Leica 50mm vs. Canon 50mm
A very unscientific comparison between a Leica Summilux R ROM 50mm F1.4 and a Canon 50mm F1.4. On a tripod, F8, .6 second exposure. Both lenses mounted on an EOS 30D, the Leica was mounted with a Fotodiox Leica R to EOS converter. A simple and well-made converter that does the job but loses all automation.
The Leica sells for 2,000.00 new, the Canon 350.00 or thereabouts. I leave it to the viewer to try to figure out which is which. The answer can be found in the photo information selection on the menu that appears when you mouse over the larger image. The Leica will not show f-stop since it was not talking to the camera (No surprise, why would a Leica lens talk to a lowly Canon, even if it could?).
My own impression is this: Along the bottom of the image at the right side, looking at the top of the box from the bottom edge up, the Leica is a lot sharper further from the center of the image. Very noticeably so. However, the cashews on the far right appear to be sharper in the Canon image. Other areas of the photo show no difference to my eye. The color is slightly different between the two lenses, which is not surprising. Every lens has a signature color rendition, especially between brands. I like the Leica color better, but the difference is subtle. If I were to base my decision on only this one example (admittedly not a smart thing to do) I would not shell out 1,600.00 more for the Leica. But of course one photo won't tell the whole story.
And of course there are other factors. The Leica is used with an adapter which may or may not impact image quality (there is no glass in it). The 30D sensor may not have the resolving power to pick up the optical differences between the lenses. A top-of-the-line Canon body at 5000.00 might do a better job. Using film with Leica body vs. a Canon body might be a different story also, not because I think the Leica film body will produce a superior image to a Canon film body, but the lens will be mounted on the body for which it was designed. Too many variables. But the point of this experiment to me was: for my purposes, with my equipment, does it make sense for me to buy this lens? I would not hesitate to buy it (used) if I thought there was a real benefit.
Read MoreThe Leica sells for 2,000.00 new, the Canon 350.00 or thereabouts. I leave it to the viewer to try to figure out which is which. The answer can be found in the photo information selection on the menu that appears when you mouse over the larger image. The Leica will not show f-stop since it was not talking to the camera (No surprise, why would a Leica lens talk to a lowly Canon, even if it could?).
My own impression is this: Along the bottom of the image at the right side, looking at the top of the box from the bottom edge up, the Leica is a lot sharper further from the center of the image. Very noticeably so. However, the cashews on the far right appear to be sharper in the Canon image. Other areas of the photo show no difference to my eye. The color is slightly different between the two lenses, which is not surprising. Every lens has a signature color rendition, especially between brands. I like the Leica color better, but the difference is subtle. If I were to base my decision on only this one example (admittedly not a smart thing to do) I would not shell out 1,600.00 more for the Leica. But of course one photo won't tell the whole story.
And of course there are other factors. The Leica is used with an adapter which may or may not impact image quality (there is no glass in it). The 30D sensor may not have the resolving power to pick up the optical differences between the lenses. A top-of-the-line Canon body at 5000.00 might do a better job. Using film with Leica body vs. a Canon body might be a different story also, not because I think the Leica film body will produce a superior image to a Canon film body, but the lens will be mounted on the body for which it was designed. Too many variables. But the point of this experiment to me was: for my purposes, with my equipment, does it make sense for me to buy this lens? I would not hesitate to buy it (used) if I thought there was a real benefit.
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