Summilux 50mm SL vs. Summilux 50mm M ASPH for SL2

[Gavin Cato]

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On 9/4/2020 at 7:09 AM, bsmith said:

I know, I watched that video. I have both (35 and 50 SL) ,Ive  used them a lot, I still think the 50 is better.  I'm always more impressed with the 50. 

I don't agree with Peter that the 35 f2 looks like a 1.4 - maybe closer up the difference is harder to see but shooting couples at weddings at half length or full body - it's definitely not looking as shallow as my 35 1.4 on other systems. 

Lovely lens. Just wish it was a 1.4. 

 

 

 

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[thatkatmat]

Me too. The 35SL is great for flowers and food and close up shots, and really great stopped down for cityscapes and landscapes, but it doesn't mush the background like the m-FLE or better yet the Zeiss 1.4ZM. I bought the 35SL because after the reviews and Karbe talking about it,... I somehow thought they'd made a f2 that they disguised as an f1.4...Not so, but an amazing lens none the less. I just think people should know....It acts like a summicron f2, like it says it is   not a summilux. 

I kept my ZM so I can get that mushy bokeh if I want it from a 35mm.

 

Edited September 6, 2020 by thatkatmat

[andyturk]

I have three 50mm lenses, but only one of them is what the OP is asking about. However, it still may be interesting to compare them here. All images are crops from handheld captures on my SL 601 at f/2.8 and 1/125th. I imported these into Lightroom and changed to monochrome, but made no other adjustments.

Summilux-SL 50mm:

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APO Summicron-M 50mm:

 

Summilux-M pre ASPH 50mm:

 

To my eye, the Summilux-M pre ASPH is classically soft, with lower contrast. It's very glowy at f/1.4. The APO Summicron-M and Summilux-SL seem to have almost the same macro contrast, but the Summicron-M shows reveals more detail then either of the other two.

Edited September 6, 2020 by andyturk

[hillavoider]

you can't go wrong with either, more importantly, what weight and size can you live with as the SL Lux is Heavy and Huge, its not really a walk around

[James1975]

Bumping this out of necessity. Just sold my SL2 and have the SL2-S arriving Monday (scored a slightly miraculous 15% discount 😶). I want a 50mm but simply can’t decide between the 1.4 and the 2. Size isn’t really an issue as I have a Hasselblad X1D ii for walkabout with 45 and 90 xcd lenses. 
The only L mount lenses I have are the Sigma 45/85DG Art and the Sigma 100-400. All terrific but I feel like a Leica 50mm is worth the investment. Given that it will be for both landscape and portraits, do any of you much wiser souls have an opinion between the summicron and summilux? Image quality is my goal here rather than budget or ergonomics. Will the lower pixel count of the S play a significant factor in the decision? Have found a new cron for just under 4000€ but happy to pay the extra for the 1.4 if the difference is notable. 

[Photoworks]

3 hours ago, James1975 said:

Bumping this out of necessity. Just sold my SL2 and have the SL2-S arriving Monday (scored a slightly miraculous 15% discount 😶). I want a 50mm but simply can’t decide between the 1.4 and the 2. Size isn’t really an issue as I have a Hasselblad X1D ii for walkabout with 45 and 90 xcd lenses. 
The only L mount lenses I have are the Sigma 45/85DG Art and the Sigma 100-400. All terrific but I feel like a Leica 50mm is worth the investment. Given that it will be for both landscape and portraits, do any of you much wiser souls have an opinion between the summicron and summilux? Image quality is my goal here rather than budget or ergonomics. Will the lower pixel count of the S play a significant factor in the decision? Have found a new cron for just under 4000€ but happy to pay the extra for the 1.4 if the difference is notable. 

I have picked up the Summilux-SL for $3200 on Ebay, in like new condition. Since the 2.0 lenses came out the Lux can be saved for  a good price, just look around. If size is not a problem and you like to have a 1.4 look this is the lens.
I use the Noctilux 0.95 much more, but some time the it is nice to have AF. Talking about AF the sumicron SL is better performer, but to me it is a 2.0 look, just a little boring. Since you already have the 45mm sigma, I would suggest 1.4 lens. alternatively  to the LUX the Panasonic S 50 1.4 is very good too

[Gus-R]

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Hello everyone, 

Has anyone compared the SL Summilux 50 to the R Summilux 50? I would like to know your opinions on that matter.

[Dr. G]

Has anyone with both the 50 Summilux SL and APO 50 SL noticed that at closer distances the APO Summicron looks like it separates the subject from the background better than the Summilux does?  I have both and I think the bokeh is smoother on the Lux, but the falloff zone is more gradual so it doesn't have the subject pop out of the image like the APO does. Unless maybe there's something wrong with my Summilux.  But I don't think so.  

[RBB]

 

[Sohail]

I have the 50 Summilux SL. I used to own the 50 SL Summicron but eventually sold. It just felt soulless for me. As most say, it's a very "clinical" lens. For me, the rendering of SL50/1.4 is by far the most visually pleasing of all the Leica lenses I've used. 

[Dr. G]

3 hours ago, Sohail said:

I have the 50 Summilux SL. I used to own the 50 SL Summicron but eventually sold. It just felt soulless for me. As most say, it's a very "clinical" lens. For me, the rendering of SL50/1.4 is by far the most visually pleasing of all the Leica lenses I've used. 

Interesting.  This is why I keep both.  I find that for high contrast, high detail black and white images I like the APO SL, especially for architectural and landscape.  For portraits and most living subjects I prefer the Summilux SL.

[tom0511]

Am 15.11.2023 um 19:09 schrieb Sohail:

I have the 50 Summilux SL. I used to own the 50 SL Summicron but eventually sold. It just felt soulless for me. As most say, it's a very "clinical" lens. For me, the rendering of SL50/1.4 is by far the most visually pleasing of all the Leica lenses I've used. 

I use both and I also prefer the Lux rendering by a clear step, the only reason I still own the Summicron is size. But of the 35/50/75 Cross and 50 Lux the 50 Lux rendering is the most special for my taste.

 

[hansvons]

On 11/15/2023 at 2:11 PM, Dr. G said:

noticed that at closer distances the APO Summicron looks like it separates the subject from the background better than the Summilux does? 

That comes inevitably when specialised and expensive low-dispersion glass is used as in Leica’s APO-badged lenses. 

I find a softer focus roll-off in most instances more appealing. However, that often comes with some chromatic aberrations. (Since trees against the sky are not my preferred subject, CA is not my major concern.)
 

How focus roll-off is perceived depends somewhat on the focal length. On a 50mm and longer I find APO lenses not attractive for portraits, but they work brilliantly for landscapes. But on 35mm, Leica’s SL APO 35mm shows great character and the short focus roll-off is a pleasure to watch at full aperture. 

[Sohail]

5 hours ago, hansvons said:

How focus roll-off is perceived depends somewhat on the focal length. On a 50mm and longer I find APO lenses not attractive for portraits, but they work brilliantly for landscapes. But on 35mm, Leica’s SL APO 35mm shows great character and the short focus roll-off is a pleasure to watch at full aperture. 

I'm intrigued by what you see as the great character portraits you can get on a 35mm lens. If you mean environmental portraits, I agree. For headshots, the distortion of course accentuates certain features. Tastes vary. Care to share an example?

[Kristofferpaulsen]

I think the notion that it’s a slow focusser is a bit misguided. It’s fine.. the SL system is a slow focusser in general compared to the competition. 

My 50 ‘lux SL is absolutely astonishing. I’m constantly amazed at how good it is. The colours and beauty are absolutely stunning. Sharp as a tack wide open.  Also works great in low light, i find. Have attached a portrait I really loved that i shot with it. So gorgeous and sharp, and pulled the subject out of the background beautifully. 

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[bab]

I would find it rather hard not to brighten this image a bit not only globally but also using some dodge and burn I look at this and feel it's a starting point. to each his own but Im confused as to why there seems to be a lack of discussion about the venerable M 35, 50 or 75mm lux for portraits on the SL in addition to the conversation regarding the fall off with the SL lenses?

[Kristofferpaulsen]

On 12/23/2023 at 5:49 AM, bab said:

I would find it rather hard not to brighten this image a bit not only globally but also using some dodge and burn I look at this and feel it's a starting point. to each his own but Im confused as to why there seems to be a lack of discussion about the venerable M 35, 50 or 75mm lux for portraits on the SL in addition to the conversation regarding the fall off with the SL lenses?

Sure.. i disagree but thats the fun of it!

 

I’d love a 75. I find i need AF these days.. my eyes aren’t what they were. 

[LocalHero1953]

On 12/22/2023 at 6:49 PM, bab said:

I would find it rather hard not to brighten this image a bit not only globally but also using some dodge and burn I look at this and feel it's a starting point. to each his own but Im confused as to why there seems to be a lack of discussion about the venerable M 35, 50 or 75mm lux for portraits on the SL in addition to the conversation regarding the fall off with the SL lenses?

See the two posts here for a comparison between the Summilux-SL 50 and the Summilux-M 75.

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[KEL]

I found myself in the same situation as previous posters: already owning the Apo-Summicron-SL 35 + Apo-Summicron-SL 75, and looking for a 50mm to complement. I now chose the Summilux-SL 50 as well, following the logic that 3 Apo's in a row are too close, rather have a 50mm in-between with a different character. And mainly because the Summilux-SL 50 received so many excited evaluations, here and elsewhere. Yes, it is rather heavy, but the whole systems is heavy anyway and this weight does not make so much difference.

A big thank you for everybody who posted here, this was a tremendous help with my decision. And I was lucky to get one used but really immaculate Summilux-SL 50 for a very attractive price (€3.300). I am very much looking forward to taking it into the field!

[tom0511]

vor 13 Stunden schrieb KEL:

I found myself in the same situation as previous posters: already owning the Apo-Summicron-SL 35 + Apo-Summicron-SL 75, and looking for a 50mm to complement. I now chose the Summilux-SL 50 as well, following the logic that 3 Apo's in a row are too close, rather have a 50mm in-between with a different character. And mainly because the Summilux-SL 50 received so many excited evaluations, here and elsewhere. Yes, it is rather heavy, but the whole systems is heavy anyway and this weight does not make so much difference.

A big thank you for everybody who posted here, this was a tremendous help with my decision. And I was lucky to get one used but really immaculate Summilux-SL 50 for a very attractive price (€3.300). I am very much looking forward to taking it into the field!

Enjoy! And let us know what you think after shooting it a bit.