Leica Summicron-SL 35 f/2 ASPH VS NON APO for SL3

[pf4eva]

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On 4/23/2024 at 10:10 PM, daned said:

Debating between the Leica Summicron-SL 35 f/2 ASPH non APO vs APO for the SL 3, any advantage for the APO. Also which is speedier in autofocus.

APO is a true leica lens

ASPH is rebranded panasonic 35/1.8

APO is way way better optically, ASPH cheaper. 

If you want the best lens - get APO, if you want cheaper and lighter - get Panasonic or Sigma 35/2.

 

If you buy Leica vs Panasonic you get:
+ better body build quality with leica design

= same optics as Panasonic 35 1.8

+ Faster AF then APO, but the same as Panasonic 35 1.8

- Huge depreciation of value once you open the box (this is the case with all leica rebrands current and historical)

- 5x higher pricetag you'll pay over, which you can spend traveling or buying more panasonic lenses.

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[huwm]

6 minutes ago, pf4eva said:

APO is a true leica lens

ASPH is rebranded panasonic 35/1.8

APO is way way better optically, ASPH cheaper. 

If you want the best lens - get APO, if you want cheaper and lighter - get Panasonic or Sigma 35/2.

 

If you buy Leica vs Panasonic you get:
+ better body build quality with leica design

= same optics as Panasonic 35 1.8

+ Faster AF then APO, but the same as Panasonic 35 1.8

- Huge depreciation of value once you open the box (this is the case with all leica rebrands current and historical)

- 5x higher pricetag you'll pay over, which you can spend traveling or buying more panasonic lenses.

APO or Panasonic makes sense to me, unless you're a Sigma fan

[Simone_DF]

47 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

Are you using Cinebloom?

Yes, the 10% version. I also have the 20%,  but I find it too aggressive 

[pf4eva]

3 hours ago, huwm said:

APO or Panasonic makes sense to me, unless you're a Sigma fan

Sigma is sharper, Panasonic is faster focussing, but neither is great, but for the price they're good enough.

[huwm]

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If you look at the picture in the picture of this quick shot taken yesterday morning just because of there being actual sunlight in Swansea (actually a Terry Frost print) you might get an idea of what I love about the APO

SL2S

Edited May 1, 2024 by huwm
camera

[Yarosuav]

On 4/29/2024 at 1:46 PM, huwm said:

APO or Panasonic makes sense to me, unless you're a Sigma fan

This is a pretty informative video if you want to the compare the non-APO Leica to the Sigma...

 

 

 

[Kristofferpaulsen]

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On 4/26/2024 at 11:23 PM, Luke_Miller said:

Demonstrating once again that it is how the lens performs in one's hands, rather than on test charts. 

Absolutely. In a strange turn of events, I've picked up the 50 this week too, and I'm absolutely in love with it. I've got the Summilux as well, which is going nowhere, but this little thing is so tiny and gorgeous. Very happy. 

[Kristofferpaulsen]

On 4/30/2024 at 2:08 AM, Chaemono said:

Here is an example of why the APO 35 Summicron-SL might be the only lens one needs when walking around with the SL3. This is on 47 MP (SL2) wide open, mind you, ISO 100 @1/15 sec.

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Yeah I do this a lot.. 1. To produce more assets from less files, but also 2. to preserve a more pleasing perspective. Here's an example from a product shoot last week, albeit it was on the 50 lux, but you get the idea. SL2 resolution is more than enough. 
 

[trickness]

On 4/24/2024 at 7:12 AM, Dr. G said:

You just need to look at RAW files.  Here are two photos that show the detail and subject separation the APO 35 has.  Not the most artistic shots, and they’re downsized to 2048 on the long edge, but hopefully you can see what I’m talking about.  Make sure you click on them to view them as best as possible.

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Thank you for posting these. So many people slighting the APOs because of weight or saying you can't tell the difference from non-APO's. These pictures clearly show the difference - the APOs are absolutely incredible once you actually use them. The RAW files with the SL2 are insane.

And they ain't that heavy.

Edited May 6, 2024 by trickness

[Kristofferpaulsen]

1 hour ago, trickness said:

Thank you for posting these. So many people slighting the APOs because of weight or saying you can't tell the difference from non-APO's. These pictures clearly show the difference - the APOs are absolutely incredible once you actually use them. The RAW files with the SL2 are insane.

And they ain't that heavy.

not me.. i would totally get one, but it's just hard to justify that much money!

[Coral Palm]

I myself cannot say enough good things about the APO 35mm, love the look and separation it produces. For walking around to photograph it is my go to lens, I can get close and isolate subjects or back a bit to take in the person and their environment.

 

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[trickness]

8 hours ago, Kristofferpaulsen said:

not me.. i would totally get one, but it's just hard to justify that much money!

Buy used!!!! 
 

and after all, it’s Leica. “Justifying the expense” is something you check at the door when you come to this party 😂

[Kristofferpaulsen]

On 5/6/2024 at 8:10 PM, trickness said:

Buy used!!!! 
 

and after all, it’s Leica. “Justifying the expense” is something you check at the door when you come to this party 😂

Hahahahhahah i guess so..

 

honestly though, i’m very, very happy with the ASPH, and have no real need to upgrade. I love how little it makes the system compared to the 24-90 and the 50 ‘lux, and results are absolutely gorgeous. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

[trickness]

44 minutes ago, Kristofferpaulsen said:

Hahahahhahah i guess so..

 

honestly though, i’m very, very happy with the ASPH, and have no real need to upgrade. I love how little it makes the system compared to the 24-90 and the 50 ‘lux, and results are absolutely gorgeous. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

Well, there are lots of different tools for different jobs. Different lenses are going to give you a different look. And for me anyway, my primary concern is the end result, not how many grams I save using one lens versus the other. But this is a frequent discussion about the SL glass. 

[Dr. G]

1 hour ago, trickness said:

Well, there are lots of different tools for different jobs. Different lenses are going to give you a different look. And for me anyway, my primary concern is the end result, not how many grams I save using one lens versus the other. But this is a frequent discussion about the SL glass. 

The "worst" decision I ever made was getting both the Summilux-SL and 50 APO because it always leaves me with a difficult choice.  I have to travel out of the country for a wedding this weekend and with what I'm planning to carry I can either take the Summilux-SL or the 21/35/75 APOs because of the smaller form factor of my bag.  My heart says take only the Summilux, but I know the three APO set makes more sense.  

[JohnathanLovm]

I’m kinda glad that my eyes can’t see the difference between two. So I recommend go for ASPH version and invest a flash. 

[oculaii]

38 minutes ago, JohnathanLovm said:

I’m kinda glad that my eyes can’t see the difference between two. So I recommend go for ASPH version and invest a flash. 

Sadly I can clearly see the difference.
Like I can see the difference between the 24-70mm S Pro/24-90mm SL over the 24-70mm Sigma/Leica.
The last time I've seen a microcontrast as good on a lens was on the 25-50mm Panasonic Leica. So far, it seems all the APO SL lenses have the same excellent microcontrast.
But for my wallet, I would like to not see the difference, really.

[Photoworks]

1 hour ago, oculaii said:

Sadly I can clearly see the difference.
Like I can see the difference between the 24-70mm S Pro/24-90mm SL over the 24-70mm Sigma/Leica.
The last time I've seen a microcontrast as good on a lens was on the 25-50mm Panasonic Leica. So far, it seems all the APO SL lenses have the same excellent microcontrast.
But for my wallet, I would like to not see the difference, really.

stop zooming in to 300%

you can add the sigma 24-70 MK II but I think optically it is about the same to v1

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[Kristofferpaulsen]

On 5/9/2024 at 1:18 AM, Dr. G said:

The "worst" decision I ever made was getting both the Summilux-SL and 50 APO because it always leaves me with a difficult choice.  I have to travel out of the country for a wedding this weekend and with what I'm planning to carry I can either take the Summilux-SL or the 21/35/75 APOs because of the smaller form factor of my bag.  My heart says take only the Summilux, but I know the three APO set makes more sense.  

yeah i've got the same thing.. I bought the 50 'lux when i first got the SL2, and I love it.. but after unexpectedly getting the ASPH, i totally love both. I actually think the ASPH focusses a lot easier, so I use that more for video work. And also, the form factor makes it a very different user experience. Just finished editing this job, and i keep thinking how the character of it reminds me a lot of the old M 'crons. Just gorgeous as far as I'm concerned. (I hope this doesn't get taken down for "flooding" but i thought this was a great example of the ASPH really shining. Lit with a single Aputure 300D in a 1.2m Rotolight softbox. 

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[FlashGordonPhotography]

On 4/30/2024 at 3:39 AM, pf4eva said:

APO is a true leica lens

ASPH is rebranded panasonic 35/1.8

 

The Leica ASPH (non APO) is made by Leica, in Portugal. So it's a true Leica lens as well. Do you think this is the first time Leica has shared a lens design with another brand?

Gordon