What is the absolute sharpest Leica L-mount prime lens available?
Im planning a landscape trip to Oregon in October and need maximum detail. I keep reading that the 35mm Apo-Summicron is the king, but then some forums say the 50mm Apo is actually sharper. Hard to tell whats real vs spec sheet hype...
Having shot both extensively, they are optical masterpieces. The MTF data shows slight differences.
- Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH: Exceptional corner-to-corner sharpness, better focal length for Oregon landscapes.
- Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH: Marginally higher center resolving power, but corners show very minor falloff compared to the 35. Id grab the 35mm for landscape work.
Agree completely on renting. Spending that kind of cash blindly is risky. In my experience with L-mount:
- Leica APO-Summicron-SL 35mm f/2 ASPH
- Safer bet for wide Oregon landscapes, easier to compose.
- Leica APO-Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 ASPH
- Insanely sharp but sometimes too tight. Try renting both for a weekend before buying. It saves you from making a huge, expensive mistake.
@Reply #1 - good point! I had the same debate before my Dolomites trip last year. Ended up renting my current setup to test them myself. Honestly, I learned that real-world contrast and atmospheric conditions mattered way more than minor MTF chart differences. Quick question though, what body are you shooting on? Also:
- Are you planning to print huge?
- Will you shoot mostly on a tripod?
Honestly, spending that kind of money on the APO glass is nerve-wracking if you aren't a pro. You might want to consider looking at the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art instead. I know it isn't a Leica lens, but it's built like a tank and the sharpness is honestly indistinguishable to my eyes unless you're pixel peeping at 400% on a massive monitor. Be careful with the weight too, that APO stuff is heavy. If you're gonna be hiking through Oregon, save your back and your wallet. I'd suggest picking up the Sigma and maybe using the extra cash for a really solid tripod like a Peak Design Travel Tripod Carbon Fiber. You'll get way more detail from having a rock-solid shot than you ever will from the slight optical edge of a much pricier lens. Just make sure you protect your gear, the weather out there can be super unpredictable.
