Image thread for the Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH

[Chaemono]

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Your photos are stunningly alive; I feel like I am there, as a spectator!  (And the same w Dan Cook's)

 

Is that "art"? I do not know, nor do I care to define it. 

 

From my perspective the photos that I have seen from the SL 50mm are superb.

Rob

 

Thanks Rob. It's quite an extraordinary lens capable of producing a look unlike anything I've seen on a 35mm sensor. Kudos to the Leica engineers.

[dancook]

When I get a proper chance I fancy using this lens to do a 3 photo stitched portrait (Brenizer method) like here

 

http://www.samhurdphotography.com/2012/editorial/epic-portait-george-clooney/

[mgrayson3]

FWIW, I just took out the SL+50 and the S(006)+70 and shot the same 25 shots on both of them. The results are surprisingly similar - bordering on identical. The 50 wide open is a touch sharper, but the extra pixels make it a dead heat. Stopped down, the S pulls away, but not by much. The bokeh wide open is also quite similar, but viewing at 100% or 200% accentuates the bokeh size of the larger files, so you'd expect that. Scaling for the same size print, the 50/1.4 should have a bit more blur.

 

But the lenses have the same look. The colors out of the S(006) are slightly different in the greens, but nothing that can't be adjusted.

 

Best,

 

Matt

[Chaemono]

Very interesting. How did you feel about the size/weight difference between the two?

[mgrayson3]

Weight is close! S+70 weighs 4.6 lbs. SL+50 weighs 4.1 lbs. the S was better balanced, so it was a wash. Carying both was heavy!

Focusing was more certain in the S and maybe slightly quicker. But the 50 is MUCH slower than the zooms at focusing

Matt

Edited May 3, 2017 by mgrayson3

[caissa]

Yes, as is well known. But if you think it is worth repeating the obvious ....

And did it pose a problem to you ? Certainly not.   To me at least it doesn't.   (Only if I had expected anything else.)

 

If I look at the results I do not ever think about the lens I took it with (well certainly not in a negative sense).

I never had such a near-perfect equipment before. If I show older pics do you really think the watchers would appreciate if I kept repeating at every slide how poor the old equipment was ?

Edited May 3, 2017 by caissa

[caissa]

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I am actually very glad that the SL 50 is so much slower than the SL 90-280 and not vice versa. It is no problem at all for my "photography".

But if I imagine the speeds had been exchanged and the 50mm was lightning fast and the 90-280 rather sluggish, this would cause me a lot of problems. I would probably even be obliged to switch the camera system.

 

So I live in a happy world where everything is just as quick as it needs to be. (The best of all possible worlds ...)  

 

And the SL 50 is by far the fastest high-class 50mm I can use on the SL. (Ask the Otus or Noctilux users).

Edited May 3, 2017 by caissa

[thighslapper]

I am actually very glad that the SL 50 is so much slower than the SL 90-280 and not vice versa. It is no problem at all for my "photography".

But if I imagine the speeds had been exchanged and the 50mm was lightning fast and the 90-280 rather sluggish, this would cause me a lot of problems. I would probably even be obliged to switch the camera system.

 

So I live in a happy world where everything is just as quick as it needs to be. (The best of all possible worlds ...)  

 

And the SL 50 is by far the fastest high-class 50mm I can use on the SL. (Ask the Otus or Noctilux users).

 

I have also been out and about with the SL 1.4 using it exclusively the last few days. AF speed and accuracy has not been an issue ..... and that includes quick candid (or as candid as you can get with a big black camera and lens) street photos.

 

As I have said before ...... AF is slower (than the zooms) ..... not slow. Image quality is faultless. The combo handles well and is reliable and easy to use. No complaints here. 

Edited May 3, 2017 by thighslapper

[dancook]

with the 50SL I took 10 photos of bridesmaids walking towards me before proceeding down the aisle.

 

0 out of 10 were in focus,

 

 

I switched to me Leica Q for the bride and her father.

 

I don't need to process wedding photos, so only spent a second to pick a photo, straighten, crop and black and white it.

 

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Edited May 4, 2017 by dancook

[caissa]

You omitted the first sexy pic of the SL with SL 50, taken with the Q.  It is from March, but I found it only now.

I add the link:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/62198876@N02/33172537330/in/photolist-S6gnf8-RRKVf6-SxkVCN-SG5U8S-RBoNrG-T3Yn4n-TohFbA-TKtvsY-TQqsm8-QzPJ1R-QzMeNT-TFFLFQ-RyhAdJ-T3FLjd-SDTakw-SVb4oP-RNvf3V-RXhUML-RTAwSB-Sgs3W9-SnFQrL-Rt2rcC-bzVRjf-FiKN3h-SavKhu-RZ4giu-Fd5gc7-DYjAzc-FfNFDg-SbPxn6-SavsEm-mGLPqZ-TVa2Hr-SR9VCg-TTM29V-GNoWxw-jNYGqT-vEBh93-AnZXpt-mps35-TthLfb-nGUY4q-C2ieHn-PU6W7J-S6QmSm-mGNP89-PWSk6i-R84iVA-QuocsN-PpjSUP

Edited May 4, 2017 by caissa

[dancook]

Well with a heavy heart I'm actually going to sell my Leica SL, 50mm 1.4 and 90-280mm now..

[Ingo]

Well with a heavy heart I'm actually going to sell my Leica SL, 50mm 1.4 and 90-280mm now..

 

I shoot this kind of scenes (walking people) with the 24-90 in AF-S (or the Q) and get aprox. 7 of 10 sharp pics.

The SL-50 is a portraits lens, not for reportage. 

You shouldn't sell the SL but use it within it's range. 

[tom0511]

did you use c-af or s-af? I have much better experience using s-af even for moving subjects (if they are not too fast).

And yes, C-AF seems nothing like from a good DSLR. (I have not experienced good C-AF from any mirrorless camera so far, mayb the A9 can do it)

For the image you show I would probably prefocus to a certain position and then just fire away.

But I can understand your frustration and I wouldnt mind a SL2 with a combo of phase-AF and contrast AF

Edited May 5, 2017 by tom0511

[tom0511]

I shoot this kind of scenes (walking people) with the 24-90 in AF-S (or the Q) and get aprox. 7 of 10 sharp pics.

The SL-50 is a portraits lens, not for reportage. 

You shouldn't sell the SL but use it within it's range. 

I think a fast 50mm is specially interesting to use for reportage style images, so I also wish it was focusing faster. On the other side if the subject is slow or near static focus nails. Not like some fast lenses on dslr where one hast o do all kinds of focus fine adjustment..

Edited May 5, 2017 by tom0511

[dancook]

I shoot this kind of scenes (walking people) with the 24-90 in AF-S (or the Q) and get aprox. 7 of 10 sharp pics.

The SL-50 is a portraits lens, not for reportage. 

You shouldn't sell the SL but use it within it's range. 

 

I have grown used to DSLR speeds, 5dM3 and D750 - continuous AF, low light AF - tricky AF situations which a 5DM4 will excel even more at.

 

I need a setup for weddings and the SL creates frustration for me, I may get a mirrorless medium format for my 'quality stills'

 

I thought I could have the SL do both jobs, but I need two cameras.

Edited May 5, 2017 by dancook

[caissa]

You see me simply amazed. I always liked your pics, and did not expect you to be frustrated by the results.

And I am also a bit amazed to see you so certain that a faster AF( D750) will give better results to you. Or maybe I am a bit amazed that you ever went to the SL, if this is your main concern.

I am still puzzled if you do this photography for a job or just as an add-on.

For me it is definitely the opposite - but I produce much less output, and at a much slower rate. I do not have to do weddings....

I will miss your entries here ....

 

I am also amazed that you mention the mirrorless medium format - because this is really slow and cumbersome. I would never go back to that, not even for landscapes. (Many drawbacks, hardly any lasting benefits).

Edited May 6, 2017 by caissa

[dancook]

You see me simply amazed. I always liked your pics, and did not expect you to be frustrated by the results.

And I am also a bit amazed to see you so certain that a DSLR will give better results to you.

For me it is definitely the opposite - but I do not have to do weddings....

I will miss your entries here ....

 

I am not frustrated by the quality.

 

The photos that come out well, do not tell the story of the photos that don't.

 

In a dim-lit bar, trying to get focus on a musician - he notices and pulls a pose, but the lens has been hunting for the last 30 seconds...

 

I make like I got the shot, smile and move on... sigh.

 

When a musician get's so into the music, they start rocking around the set, maybe head banging or leaning back on the guitar - I just can't get the SL to respond as quickly to this as I would with a DSLR.

 

With the SL there are so many more interesting and dynamic shots I am missing ... and in the case of weddings, shots that could be very important.

[caissa]

I started at a time, when cameras were really slow, because they were all manual. So my "simple recipe" (for musicians) is prefocus and use a short burst (3 or 5)  (with the back button setup, no refocusing). Their movements (even head banging) are often predictable - at least the ones playing an instrument.

You are probably not after the pulled poses - or are you ? But you would like to have them to get easier contact with them, even if you would throw away the pics afterwards. I understand.

But your results are much better than mine ever were. So forget what I said.

 

Weddings are also a problem for me - I "hate" them. Maybe FlashGordon can add a hint ? Or Ingo (who is using a Nocti ?) ?

I would suggest a fast 35mm, but I don't know if the new lens will be fast enough (AF and or aperture).

I could suggest the Sigma 2/24-35. The aperture is ideal, the IQ close to, but the AF is also unpredictable (not sure enough for critical once-a-lifetime fotos).

I hate any once-in-a-century situation and I am sure to miss 99.9% of them. Maybe it's a psychological question ? Hope your new camera will give you what you need to lower your (imagined ?) rate of misses.

Edited May 6, 2017 by caissa

[caissa]

If I would believe Sony ads, then I would probably spend the big pile of money and buy the A9 for weddings. It offers all to conquer the once-a-lifetime events, with no risc (maybe also no fun when selecting the usable pics).

I would buy many large SD cards and kill any problem with long bursts (up to 200 pics). And as Sony said the perfect AF will do anything for me. They guarantee that.

A little better even a 8k camera, with even faster AF, and me selecting at the end of the wedding the best and sharpest pics from the video. Without any sweat or feelings of guilt because of pics lost for eternity.

That would be great for my nerves, great for my "credibility"  (no need to explain to relatives why they were not found on any good pic), maybe even great for the business.

This is probably the future (near future) for all event reporters (sorry, weddings are events).

 

But will I have the time (and pleasure) to look at all these near perfect pics ?

So I clearly see the future - but will I go it ?

Edited May 6, 2017 by caissa

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[steppenw0lf]

The RED/WEAPON 8K 35   could be the weapon of choice - for weddings and events.

It offers much more than a measly A9, and almost a guarantee not to miss any shot.

It is 35.4 Mpixels at up to 75 fps. 16.5 stops of DR.   http://www.red.com/products/weapon-8k

It does not fit in here (SL 50) and maybe not even into the realm of photography. But it could be the future  (or a similar product) almost certainly.

I am sure I get more hits from this camera than from a SL or even A9. At (much) higher technical quality.

 

What would you rather choose, this or a medium format mirrrorless ? Price levels are different, but if it helps your business ...    O.K. price is very high, but this will come down.

I will definitely stay with the SL, but if it was my business ?   

 

I just wanted to show the current state of technology - which is not what Sony offers. But if this is too far off this thread, you can delete it, I don't mind.

Edited May 6, 2017 by steppenw0lf