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Elmarit 45mm S vs 70mm

Jandevries

By Jandevries
in Leica S System

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Jandevries

Jandevries

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Hello, 

I am new on this forum and I have a question regarding the 45mm S lens. Is there a difference in rendering/character between the 45 and 70mm lens? Or is the only difference the focal length and f-stop? I already own the 70mm and I am thinking about buying the 45mm. I can't find a lot of information about this, so I hope someone could tell their experiences with this lens. Or maybe share some photos? 

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ZHNL

ZHNL

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45mm is different IMHO, it has more contrast on both in focus and out of focus region. I know many like 45mm as it is very modern on performance. My first priority for S would be 35/70/120 set. Then, mix and match rest of the line if you want more varieties.

If we ignored the focal length difference or forget your focal length need which should not be ignored, I prefer 35mm overall. but my priority on S is rendering with wide aperture shooting mostly. For landscape type, I think it is hard to do better with 45mm.  

70mm is one of my favorite S glass, it also happen to be the smallest, lightest and cheapest one :)

 

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helged

helged

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55 minutes ago, ZHNL said:

45mm is different IMHO, it has more contrast on both in focus and out of focus region. I know many like 45mm as it is very modern on performance. My first priority for S would be 35/70/120 set. Then, mix and match rest of the line if you want more varieties.

If we ignored the focal length difference or forget your focal length need which should not be ignored, I prefer 35mm overall. but my priority on S is rendering with wide aperture shooting mostly. For landscape type, I think it is hard to do better with 45mm.  

70mm is one of my favorite S glass, it also happen to be the smallest, lightest and cheapest one :)

 

+1.

I would also add the S180 to S35+70+120 trio, with the caveats that the S180 can be a little tricky to focus and it is somewhat prone to motion blur.

A more special lens is S100, being the S-system's Noctilux counterpart.

See also https://www.reddotforum.com/content/2020/04/the-definitive-guide-to-leica-s-lenses

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Stuart Richardson

Stuart Richardson

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I love the 45mm for its sharpness, but I feel like the 70mm gives the best sense of being medium format. It has better separation due to its longer focal length (it is more like a 56mm lens) and faster speed. It has more field curvature, so I recommend stopping down to at least f6.8 for landscapes if you can, but otherwise it is very sharp. The 45mm has less noticeable field curvature and if you peg focus right (which can be a bit tricky), you will be rewarded with extremely sharp images. 

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mgrayson3

mgrayson3

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I seem to be the only person on the planet who does not love the 45. But then I almost never shoot that FoV on any camera. The 70 is lovely and exemplifies the "smooth detailed" look of the S lenses. If I'm going out in a snowstorm (not changing lenses!), the 70 is what I take. I used to be a 28mm shooter on the Leica M9, so I thought the 35 would be my lens on the S. I liked it, but the 24 quickly replaced it and is my "on the camera by default" lens.

S70 in winter:

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!

 

Edited by mgrayson3
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BernardC

BernardC

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On 9/21/2021 at 9:17 AM, Jandevries said:

Is there a difference in rendering/character between the 45 and 70mm lens? Or is the only difference the focal length and f-stop?

I don't have the 45, but the whole S lens lineup is extremely consistent compared to anything other than cine lenses. Most S lenses are also sold as "Leitz THALIA Cine" lenses, so one may explain the other.

In other words, you'll find some subtle differences, but nothing that would keep you from displaying the images together.

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Pieter12

Pieter12

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2 hours ago, mgrayson3 said:

I seem to be the only person on the planet who does not love the 45. But then I almost never shoot that FoV on any camera. The 70 is lovely and exemplifies the "smooth detailed" look of the S lenses. If I'm going out in a snowstorm (not changing lenses!), the 70 is what I take. I used to be a 28mm shooter on the Leica M9, so I thought the 35 would be my lens on the S. I liked it, but the 24 quickly replaced it and is my "on the camera by default" lens.

S70 in winter:

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!

 

I guess the S and 70mm really are weatherproof!

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ynp

ynp

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16 hours ago, mgrayson3 said:

I seem to be the only person on the planet who does not love the 45. But then I almost never shoot that FoV on any camera. The 70 is lovely and exemplifies the "smooth detailed" look of the S lenses. If I'm going out in a snowstorm (not changing lenses!), the 70 is what I take. I used to be a 28mm shooter on the Leica M9, so I thought the 35 would be my lens on the S. I liked it, but the 24 quickly replaced it and is my "on the camera by default" lens.

S70 in winter:

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!

 

I had the S45 for a while this year and decided to stick to my Contax 645 45mm. The Contax is softer and less perfect than the Leica lens, but I like the Contax for people shooting.

 I don’t shoot landscapes with my S. 

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tom0511

tom0511

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I would like to add the S45 is sharp but far from "clinical" or anything like that. It also renders a very nice bokeh.

What I dont like it is pretty heavy and bulky. Since I love the 70 because of its focal length, I find 35 is the better fit (focal length wise) for the 70.

For some time I switched to the 45-100 combo, but right now I use more often 70 than 100 and therefore more often 35 than 45.

I would recommend to choose based on which focal length you prefer.

I do not find there are worlds of differences between several S lenses. This is opposite from M linse up where you find some clear differences in rendering.

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Googaliser

Googaliser

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Posted (edited)

I just fell back in love with my S system after confining myself to the 45mm for a long weekend. I have to use a Canon (R5) for sports and it is a wonderful stills camera. But switching back to the S when the situation allows, just reminds me of how special it is as a system. The 45mm - despite its ergonomics - is incredible. I have all the prime lenses and concur with Tom in that they draw in a very similar fashion - but the 45mm does look like modern, bang up to date, Leica glass on the S3.

Edited by Googaliser
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