Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S vs. APO 35 Summicron-SL

[Chaemono]

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And now the crops

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-QNVCnR/

Z7 + Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S crop from above

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SL2 + 35 Summicron-SL crop from above

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[Chaemono]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Artin:

By the look of these 2 images i’d Say they are very very close, in colour and contrast , there is a very small edge to the SL in micro contrast but ever ever so slight 

When viewed on a laptop screen, the less compressed JPEGs aren’t close, IMO. 

[ZHNL]

13 minutes ago, Chaemono said:

When viewed on a laptop screen, the less compressed JPEGs aren’t close, IMO. 

For sure everything is expected. When we specifically doing technical review at pixel level with this magnification, you can clearly see difference. Is it big or small really upto individual. 
 

however, I want to point out, modern software sharpening can do wonder in this case to tight up contrast for lens as sharp as This Nikkor. It won’t help on old Leica R or M lux as much with no real resolution to begin with. lens like 90mm APO m will lose the battle to many modern glass like Nikon 85mm f1.8S, mainly contrast but not resolution. At infinity, just move a few slider, you will have a real hard time to differentiate them.
 

for most real world usage, especially for most landscape shots that want pixel sharpness at aperture around f5.6-f11, it is really doesn’t matter.
 

And which is better tool in this case? especially for AF glasses, again it is down to individual need. 

[jrp]

interesting that the Z has a narrower depths of field, judging by the collar on the left, despite Leica’s contention that the SL Summicron range has the depth of field of lenses a stop faster. 

[ZHNL]

57 minutes ago, Artin said:

I wonder how the Summicron R v2 would hold up against these beasts 

Not a chance. I had that one. It has one of strongest FC I ever saw from any lens. It has lovely bokeh though. 

[Mr.Q]

Thanks @Chaemono for the comparison.

The Nikon shot does look a bit softer with less contrast. I know IBIS could compensate for most of the handshake but could you try to keep the shutter speed over 1/100s for your next set of shots? Just to eliminate any variables.

[Mr.Q]

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2 hours ago, jrp said:

interesting that the Z has a narrower depths of field, judging by the collar on the left, despite Leica’s contention that the SL Summicron range has the depth of field of lenses a stop faster. 

Good eye, but yeah, despite Leica's claim I've never seen an actual image that demonstrates that phenomenon. (ie faster drop-off and DOF equivalent of F1.4)

They clearly look like F2 images.

[tom0511]

Leica looks a little more 3d/depth to me: I also slightly prefer the bokeh.

 

[Chaemono]

The most obvious conclusion from the Nikkor Z 35/1.8 S being so soft at f/1.8 and f/2 is that this 35 mm high res Nikon combo provides very limited ‘crop-ability.’  With the 35 Summicron-SL, on the other hand, one can crop the images to a 50 and 75 mm FOV with no regrets.  The Leica lens is, therefore, better value.

[Chaemono]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb tom0511:

Leica looks a little more 3d/depth to me: I also slightly prefer the bokeh.

 

+1.  The depth rendering of the SL Summicron lenses that is reminiscent of the 50 Summilux-SL is not synonymous with ‘a sharp object (not so sharp in the case of this Nikkor Z lens) against a flat background.’  People seem to be confusing the two.

[tom0511]

In the end the choice is easy. If you own a Nikon camera the 35/1.8, if you own a SL or SL2; Apo 35/2.0

I compared the 50/1.8 to the 50/1.4 Leica when I had a Z7 and must say the new Nikon primes are impressive. I feel the APO-Summicrons are still slightly ahead, but for 4 times the price.

 

[mmradman]

1 hour ago, tom0511 said:

In the end the choice is easy. If you own a Nikon camera the 35/1.8, if you own a SL or SL2; Apo 35/2.0

I compared the 50/1.8 to the 50/1.4 Leica when I had a Z7 and must say the new Nikon primes are impressive. I feel the APO-Summicrons are still slightly ahead, but for 4 times the price.

 

4 time the price difference?  In your dreams. 

In case of 50mm the difference is probably closer to 10 times - currently in UK Z 50mm retails for £350 while L is about £3500, differential for 35mm is more modest 6-7 times.  Pursuit of perfection is game of diminishing returns.  

Talking of 50mm, compared to AF counterpart APO Summicron M 50mm is the real gem being so small and fit for M, L and almost any third party mirrorless platform.

Edited December 15, 2019 by mmradman

[Donzo98]

2 hours ago, mmradman said:

4 time the price difference?  In your dreams. 

In case of 50mm the difference is probably closer to 10 times - currently in UK Z 50mm retails for £350 while L is about £3500, differential for 35mm is more modest 6-7 times.  Pursuit of perfection is game of diminishing returns.  

Talking of 50mm, compared to AF counterpart APO Summicron M 50mm is the real gem being so small and fit for M, L and almost any third party mirrorless platform.

Exactly... no chance that price difference is justifiable in any way.

If you want to just say... I want Leica because it's a luxury brand... than just say it. Nothing wrong with that at all.

In almost all real world viewing... the diff is negligible. 

I am a Leica snob when it comes to glass... but at least I admit it

[Donzo98]

13 minutes ago, Artin said:

I love Leica glass and really love the simplicity of the Cameras ... to a certain extent I can even justify some of the prices on some of their product ... 7800 for 90-280 Apo zoom I can understand ... 24-90 I can also palette getting so many variables at high IQ level.. but $7600 dollars for a 35mm or $6800 for 50mm  is just a bit too much even for a snob like me .. they just listed the 90mm lux M at 17800.00 dollars that is just insane 

The best way to buy this glass is used. I paid 3920 for 90-280, and 3550 for my 16-35. Both are LNIB. Obviously pre-tariff prices were in effect at the time. 

With EBay now charging tax, and the tariffs, it’s getting tougher to find great deals. 

Edited December 16, 2019 by Donzo98

[Donzo98]

4 minutes ago, Artin said:

I found my 90-280 used I paid 5600.00 cnd for it which was ok .... but the 24-90 could not find any around so paid full price..

Today there is a listing for a SL.  + 24-90. For 7000.00 cnd.  That is a great deal 

Part of the fun for me is trying different things. Buying used allows that, without losing much money when decide to sell.

With that said... I’m really happy with current set up. Maybe I’ll just go shoot some pics.... 

[Chaemono]

A 35 mm lens that is so soft that the pictures even from a 46 MPx sensor cannot be cropped is of limited value.  The APO 35 Summicron-SL wide open is like three lenses in one, a 35, a 50, and a 75 mm lens.  Less so on the S1, of course. 😁

[mmradman]

2 minutes ago, Chaemono said:

A 35 mm lens that is so soft that the pictures even from a 46 MPx sensor cannot be cropped is of limited value.  The APO 35 Summicron-SL wide open is like three lenses in one, a 35, a 50, and a 75 mm lens.  Less so on the S1, of course. 😁

Your argument is as good as your cheesy smiley.

[Chaemono]

vor 4 Minuten schrieb mmradman:

Your argument is as good as your cheesy smiley.

Let’s not make this personal.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[mmradman]

58 minutes ago, Chaemono said:

Let’s not make this personal.

It’s about the proposition not the proposer.

[Chaemono]

vor 2 Minuten schrieb mmradman:

It’s about the proposition not the proposer.

Yeah, whatever.