Choosing between the Leica R35 Elmarit and the Summicron for videography is a decision that hinges on your specific needs and shooting style. Both lenses offer exceptional image quality, but their characteristics differ significantly, impacting your final footage. This in-depth comparison will help you make an informed decision.
What are the key differences between the Leica R35 Elmarit and Summicron lenses?
The core difference lies in their focal lengths and aperture. The Elmarit is a 35mm lens, offering a wider field of view, ideal for capturing expansive landscapes or creating a more immersive feel in close quarters. The Summicron, typically a 50mm lens (though various versions exist), provides a more classic, slightly compressed perspective, closer to the human eye's natural view. The aperture also plays a crucial role. While both lenses are renowned for their sharpness, the Summicron generally boasts a faster maximum aperture (often f/1.4 or f/2), allowing for shallower depth of field and better low-light performance. The Elmarit, often an f/2.8, will provide a greater depth of field.
Which lens is better for low-light videography?
The Leica R Summicron, with its faster maximum aperture, significantly outperforms the Elmarit in low-light conditions. The wider aperture allows more light to hit the sensor, resulting in cleaner footage with less noise and the ability to use lower ISO settings. This translates to superior image quality in dimly lit environments. The Elmarit, while still capable in low light, will require higher ISO settings, potentially introducing more noise into the video.
What about sharpness and image quality?
Both lenses are known for their exceptional sharpness and image quality, hallmarks of Leica lenses. However, the perceived sharpness can vary slightly depending on the aperture used. At wider apertures, the Summicron might exhibit some slight softness towards the edges, but this is often considered a pleasing characteristic, contributing to its dreamy bokeh. The Elmarit, with its smaller maximum aperture, tends to be sharper across the entire frame, even wide open. Ultimately, both lenses deliver stunning image quality, making the choice largely dependent on your stylistic preferences.
Which lens is better for different video styles?
-
Documentary or Run-and-Gun: The 35mm Elmarit’s wider field of view is often preferred for documentary work, allowing you to capture more of the scene quickly, while its slightly slower aperture might not be a major drawback given the abundance of daylight in many scenarios.
-
** Cinematic Storytelling or Portraits:** The 50mm Summicron's perspective and shallow depth of field capabilities excel in creating cinematic looks, especially when filming portraits or scenes demanding a shallow depth of field to isolate the subject. The ability to achieve pleasing bokeh with a shallow depth of field is another strong argument for the Summicron.
-
Landscape Videography: The wider angle of the Elmarit makes it an excellent choice for landscape videography, capturing expansive vistas effectively.
How does image stabilization affect the choice?
Neither lens features built-in image stabilization. This means relying on external stabilization solutions such as a gimbal or sturdy tripod is essential for smooth footage. The wider angle of the Elmarit can slightly mitigate the effects of camera shake compared to the Summicron, but stabilization remains crucial regardless of lens choice.
Is one lens significantly more expensive than the other?
Leica lenses are known for their premium pricing, and both the R35 Elmarit and Summicron fall into this category. The exact price depends on the condition and availability of the lenses in the used market. Generally, you should expect to pay more for the Summicron due to its faster aperture and higher demand.
Conclusion: Choosing the right Leica R lens for your videography needs
The best lens for you depends entirely on your stylistic preferences and shooting environment. The Leica R35 Elmarit offers a wider field of view, great sharpness, and is better suited for documentary work, run-and-gun shooting, and landscape videography where its slower aperture is less of a factor. The Leica R Summicron provides a more classic perspective, boasts superior low-light performance, and excels in cinematic storytelling, portraiture, and situations requiring a shallow depth of field. Careful consideration of these factors will guide you toward the ideal lens for your videography projects.
