Debating between the 50mm Summilux and the 90mm APO-Summicron. I read the 50 is more versatile but people say the 90 has that magic compression for portraits and now Im just stuck.
- Budget: $5500 max
- Location: rainy Seattle (need weather sealing)
- Use: outdoor lifestyle sessions
Which one feels better balanced on the SL2 body?
I've spent a lot of time with both on my SL2 and honestly? I was kinda let down by the Leica Summilux-SL 50mm f/1.4 ASPH for lifestyle work. Everyone raves about it, but in the real world... it's just massive. It feels like a brick on the front of the camera, and when you're shooting in that Seattle drizzle, the autofocus hunting gets old fast. It's not as snappy as I expected for a lens that costs that much, tbh. As for the Leica APO-Summicron-SL 90mm f/2 ASPH, the compression is beautiful, sure, but unfortunately it’s a bit of a one-trick pony for lifestyle stuff. You end up standing so far back you can barely talk to your subject, which kills the vibe of the session. Between the two, the 90mm definitely feels better balanced in the hand because it's not as fat as the 50, but the 50mm is more useful if you dont mind the wrist fatigue. Here is what I found annoying:
- Weight: The 50mm is huge and makes the SL2 feel very front-heavy during long walks.
- Weather sealing: It works, but the glass gets smudged so easily in the rain and the hoods are just way too bulky.
- Speed: Autofocus is fine, but not as good as expected for moving subjects in typical PNW low light. If you're dead set on the Leica glass, the 50mm is technically more versatile, but don't expect it to be a breeze to carry. I ended up selling mine cuz it just sat in the bag. Maybe look at the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 if you want to save some cash and get similar results without the Leica tax.
