On the fence about buying the 50 SL Summilux…..

[Sohail]

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I'd really welcome some comments on what some posters here call the "transition to out of focus" quality of the 50/SL 1.4. Does it have that organic feel to it? Or is too clinical for your tastes?

Edited June 3, 2022 by Sohail

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[Photoworks]

2 hours ago, Sohail said:

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I'd really welcome some comments on what some posters here call the "transition to out of focus" quality of the 50/SL 1.4. Does it have that organic feel to it? Or is too clinical for your tastes?

Looks like the Leica Store Milano 😉

I like the look.

The Summilux-SL, Panasonic 50 1,4 and Summilux-M 50 are very close in look.

To much on Clarity slider for my taste.

[trickness]

2 hours ago, Sohail said:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

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I'd really welcome some comments on what some posters here call the "transition to out of focus" quality of the 50/SL 1.4. Does it have that organic feel to it? Or is too clinical for your tastes?

I think the subject needs to be closer, and the background more complimentary. No disrespect intended, but this photo could be shot on almost any fast lens. A portrait would be more illustrative.

[Sohail]

4 hours ago, trickness said:

I think the subject needs to be closer, and the background more complimentary. No disrespect intended, but this photo could be shot on almost any fast lens. A portrait would be more illustrative.

Depends what you mean by a portrait. Technically, this could be an environmental portrait. If you mean a headshot, I'm not sure a 50mm is the best choice—tastes aside. If the subject needs to be closer, what's the point then of a 1.4?

[Sohail]

4 hours ago, Photoworks said:

Looks like the Leica Store Milano 😉

I like the look.

The Summilux-SL, Panasonic 50 1,4 and Summilux-M 50 are very close in look.

To much on Clarity slider for my taste.

Yes! Well spotted! The lens was on loan for 20 mins. Can you define the "look"? 

BTW, I never use the clarity slider. Curves, yes.

[MakinMemories]

No longer on the fence as I just ordered a 50mm SL1.4 from a Leica store...Jumping back into this hobby with both feet🙂

My wishlist for Leica SL lenses: A 400mm and a fixed super wide angle would be nice. Anybody have an updated Leica lens roadmap?

[trickness]

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1 hour ago, Sohail said:

Depends what you mean by a portrait. Technically, this could be an environmental portrait. If you mean a headshot, I'm not sure a 50mm is the best choice—tastes aside. If the subject needs to be closer, what's the point then of a 1.4?

The closer your subject is to the lens, the more separation you'll get from the background at 1.4. - a 50mm is GREAT for close shots, and wide open at 1.4 you'd see all the cream this lens has to offer with the falloff...the point of a 1.4 to me is to blow everything in the background out, or to get more light. Everybody can of course shoot what they like, its down to individual choice, but if you're trying to showcase the 1.4 look, shooting the subject closer makes the falloff/bokeh/cream WAY more obvious. For example (image attached, SL2 with 50 1.4 Lux M ASPH). Shot this at minimum focus distance, about.7 meters.

 

 

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[Sohail]

7 hours ago, trickness said:

The closer your subject is to the lens, the more separation you'll get from the background at 1.4. - a 50mm is GREAT for close shots, and wide open at 1.4 you'd see all the cream this lens has to offer with the falloff...the point of a 1.4 to me is to blow everything in the background out, or to get more light. Everybody can of course shoot what they like, its down to individual choice, but if you're trying to showcase the 1.4 look, shooting the subject closer makes the falloff/bokeh/cream WAY more obvious. For example (image attached, SL2 with 50 1.4 Lux M ASPH). Shot this at minimum focus distance, about.7 meters.

 

 

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Great picture, but as you rightly say, it comes down to individual choice. For my tastes, it's a little too wide. Proportionally, for me, the nose and ears look off. I'd shoot this with a 75 or 85. The other thing is that 1.4 is too much here, I think. A 2 or 2.4 would be just right to get a little more definition on the nose. The other problem with the 1.4 SL is nailing the focus on the eyes. I think you got it just between the bridge of the nose and eye lashes. 2 or 2.4 would give you more latitude.

[trickness]

4 hours ago, Sohail said:

Great picture, but as you rightly say, it comes down to individual choice. For my tastes, it's a little too wide. Proportionally, for me, the nose and ears look off. I'd shoot this with a 75 or 85. The other thing is that 1.4 is too much here, I think. A 2 or 2.4 would be just right to get a little more definition on the nose. The other problem with the 1.4 SL is nailing the focus on the eyes. I think you got it just between the bridge of the nose and eye lashes. 2 or 2.4 would give you more latitude.

This came out exactly the way I wanted it to, with exactly the focus point I wanted. LFI awarded this image a Master Shot - not that they’re the ultimate arbiters of what’s a great photo - perhaps you should submit your shot to them, you did post it originally soliciting feedback, they’re a fun yardstick, and you did post your image soliciting opinions - give it a whirl!

Edited June 4, 2022 by trickness

[Sohail]

52 minutes ago, trickness said:

This came out exactly the way I wanted it to, with exactly the focus point I wanted. LFI awarded this image a Master Shot - not that they’re the ultimate arbiters of what’s a great photo - perhaps you should submit your shot to them, you did post it originally soliciting feedback, they’re a fun yardstick, and you did post your image soliciting opinions - give it a whirl!

Mine was a test shot while the lens was on loan for 20 mins. I wasn't criticising your technique -- just that the 1.4 for headshots doesn't quite work for me for reasons I wrote. In reply to the OP,  I'm curious about the supposed 'look" of the 50mm SL 1.4 lux as opposed to 50mm SL cron to warrant buying it. For me, the jury is still out on that.

[tom0511]

Am 3.6.2022 um 14:04 schrieb Sohail:

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I'd really welcome some comments on what some posters here call the "transition to out of focus" quality of the 50/SL 1.4. Does it have that organic feel to it? Or is too clinical for your tastes?

not too clinical for my taste. just perfect. transition to out of focus, I mean that the subject is sharp, the background blurred, and the transition between is "smooth" and not aprupt.

[profus]

On 6/3/2022 at 10:24 PM, trickness said:

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What a great image! Well done sir! 👌

[trickness]

3 hours ago, profus said:

What a great image! Well done sir! 👌

Many thanks!!!! I LOVE the 50 M Lux!

[Sohail]

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I've owned both lenses (50 cron SL and the 50 lux SL). For me, this image (shot a few days ago) settles the OP's question. The transitioning in and out of focus here is a thing of beauty. The 'cron is, yes, much more clinical in how it renders. It's much more suited to landscape/architectural photography. The 'lux -- portraiture/street/documentary.

In terms of framing and the optimal distance from the subject, this for me is the sweet spot without unnatural distortion while also maintaining a decent background bokeh. I'm happy to share close ups/headshot I also too which for my tastes don't work. 

Note. A couple of things: (1) please ignore composition/artistic merits, if any, of this image; and (2) no cropping was involved here.

Edited June 11, 2022 by Sohail

[Simone_DF]

Maybe the Panasonic 50mm 1.4 could also be an option as a second lens next to the Summicron, if budget is tight. I've never tried it, but from what I've seen, it is similar to the Lux SL

[MakinMemories]

I received the 50mm SL F1.4 yesterday and from a handling / feel aspect, I already love it! It just seems right on the SL2 and for me, there is zero issue with weight. (I do spend a few days a week in the gym however🙂) Impressed with the few test shots I have taken, both in manual mode as well as auto...Truly feel this is a special lens and very glad I bought it! Looking forward to spending the time to really become familiar and then using it for some speciality shots on an upcoming magazine ad for my business. 

[malbooth]

Oh dear ... I just read this whole thread as well as a lot of other reviews of these lenses and I am still not sure what to buy. I think I am probably more in the Lux camp than the Cron (for an SL2), but should it be the SL, which seems a superior lens now (with the added benefits of AF and weather-proofing), or the M which is cheaper and far less bulky.

Do I really need to cart around almost 2 kg of camera and lens overseas for several weeks or should I just take my Q2 and be happy with that? Even with a Lux M the SL2 is till pretty bulky.

Is the extra sharpness and bokeh of the Lux SL worth it over the versatile but only slightly heavier V-E 24-90 that I have already?

[Reddy]

1 hour ago, malbooth said:

Oh dear ... I just read this whole thread as well as a lot of other reviews of these lenses and I am still not sure what to buy. I think I am probably more in the Lux camp than the Cron (for an SL2), but should it be the SL, which seems a superior lens now (with the added benefits of AF and weather-proofing), or the M which is cheaper and far less bulky.

Do I really need to cart around almost 2 kg of camera and lens overseas for several weeks or should I just take my Q2 and be happy with that? Even with a Lux M the SL2 is till pretty bulky.

Is the extra sharpness and bokeh of the Lux SL worth it over the versatile but only slightly heavier V-E 24-90 that I have already?

if you don't really print out every single photo, then the sharpness is not that important,  it is more about "right on focus". Size and weight are very important when traveling, unless you are often in extreme low light, otherwise I would always look at cron, as the bokeh is really depends on situations. I think when you are just casually snapping around then Q2 will be just fine.

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[LeicaR10]

Malbooth,  Your post #157 clearly leaves you with a number of excellent choices.  You have read the thread and can see other photographers raise the pros and cons of the various lenses.  It will get down to considering what you need vs want and perhaps wallet. The well meaning forum members all have good ideas and thoughts, but ultimately it is your decision what works best for your genre of photography.  The link below might help you with making a decision.  You can click on the various Leica lenses and see how the various lenses render a scene.  Whatever you decide, I am certain that lens will help you capture your vision at that moment in time and create most excellent photographs with the tool (camera and lens) in hand.  r/ Mark

Try:  https://onfotolife.com/lenses?lens=Leica

[Photoworks]

4 hours ago, malbooth said:

Oh dear ... I just read this whole thread as well as a lot of other reviews of these lenses and I am still not sure what to buy. I think I am probably more in the Lux camp than the Cron (for an SL2), but should it be the SL, which seems a superior lens now (with the added benefits of AF and weather-proofing), or the M which is cheaper and far less bulky.

Do I really need to cart around almost 2 kg of camera and lens overseas for several weeks or should I just take my Q2 and be happy with that? Even with a Lux M the SL2 is till pretty bulky.

Is the extra sharpness and bokeh of the Lux SL worth it over the versatile but only slightly heavier V-E 24-90 that I have already?

Often I go on vacation with one camera a zoom and a fast 1.4 lens for detail and low light.

I would not take the SL 50, or the summicron-SL 50. they stay home. I take a Summilux-M 50 and a 24-90mm. It is all still heavy but I am interested in taking photos and I don't feel like I am compromising .

If I go on longer trip I would wind to bring one more small camera that as back up and to take photos at night on the way to the Resturant . I can be the q2 or an M camera. the SL camera stays home.