Portrait lenses on L-mount

[Sohail]

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75 Noctilux at 1.25

Edited June 26, 2024 by Sohail

[Biotar]

Am 23.6.2024 um 17:06 schrieb LocalHero1953:

I could have posted this in any one of the lens-specific threads where these lenses have been discussed and compared, but then the other threads would have missed out.

We are all counting angels on a pinhead in comparing favourite portrait lenses, but portrait photography is highly subjective; resolution and edge sharpness are only a small part of makes a good portrait, and I am a sucker for yet more examples and options.

A woman I know well was willing to be patient while I swapped lenses. Overcast, but bright conditions. A guy was holding a reflector to the right, but I'm not convinced he was holding it well. All shots on the SL2-S, with the lens wide open, and with the same distance to the subject. No adjustment of exposure in Lightroom. I set them all to the same white balance, and I am surprised how differently they have come out.

From the top: Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN, Summilux-M 75, Apo-Summicron-M 75.

That's a great comparison (thanks for that) and shows me that the Lux also beats the Apo, not to mention the Sigma in terms of modeling the face. Colors can be adjusted, but unfortunately these display errors of modern lenses cannot.

Do you also have a comparison with a smaller aperture (e.g. 2.8)?

Edited June 29, 2024 by Biotar

[LocalHero1953]

4 minutes ago, Biotar said:

Do you also have a comparison with a smaller aperture (e.g. 2.8)?

Not at the moment - I'll see if an opportunity (and willing subject) comes along.

[Biotar]

I'm really excited, I don't have any modern glass and have unfortunately sold my Lux.

[Babylonia]

Am 23.6.2024 um 17:06 schrieb LocalHero1953:

We are all counting angels on a pinhead in comparing favourite portrait lenses, but portrait photography is highly subjective;
resolution and edge sharpness are only a small part of makes a good portrait,....

Lenses are only "tools" to obtain a desired image.

In a certain "workshop" studio environment (visited by several people),
with rapidly changing conditions to go from a total shot to a more portrait crop, no time to change lenses.
I just used a 50mm focal length only.

Still sharpness of lenses (by crop area) can be too "harsh".  Whereby every pore and imperfection is shown very hard.
To create a more friendly "between the ears" gentle image - but strictly speaking giving a more distantly human gaze.
(Often used for commercial content). I took away most of the high detailed quality of a lens in post-processing, by this shot.
Only keep high detail at places I want to keep it.

Normally 50mm focal length is to short for doing portraiture IMO. But by the relatively high crop of a 47 Mp S1R image,
I still got enough 26 Mp left image data spare.

Lumix S1R  -  Sigma 50mm F1.4  DG DN | Art  -  aperture used = F 2.8
 

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[Sohail]

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SL2-S + 75 Noctilux
This combo does B/W conversions very well

[Olaf_ZG]

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Lux50, sl2

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[Olaf_ZG]

Kristina, sl lux, sl2, one strobe

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[Olaf_ZG]

Vedran, sl2, sl lux

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[AdjusterBrett]

On 6/26/2024 at 9:04 AM, jplomley said:

Based on the epic performance of the SIGMA 50/1.2, I'm looking to add the bokeh master 105/1.4...however, only available in DG HSM, not DG DN, which I expect they will introduce soon as an update for mirrorless. The 105/1.4 is legendary amongst portrait photographers for good reason!

Yes, but as a past owner (non-studio), two questions...   First, when you use a dolly to bring the lens into the studio - does the subject react when you hook it up to the pulley system to bring it up to the body.  Second - since your studio is likely 100' deep - can they see you wheeling in the lens on the dolly???

Exceptional lens - but having been the dummy lugging that puppy around with the S1 - suspended off my neck by commercial anchor rope - it proved to be a bit heavy grouping to shlep around a family gathering or county fair....  During its tenure (my hunchback years) I stumbled upon the DG DN 85/1.4 which felt small (at the time) - I released the 105 monster back to the world (and sold it for $50 more than I paid).  The 85 does NOT beat the 105, period - but the difference isn't that much, and three chiropractors have gone out of business since I released the 105.

[Dr. G]

That 75 Noctilux is amazing.  I just wish my eyes were good enought to be able to focus it.  The SL3 seems to have a difference in the EVF sharpness using magnification as compared to my old SL2-S, which makes it more difficult.  Maybe I should get the zf to use with it since it has the manual focus confirmation assists

[hdmesa]

2 hours ago, Dr. G said:

That 75 Noctilux is amazing.  I just wish my eyes were good enought to be able to focus it.  The SL3 seems to have a difference in the EVF sharpness using magnification as compared to my old SL2-S, which makes it more difficult.  Maybe I should get the zf to use with it since it has the manual focus confirmation assists

Keep in mind you’d need a chipped M adapter for the Zf to get the green confirmation box to work.

I’ve had the SL2, SL2-S, and now the SL3. I don’t see a lack of sharpness in the EVF in magnified view with the SL3. Double check your diopter setting.

[Olaf_ZG]

Matea, SL2 & SL Lux, one strobe.
 

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[Olaf_ZG]

Iris, SL2 plus SL lux

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[thatkatmat]

My favorite portrait lens on the SL platform is the 75 APO SL, but lately I've been enjoying the Sigma 50/1.2 on my SL2. Very affordable, very sharp and very nice Bokeh.

Here's 3 from the last few days..

 

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Edited September 2, 2024 by thatkatmat

[SJH]

On 6/24/2024 at 1:03 AM, jplomley said:

SIGMA are knocking it out of the park lately. I just purchased the 50/1.2 DG DN Art lens and had tempered my expectations having only shot with Leica lenses for the past 25 years, including the 21-35-75 APO's for the SL. Needless to say, I am absolutely floored by the 50/1.2, it excels beyond my wildest expectations! Portraits at f/1.2 are just epic, and by f/2.0 edges on a brick wall test are as sharp as the centre. AF is noticeably faster than my APO L lenses, and I dare say AF accuracy when compared to my 75 APO shot wide open. Absolutely zero regrets buying this SIGMA lens, and based on this experience, I am now seriously considering other optics in their line-up. Were they to introduce an updated 105/1.4 in L-mount, I would not hesitate to buy!

Exactly my experience with the Sigma 50mm 1.2 DG DN, exceeded all my expectations and compared to the Summilux SL 50mm 1.4 it's lighter (same weight as my APO's), has much faster AF and is a 1.2 with superb rendering and IQ - makes the Leica look decidedly old now in comparison. Great lens still of course but it only keeps up with IQ, everything else is behind.

[Olaf_ZG]

@thatkatmat, please don’t take me wrong, as most probably the images are of persons and dog you love dearly. The images are nice, great treasures and should be taken and kept.

The sigma 1.2 is most probably great as well, I dont have it, but till now no single example showed me, convinced me it is better than the lux. I guess @SJH is right, it’s lighter with quicker AF

When I look at - nearby taken - portraits of the SL lux, its rendering, its out of focus area, before and after focus plane is, dare I say it, magical.

I can understand new buyers, going for the sigma, but I don’t get (yet) owners of the lux switching.

Having bought a rather used, and therefore cheap SL lux, I think I got great value, but won’t hesitate to rebuy if mine breaks. Won’t even consider any other 50.

 now, regarding the sigma 85, here @LocalHero1953is still teasing me…

 

[thatkatmat]

26 minutes ago, Olaf_ZG said:

@thatkatmat, please don’t take me wrong, as most probably the images are of persons and dog you love dearly. The images are nice, great treasures and should be taken and kept.

The sigma 1.2 is most probably great as well, I dont have it, but till now no single example showed me, convinced me it is better than the lux. I guess @SJH is right, it’s lighter with quicker AF

When I look at - nearby taken - portraits of the SL lux, its rendering, its out of focus area, before and after focus plane is, dare I say it, magical.

I can understand new buyers, going for the sigma, but I don’t get (yet) owners of the lux switching.

Having bought a rather used, and therefore cheap SL lux, I think I got great value, but won’t hesitate to rebuy if mine breaks. Won’t even consider any other 50.

 now, regarding the sigma 85, here @LocalHero1953is still teasing me…

 

I'm sure I'm not taking you wrong.

You're entitled to your opinion, I owned the Summilux SL 3 different times. I'm by no means a "New Buyer" and I didn't post these images to convince "you" of anything. I posted the image for the OP and those reading this thread to see some images from the Sigma 50/1.2. 

I get it, you love the SL Summilux ! I think it's a great lens too, but it's too big and focuses too slow for me. So I decided to go with the Sigma. I own 2 other 50mm Summilux M's that are also, in my opinion, a better option than the giant SL Summilux.

 

Edited September 3, 2024 by thatkatmat

[Olaf_ZG]

The SL lux might be slow, but, when on AFc, my flashes have more problems keeping up than my camera/lens. To be fair, the SL2 plus lux is for my posed portraits: camera on tripod, reflectors and/or lighting. Spontaneous taken images are rare. One headshot session of half an hour gives me 75 clicks. I am not a quick/heavy shooter. In this context the lux is quick enough.

But, to be honest, I do miss images: if the sitter burst out laughing, the combo can’t follow her, I am still testing the best AF settings for this.

However, when the combo hits focus, the photos are great. At least within my working distance which is between 80-100cm from the model.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[SJH]

19 hours ago, Olaf_ZG said:

@thatkatmat, please don’t take me wrong, as most probably the images are of persons and dog you love dearly. The images are nice, great treasures and should be taken and kept.

The sigma 1.2 is most probably great as well, I dont have it, but till now no single example showed me, convinced me it is better than the lux. I guess @SJH is right, it’s lighter with quicker AF

When I look at - nearby taken - portraits of the SL lux, its rendering, its out of focus area, before and after focus plane is, dare I say it, magical.

I can understand new buyers, going for the sigma, but I don’t get (yet) owners of the lux switching.

Having bought a rather used, and therefore cheap SL lux, I think I got great value, but won’t hesitate to rebuy if mine breaks. Won’t even consider any other 50.

 now, regarding the sigma 85, here @LocalHero1953is still teasing me…

 

Completely agree @Olaf_ZG if you already have the 50 lux I wouldn't bother swapping for the Sigma 50mm 1.2 unless you need better AF for an individuals use cases, so would get an appreciable return or just have both. I think we all get use to the rendering of the lenses we love and use day to day, my example would be the 50mm 1.2 Noctilux re-issue on my SL's. To me magical when you get it right but some see it as too soft in the centre at 1.2.

One thing that is nagging away at me is that the motors are beginning to look a bit dated in the SL line (grinding APO's for example) up from say the first lens (24-90) to the APO's, now to many it's not necessarily a big issue but as time goes on it could become so. Just look at how Sony are rapidly updating there line with new lenses (fast motors) and recent Sigma, Canon and Nikon releases. Clearly it's dumb to buy an SL2 or 3 and expert a sports/wildlife camera but equally I'm sure you know what I mean when it comes to day to day stuff when really good AF motors in primes/zooms would be helpful.

Anyhow I think we're about to see this in the new Leica (read Sigma and no bad thing) 70-200 2.8 being released tomorrow!! I know that @jaapv raves about the Sigma version.