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

[Donzo98]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I can understand the intrigue, but it's not something I really want to bring up. It can be such a contentious subject. I don't like to compare cameras with other people, unless I believe it will be an objective discussion, which it rarely is...

 

 

I'm going to go off topic now...

 

It kind of makes my blood boil, someone asks how I'm getting along with my Leica - "Yea, fine" if I wanted to expand on that, I might say "AF could be better, but I like the quality"

 

Just leads to them gushing about how great their Fuji is... 

 

Everything is so relative... their experiences are not comparable.

 

 

I love when people ask me how like the Leica stuff...

 

I love chit chatting about gear... Of course, I am a total hobbyist....and not making a living doing it.

[dancook]

I love when people ask me how like the Leica stuff...

 

I love chit chatting about gear... Of course, I am a total hobbyist....and not making a living doing it.

 

i don't make a living doing it either, I don't get paid much for weddings and I don't get paid for anything else.

 

 

I just try not to gush, I prefer to discuss facts. Can't have a reasonable discussion if people are just going to say how great their camera is.. they aren't going to listen to it's flaws, and I don't want to listen to their hyperbole.

 

People ask about the Leica stuff, I just tell them my experience with it - the good and the bad

Edited August 7, 2017 by dancook

[Daedalus2000]

I can understand the intrigue, but it's not something I really want to bring up. It can be such a contentious subject. I don't like to compare cameras with other people, unless I believe it will be an objective discussion, which it rarely is...

 

 

I'm going to go off topic now...

 

It kind of makes my blood boil, someone asks how I'm getting along with my Leica - "Yea, fine" if I wanted to expand on that, I might say "AF could be better, but I like the quality"

 

Just leads to them gushing about how great their Fuji is... 

 

Everything is so relative... their experiences are not comparable.

 

Sorry, I do not think I was clear. I did not mean how they respond to the Leica lenses and cameras. I meant if you get any comments on the quality of the rendering without any reference to Leica. For example, once I used the Canon 50 0.95 on a Leica body and when people saw the images they found them very interesting because of the unique rendering. I was asking if a very sharp lens like the SL50 has resulted in some comments, that is all. But of course please ignore my question if you do not want to answer it.

 

By the way, I do the same occasionally, i.e. help as second-shooter at weddings. I have used Sonys to avoid the comments about Leica etc, but I was not happy with the results. Next time I take the SL.

[Donzo98]

i don't make a living doing it either, I don't get paid much for weddings and I don't get paid for anything else.

 

 

I just try not to gush, I prefer to discuss facts. Can't have a reasonable discussion if people are just going to say how great their camera is.. they aren't going to listen to it's flaws, and I don't want to listen to their hyperbole.

 

People ask about the Leica stuff, I just tell them my experience with it - the good and the bad

I don't gush over it either. I just enjoy talking gear with others. Lens choices, types of pics they enjoy, etc.

[dancook]

Sorry, I do not think I was clear. I did not mean how they respond to the Leica lenses and cameras. I meant if you get any comments on the quality of the rendering without any reference to Leica. For example, once I used the Canon 50 0.95 on a Leica body and when people saw the images they found them very interesting because of the unique rendering. I was asking if a very sharp lens like the SL50 has resulted in some comments, that is all. But of course please ignore my question if you do not want to answer it.

 

By the way, I do the same occasionally, i.e. help as second-shooter at weddings. I have used Sonys to avoid the comments about Leica etc, but I was not happy with the results. Next time I take the SL.

 

The answer is no, no comments are made on the photos I take after I have handed them over. Quality or otherwise.

[tom0511]

But is Leica digital correct CA? And OTUS was designed with canikon sensor stack thickness. That makes big difference.

 

The 50sl seems have good rendering if you nail the focus. All latest great lens will be brutal on focus accuracy, if you miss the shot slightly, it is not useable and will be worse compare to old glass such as 50lux R or M, with those, slightly miss the shots are not as obvious because the focus plain never razor thin.

 

Here is the point that AF is a real advantage for fast lenses IMO. AF is not the fastest but pretty precise with the 50SL.

For my part I do really like what I see so far from the SL50mm. I find it renders with a lot of detail combine without being too harsh and a smooth bokeh. IMO almost medium format like.

I dislike the size of the lens though.

In regards of Otus...I would probably decide between the 2 depending if I was a manual focus guy or AF guy. 

I am still not sure if people search for max IQ if it makes sense to spend 5k+ for a standard lens or not rather go directly medium format.

[dancook]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Would it make more sense to spend 5k on 50mm apo for leica-m?

[mmradman]

Would it make more sense to spend 5k on 50mm apo for leica-m?

Why not, M lens fits M, SL/TL plus third party mirrors cameras.  SL lens fits SL/TL camera only.

[dancook]

Why not, M lens fits M, SL/TL plus third party mirrors cameras.  SL lens fits SL/TL camera only.

 

Or I wonder to sell my SL and look at the M10 - at least it gives me something to research... the grass could be greener..

[phongph]

Or I wonder to sell my SL and look at the M10 - at least it gives me something to research... the grass could be greener..

Hi "Dancook"!

I have got SL 601 & SL 24-90 over 1 year. Then I have got M10 and M 35 Fle, M Apo 50 and M Lux 75.

- I like to bring both M10 and SL 601 with M lens for portrait, Street life and Land scape.

- I will keep SL 601 for back up of M10,

- I gradually like R Apo lens on SL. It gives nice and magic images.

I like to have both M10 and SL 601!

Have a nice day!

Thanks!

[Guest JMF]

Or I wonder to sell my SL and look at the M10 - at least it gives me something to research... the grass could be greener..

 

 

If you can manage to get the M10 and still keep the SL... best of both worlds !

[dancook]

If you can manage to get the M10 and still keep the SL... best of both worlds !

 

Would you suggest I keep any SL lenses? or just go M lenses?

 

My budget is pretty much the sale of my current stuff.. once i've finished the house extension i will have more.

Leica Q, SL + 50SL + 90-280SL

[TheGodParticle/Hari]

Would you suggest I keep any SL lenses? or just go M lenses?

 

My budget is pretty much the sale of my current stuff.. once i've finished the house extension i will have more.

Leica Q, SL + 50SL + 90-280SL

Are you missing some focal lengths or are you just rethinking your entire setup?

 

I have the m10 and the SL and will keep both as they are so different.

 

M10 with M lenses, SL with SL lenses.

 

SL is also the best backup body for M lenses so you can just add some M lenses to your SL setup - assuming you're not losing sleep over not having a RF camera.

 

Maybe add the 24-90 if budget permits, it's the stay on lens on my SL.

[Guest JMF]

Would you suggest I keep any SL lenses? or just go M lenses?

 

My budget is pretty much the sale of my current stuff.. once i've finished the house extension i will have more.

Leica Q, SL + 50SL + 90-280SL

 

 

Are you missing some focal lengths or are you just rethinking your entire setup?

 

I have the m10 and the SL and will keep both as they are so different.

 

M10 with M lenses, SL with SL lenses.

 

SL is also the best backup body for M lenses so you can just add some M lenses to your SL setup - assuming you're not losing sleep over not having a RF camera.

 

Maybe add the 24-90 if budget permits, it's the stay on lens on my SL.

 

 

 

I don't own any SL lenses, still find the SL a brilliant camera worth keeping  along with a M10. Might sell my M9M... and regret it !

[Daedalus2000]

Or I wonder to sell my SL and look at the M10 - at least it gives me something to research... the grass could be greener..

 

I do not understand why you would want to sell your SL plus lenses, your images are fantastic, you actually inspired me to look at the 90-280m.

With respect to M vs SL, you really need to understand if you are a rangefinder guy or an SLR type of guy. They are completely different systems and I have the impression that most of us will feel most comfortable with one of the two. I thought you prefer AF anyway...

[dancook]

50SL isn't very intimate, and also it can be a bit of a bulk when on holiday.

 

An m10 would be better here.

 

Where are all those Mf advocates who say Af is not needed?

 

I haven't extensively used as range finder, so it's early days.

[LocalHero1953]

SL for work, M for leisure.

SL for portraits and publicity, M for travel, landscape & serendipity.

SL for going to a shoot by car, M for walking when you don't know if you'll find anything to shoot.

SL for AF, M for MF

 

If you can, have both.

[IkarusJohn]

If you're a 50mm kind of guy (I am), the M system has a lot of really good choices (and I understand the 35 Summilux-TL 1.4, which has a field of view of 52.5mm is also really good if you fancy the TL2) - there is the Summicron-M 50/2 for a compact lens with very good image quality, the Summilux-M 50/1.4 which is FLE and very high regarded, compact and relatively modestly priced, the Noctilux, huge, expensive and seductive if you like that sort of thing, and the APO-Summicron-M 50/2 for state of the art perfection (some say characterless modern lens).

 

The M system is compact, but it is a rangefinder.  This means without adding the 020 Visoflex (which is a poor relation to the EVF you have in the SL), your optical view is fixed - so you don't really get to see the field of view that well if you go wider than 28 or longer than 90.  Framing is approximate.  Focus is fixed to the central patch, and focus accuracy is dependent on the calibration of your lenses and your camera.  If you love your SL and its EVF, the rangefinder will take adjustment.

 

However, an M camera with almost any M lens is compact compared to  an SL and equivalent lens and it is the essence of simplicity.  I have a Monochrom and M-A and I will never sell them (unless I go broke and need the cash).  I suggest you try one if you can - investing in M lenses can become addictive, but then they will work on your SL if you keep it.  For a first lens, I'd recommend the 50 Summilux-M f/1.4 ASPH.  It's actually APO and has a floating lens element.  I have a silver chrome version (made from brass, so it has a nice heft), and I love using this lens.  If you like that, then add the 28 Summilux f/1.4 ASPH.

 

I wouldn't ditch your SL gear unless you have to - while the M system is fabulous, it is nowhere near as flexible and competent (all round) as the SL system.

 

Cheers

John

[steppenw0lf]

50SL isn't very intimate, and also it can be a bit of a bulk when on holiday.

 

An m10 would be better here.

 

Where are all those Mf advocates who say Af is not needed?

 

I haven't extensively used as range finder, so it's early days.

 

 

I like the quality of the SL 50, and also dislike its bulk. So probably the SL 75 is a compromise that is the best of both worlds: Smaller and maybe even closer focusing than the SL 50, maybe also faster focusing ?!

So in your place (having no problem to exchange lenses any time) I would go for the SL 75.

 

For me it is not so clear because I have an aversion of selling lenses - it is simply not so easy where I live - and having the SL 50, the SL 75 is a bit too close and probably also too expensive to have both.

 

By the way - I hope you don't feel offended, you know I like your photos - but all this talk about changing to RF (in the form of M10) and back sounds rather childish to me.

I have a M246 and use it from time to time, But the M10 is not SO special in my eyes that I would buy it additionally. And I also would not want to replace the M246 by the M10.

 

I find it best to keep the feet currently still and save money for the next generation of SL (maybe Xmas 2018 or one year later) or maybe M10 P or similar. But much more likely for the SL2.

Edited August 9, 2017 by steppenw0lf

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[thighslapper]

I'd concur with what John says.

 

Plus ...... the main difference is speed ...... a bit like driving a bus after owning a sports car .....

 

If you can put up with manual focussing and slow down to the required pace an M is fine for most things.

 

There are issues with focussing with >75mm lenses wide open ...... care is needed otherwise the % of focus misses becomes irritating. 

 

Frankly the EVF on the old M240 and even the new M10 is cr*p compared to the SL.

 

I was always depressed by the number of missed/OOF images I had with the M ..... often shots where I had no time to faff about with manual focus and composition. By contrast the % of misses on the SL with AF is miniscule...... and much lower even with MF than on the M. 

 

If you have more than a handful of M lenses with a RF body you will be lucky if all are adjusted at all distances perfectly ...... I spent most of my time adjusting the RF mechanism and sending rogue lenses back to Leica for adjustment. 

 

An M RF camera is changing to a slower and more considered style of photography ...... or the acceptance of a significant reject rate .... and a big change in technique. I use my Monochrom occasionally and appreciate its compactness and comparative simplicity ..... and enjoy it ..... but am glad to get back to the SL 

Edited August 9, 2017 by thighslapper