P. Chong
Well-known member
I have only used the Leica S35, S70 and S120 (on S2 and S007), and XCD21, XCD45 and XCD90 (on X1D). I would be in general agreement with both posters. Perhaps the only thing to add is the S is not only much bulkier and much heavier, and also much more expensive.
I have also used the Summicron 50SL, and Summicron 90SL on both the SL601 and SL2. Both are technically spectacular lenses, but I am more drawn to the larger, S lenses. If I may make an analogy, the SL Summicrons are like solid state amplifiers - technically accurate, transparent, superior clarity, fast, perhaps a bit critical. The S lenses are like tube amps, more warm, more beauty, more nuanced. Much better draw. I think this is in line with what I interpret from Peter Karbe - that the SL Summicrons are the most perfect lenses they have designed. And the S is more like the M lenses, though technically superior, but gives the same feeling.
I have also used the Summicron 50SL, and Summicron 90SL on both the SL601 and SL2. Both are technically spectacular lenses, but I am more drawn to the larger, S lenses. If I may make an analogy, the SL Summicrons are like solid state amplifiers - technically accurate, transparent, superior clarity, fast, perhaps a bit critical. The S lenses are like tube amps, more warm, more beauty, more nuanced. Much better draw. I think this is in line with what I interpret from Peter Karbe - that the SL Summicrons are the most perfect lenses they have designed. And the S is more like the M lenses, though technically superior, but gives the same feeling.
Very interesting. My impression after getting the 907x and a bunch of XCD lenses is very different. I have got the 21, 30, 45p, and the 90. I am a long term Leica S user and I still feel that the XCD lenses are not on par with the S lenses. The 90 was sharp and clear, but its drawing is not particularly elegant, especially for portraits. I strongly prefer the 120 APO on the S. The 30 is good, with some visible distortion, but not amazing. I think the 35mm Summarit-S again wins easily. The 21mm, omg, has so much distortion that make me doubt all the reviews that I read online---yes, you can correct the distortion with the lens profile, but the level of barrel distortion is astonishing. Given the slow speed in auto focus, I very much wish that the 21 and the 30 has the focus distance scale on them, but they do not. It limits their operation significantly. The only lens among the four that make me feel amazed is the 45p, which has the acuity level that is hard to imagine at this price and for this size.
I have also got the SL2 system with the 35mm SL and 50mm SL. These lenses are true technical marvels. The clarity level and the beauty of the bokeh are integrated so well that it is difficult to believe. I would say that the SL primes are superior to the S lenses by modern standard, and superior to the XCD lenses by a large margin.
I quickly sold the 90 and the 30, only keeping the 45p for size and performance (despite awful focusing) and the 21mm for the extreme wide angle.
Over all, I think these XCD lenses are compromises that prioritize clarity and acuity (they are very transparent in terms of color and drawing), but sacrifices distortion and bokeh. I would take S lenses over the XCD lenses all day long. In fact, I prefer using the CFVii with the 501, 203, and SWC, which have been with me for a long time. I love the drawing of the 80mm f2.8 C lens, the 110, the 50 FLE CF, and the 60 F3.5. These older lenses draws in a much more elegant way.The wide angle on the SWC is simply unparalled with almost no distortion.
That being said, I love the CFVii and the overall 907 experience, especially the color science, but XCD lenses are mostly not part of my appreciation.
I also use both, Leica S and xcd lenses, feel somewhat the same. The lenses are quite good, but I also generally prefer the rendering of the S lenses. On the other side - the S lenses are also much bigger and heavier.
At the moment I have started to use the xcd 35-75, and so far I like it. With the x1dII it is a relativly compact/portable and flexible combination.