Should I really shell out for the Leica SL 50mm or just grab the Panasonic S Pro version? Ive seen a few reviews saying they share the same internal lens designs but the Leica ones have different coatings. Some guys on DPReview say the autofocus is actually more reliable with Panasonic lenses on an S5II anyway. Im a wedding photographer in Portland and have about 5k to spend before my busy season starts in June, but I cant decide if that Leica micro-contrast is a real thing or just marketing fluff. Does the image quality actually justify the price gap when you're shooting for clients or am I just paying for the build quality and the name...
I rented the Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH once and was too scared of scratching it to focus. I ended up buying the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 instead. The Leica has that fancy build, but the Panasonic is just as sharp and the AF is definitely more reliable for weddings. Honestly, just save your money and go with the Panasonic. Its safer.
