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Leica Apo-Summicron-SL2.0/35mm - average performer?


Ivar B

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  • 4 months later...

I've had this lens for over a year now. First year I shot with it, the lens was used wide open, its just that good. However, lately I have been pressing it into landscape use, and have found there is significantly more DOF in front of the focus plane than behind. Perhaps this also contributes to why f/2.0 appears like f/1.4...they've fiddled the focus shift???

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2 hours ago, jrp said:

Is the focus v sharpness symmetrical about the sharpest point of focus?

The sharpness level where it is sharp is similar. There is just a larger zone of sharpness in front of the focus plane, almost two thirds. I'm used to seeing about 1/3 (except in macro where its closer to 1:1)

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18 hours ago, jplomley said:

The sharpness level where it is sharp is similar. There is just a larger zone of sharpness in front of the focus plane, almost two thirds. I'm used to seeing about 1/3 (except in macro where its closer to 1:1)

The distribution of sharpness on both sides of the focal plane is a factor of lens design. It is almost never even. As you note, it could theoretically happen with a symmetrical macro lens used at 1:1.

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23 hours ago, Photoworks said:

funny that every review of Sony, Nikon and canon score better.

it's an old story. the real question though is: do photos taken with nikon and sony lenses look better?

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6 hours ago, Simone_DF said:

1. define "better".

2. These looks good to me:

https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards

Sharpnes, bokeh, tones, color rendition, three-dimensionality... 
Many lenses give not exciting results in measurement tests but then in practice they give wonderful images. Other lenses have extraordinary sharpness in tests but then give too contrasted images with unnatural colors and have a bad bokeh. The measures do not say everything. Regarding the reviews it depends on who they are made by and how. Often those who make them are sponsored by the manufacturers and avoid talking badly about the products. You have to try the lens yourself, make prints and then judge them according to your taste. This is my thought.

Edited by Logon
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One example: The Canon EF 1.2 50 L  - on paper a not so good performer. In real life (and if the focus is not completely off) an absolut wonderful lens which rewarded me with really great results. Sharp, colourful and a lovely and smooth rendition and transition from sharp to blurry. 

 

Another one: The current Leica Summaron-m 28, one of the worst lenses on paper - especially for the price. In real life: An absolute gem, plenty of sharp in the wide center, lovely colours and a contrast / colour behavior I've never seen from any other lens and if light and circumstances fit, a nearly magical output (without being odd, like the Thambar - sorry to all Thambar lovers). 

 

And so on, and so on. 

 

To the initial question: I don't think that the 35 is an average performer, quite the opposite :)

 

And, if we are honest: For good pictures - the final and absolute image or lens quality is not so important, as long as it is good enough to get the job done. A though truth for the likes of us who are paying thousands of bucks for a single lens ;)

 

Cheers

Edited by Daniel C.1975
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6 minutes ago, Logon said:

Regarding the reviews it depends on who they are made by and how. Often those who make them are sponsored by the manufacturers and avoid talking badly about the products. You have to try the lens yourself, make prints and then judge them according to your taste. This is my thought.

That is for sure. I trust 2-3 reviewers, maybe. Dustin Abbot and Fred Miranda come to mind as examples of good ones. 

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On 2/23/2020 at 12:17 AM, NRKstudio said:

Pcmag.com tested the Panasonic 50/1.4 and and the 75 SL.  The 75 SL is sharper at all tested apertures. If the 35 SL (and the 50 SL) are sharper than the 75 SL, then all would be sharper than the Panasonic 50/1.4.  The 35/50SL are both second gen SL lenses that incorporated newer tech And more ASPH surfaces; im wondering what this 3rd round of SL lenses will have to show.  The 28/24/21mm SL may be even a step up from where the SL lenses are currently in terms of tech and glass.

https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-s-pro-50mm-f14

https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/leica-apo-summicron-sl-75mm-f2-asph
 

However the $600 Nikon 50/1.8 Z, crushes all of the above lenses even on its 45mp Z7 body.  I was surprised to read that it’s smaller, lighter, sharper and about 8-9x cheaper.  Kind of makes me think twice about saying Leica is The Premier specialist Optics company, when Nikon takes the leading spot with an entry level 50mm prime. 

https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/nikon-nikkor-z-50mm-f18-s

I have the Nikon 50mm 1.8. It's a great great lens. For the money it's staggering. But it does not best the Leica Summicrons, especially in rendering and colour. The Leicas are not 8 x times better. Diminishing returns and all that.

Gordon

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I've had the lens for over a year as well and I continue to marvel at how much I enjoy the pictures it takes.  Combined with the SL2, sharp corner to corner wide open, works in almost any light and am also told how I've upped my game.

If for whatever reason I needed to replace it, I would buy it again as soon as available.

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