p.1 #1 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
I had taken the R5 with the RF 50 1.2 and the Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm out yesterday to compare the setups. These were both taken on a tripod, electronic shutter, timer on shutter, manual focus, 100 ISO and auto white balance. I tried to match exposures but ended up having to bring the exposure of the R5 image up +0.20 in Lightroom and brought the shadows up slightly to get the exposures close. I was trying to get them even in the histograms but I was slightly off plus the T stops of the lenses may be different.
Both were taken at f/2.0. It looks like one may either be longer/shorter than a true 50mm being that I didn't move my tripod between shots.
I'm not going to give my opinions as I value both systems for their respective strengths. Plus, these are compressed jpegs, so not the best comparisons. If anyone who is better with Lightroom or Photoshop wants the RAW files to play with send me a PM and I'll gladly put them in a dropbox folder and share the link.
What I will say, though, is that I would be very happy with either one of these cameras. I'm lucky to own them both, but the SL2 is not a great choice for trying to get critical focus in situations where I'm taking candids and trying to get shots quickly, as the continuous autofocus is well behind that of the R5.
Note: These were RAW files imported into Lightroom and then exported as jpegs. Not jpegs straight out of the cameras. No color modification to either was made in Lightroom.
p.1 #2 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
The Leica image looks slightly more pleasing to my eyes because of the softer highlights and more detailed shadows (I think). But they’re pretty close.
p.1 #3 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
Interesting that it appears the RF has a narrower field of view at that distance. The bokeh balls on the light sources in background are about twice as wide as well.
p.1 #5 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
Jesse Evans wrote:
Interesting that it appears the RF has a narrower field of view at that distance. The bokeh balls on the light sources in background are about twice as wide as well.
Were these taken both in mechanical shutter?
No, they were both taken in electronic shutter to avoid any potential shutter shock.
p.1 #6 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
ShootPDX wrote:
The Leica image looks slightly more pleasing to my eyes because of the softer highlights and more detailed shadows (I think). But they’re pretty close.
I agree with your assessment. Also, the purple variation in the blue's, due to Canon's pink bias, is less pleasing than the Leica colours.
p.1 #8 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
Based on the posted size, overall the Canon seems to have an edge - slightly better OOF areas. Both exhibit a slight green CA in the upper right corner blob of white.
p.1 #10 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
Hey, the Canon has f/1.2. Enough said! ;-)
Seriously, thanks for sharing. As you state, one would be happy with either but given the power of the R5-platform and access to f/1.2 glass, I've already voted with me feet and went with Canon (I still have Sony gear as well. For now.)
p.1 #11 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
patotts wrote:
Hey, the Canon has f/1.2. Enough said! ;-)
Seriously, thanks for sharing. As you state, one would be happy with either but given the power of the R5-platform and access to f/1.2 glass, I've already voted with me feet and went with Canon (I still have Sony gear as well. For now.)
I'm seriously thinking about selling the SL2 system.
I agree about the f/1.2 glass - but PLEASE, Canon, give us a higher maximum electronic shutter speed in a firmware update so we can take advantage of the wide open aperture in bright light without having to put a ND filter over it. It kills me to put anything over such an optically amazing piece of glass. The a9ii goes to 1/32,000 and the SL2 to 1/16,000 in electronic shutter.
p.1 #13 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
This man posted a nice little review on Youtube. Basically he notes pros of either lens. If Leica lacks AF -- then Canon's RF 50mm is a far better value. And I've tried Leica before, really not better - but different. Personally, I'd prefer Zeiss over Leica even without looking at price tags.
p.1 #14 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
Sax, thanks for the comparison.
But the real crime here is that you shot the Leica 500ths second slower!
That's what gives the illusion of better shadows and more saturated colors though I feel the cooler blues of the canon are much nicer. I also prefer the OOF of the Canon lens and it still has a whole stop to go!
What's the point of trying to process them so they look the same since it's not the same photo?
Also since the Leica is a slightly wider lens it makes it a less value of a lens. Lens manufacturers have been doing that for years to scrimp on engineering. Its WAY easier and cheaper to make a 45mm lens an f2 and keep it small to use less glass and save weight and cost than to make a true 50mm f2. We'll just assume it's a true f2!!!
I've been with canon full time since going dslr in 07 and went with Canon because it had the fasted glass!
John
Dec 15, 2020 at 02:35 AM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.1 #15 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
Any idea why the statue of the woman in the bg is lighter in the Leica shot? Did the sun move from behind a tree on that one maybe or is that actual iq? Also wondering if the Leica 50 gets sharper if you are not at f/2? It looked like the older (90's or so) Leica did generally.
p.1 #16 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
AmbientMike wrote:
Any idea why the statue of the woman in the bg is lighter in the Leica shot? Did the sun move from behind a tree on that one maybe or is that actual iq? Also wondering if the Leica 50 gets sharper if you are not at f/2? It looked like the older (90's or so) Leica did generally.
Thanks for posting this interesting comparison.
If I get another nice day I'll try to repeat the test and match shutter speeds. I think I had to dial it back because I was slightly blowing highlights out at 1/2000 with the R5/RF 50 1.2. I have shots taken at f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6 and f/8 with both lenses. It does seem like I can recover highlights if slightly overexposed with the R5 so matching shutter speeds probably isn't a bad idea.
It could have been the sun moving, yes. I can't imagine that light gathering behind the focal plane would be that much different between the two lenses.
If anyone wants to see the RAW files PM me your email address and I'll add you to the dropbox folder and include the images from both cameras taken from f/2-f/8.
p.1 #17 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
JohnSil wrote:
Sax, thanks for the comparison.
But the real crime here is that you shot the Leica 500ths second slower!
That's what gives the illusion of better shadows and more saturated colors though I feel the cooler blues of the canon are much nicer. I also prefer the OOF of the Canon lens and it still has a whole stop to go!
What's the point of trying to process them so they look the same since it's not the same photo?
Also since the Leica is a slightly wider lens it makes it a less value of a lens. Lens manufacturers have been doing that for years to scrimp on engineering. Its WAY easier and cheaper to make a 45mm lens an f2 and keep it small to use less glass and save weight and cost than to make a true 50mm f2. We'll just assume it's a true f2!!!
I've been with canon full time since going dslr in 07 and went with Canon because it had the fasted glass!
John
Here's another pair with similar lighting and ISO, aperture and shutter speeds matched (which is why exposure compensation is different). LR lens profile applied for the RF50 1.2, no profile available for the APO Summicron-SL 50 (but apparently it's automatically corrected in the SL2). Focus was on the label of the wine bottle.
p.1 #18 · R5 and RF 50 1.2 compared to Leica SL2 with the APO Summicron-SL 50mm
For me, what gives things away in the two last photos are the cutlery in the foreground. They denote what's been said by a couple people that the Canon RF 50 1.2 color seemed a bit more "true to life".
The two lenses are so close, it may boil down to personal taste. If someone wants great images with a hint of a saturated look, maybe aim for the Leica. If someone wants great images with incredible autofocus, get the RF 50mm 1.2 and RF 85mm 1.2 with the same budget.
