photos_of_chu wrote: saxguy wrote:
Thank you for the great write up and sample images. I had sold my original SL years ago and have always missed the look of the files and the feel of the camera in hand. A few months ago I purchased the SL2 and, although I appreciated the increased resolution, the compelling look of the SL images seemed to be missing (only my opinion, others may disagree).
LBJ2 mentioned the SL2-S. I recently received mine and, to me, it very much has the same look as the images I was getting with the original SL. With some of the technological advancements over the original SL, it may be worth taking for a test if your local Leica store will let you try one for a few hours.
In terms of portraiture, your results are stunning. I am going to be doing more portrait work and I need to work with the camera more to get the best results. I have the Canon R5 and the RF 50 1.2, RF 85 1.2, RF 28-70 f2 and RF 70-200 2.8. I purchased the Canon for more consistent results, especially using eye-AF, but the images (as good as they are) are just missing something as compared to the Leica.
Currently I’m using the APO Summicron-SL lenses (35, 50, 90). The results you’re getting with M mount lenses are stunning, and I prefer the rendering to what I’m seeing with the APO Summicron-SL lenses. I may need to try the Zeiss 35mm 1.4 Distagon and compare it to the 35 SL.
Have you used both the 50 Summilux-SL and the 50 APO Summicron-SL? I’ve been thinking I want to try the 1.4 for portraiture with the SL2-S (It was the lens I used most with the original SL) but my local Leica store keeps talking me out of it since I already have the 50 APO Summicron-SL.
I've never used the second generation of SL bodies, but a couple friends have told me that they felt something intangibly great from the original SL files, to which I agree.
Thank you for your kind words! I've definitely also been tempted by the Canon R5 and 1.2 lens ecosystem, but I'm a huge fan of the way Leica lenses render, and the micro-contrast that they provide. Both M and L lenses perform admirably in this regard. I recently traded in my Zeiss 35 Distagon for a Leica 35mm FLE, mostly because I found one in silver
Yes, I have used both 50mm SL lenses, and I feel like there's nothing quite like the Summilux. The APO Summicron focuses quicker, but is still quite heavy as a walk-around lens. The rendering from the Summilux warrants the heavier weight. I've attached a few photos from the Summilux here.
The eye in the first portrait is sharp, sharp which creates a stunning/ beautiful falloff and Leica pop. The other two portraits among these three do not achieve what I describe in the first portrait, rather less sharp eyes but beautiful none-the-less.
