Session With The Leica APO 90mm Summicron-SL and Michelle:
I had a few people who know I’ve owned the Leica SL for quite some time ask me, over the past few months, if I shoot it a lot. The answer is that I do. In fact, over the last 6 or 7 months, I’m grabbing the SL 9 times out of 10 when I’m out shooting. It’s funny because being a diehard M user, I didn’t think the SL was my cup of tea when it first came out but I find it indispensable, and it really fits the way that I shoot. Plus, the image quality is incredible, which never hurts :). I’ve recently posted my APO 90mm Summicron-SL ASPH review, which is my largest lens review so far, and over the coming months, you’ll see more and more from the SL here.
With all that said, here is another post from the SL :). In an attempt to write up more detailed and comprehensive reviews of the SL and its lenses, I have accumulated tons of photos over the last 6 or 7 months. I’m planning on large reviews for the other SL lenses, and of course, the camera itself. It’s actually been kind of overwhelming though because now I’m in the midst of processing all of the photos.
The set of photos in this post are of Michelle. You can check out her Instagram. I’ll have a few photos of her on my Instagram as well, of course. She was one of the first models that I worked with when I was reviewing the APO 90mm Summicron-SL, and she’s awesome. In addition to great conversation, she’s super professional. I’ve worked with her several times, and she was always up for anything whether it be indoors with studio strobes or walking around all over the city.
This set of photos was taken around Chinatown…the Manhattan one (There’s three in NYC). We were near the end of a session, and we decided to just take a few shots out here because the lighting was pretty decent. For readers who have been following my blog, I’ve been changing up the way I process files. I’ve been doing a lot of experimenting, so there’s no particular theme in the way that I processed any of the files in this post. I actually don’t like sticking to a particular theme in general. I just do whatever I feel looks best for a photo. I also do nearly all my RAW processing in Capture One now. I still use Photoshop CC when I have to do some editing.
These images were taken with the APO 90mm Summicron-SL f2 ASPH. I know I just posted a review on the APO lens with tons of photos, so you may want to see something else but I just felt like posting these. Most of the photos here were taken at f2 with the exception of the one with the yellow fence. That was taken at f5.6. Up next will probably be my review of the Fuji X-T100. I hope you enjoy the photos, and thanks for stopping by!
Images look amazing. I bet you and her are both very satisfied with the outcome.
Cheers, Elderin
Hi Elderin!
Thanks! That means a great deal coming from you! I finally posted my 90mm SL review to btw :). I hope all is well,
Best,
Patrick
So, I initially bought the SL 75mm f/2. Then returned it because when I was testing it at midnight in my living room for low light performance, focus ring was noisy. I could hear the focus ring going up/down while trying to focus. Even though, pictures were fine.
Then I bought the SL 90mm f/2. It came in today and again, I tried it indoor in lowlight. I can again hear the focus ring going up/down while focusing. I’m not sure if this is normal for these new summicron lenses. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Asam
Hi Asam,
Apologies for the very late reply! Hmm…I’m not sure what to tell you. I’ve had my 90mm f2 since it was released, and I haven’t had any issues like this at all. All I know is while they say that the new motors are silent, it’s never going to be completely silent. There’s always going to be a little noise. That’s the case with even my Fuji lenses. Have you asked the store that you bought it from? Keep me updated,
Best,
Patrick
Hello Patrick, you are absolutely right. I love the 90mm f2 summicron and 50mm 1.4 summilux for SL. If you don’t mind sharing with me a little knowledge on processing file from these lenses. I also use capture one. I shoot raw as well. My problem is that pictures looks properly expose when I take them in the viewfinder of back of the camera screen. But when I export them to capture one, they are little overexpose. I’ve also exported the same pictures into LR and pictures do not look overexpose in the LR classic. I love your shooting style and been reading all of your Leica reviews.
Thanks.
Asam.
Hi Asam!
If you want a more precise way of checking exposure while you’re taking pics, you can set the SL to show the histogram. That might help out a bit. Also, I’ve calibrated my computer’s monitor, which also helps. I use an X-Rite i1 Display Pro
As for photo editing software, I’d say whichever one works best for you is the one you should use most. It sounds like LR is working for you better, right? I’d say concentrate more on using that editing program. Right now, I’m actually back to Photoshop CC Camera Raw. I still have Capture One but haven’t used it in a while.
Also, how much is the exposure off by? If it isn’t off by much, just adjust in Camera Raw to get it right.
Let me know if this helps. Greatly appreciate you coming by and reading my reviews!
Best,
Patrick