Summilux SL 50mm at F2 vs 50mm Summicron

[Bibowj]

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Hello all- 

    I have an SLs2 and the two lenses I own for it are the 35mm Summicron and the 50 1.4 and I do like them both. However, I LOVE the rendering of the 35mm. There's just something about it. I THINK the 50 Summilux  has a lot of the same magic, but the size /cost makes me wonder how it compares to the Summicron at F2. Does anyone reading this have expiernce with both at that F-stop? Im less conserved about size and weight as I am about rendering and color. If at F2 both are pretty much the same, Id probably rather keep the Summilux  and maybe get the 75mm later... but if the Summicron 50 has some magic in it that the Summilux doesn't (minus just being faster), Im not sure Id want to keep it considering the cost.

  Im hoping for some insight from you amazing people as my return window closes in a few days.

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[tom0511]

The 50/1.4SL was my first prime for the SL ( now SL2). I love the rendering from the beginning owning it.

Later I added 35 50 and 75 Summicrons. And while they are great, the 50/1.4 rendering is my favorite of the three.

Maybe the 50 Summicron is even sharper (is it) and even more perfect, I just like the 50 Summilux SL color, bokeh, etc.

So if you ask me, for my taste the 50/1.4 has more "magic" than the Summicron.

They size / weight is another thing though.

[Gavin Cato]

Interesting, I have the 35 sum and the 50 lux like you do, and I near always grab the 50. It's probably my fave lens of all time.

[f4nest]

When I was comparing the SL-Lux 50 to SL-Cron 50 on my SL2, I went for the Lux-SL 50, which reminded me more of the Noctlux-M 0,95, but now with AF and sharper, but though less magic.

Here 2 examples, first SL-Summilux 50, with f 1,4, 2nd with SL-

Cron f 2

 

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Edited November 17, 2021 by f4nest

[FlashGordonPhotography]

I never found the 50 SL lux to be remotely similar to the Noctilux. The 50SL ‘lux is sharper, more even across the frame, has far less CA, better flare control and has a slightly wider firld of view.

The SL50 ‘cron draws like the 35. If you want a matched set you get the F2. Generally though, I also prefer the SL 50 ‘lux. I thinks, while not as *perfect* as the F2, that it’s has a beautiful balance between sharpness and blur. The fall off region is sublome.

Neither is better but they are different.

Gordon

[Bibowj]

Thanks so much those that have replied. What I see here and what Ive read elsewhere about the same so I decided to keep the 50 Summilux. It seems the 50 and the 35 draw the same so Ill just move fwd or crop as the 50 is close enough. Maybe Ill venture to the 75APO next but Ive recently aquired the 24-90 that might take care of that need.

[hwilms]

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I am going for the 35’cron, the 50’lux, and the 90’cron. These are covering my range of focal lengths and from what I‘ve read and seen are gorgeous lenses. 

[Dr. G]

On 11/29/2021 at 7:57 AM, hwilms said:

I am going for the 35’cron, the 50’lux, and the 90’cron. These are covering my range of focal lengths and from what I‘ve read and seen are gorgeous lenses. 

That’s exactly what I had when I first had my SL system.  This time around I have the 35 and 75 cron and will probably get the 50 Lux.   As much as I like the rendering of the 90, I just never found myself grabbing it.  I love the 50 Lux for its rendering and, depending on what my subject material is, view it as a different tool rather than simply a different focal length.  I would never gap a 35, 50 and 75 if they were all Summicron-SL lenses, though.   

[f4nest]

On 11/18/2021 at 11:30 PM, FlashGordonPhotography said:

I never found the 50 SL lux to be remotely similar to the Noctilux. The 50SL ‘lux is sharper, more even across the frame, has far less CA, better flare control and has a slightly wider firld of view.

The SL50 ‘cron draws like the 35. If you want a matched set you get the F2. Generally though, I also prefer the SL 50 ‘lux. I thinks, while not as *perfect* as the F2, that it’s has a beautiful balance between sharpness and blur. The fall off region is sublome.

Neither is better but they are different.

Gordon

 I agree with you that the magic of the Noctilux 0,95 is certainly prominent with that special bokeh rendering and the Lux-SL 50 just reminds me (more that the Cron-SL 50)

Photo taken with SL(601) and Noctilux 0,95 50 at 0,95

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[douglas ball]

What a lovely image. At one time I had the 0.95 Nocti but let it go because of the size and wt on my 240 M. I actually traded it and the proceeds went towards a S 006 and some lenses.

I guess it was the perfection from the S lenses that eventually made me yearn once again for the imperfections of the Noctilux. I found a excellent sample of an F1 and I know now that I will never sell it. I have had the SL 1.4 from the beginning, and while there are many times when it does not go out with me, due to size and weight, I know I will never let it go either, for the days when I want something a little less perfect, but more sublime.

[Chaemono]

In certain situations (depending on distance of the subject from the camera and the background), f/2 will just not cut it in terms of separation, particularly on a BSI sensor. Here the Summicron-SL and the Summilux-SL both on BSI sensors. Roll-off of Summicron-SL is like an f/1.4 but blur is like an f/2. Sharpness of Summilux-SL wide open is like a Summicron. This lens has this warmth and coolness at the same time with the Adobe Standard profile.

Less compressed JPEGs here: https://chaemono.smugmug.com/Folder-2/50-Summilux-SL-vs-APO-50-Summicron-SL-on-BSI-sensor/

APO 50 Summicron-SL on S5

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50 Summilux-SL on SL2S

[f4nest]

On 11/17/2021 at 10:53 AM, f4nest said:

When I was comparing the SL-Lux 50 to SL-Cron 50 on my SL2, I went for the Lux-SL 50, which reminded me more of the Noctlux-M 0,95, but now with AF and sharper, but though less magic.

Here 2 examples, first SL-Summilux 50, with f 1,4, 2nd with SL-

Cron f 2

 

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the rendering of the Summilux-SL reminds me more of the Nocti-M 50, like this example

[lioness731]

On 11/17/2021 at 2:53 AM, f4nest said:

When I was comparing the SL-Lux 50 to SL-Cron 50 on my SL2, I went for the Lux-SL 50, which reminded me more of the Noctlux-M 0,95, but now with AF and sharper, but though less magic.

Here 2 examples, first SL-Summilux 50, with f 1,4, 2nd with SL-

Cron f 2

 

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I think these photos are two beautiful examples of the two different renderings. I love the look of the 50 Lux-SL. Thank you for sharing!

[xdharmax]

how is the AF when use Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 on leica SL2s body, any share ?

[bherman01545]

As far as a comparison, here are a few things to consider:

Even with the latest firmware updates, the SL Summilux will focus slower (on the SL, SL2 and SL2-S) due to the sheer mass of moving much heavier lens elements. With that said, depending on your needs and use case, you might not notice a big difference in real world shooting scenarios.

• The SL 50 Summicron is an APO lens, and as such it is better corrected.
• The Summicrons are smaller, lighter, more compact and all have a 67mm filter thread

As far as bokeh and subject isolation, the 50 LUX may have a slight advantage, (subjectively) but according to Peter Karbe's SL lens video, he had mentioned that for the SL Summicrons, they tried to provide (through its design characteristics) similar bokeh and subject isolation at F2 as their 1.4 counterparts, but unless comparing them side-by-side, you might not notice a difference.

-Brad

[xdharmax]

thanks @bherman01545for your share information, maybe to get more bokeh go with apo 75 SL, than the sl 50 f1,4, faster af and well corrected