I just got a Leica SL2 because I wanted to take better pictures of my kids but honestly I have no idea what I am doing lol. I saw some photos online where the eyes are so sharp you can see the reflection and I really want that look for our family holiday cards in December.
My budget is around 3000 dollars maybe a bit more if it is really worth it. I keep seeing things about Apo and Summicron and L-mount but it is all just confusing words to me. Is there one lens that is just the absolute sharpest for faces? Sorry if this is a silly thing to ask I just dont want to buy the wrong thing...
In my experience, you really want the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for L-Mount. Honestly, Ive tried many lenses over the years and this one is surgically sharp for portraits on your SL2. If you find a used Leica APO-Summicron-SL 75mm f/2 ASPH, that is the absolute gold standard. Quick tip: make sure you enable eye-detect autofocus so it locks onto their pupils!
Like someone mentioned, the term APO is what you want for that extreme clarity. If you dont want to spend five grand, the Panasonic LUMIX S PRO 50mm f/1.4 is a decent option that performs reliably on the SL2.
- High micro-contrast for sharp eyes.
- Fast autofocus for tracking kids. It is quite heavy tho, but it delivers that high-end look while staying within your price range.
I saw this thread earlier but just now getting to it. @Reply #1 - good point! But honestly I have to disagree a bit about jumping straight to a super fast lens like that for kids. You really gotta be careful with those surgically sharp options. On a high-res body like the Leica SL2, it is actually really easy to mess up your shots. I would suggest keeping a few things in mind:
- Depth of field is a total trap. If you shoot at f/1.4 to get that blurry background, the area in focus is paper-thin. If your kid moves even an inch, the eyes will be blurry while their eyelashes or nose are sharp. It is super frustrating.
- Weight is a huge factor. Some of the sharpest portrait glass out there weighs a ton. If you are struggling to hold the camera steady because it is heavy, you are gonna get motion blur no matter how much you spent on the lens.
- Autofocus speed vs glass quality. Some lenses are built for clinical sharpness in a studio but they hunt for focus in a normal house with normal lighting. Ngl, the term APO basically just means the lens handles color fringing well, which helps with that crisp look, but it doesn't make it easier to shoot. Honestly, I'd be worried about you spending 3k on a lens that is too heavy to carry around. Just make sure you prioritize focus speed over theoretical sharpness or you'll miss the holiday card shot entirely. Maybe look into lighter f/2 options instead... they are usually plenty sharp for family stuff without the extra bulk.
