Lumix 50 1.8 and Summarit 50 2.5 on SL

[aj55]

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Dear all,

Received my Lumix 50 mm 1.8 today and decided to make a preliminary comparison to my 50 2.5 Summarit on a SL. Both at f/2.5

Approx 300% blowup on screenshot. Looks like ca in the left photo on the bottom left I would say....

But perhaps not a proper way to compare?

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Cheers, Arnold

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[beewee]

50 minutes ago, aj55 said:

Dear all,

Received my Lumix 50 mm 1.8 today and decided to make a preliminary comparison to my 50 2.5 Summarit on a SL. Both at f/2.5

Approx 300% blowup on screenshot. Looks like ca in the left photo on the bottom left I would say....

But perhaps not a proper way to compare?

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

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Cheers, Arnold

Interesting blind test since you didn’t specify which image was from which lens.

Definitely some CA on the left image. It also looks a bit softer overall compared to the right image. There seems to be more contrast on the feathers below the beak of the figurine and better definition in general.

[hansvons]

I'd always shoot people against backlight when comparing lenses. That way I get an idea of how a lens renders faces (slimmer or rounder), dimensionality and the handling of highlights, which includes CA and glows. But if parrots are your preferred subjects I'd choose them, of course. Yesterday I saw that documentary about Monty Python on Netflix. The parrot sketch is still incredibly funny. I love birds though, amazing creatures! Just kidding.

 

[BernardC]

14 hours ago, hansvons said:

I'd always shoot people against backlight when comparing lenses. That way I get an idea of how a lens renders faces (slimmer or rounder), dimensionality and the handling of highlights, which includes CA and glows.

The other reason to shoot in backlight is, of course, flare. Some lenses fall apart in backlight, and some love it. One of my favourite lenses is the ZM Planar 50, which shrugs-off flare and holds detail, contrast, and texture even in the harshest lighting. The other end of that spectrum is my Yashica-Contax Planar 50, which is absolutely lovely in most lights, but makes subjects look like X-Files aliens in backlight. On the plus side, it makes any room with a bright window look "smoke filled". Throw-in some evening wear and you have a ready-made Godfather look!

Leica's S lens lineup is especially good with flare. You can shoot with the Sun in the frame, over the subject's shoulder, and get amazing results. Even fine hairs against the Sun will be sharp and aberration-free (provided they are in focus, of course).