Summicron- sl 50mm or Summilux- M 50mm or M10-R for food related photography?

[hansvons]

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Your framing is nice, the lighting is soft, kinda cold. If you want to get that last yummy feeling try some sprinkling hard lighting. That way, the moisture in food will pop.

 

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[beewee]

8 hours ago, phonebus.phonebus said:

Thanks for your reply Jaapv.

Of coz I know 500 GBP could buy nothing for a great lens. (Maybe I should skip mentioning I got the 500 voucher) 

Below are the sceneries which I work on, and I  don't know whether they match the traditional meaning of 'food photography', therefore I only use the term 'food-related' photo to describe my work.

It is hard to use a smartphone to take the same pictures below.

And I agree that the images I posted are atmospheric, atmospheric food-related photos could also make one hungry.

 

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Nice photos. Seeing how you like take take advantage of the bokeh for subject separation, I highly recommend the 50 APO SL. All the APO SL primes have a similar rendering and is extremely sharp even at close focus distances and although some may say the bokeh is clinical, I find it very pleasing, modern, smooth, and uniquely unobtrusive. The difference in contrast between in focus and out of focus areas ensure the out of focus areas never distract or draw too much attention, even when there may be specular highlights that would otherwise cause distracting bokeh on other lenses. I think for food photography, with the amazing close focus performance and the unobtrusive bokeh, the APO SL primes would be a great candidate.

I only have the 28 APO but the photo below will give you a rough idea of the move bokeh you can expect from the SL APO primes.

 

[John Smith]

9 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

I have both the 50mm Summilux M ASPH and the 50mm APO Summicron SL. I find that the 50mm APO Summicron is my most used lens, particularly for my professional work. I think it is a no-brainer if you already have a 50mm 1.5 lens. The best part of the 50mm APO Summicron is that it is a lens that as a professional you will never have to worry about from the standpoint of image quality. It is tack sharp from wide open over the entire frame (within the plane of focus), there is no chromatic aberration (unlike the Sigma 45mm or 35mm...yes, I have tried them), more importantly, no longitudinal chromatic aberration. At close focus distance it is as sharp as a macro lens. I photographed an entire art book with it for a fascimile edition for a well-known publisher, and it is as good or better than dedicated macro lenses as long as you do not need to go to 1 to 1 reproduction distances. For food on a table, it will have great color, microcontrast and freedom from aberrations. Things like reddish or greenish specular highlights from lens aberrations should be minimal to zero. I can see a case like Paul is arguing for the 75mm, but I would say the 50mm makes more sense because it is so easy to crop in slightly and still have super high quality shots. Given you already have other compact "character" lenses, I would say get APO Summicron which will give you AF and extremely high performance. Don't worry about it lacking character...it still takes lovely pictures...the bokeh is quite neutral and smooth, and while it does not have a real "look" like a noctilux or 75mm Summilux, it is never going to ruin a shot for you either.

 

Best suggestion. I think you’d be surprised by the clarity of the APOs.

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/4/2022 at 11:12 PM, BernardC said:

You should still try the 45. It has a unique look at close distances, I think it will give you the separation that you want, even though it's a stop slower than your old lens.

The Summilux-M is great, but it's limited in close focus like the Zeiss 2.0/50 is. The 1.5/50 has an even longer MFD (1.0m), but it isn't very good up close anyway.

One thing you didn't mention is what you are trying to achieve with a new lens. Those Zeiss lenses are very good, after all. You won't get much better contrast or flare protection anywhere else, at any price. You might get a bit more "pop" with an Apo-Summicron, but is that what you're looking for?

Thanks Bernard, I will have a try on sigma 45.

I have never tasted the power of Apo-Summicron for my works, but if I have the chance, I would definitely want to have a try on it.

 

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/4/2022 at 11:16 PM, frame-it said:

if the OP is really itching to buy something, id go with the macro elmarit R 60mm, will cover closeups and medium distances and great for food and portrait-style cooking shots

Thanks for your suggestion frame-it,

let me do some research on this len 🙂

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/4/2022 at 11:24 PM, LocalHero1953 said:

I have spent quite a bit of time photographing in college kitchens here, serving classy food to 100-200 people. The shots you show are a similar range of types to mine. I have been using the SL2-S. I'm sorry I can't post them - I'd need to get permission.

I found I needed a wide angle for general interior shots and serving action, a short telephoto for individuals doing something interesting, and something longish with large aperture and close minimum focus to shoot dishes with blurred background (I agree that wide angle introduces distortion in close up food shots). I was using the 16-35 and 24-90 zooms and the 75 or 90 SL primes. If I had to constrain myself to primes, I would pick a 28mm, 75mm and 90mm for each of those scenarios.

When the action is busy, I prefer AF, because I find it quicker to shoot and jump out of the way. I was usually given single dishes of food to take away and shoot in a controlled environment (e.g. black cloth backdrop, strobes in brollies), so MF would have been fine. Which you find quicker is very much a personal thing.

If I was still shooting M lenses, I would have relied a lot on the Apo-Summicron-M 75, because it has such a short close focus.

Please ask more questions if I can help more.

Thanks Paul for your understanding 🙂 it is so touching we have similar range of types.

Sometimes I take the shots at the restaurants (so the enviroment is varied), and sometimes I take the shots at my home ( so it would be far more easier)

I don't know if it would be a good idea if I get a 75mm lens, it is because the local restaurants in my place are rather small and might be full of customers. I am afraid I would disturb them if i take a step backward.

[phonebus.phonebus]

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On 6/5/2022 at 12:35 AM, Stuart Richardson said:

I have both the 50mm Summilux M ASPH and the 50mm APO Summicron SL. I find that the 50mm APO Summicron is my most used lens, particularly for my professional work. I think it is a no-brainer if you already have a 50mm 1.5 lens. The best part of the 50mm APO Summicron is that it is a lens that as a professional you will never have to worry about from the standpoint of image quality. It is tack sharp from wide open over the entire frame (within the plane of focus), there is no chromatic aberration (unlike the Sigma 45mm or 35mm...yes, I have tried them), more importantly, no longitudinal chromatic aberration. At close focus distance it is as sharp as a macro lens. I photographed an entire art book with it for a fascimile edition for a well-known publisher, and it is as good or better than dedicated macro lenses as long as you do not need to go to 1 to 1 reproduction distances. For food on a table, it will have great color, microcontrast and freedom from aberrations. Things like reddish or greenish specular highlights from lens aberrations should be minimal to zero. I can see a case like Paul is arguing for the 75mm, but I would say the 50mm makes more sense because it is so easy to crop in slightly and still have super high quality shots. Given you already have other compact "character" lenses, I would say get APO Summicron which will give you AF and extremely high performance. Don't worry about it lacking character...it still takes lovely pictures...the bokeh is quite neutral and smooth, and while it does not have a real "look" like a noctilux or 75mm Summilux, it is never going to ruin a shot for you either.

 

Thank you Stuart for your experience and suggestion. It is so great to hear it. 🙂

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/5/2022 at 3:51 AM, Simone_DF said:

Is that really a problem? You have a SL2S, you can crank the iso up without issues.

FYI I got the Sigma 45mm, the SL Summicron 50, the M Summilux 50 and the Zeiss 1.5. Yes I do love 50mm 🤣

All 4 lenses are great for one reason or another. I think you should really give a chance to the 45mm, it has a special look, in particular when shooting wide open at close distance, which I believe it's one of yours use cases.

Thanks Simone, I will go and have a try on sigma 45 🙂

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/5/2022 at 5:07 AM, AZN said:

Second this.  With the macro tube you can even go down to 1:1

https://www.overgaard.dk/pdf/Macro-Elmarit-R_60_mm_Technical_Data_en.pdf

This would cover the plate/ food/ cup shots.  Don't need AF for this.

For a wider view of the environment or people working etc. – either the 28mm or 35mm APO-SL would work well.

Had a quick look on Flickr.  Most of the images taken with the Macro-60R are of flowers (yawn), but found one with a coffee cup and Omega Speedmaster:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/185610380@N06/51005667456/in/pool-1884412@N24/

 

Thank you AmAzn for your reference link, the photos are great 🙂 I will do more research on this len 🙂

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/5/2022 at 5:40 AM, hansvons said:

Your framing is nice, the lighting is soft, kinda cold. If you want to get that last yummy feeling try some sprinkling hard lighting. That way, the moisture in food will pop.

 

Thank you Hansvons, I will try it 🙂

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/5/2022 at 7:20 AM, beewee said:

Nice photos. Seeing how you like take take advantage of the bokeh for subject separation, I highly recommend the 50 APO SL. All the APO SL primes have a similar rendering and is extremely sharp even at close focus distances and although some may say the bokeh is clinical, I find it very pleasing, modern, smooth, and uniquely unobtrusive. The difference in contrast between in focus and out of focus areas ensure the out of focus areas never distract or draw too much attention, even when there may be specular highlights that would otherwise cause distracting bokeh on other lenses. I think for food photography, with the amazing close focus performance and the unobtrusive bokeh, the APO SL primes would be a great candidate.

I only have the 28 APO but the photo below will give you a rough idea of the move bokeh you can expect from the SL APO primes.

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Thank you Beewee, the sl apo len and your photo is so gorgeous 🙂

[phonebus.phonebus]

On 6/5/2022 at 9:42 AM, John Smith said:

Best suggestion. I think you’d be surprised by the clarity of the APOs.

Can't wait for getting one APO for myself 🙂

[Photoworks]

On 6/6/2022 at 4:36 AM, phonebus.phonebus said:

Thanks Simone, I will go and have a try on sigma 45 🙂

I don't like the 45mm form sigma much. the only benefit is that is small.

the optical quality is ok, but nothing to wright home about. slow AF. does not compare to the other sigma line.

My lens sits here unused , there are not even great demand on the used market, so I will still be here forever unused.

[Stuart Richardson]

8 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

I don't like the 45mm form sigma much. the only benefit is that is small.

the optical quality is ok, but nothing to wright home about. slow AF. does not compare to the other sigma line.

My lens sits here unused , there are not even great demand on the used market, so I will still be here forever unused.

I had the same feeling. I tried it and felt like it was not very attractive. That said, I think the Sigma 24mm 3.4 and 35mm f2 lenses are quite good, so I have nothing against Sigma. It is just not a useful balance for me. No one hides that it is on the softer side wide open and close up, but it is also slow. If you want to have it nice and sharp it needs to be at 5.6 or smaller. It is not just about sharpness though...it also shows longitudinal chromatic aberration, which I find quite ugly and also uncorrectable. Reddish in the the foreground and green in the background. It is not a bad lens, but I think as Photoworks said, its main benefit is its size. I think there are better solutions for the L mount. In fact, trying it made me realize that the lens I was looking for was the 50mm APO Summicron. I realize they are not in similar price or size categories, but for the kind of photography I do, it was a much better decision. Other people will appreciate the characteristics that something like the Sigma will provide. I would probably try the Panasonic 50mm 1.8 before the Sigma, however.

[robb]

I’d recommend the 75mm or 50 sl summicrons

Really nice work.  It doesn’t seem like you get super close so I think the M 50 1.4 also suits your style well.

Robb