Sigma 50mm 1.2 DG DN L mount v Leica SL 50's

[SJH]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

What are people's thoughts as this new lens looks very interesting, light for 1.2, very fast AF and sharp at 1.2:

https://petapixel.com/2024/03/26/the-50mm-f-1-2-art-hands-on-review-first-impressions/

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Dr. G]

I'm often traveling with my 50 Lux-SL.  The Sigma looks like a lighter, smaller solution, but I'm not sure the falloff and out of focus rendering compares to the Lux.  Granted it's 1.4 to 1.2, but whenever I use the Lux people ask me what lens I used when I took the photo - so apparently there is some magic in it that's not just apparent to photographers.  

 

[MakinMemories]

There really is some magic with the SL 50 1.4 Lux...There just isn't any other way to describe it! I debated on getting the 50 LUX vs the other Leica 50mm's and have absolutely zero regrets.

[Dr. G]

14 minutes ago, MakinMemories said:

There really is some magic with the SL 50 1.4 Lux...There just isn't any other way to describe it! I debated on getting the 50 LUX vs the other Leica 50mm's and have absolutely zero regrets.

I posted a wildlife shot I took with it yesterday in the SL2-S image thread.  I still can't believe I took it with my own camera... magic indeed

[SJH]

Very interesting comparisons here, appears to be a halo lens for Sigma:

 

[Olaf_ZG]

Having just bought the lux, I wont change…

[Planetwide]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Yay, another 50mm... Cue all the YouTubers "The best 50mm ever!" - never mind oof CA. 

I know that it will not unseat the 50 SL Lux', the GM, or the Canon for that matter.

But it will be cheaper and lighter. 

[SJH]

On 3/29/2024 at 8:47 PM, Planetwide said:

Yay, another 50mm... Cue all the YouTubers "The best 50mm ever!" - never mind oof CA. 

I know that it will not unseat the 50 SL Lux', the GM, or the Canon for that matter.

But it will be cheaper and lighter. 

Historically I’d agree with you maybe not this time much as I love my SL glass.

[SJH]

The more reviews I read/see it appears this lens is the equal to the Sony 50mm GM 1.2, if that’s the case (and now I have no reason to doubt it) then this lens is going to be superb on the SL3 and probably the equal of the 50mm 1.4 Lux IQ wise and better AF/lighter weight. Probably Sigma’s best lens to date and mine arrives mid-April.

[Geoff C. Bassett]

I've seen some samples and I prefer the out of focus rendering and transition of the Panasonic 50mm 1.4 to this.

[Sohail]

1 hour ago, SJH said:

The more reviews I read/see it appears this lens is the equal to the Sony 50mm GM 1.2, if that’s the case (and now I have no reason to doubt it) then this lens is going to be superb on the SL3 and probably the equal of the 50mm 1.4 Lux IQ wise and better AF/lighter weight. Probably Sigma’s best lens to date and mine arrives mid-April.

 

58 minutes ago, Geoff C. Bassett said:

I've seen some samples and I prefer the out of focus rendering and transition of the Panasonic 50mm 1.4 to this.

Let's please see some images! I'm a huge admirer of 50/1.4 SL so I'd be curious to see how these two lenses stack up.

Edited April 7, 2024 by Sohail

[Simone_DF]

From what I've seen, I still prefer the images produced by the Lux. However, every time I try one, I remember why I don't want to buy one, bulk and weight.

[Planetwide]

SL 50 Lux shooter...

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[oculaii]

5 hours ago, Geoff C. Bassett said:

I've seen some samples and I prefer the out of focus rendering and transition of the Panasonic 50mm 1.4 to this.

Indeed, even the colors look better on the S Pro.

[SJH]

On 1/6/2024 at 9:03 AM, helged said:

I have both, but haven't run comparison between the two. Both are good, but SL21 is excellent. A big plus for the latter (for me) is close focussing; already exceptional sharpness at f2; sealed body; outstanding rendering; very natural colour; performs well for astrophotography.

SEM21 was my wide lens fav prior to SL21; it delivers remarkably given the small size of the lens. It can be used for IR-shooting (no IR ghosting), which is a big plus (like on M8). Excellent sharpness at f8. Not the best astro-lens wide open. Overall, not at the level of SL21. But what to except; SEM21 is not the newest lens, and it is made for the M-system.

Final edit: I think both lenses handle highlights well (flaring/reflections), possibly with a small edge to SEM21. 

 

2 hours ago, oculaii said:

Indeed, even the colors look better on the S Pro.

I’ve yet to have it in my hands but that’s an interesting comment given that the a few reviews have already said that the Sigma 1.2  is better than the S Pro and they’re own 50mm 1.4 DG DN. What struck me is outside the Leica world the Sony 50mm 1.2 is seen as the benchmark and the Sigma appears to equal it. One decent reviewer said ‘I really can’t see the difference apart from he fact that it’s limited to 15fps on Sony camera’s. Colours, IQ etc - I haven’t seen any reviews where the Panasonic S Pro comes out on top.

[SJH]

7 hours ago, Sohail said:

 

Let's please see some images! I'm a huge admirer of 50/1.4 SL so I'd be curious to see how these two lenses stack up.

Will do when mine arrives but just take a look at the decent reviews on YouTube.

[Planetwide]

95% of reviewers have never shot the SL 50mm Lux. The Panasonic is a close second. The Pan 50mm is a s sharp, with a different bokeh. Papa 50mm F1.4 @1.4

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Planetwide]

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[SJH]

Both the Lux (to me the gold standard) and the Pana (2nd) are superb lenses and I agree there hasn't yet been a direct comparison to the Lux, however, the key thing for me is the comparisons to the Sony 50mm 1.2 GM in that nearly all the YouTubers know that lens pretty well. Of course 'I know I know' it's not the same as the Lux but it is held in very high regard buy many actual professional photographers, so if the Sigma equals it in IQ, colours, etc etc and they can't tell the difference I think it deserves a look and who knows could be number one on L mount once we all can get a copy later this month.

The other plus is it's way lighter than the Lux and the Pana and by all accounts has much better AF!

Edited April 8, 2024 by SJH

[BernardC]

3 hours ago, SJH said:

the key thing for me is the comparisons to the Sony 50mm 1.2 GM in that nearly all the YouTubers know that lens pretty well.

The influencers love it because it's Sony's fastest lens. Don't forget that they can't publish a bad review of a mainstream product, because that would mean no-one clicks on their affiliate links. That's how they make money.

As far as I can tell, Sony's 50/1.2 is nothing special. Canon and Nikon also offer "legendary" 50mm/1.2s, so every system is covered! Arguably, Canon's is the most legendary, because they've offered similar lenses since the 1950s.