Sigma 50 1.2 vs Summilux-SL - Image Samples

[Dr. G]

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Although this is not a super technical comparison since I was outdoors and the light was changing with the clouds, I thought it would give people the opportunity to compare the rendering of the sigma 50 1.2 with the Summilux-SL.

In this first image taken at f/1.2 with the Sigms, it is a bit overexposed even at 1/16,000 as I didn't have a ND filter to fit the Sigma.

Sigma 50mm f/1.2 at f/1.2

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Edited July 8, 2024 by Dr. G

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[Dr. G]

Sigma 50 1.2 at f/1.4

 

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[Dr. G]

Summilux-SL at f/1.4

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[Dr. G]

Sigma 50 1.2 at f/1.2

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[Dr. G]

Sigma 50 1.2 at f/1.4

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[Dr. G]

Summilux-SL at f/1.4

 

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[Dr. G]

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Sigma 50 1.2 at f/1.2

 

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[Dr. G]

Sigma 50 1.2 at f/1.4

 

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[Dr. G]

Summilux-SL at f/1.4

 

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[Dr. G]

Sigma 50 1.2 at f/1.2

 

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[Dr. G]

Sigma 50 1.2 at f/1.4

 

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[Dr. G]

Summilux-SL at f/1.4

 

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[Vrce]

Wow

[Printmaker]

Thanks! I'd be happy with either lens. 

[Simone_DF]

Thank you so much for this 1:1 comparison!

[LocalHero1953]

Thank you.

I'm sure I'd be happy with either lens as well (though I have the Summilux). I was at a Sigma popup display just yesterday where the salesman had both a SL2-S (like me) and the 50/1.2. It certainly felt smaller in the hand (though not actually 'small'). Focus seemed snappy, but it was Mediterranean outdoor sunshine, not my normal indoor portrait scenario.

[helged]

1 hour ago, LocalHero1953 said:

Thank you.

I'm sure I'd be happy with either lens as well (though I have the Summilux). I was at a Sigma popup display just yesterday where the salesman had both a SL2-S (like me) and the 50/1.2. It certainly felt smaller in the hand (though not actually 'small'). Focus seemed snappy, but it was Mediterranean outdoor sunshine, not my normal indoor portrait scenario.

(in parenthesis since this is a deviation from the thread... But, for snappy focus with these types of lenses, the Lumix S Pro 50 f1.4 is very, very fast. I don't have any experience with the Sigma f1.2, but the Lumix f1.4 is certainly faster than the SL50-Lux).

[jaapv]

From these examples I would have a preference for the Summilux, being more defined in the plane of focus, but I could be perfectly happy with either lens.

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[hansvons]

I refer to the picknick shot that shows the differences best. 

The Summilux has a more classic bokeh with a slight tendency to swirl. The orbs have a pronounced cat eye shape in the corners and it renders colder. These features are similar to what I see with a 50mm  Summilux R from the 80ies, only less noticeable.

The Sigma has different design objectives, as it doesn’t have to deal with a long history of lens culture. Thus, it’s a great performing, modern lens without personality but pleasing rendering.

I’m sure it’s in many ways the better lens. Less costly, quicker AF, less weight and bulk. But these are not Leica’s design objectives. For less bulk go the M route, for perfect image quality, take an APO Summicron.

The Summilux SL is Leica’s offering of a AF character lens in the SL system, which arguably is all about IQ in a rough, professional environment. If there was such a lens in 35mm, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

In that respect, the Sigma and Leica 50mm  Summilux are apples and oranges. I like both but prefer oranges.

[LocalHero1953]

@hansvons - exactly my thoughts about the bokeh (though the Sigma shows the same cat eye/lozenge/swirl at f/1.2*), and I agree about (almost) all the rest. I guess I don't understand how one lens has 'personality' and another one does not. If a lens can be said to have 'personality', then every lens has a personality of some sort - it is just a question of whether you like that personality. But I know this is just playing with words!

FWIW I do not like bokeh balls of any shape in my images (too unnatural), and try to avoid the light that produces them. Sunlight filtering through trees is one of the worst scenarios for this. I would certainly try to avoid them in portraits (too distracting). So I don't worry whether bokeh balls are cat eye shaped or round - they're both ugly! This is in no way a criticism of Dr G's very helpful images, which use bokeh balls to demonstrate how the lenses render differently. And of course there may be people who like bokeh balls! 

I can live with a bit of swirl in background foliage: it can sometimes help shape a composition, in the same way a vignette does.

 

* Initially I misread the labels and thought the second image in post #1 was the Summilux: the first image (f/1.2) clearly shows swirl while the second (f/1.4) does not (or much less).  Both lenses push the aberrations to the absolute edges of the glass. I wonder how the same shot looks in the Summilux at f/2? Perhaps more like the Sigma at f/1.4. 

Edited July 9, 2024 by LocalHero1953