands out because resolution drops very quickly behind the focus point with the Sigma lens. In the Summilux-SL picture, the 'subject' in focus appears to have more dimension and, therefore, more 'volume.'

Sigma Art 50/1.4 + SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g963578232-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=lGhQfQ5lYdk1jGMbnnuQQCx-tBn4u6vjf-B7Dgjc1Gc=

50 Summilux-SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g788083118-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=fomIqKciaiL2kXm-4yD2WMMS42jM64NqtntxMKWmy2Q=

 

And one last pair with compressed JPEG crops shown below. The slightly different angle with the Leica lens was not intentional.

Sigma Art 50/1.4 + SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g616482753-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=epWewMs2zBnBweBKv4vwFWTk5vQqSq3Drm-WH8S6ze8=

50 Summilux-SL DNG: https://cc2032.zenfolio.com/img/g1020515462-o750076470.dat?dl=2&tk=JkxvoIme2RKhdugyBmIohtfdQRr8EE1RiPhG9fpYlto=

 

Sigma Art 50/1.4 + SL crop

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50 Summilux-SL

[Ivar B]

Very interesting. Probably 99.9 % would be more than happy with Sigma quality, though.

[jankap]

Perhaps the comparison is not very neutral. The SL recognizes its brand companion and changes its its behavior correspondingly.

Apart from this  the test is very interesting.

Jan

[Chaemono]

I know that in certain situations the two are indiscernibly close. There is just something about the 50 Summilux-SL. Lucky those FF Panasonic buyers who will be able to pick up a used one next year after some switch to the smaller 50 Summicron-SL. I won't. Just love the OOF rendering of the Summilux. It will be less blurred with the Summicron, obviously. 

Less compressed JPEG all the way down here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-D6wJ8c/i-PZkZ3cW

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[Ivar B]

It is nice to see that all users really like the SL Lux 50. The only critical review I have ever read, is Sean Reids test a while ago. As I recall, he described a need for some dropping down to obtain uniform sharpness. I am very happy with my Otus 55, and see no reason for a replacement. The coming 2/50 APO may make me change my mind, though. Who knows. 

[jrp]

Thanks for all these comparisons.  The Sigma seems to deserve its great reputation.  I suspect that it may even outperform the Leica when it comes to AF speed.  But what keeps me dragging the SL Summilux around is the absence of aberrations (whether by software or not).  I love the M Summilux rendering, but it suffers from purple fringing in the wrong circumstances.  

[Sandokan]

On 10/21/2018 at 7:51 PM, Chaemono said:

I know that in certain situations the two are indiscernibly close. There is just something about the 50 Summilux-SL. Lucky those FF Panasonic buyers who will be able to pick up a used one next year after some switch to the smaller 50 Summicron-SL. I won't. Just love the OOF rendering of the Summilux. It will be less blurred with the Summicron, obviously. 

 

 

Many thanks for your photos demonstrating the findings you made between the two lenses. 

[helged]

Thanks to @Chaemono - much appreciated! 

Any finding regarding flaring for highlights directed directly into the lens, somewhat off the lens' centre line and, particularly, located near the image circle?

The SL 16-35mm is almost immune to flaring (simply fantastistic for a wide lens, irrespective of prime or zoom), and the SL 75mm is quite good. What about the SL 50mm Lux and the Sigma counterpart? If/when time permits... 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Chaemono]

vor 59 Minuten schrieb helged:

Thanks to @Chaemono - much appreciated! 

Any finding regarding flaring for highlights directed directly into the lens, somewhat off the lens' centre line and, particularly, located near the image circle?

The SL 16-35mm is almost immune to flaring (simply fantastistic for a wide lens, irrespective of prime or zoom), and the SL 75mm is quite good. What about the SL 50mm Lux and the Sigma counterpart? If/when time permits... 

Need to find time and the right opportunity. I won’t forget but it may take till Christmas. 

[Chaemono]

Darn it. Thanks for the reminder sillbeers. It now sounds like an empty promise. There has been too much going on at work at the end of the year and I forgot to bring the lenses. I won’t get to the lenses until the middle of next week and will definitely check this. Give me until the first weekend of January. I may not post the results here but rather PM you guys a link to the pictures.