This Lens is Going to Be My Teacher

[Daniel81]

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I just got a practically MINT R 50 Summilux to use on my SL.  First few dozen images.  I get the sense this lens is going to teach me a lot.

[tom.w.bn]

vor 11 Minuten schrieb Daniel81:

  I get the sense this lens is going to teach me a lot.

What exactly?

Edited August 14, 2020 by tom.w.bn

[Guest BlackBarn]

3 hours ago, tom.w.bn said:

What exactly?

Learning starts at the point of not knowing and I suggest the requirement for ‘exactly’ is not a prerequisite and may be some of the best learning starts with just a sense that something is there to be learnt.

Hopefully  Daniel81 will come back and post examples of using the R50 Lux on the SL. 

[Daniel81]

I already have the R 100 Elmarit Macro and the R 180 Elmarit . . . and I've found them both to be stunning lenses on the SL.  Just stunning.  Beautiful colour, incredible sharpness, wonderful bokeh.  My very very first experience with this R 50 summilux (so mint, its like brand new  - ROM, 1997 version II model) - much less sharp when I 'pixel peep' using the SL EVF - not just at f1.4 but at much higher F stops, at high shutter speeds, etc . . . just less sharp - my initial 'reaction' in this age of 'sharpness obsession' was one of disappointment or thinking even that perhaps it needs a calibration of some sort - but its such a mint version, I find that hard to believe - - - -  and I can see the colours, the renditions, the contrasts are beautiful . . . . I really am finding each of the R lenses has a very distinct personality and it takes time to understand them.  I suspect this lens is going to teach me (among other things no doubt) how unimportant 'sharpness' can be when other characteristics are exceptional . . . no doubt a good thing to learn.  Time will tell.  Does anyone here have experience with the R 50 Lux version II?  Any suggestions?  Any wisdom to share?

Edited August 14, 2020 by Daniel81

[tom.w.bn]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb BlackBarn:

Learning starts at the point of not knowing and I suggest the requirement for ‘exactly’ is not a prerequisite and may be some of the best learning starts with just a sense that something is there to be learnt.

Hopefully  Daniel81 will come back and post examples of using the R50 Lux on the SL. 

You are absolutely right but  I got the impression in the first post that this lens needs some extra effort to learn....

Edited August 15, 2020 by tom.w.bn

[tom.w.bn]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb Daniel81:

I already have the R 100 Elmarit Macro and the R 180 Elmarit . . . and I've found them both to be stunning lenses on the SL.  Just stunning.  Beautiful colour, incredible sharpness, wonderful bokeh.  My very very first experience with this R 50 summilux (so mint, its like brand new  - ROM, 1997 version II model) - much less sharp when I 'pixel peep' using the SL EVF - not just at f1.4 but at much higher F stops, at high shutter speeds, etc . . . just less sharp - my initial 'reaction' in this age of 'sharpness obsession' was one of disappointment or thinking even that perhaps it needs a calibration of some sort - but its such a mint version, I find that hard to believe - - - -  and I can see the colours, the renditions, the contrasts are beautiful . . . . I really am finding each of the R lenses has a very distinct personality and it takes time to understand them.  I suspect this lens is going to teach me (among other things no doubt) how unimportant 'sharpness' can be when other characteristics are exceptional . . . no doubt a good thing to learn.  Time will tell.  Does anyone here have experience with the R 50 Lux version II?  Any suggestions?  Any wisdom to share?

It seems you have a certain expectation level regarding sharpness. From your description this lens is not up to your standard. Why learn to live with it? Will it make you happy in the long run?

[Daniel81]

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What makes me happy ultimately is an engaged and healthy process of continually discovering new things about light and images.  What I think this lens is going to teach me in ways I have not fully learned (I know it already, intellectually - and through a few experiences) - that there is so much more to a great photo, even to clarity, brilliance, pop, etc than just sharpness - I think this lens is going to be a GREAT teacher in that regard.

[AZN]

20 hours ago, Daniel81 said:

Does anyone here have experience with the R 50 Lux version II?

Yes.  What I have done with mine is use a 60mm → 58mm step-down filter ring.  Have then mounted a 58mm UV filter and equivalent B+W rubber lens hood.

There is a lot of (pointless) argument about whether lenses should/ shouldn't use UV filters, but I have worked in some pretty rough environments (dust, salt spray, electric-arc welders) and a UV filter is much easier to replace than a front element.  For me.  IMO.

Using the B+W hood is more substantial than the built-in sliding one.  Better shade + more protection.

As for sharpness.  It is plenty sharp at f5.6.  At f2 it is a nice mix of smoothness and sharp. It is part of the reason why these lenses are so expensive…

If you need hyper-sharpness then you need to be looking at the Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm.  Of the 100-APO you already have 😃

 

[earleygallery]

3 hours ago, Daniel81 said:

What makes me happy ultimately is an engaged and healthy process of continually discovering new things about light and images.  What I think this lens is going to teach me in ways I have not fully learned (I know it already, intellectually - and through a few experiences) - that there is so much more to a great photo, even to clarity, brilliance, pop, etc than just sharpness - I think this lens is going to be a GREAT teacher in that regard.

You don't need a Summilux to 'teach' you that. Try making some great photos with a pinhole camera.

[mauriziobozzi]

This is interesting and engaging.
I have a Summilux 50mm, first version., From 1972.
I was amazed by Daniel81's phrase, which says "...... I really am finding each of the R lenses has a very distinct personality and it takes time to understand them .......". Exactly.
All, and I mean ALL, the lenses have particularities and singularities that make them unique. It applies to all lenses: Zeiss, Nikon, Canon. For example: I have a 50mm Meyer Primoplan, 58mm f / 1.9. Today, everyone is looking for super sharpness, super resolution: this lens is the exact opposite ..... this lens paints.
But we are talking about the Summilux 50mm.
I've been using it for three months, but what Daniel81 says is true. You have to learn how to use it. It takes patience and tenacity, but, in the end, it has "him". I have other "R". The Summicron 90mm is perfection in my case. Is like it is part of me: since the first time I used it I knew it was the right one. The Elmarit 60mm macro amazes me too.

On the other hand, for Summilux 50mm it took me a lot of time to understand how to handle it (and I'm still learning), but when I take a photo and see how great it is I feel deeply rewarded! It's like taming an horse!

Daniel81 has a later Summilux but I belive that his and mine to be similar based on how he is talking about it (I haven't used his version tho)

[mauriziobozzi]

crop          summilux 50mm ,  first  version

https://www.juzaphoto.com/galleria.php?t=3710646&l=it

 

The Summlux "R" 50mm is a special lens. It teaches me a lot ..... You can't understand it if you don't use it.