SL 50/1.4 or SL 24-90?

[jcatral14]

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Wanted to ask your opinions here. I have the SL 50Lux but I am thinking of selling or trading it for a 24-90 instead. I do have a 50 Lux in M mount (Black Chrome). I guess my question is, would I miss the SL 50 Lux? I like the versatility of the 24-90 albeit "slower" but with the sensitivity of my SL, it shouldn't be an issue. Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

Thanks in advance 🙂🍻

[paul.bridges.3388]

I had the SL with 24-90 and Summilux 35 M. The faster lens was certainly needed for indoor portraits but I wouldn’t have benefited much from the autofocus of the SL 50 Lux for this work. So, I’d say the zoom auto for good light work plus the fast manual is a good combination.

Edited February 15, 2021 by paul.bridges.3388

[LeicaR10]

Jcatral14,   I use to own both SL lenses for my business, but went back to the S.  That said, the SL 50 Lux as you know is a superb lens...a mix of rendering akin to the 50 Noctilux and APO 50 for resolution.  The SL 24-90 is also most excellent and very versatile in every respect for its design.  You mentioned already having a M 50 Lux.  I would suggest you get the  SL 24-90 and if needed, a M to L adapter for your M 50 Lux.  The M lens will render is a superb manner on your SL camera.  The SL 24-90 will open many more creative opportunities for you.  Of course, other SL photographers will give you their opinions, but it will ultimately be your decision.  It will always get down to your genre of photography and creativity to make masterpiece photographs that make the viewer:  Stop, Look, Think and if possible Feel something about that moment in time.  r/ Mark

Edited February 15, 2021 by LeicaR10

[LD_50]

I own all three lenses, the 50 Lux SL, the 24-90, and the 50 Lux ASPH M. 
 

I don’t see the 24-90 being a replacement for  a fast 50 prime at all. Make the decision between the two 50s. The zoom is complementary. 

[Jeff S]

As many answers as there are users.  Only you can know what works for you... through ownership, rental (easy here in US), demo and/or past experiences. For me, the SL2 and M are complementary but separate systems, with different purposes and user experience. M lenses stay on my M bodies (M10 and M Monochrom v.1), and SL lenses were bought to work with SL2 type shooting.  Makes it easy for me to decide. All have superb IQ and print capability, so that’s never a deterrent.  
 

Jeff

[RBB]

I also own the 50 Lux SL and the 24-90, I use the 24-90 very often and the 50 Lux SL can just stand unused on the shelf for a few weeks. But very time I use it and see the results it is always a wauw.

4 hours ago, LD_50 said:

I don’t see the 24-90 being a replacement for  a fast 50 prime at all. Make the decision between the two 50s. The zoom is complementary. 

I agree 

[Slender]

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2 hours ago, RBB said:

I also own the 50 Lux SL and the 24-90, I use the 24-90 very often and the 50 Lux SL can just stand unused on the shelf for a few weeks. But very time I use it and see the results it is always a wauw.

I agree 

+1 to the above. I hopped into Leica SL2+24/90 system recently, and I always lusted after the 50SL 1.4 since its launch.... the beauty of the images always stuck in my head - more than any other L lens actually (save for the 90f2).... and so whenever possible it will be a complement to my system. 24-90 with decent brightness and great AF/polyvalency + 50 with slower AF but immense light gathering ability + WOW factor.

 

[T25UFO]

31 minutes ago, Slender said:

+1 to the above. I hopped into Leica SL2+24/90 system recently, and I always lusted after the 50SL 1.4 since its launch.... the beauty of the images always stuck in my head - more than any other L lens actually (save for the 90f2).... and so whenever possible it will be a complement to my system. 24-90 with decent brightness and great AF/polyvalency + 50 with slower AF but immense light gathering ability + WOW factor.

 

Agree with this.  I owned the 50 SL but sold it when the 75mm was announced.  I just felt that the 75mm balanced better and, at that time, the focusing on the 50mm was pretty slow.  This was subsequently improved in a firmware update and I must admit to some regret in selling the 50mm.  The 75mm is a terrific lens but there is something special in the way the 50mm renders. 

Often been close to purchasing the 50mm SL again, but after reading @jonoslack review of the new 50mm f1.2 Noctilux I've decided to go with this lens instead.  It will be interesting to make some comparisons.  Disadvantages: no auto focus.  Advantages: less weight, better handling and I can interchange on the M10M.

Here is a photo taken with the 50mm SL at f1.4.  Sharp with nice out of focus rendering, but then static birds are always easier than flying birds 🙂

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[jcatral14]

Thanks all! I think I'm leaning more into keeping my 50Lux now and just add a 24-90 later on. I feel the SL50 Lux renders differently from the M 50 Lux Asph and I'll likely kick myself for letting it go. Now, one of the things I don't like about the SL50 is its slow AF focusing (join the club right?), however, is it corrected or improved on the SL2/SL2-S?

[Westerwald-Leica]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb Slender:

+1 to the above. I hopped into Leica SL2+24/90 system recently, and I always lusted after the 50SL 1.4 since its launch.... the beauty of the images always stuck in my head - more than any other L lens actually (save for the 90f2).... and so whenever possible it will be a complement to my system. 24-90 with decent brightness and great AF/polyvalency + 50 with slower AF but immense light gathering ability + WOW factor.

 

Started with the SL2 and the 24-90 and was extremely happy, still am actually.

When I tried out the SL 50 Lux I found it's a different story for a different type of job. Obviously less versatile but with an incredible WOW factor that is visible also for people with no close affiliation to Leica or to photography even. I love the SL 50 Lux, it is a very emotional lens and takes pictures leave me speechless.

[T25UFO]

35 minutes ago, jcatral14 said:

Thanks all! I think I'm leaning more into keeping my 50Lux now and just add a 24-90 later on. I feel the SL50 Lux renders differently from the M 50 Lux Asph and I'll likely kick myself for letting it go. Now, one of the things I don't like about the SL50 is its slow AF focusing (join the club right?), however, is it corrected or improved on the SL2/SL2-S?

The auto focus improved with firmware, but maybe still not quite on a par with the Summicrons.  Don’t forget the SL50 Summilux is a BIG lens and there’s a lot of glass to move.

I used it only on the SL601 but I doubt the SL2 or SLS will be much different.  Might be the price you have to pay for such an outstanding lens.

[jcatral14]

5 minutes ago, T25UFO said:

The auto focus improved with firmware, but maybe still not quite on a par with the Summicrons.  Don’t forget the SL50 Summilux is a BIG lens and there’s a lot of glass to move.

I used it only on the SL601 but I doubt the SL2 or SLS will be much different.  Might be the price you have to pay for such an outstanding lens.

Thank you! 🙂 I'm reading other threads and it seems there is an AF speed improvement with the SL2/SL2-S but not night and day which is okay. Physics is physics 😆

[Gavin Cato]

SL 50 1.4 is magic, I couldn't care if the 50/2 or 75/2 resolve more detail, it has the most amazing look to it.