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Here are a few pics from a few minutes ago.

I wasn’t sure of my model availability and that she’d accept a few photos :) 

OOC pictures, I just adjusted colors with a grey card. No ‘auto’ adjust, no contrast change, no luminosity adjustment, nada.

SL(601) with Summilux-SL 50 @ 1.4

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Edited by didier
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Here is the same model, with Summilux-M 75 (though the meta data says Tele-Elmar 135, it surely is my ‘lux 75)

 

SL(601) with Summilux-M 75 wide open

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SL(601) with Summilux-M 75 @ f2

 

SL(601) with Summilux-M 75 @ f5.6  

 

 

 

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I can see one of these lenses coming in my direction!

While I am still telling myself I don't need one (a losing battle, I'm afraid), does anyone have portraits taken in unflattering conditions? Direct sunlight or strong artificial light? For me this is the test of a good portrait lens: how it handles imperfect skin and small blemishes that catch the light. Does it create tiny blown highlights? How does it handle shiny skin? The Apo-Summicrons show wonderful detail and texture, but the microcontrast can be unforgiving, and it can be difficult to correct in post except by flattening the skin to give the look of too much make-up. The Summilux-M 75 can produce more gentle and realistic skin textures straight out of the camera.

 

Edit. By coincidence, I have just seen this image posted by @Sohail - just what I was asking for. Thank you Sohail!

Edited by LocalHero1953
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On 12/29/2023 at 1:01 PM, didier said:

Here is the same model, with Summilux-M 75 (though the meta data says Tele-Elmar 135, it surely is my ‘lux 75)

 

SL(601) with Summilux-M 75 wide open

 

SL(601) with Summilux-M 75 @ f2

 

SL(601) with Summilux-M 75 @ f5.6  

 

 

 

Between these two lenses - I'll take the 75 Lux all day long.

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20 hours ago, OR120 said:

Between these two lenses - I'll take the 75 Lux all day long.

The 75 lux is an amazing Lens. It’s painterly OOF rendering is quite unique and it renders colors with great subtlety. I love this Lens.

I like the lux 50 SL very much as well, easy to use with autofocus, smooth yet sharp rendering, though much more modern than the ‘lux 75.

 

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On 12/30/2023 at 7:38 AM, LocalHero1953 said:

I can see one of these lenses coming in my direction!

While I am still telling myself I don't need one (a losing battle, I'm afraid), does anyone have portraits taken in unflattering conditions? Direct sunlight or strong artificial light? For me this is the test of a good portrait lens: how it handles imperfect skin and small blemishes that catch the light. Does it create tiny blown highlights? How does it handle shiny skin? The Apo-Summicrons show wonderful detail and texture, but the microcontrast can be unforgiving, and it can be difficult to correct in post except by flattening the skin to give the look of too much make-up. The Summilux-M 75 can produce more gentle and realistic skin textures straight out of the camera.

 

Edit. By coincidence, I have just seen this image posted by @Sohail - just what I was asking for. Thank you Sohail!

Hi Paul,

I had both. I loved the 50 Summilux-SL, but never did a direct comparison (I’m away at the moment, but will try to fish something out when I get home in a week or so).

I sold my 50 Summilux when I downsized my SL gear, and regretted it. It is heavy, but on the SL(601), it balances nicely. It is the best 50, bar none, in my view.  But, I have the 75 Summilux-M, and the 50 Noctilux 0.95 (and 3 other 50s in M mount), so the 50 Summilux-SL went.

Comparing the 2 is hard.  The 75 Summilux-M is a lovely lens, soft wide open and sharp stopped down (I have printed enlarged landscapes taken with this lens and the detail is extraordinary).  It’s a keeper; but mine is over 40 years old …. Conversely, the 50 Summilux-SL is a modern lens, perhaps not as soft wide open as the 75, but it is a lovely lens.  It is a Karbe masterpiece, choosing f-stop for depth of field.  I never found portraits harsh, but the 75 is softer wide open (from memory).  The roll off is very gentle.

For me, the choice was a lighter, more compact manual focus M lens I could use on both my M cameras and my SL, or a bigger, heavier 50 AF lens I could only use on the SL, when I already have 4 50s in M mount. That said, if I was committed to the SL system, it could be my only 50; I wouldn’t sell my 75 though!

Such is a Leica user’s conundrum …

Edit - I should add that the AF is slow compared to, say, the 75 Summicron-SL; that is largely a reflection of the size and number of glass elements it has to move.  If the SL3 has PDAF, I would expect the speed to improve.

Edited by IkarusJohn
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24 minutes ago, IkarusJohn said:

Hi Paul,

I had both. I loved the 50 Summilux-SL, but never did a direct comparison (I’m away at the moment, but will try to fish something out when I get home in a week or so).

I sold my 50 Summilux when I downsized my SL gear, and regretted it. It is heavy, but on the SL(601), it balances nicely. It is the best 50, bar none, in my view.  But, I have the 75 Summilux-M, and the 50 Noctilux 0.95 (and 3 other 50s in M mount), so the 50 Summilux-SL went.

Comparing the 2 is hard.  The 75 Summilux-M is a lovely lens, soft wide open and sharp stopped down (I have printed enlarged landscapes taken with this lens and the detail is extraordinary).  It’s a keeper; but mine is over 40 years old …. Conversely, the 50 Summilux-SL is a modern lens, perhaps not as soft wide open as the 75, but it is a lovely lens.  It is a Karbe masterpiece, choosing f-stop for depth of field.  I never found portraits harsh, but the 75 is softer wide open (from memory).  The roll off is very gentle.

For me, the choice was a lighter, more compact manual focus M lens I could use on both my M cameras and my SL, or a bigger, heavier 50 AF lens I could only use on the SL, when I already have 4 50s in M mount. That said, if I was committed to the SL system, it could be my only 50; I wouldn’t sell my 75 though!

Such is a Leica user’s conundrum …

Edit - I should add that the AF is slow compared to, say, the 75 Summicron-SL; that is largely a reflection of the size and number of glass elements it has to move.  If the SL3 has PDAF, I would expect the speed to improve.

Thank you, a very helpful analysis. If I get the Summilux-SL 50, I would certainly keep my Summilux-M 75 which I value for the reasons you explain.

Edited by LocalHero1953
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Dear all, many thanks for your input. Very helpful. I also owned the 35 and 75 Apo-Summicron-SL lenses and wanted to add a 50mm prime. And rather than having three Apo's in a row, I also decided for a used but as-new Summilux-SL (as the OP), for a very attractive price (nearly half). First test shots were very (!) convincing, I look forward to taking the Lux into the field:-)

Btw, I do no think it is too heavy, but I am rather tall. I found out the Peak large design adjustable strap where you can fix at bottom and right side of the camera allows me to carry cross-body, makes a huge difference. The camera dangles at a convenient angle and the strap distributes weight very well. Of course any other strap you fix that way will do as well.

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This just arrived. I was going to try one at Leica in London, which has several s/h versions for sale. But this turned up at a very good price on eBay, so I took a risk. Boxed, without the lens pouch they normally come with (which I just store), but with unopened manuals. It required a f/w update, but otherwise seems fine. I have a few opportunities to use it with people over the next few days. It's a big beast, subjectively similar in weight to the 24-90 though shorter - but when you're used to the 90-280 this is just a pussy cat.

Now to decide what to sell in compensation.

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Edited by LocalHero1953
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23 minutes ago, LocalHero1953 said:

This just arrived. I was going to try one at Leica in London, which has several s/h versions for sale. But this turned up at a very good price on eBay, so I took a risk. Boxed, without the lens pouch they normally come with (which I just store), but with unopened manuals. It required a f/w update, but otherwise seems fine. I have a few opportunities to use it with people over the next few days. It's a big beast, subjectively similar in weight to the 24-90 though shorter - but when you're used to the 90-280 this is just a pussy cat.

Now to decide what to sell in compensation.

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The SL50-Lux has become an(other) fav SL-prime for me, even for landscape shooting, wide open. The other top SL-primes - for me - are SL21 and SL35-APO.

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It’s a great lens… and not just for portraits.

 

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On 1/5/2024 at 5:54 PM, LocalHero1953 said:

This just arrived. I was going to try one at Leica in London, which has several s/h versions for sale. But this turned up at a very good price on eBay, so I took a risk. Boxed, without the lens pouch they normally come with (which I just store), but with unopened manuals. It required a f/w update, but otherwise seems fine. I have a few opportunities to use it with people over the next few days. It's a big beast, subjectively similar in weight to the 24-90 though shorter - but when you're used to the 90-280 this is just a pussy cat.

Now to decide what to sell in compensation.

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Congrats ! 

Have fun, you won’t be deceived :) 

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On 12/28/2023 at 6:11 AM, Planetwide said:

The 75mm SL Summicron is just as beautiful!

 

For me, the bokeh is somewhat on the busy side for both SL75 and SL90 (tendency for double lines, in sted of a smooth/creamy, oof rendering). The sharpness and transition from in-focus to out-of-focus are, however, special. 

Edited by helged
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Earlier today the 50 SL Summilux at 1.4. I just love the bokeh!

Edited by Sohail
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The 90 APO

Edited by Sohail
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Another 90 APO at f/2. Decent bokeh I'd say.

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Edited by Sohail
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Anyone have experience using the 50 Lux in bright sun without the hood?  I ended up taking both my 50 Lux SL and 50 APO SL to an event in Grand Cayman this week.  If I don’t have to use the hood it would make it slightly more manageable.  I just don’t want to end up with hazy images or flares.  

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5 hours ago, Sohail said:

Another 90 APO at f/2. Decent bokeh I'd say.

The 90 APO and 75 APO are great - I’ve tried the 75 at events and it requires a little more working room than I’m comfortable with when things get crowded.  No way I could shoot the 90 at an event without a wider lens on a second body.  

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42 minutes ago, Dr. G said:

Anyone have experience using the 50 Lux in bright sun without the hood?  I ended up taking both my 50 Lux SL and 50 APO SL to an event in Grand Cayman this week.  If I don’t have to use the hood it would make it slightly more manageable.  I just don’t want to end up with hazy images or flares.  

SL50Lux has a tendency to flare/ghost when shooting against highlights/the sun. Personally, I use the lens without the (large) shade, using the EVF to check whether (major) flaring is present. To reduce the risk of flaring, the hood is recommended. 

I attach three images where slight change in the orientation of the lens avoided serious flaring - based on checking the EVF. All SL50-Lux @f1.4 on SL2-S.

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Edited by helged
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