APO SUMMICRON SL lens decision

[teosnow]

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HI, 

I’m using a Leica SL2 with the 24–90 and the 35 Lux. I’m considering buying one Apo-Summicron-SL – which of these three would be the best choice?

• 35 APO SL
• 50 APO SL
• 75 APO SL

Keep in mind it will be paired with a 35 Lux M or a 50 Lux M (or maybe even the 50 Lux + 28 Lux) when i go out without the 24–90. Usually i decide to leave the 24-90 for low light or indoor situations or when i don't need his full range and i want to shoot with just 1 (or maybe 2 in the future) lens with faster aperture + when i don't need his size and weight and want something more discreet in size.

i'l generally do family shooting specially with my 5 yrs daughter, city walkaround as well as mountain skiing and vacation/trip reportage

Trying to choose the apo and build the set of prime lenses, starting with 2 initially 

Thank a lot

 

Edited September 26 by teosnow

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[georgecp]

Hello,

Based on your description of use case and current lens lineup, I would consider the 75mm.  I have had one for six years and it is fits the uses you describe with terrific performance.

[LeicaR10]

Teosnow,  I read your Op post and see you have one post already with sage advice.  Based on your description of intended use; it would get down to field of view for the lenses.  The SL primes are superb and simply render nearly identical across the SL Apo Summicron range of lenses.  All written and based on my experience, I suggest the SL 35 Apo Summicron for your starter SL Apo prime kit followed by either the SL 75 or consider the SL 90 Apo Summicron.  You might take a look at your current photograph library and see what focal length(s) you shoot the most for your images and go from there.  Many SL photographers like the 35/75 kit and here are two links the might help you decide what is best for you.  r/ Mark

Try:  SL 35 Apo   https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=1497&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32 

Try:  SL 75 Apo  https://onfotolife.com/lens_sample_photos?lens_id=1387&page=1&focal_min=0&focal_max=800&aperture_min=0&aperture_max=32

PS  The site also has other Leica focal lengths and other manufacturers too.

[Luke_Miller]

If you use Lightroom or another catalog system it might be useful to see which focal length is most used when shooting with your 24-90.  Although in my case it is  not particularly useful since I find I shoot differently when a prime is mounted.

[Eoin]

Simple, the only viable options to spread focal range are as follows, (21 or 24) - 35 - 75 or 28 - 50 - 90.

Decide what manual focus lenses you want and add the APO SL Prime to fill the gap.

However you are more likely shoot with a 28, 35 or 50 generally so decide if you want that lens to be autofocus or not. 

[Jeff S]

Your other 2 threads, since joining the forum in June, might prove helpful..

 

 

[hansvons]

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The APO SL lenses cannot be compared with M glass and if that’s only because of the AF. I have the 35mm APO SL. Shooting with it on an SL camera is fundamentally different from shooting with an M 35mm on the same camera (got also 35mm Summicron M ASPH). 

Focus is super quick and more precise than a manual M lens cannot ever be when looking at a set of shots. At f/2 to f/2.8, the lens shows a distinct character and a rendering that I absolutely love. Shot fairy open, it’s not clinical at all.

Karbe calls it his best work for a reason.