Portraiture lens choice: 50mm f1.4 Asph or 75mm f2 Apo

[Yihong]

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On 5/15/2021 at 2:53 AM, benqui said:

The answer is very easy: try both and see what feels good for you

That's the quickest way to find it out. I decide to go Leica store during my 'sick leave' on Friday and Monday. 😂 

[Yihong]

On 5/15/2021 at 2:44 AM, aksclix said:

I would lean towards a 90 though

I've already got 90mm f4 Macro lens, maybe 75 or 50 will be a better choice.

[Yihong]

On 5/15/2021 at 3:39 AM, Dennis said:

Get the Voigtlanders 50/1.5 II MC and the 75/1.5... FWIS, both are excellent and modern lenses. Just released. Total investment of $1,850. And you see how it feels to shoot with both focal lengths. When you know which one you like best, you will buy your brand new Leica 50 or 75. Then you decide if keep one of the two lenses because you love it. Or sell them. It's a win win.

Thanks Dennis.

This is a good way to explore my preference and make decision without much losses. I'm considering to get the 50/1.5 II MC.

[Kamyar]

On 5/15/2021 at 3:18 AM, Yihong said:

Hi, all. I'm quite new to Leica and would like to add one more lens that highly capable for portraiture(tough definition lol).

I'm currently using M10-R with 35mm f1.4 Asph and 90mm f4 Macro-Elmar. 35mm for street, landscape, full body photography and 90mm for Macro, architecture, and headshot.

My intension with this lens is to: (1) night portraiture (2) Creamy bokeh with great background isolation (3) Good combo with my 35mm. I normally only out with two lens, with 35mm as my main.

I have two preference at the moment: 50mm f1.4 Asph and 75mm f2 Apo.

I found 35mm a bit too wide, good for environmental portrait but not close enough. 90mm f4 Macro is insanely sharp, good for B&W but can't do night portraiture. 

I'm struggling with 50mm and 75mm FL. Albeit this question is highly based on personal preference, but still be very helpful with some suggestions. 

 

 

Many thanks

 

@Yihong definitely 75apo is perfect for portrait photography. This photos with m10m + 75 apo

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[a.noctilux]

Someone will suggest 21mm lens 😉.

I agree that every lens has it's use if we try hard enough.

So Yihong, have you tried out the Macro-Elmar-M 90mm, this lens is one of the the most universal in Leica lenses.

At f/4 it's wonder of lens in so many types of pics !

Edited May 17, 2021 by a.noctilux

[a.noctilux]

10 hours ago, Yihong said:

Thanks for the picture, T25UFO.

I can feel that I'm more inclined to 50mm, which is versatile than 75mm. 35/50/90 lens set is also the traditional photojournalist kit.

 

Then Summilux-M 50mm pre-asph. is a choice not to neglict.

I use three for different reasons too long to explain (if possible ?)

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E43 silver oldest, E46 black, E46 titanium coated

I had the asph. version for some years to see the hipe,

sold it ( too 'perfect in my use' with Ninja stars bothering me ), for less use than the other 50mm with 'bad characters'

Edited May 17, 2021 by a.noctilux

[Yihong]

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9 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

So Yihong, have you tried out the Macro-Elmar-M 90mm, this lens is one of the the most universal in Leica lenses.

At f/4 it's wonder of lens in so many types of pics !

Yes! I liked 90mm f4 a lot, which is compact and light weighted (240g). Good lockdown companion to carry around and shoot flowers in the garden(with adapter). It's edge to edge sharp and highly capable for landscape/street photography sometimes. It's only a f4 lens so I wouldn't expect wowing or creamy bokeh for portrait. 

[M11 for me]

vor 11 Stunden schrieb a.noctilux:

Someone will suggest 21mm lens 😉.

I agree that every lens has it's use if we try hard enough.

So Yihong, have you tried out the Macro-Elmar-M 90mm, this lens is one of the the most universal in Leica lenses.

At f/4 it's wonder of lens in so many types of pics !

well, you are right: 21mm Super-Elmar-M works great for portraiture. Everything depends so much.

[a.noctilux]

21mm user, JL Sieff

also for many sublime portraits

and other with longer focal lenses as sublime

talented people always win whatever they use.

Edited May 17, 2021 by a.noctilux