Want your opinion on 50mm, APO vs Summilux

[darylgo]

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Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH

The newer 50 is a good compromise.  

 

[LD_50]

10 minutes ago, darylgo said:

Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH

The newer 50 is a good compromise.  

 

I would argue the new 50’s IQ doesn’t match the APO and its character doesn’t match the Summilux. 

It’s smaller, lighter, has faster AF, and is cheaper than both, if those are the priorities. There are a lot of choices if going for those attributes over what makes the APO and Summilux special. 

[dimpfelmoser]

Maybe the Sigma 50 1.2 would be a reasonable alternative. Beautiful image quality and fast AF in a manageable size and weight.

[Jon Warwick]

7 hours ago, darylgo said:

Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH

The newer 50 is a good compromise.  

 

Really smooth bokeh too from files I’ve played with. Less swirly than the SL APO Summicrons, IMHO. 

[hansvons]

7 hours ago, Albert Ma said:

I used Godox off camera flash, so may be one day I will bite the bullet and get a set of profoto studion flash.

I use Proforo flashes for fashion shoots—different animal. However, I don't purchase bulky equipment that I only use on larger projects. I rent. Less costly, less hassle, and someone in the team will take care of it. 

[S Maclean]

The Sl lux is an amazing lens, but I must admit I often leave it behind and favor, actually, the non apo 50 over the apo.  The non apo 50 renders similar to an M lens. It’s fast and light.

What ends up affecting my choice more than weight, which is a factor, is that the lux does not focus as closely as any of the other lenses. The closer focusing plus the micro contrast really likens the apo’s to m lux in DOF.

i do have the 35 and 75 apo though, both of which I like over the apo 50.  I have the 90 as well and it’s incredible but somehow, as well, doesn’t get as much use.

for events, though, the 24-70 is hard to beat…. Except by the 24-90 if you don’t mind the heft.

And, if you want actual slightly better performance to the 24-70 get the sigma 24-70 II.  Still not as good as the 24-90 but the focus speed, close focusing, lighter form, .2 aperture through all its focal lengths compensate for it. Get the II though, not the 1st series.
 

all this said, I still haven’t been able to sell the lux.  I’m close to doing it and just using the m instead, but everytime I’m going to sell it a take the 50 lux for a spin and I fall In love all over again with its character.

 

[Luke_Miller]

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14 hours ago, Albert Ma said:

 I used Godox off camera flash, so may be one day I will bite the bullet and get a set of profoto studion flash.

My location setup is two Godox AD360s with umbrellas and the Godox wireless triggers.  At home it is Paul Buff White Lightnings and Pocket Wizards.  Both setups are full mauual with ratiuos set using a flash meter.  These are pretty affordable and available used.

[S Maclean]

14 hours ago, LD_50 said:

I would argue the new 50’s IQ doesn’t match the APO and its character doesn’t match the Summilux. 

It’s smaller, lighter, has faster AF, and is cheaper than both, if those are the priorities. There are a lot of choices if going for those attributes over what makes the APO and Summilux special. 

I agree on the first part, disagree on the second. It ahs difrerent character that the Lux, certainly not as affected, but still has really nice and elegant rendering. BUt add the closer focus and the portability and you definately have a contender.  At least I love it.

[Elliot Harper]

I only use 2 lenses on my SL3-S.

One being sigma 35 f/2 dg dn, all day walking around. I know it's a blasphemy to use sigma on Leica. But with a fraction of price (I got mine 2nd hand for less than $500) and doing 80-90% of the Summicron 35 SL work, I am fine with the comprise.

The other being M Noctilux 50 f1.2 re-issue, adapted. It fills some specific needs when I need it, such as indoor event. etc.

I don't need anything else. I know Summilux 50 SL is good but everytime I look at this beast, I instantly feel my hands and neck sore.

 

P.S. Actually I use 3rd on on SL3-S. That's Sigma 70/2.8 Macro, used for scanning film negatives. But that's another story.

 

Edited June 6 by Elliot Harper

[S Maclean]

22 hours ago, Elliot Harper said:

I only use 2 lenses on my SL3-S.

One being sigma 35 f/2 dg dn, all day walking around. I know it's a blasphemy to use sigma on Leica. But with a fraction of price (I got mine 2nd hand for less than $500) and doing 80-90% of the Summicron 35 SL work, I am fine with the comprise.

The other being M Noctilux 50 f1.2 re-issue, adapted. It fills some specific needs when I need it, such as indoor event. etc.

I don't need anything else. I know Summilux 50 SL is good but everytime I look at this beast, I instantly feel my hands and neck sore.

 

P.S. Actually I use 3rd on on SL3-S. That's Sigma 70/2.8 Macro, used for scanning film negatives. But that's another story.

 

I don't think using Sigma, or any other non leica lens on the SL cameras is blasphemy, quite the opposite, part of the benefit of the alliance and the L system is that you can really mix it up.  Let's face it, Sigma has an incredible set of lenses currently that have a well deserved spot on the system, it isup to Leica to match them in some cases.  Maybe they are more clinical, or don't have that Leica signature feel...or maybe they just don't have the prestige; but Like voigtländer in the M system, they have their own thing going on.

[Oxfordian]

On 6/5/2025 at 11:12 PM, Albert Ma said:

I have the sigma art 35 1.4.  I know, it is a sin to use Sigma on Leica.  It is so so but good enough.  But I want a proper Leica glass for portraits.  And when I do events, it gets dark.  SL2 is not known for low light performance, so I probably need the 1.4.

Why is it a sin to use a Sigma lens on Leica?

 

[Leslie22]

There is something magical about the SL50 1.4 , yes it’s heavy , but I make the effort to take it out and am never disappointed 

[helged]

12 hours ago, Leslie22 said:

There is something magical about the SL50 1.4 , yes it’s heavy , but I make the effort to take it out and am never disappointed 

+1. 

[sebben]

There really isn’t any thing else like the 50mm Summilux. It’s just an incredible lens despite its short comings. 

[lanetomlane]

I bought the 50 Summilux when the original SL (601) came out. Wonderful lens, but heavy and slow focusing presumably because of the number and weight of the elements. I found over the years I used it less and less and eventually traded it in against the 50 APO. A decision I do not regret.

Maybe, with various firmware upgrades the focusing has improved (it's 2 or 3 years since I traded mine) but the weight is still the same.

[sebben]

The weight does give it presence but the image quality makes it worth it for me at least! Its a compromise I am willing to except.

The only thing that bothers me is that the close focus is limited to 60cm. Would have appreciated 30cm but it is what it is...

[Stuart Richardson]

I wish that instead of the Panasonic sourced 50 ASPH, they would have given us an AF (or honestly even manual) version of the 50mm 1.4 Summilux R E60. That was my favorite 50mm for portraits. It has the best combo of sharpness and bokeh that I recall. It was also 490g and a 60mm filter ring, as opposed to 1065g and a 82mm filter. And especially the length...the Summilux R was quite short, and the new one is a giant. These days I prefer the 50mm APO for my use, but that generally is more landscape or technical work in the studio, rather than portraits.

Edited June 18 by Stuart Richardson

[wattsy]

45 minutes ago, Stuart Richardson said:

I wish that instead of the Panasonic sourced 50 ASPH, they would have given us an AF (or honestly even manual) version of the 50mm 1.4 Summilux R E60.

If you don't mind manual focus, why not just buy a used 50 Summulix-R? Personally, I'd quite like an SL version of the 60 Macro-Elmarit but it is never going to happen so I might just end up buying the R lens and adapting it.

[Stuart Richardson]

1 hour ago, wattsy said:

If you don't mind manual focus, why not just buy a used 50 Summulix-R?

Because of the price. And the fact that I have the 50mm APO and it is better for most of my work. But in a world of dreams, I would love my 50mm Summilux R back.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[sebben]

Leica does seem to be on a different path these days with lens design. Seemingly outsourcing more rather than coming up with their own.

Maybe their expertise is more focused on refinement rather than invention.