Leica APO Summicron M 50mm f/2 ASPH Lens Tutorial
Introduction
Capturing the Spirit of Jazz with Leica APO Summicron-M 50mm Lens
I am a fan of jazz music. I love the improvisions. I adore the spirit of spontaneity. Jazz requires dedication, love and most importantly creativity. For this reason, I find much in common with photography.
There is a jazz club on St.Denis Street in Montreal where I frequent when I want to just enjoy a night where the music just is very good. On Mondays, I sometimes wonder in to listen to my friends who are exceptional musicians.
A few weeks ago, I decided to take my Leica Monochrom camera along with one of my favorite lenses Leica APO Summicron 50mm f/2.0 with me. I wanted to capture the moment when the music just moves everyone.
Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0 APO is one of my favorite lenses. It is fast and accurate. Recognized as the epitome of lens engineering where Leica has placed all their expertise in creating a lens that would set the standard for years to come.
Jazz Clubs are notoriously low light areas where challenges of capturing photographs in low ISO and sharp focus is often confronted only with the best of lenses. Musicians are always in a state of constant movement, and the light fall from spotlights can create silhouettes or over exposed images. This is why Leica Monochrom camera which only photographs in black and white with omitted Bayer filter sensor is ideally suited for these circumstances.
Of course, choice of lenses is another element one needs to consider to be able to tell the story with photographs. For this occasion, I choose Leica Summicron f/2.0 APO because it is very compact and light weight.
In crowded places pointing a big camera is a deal breaker. Everyone becomes uptight and uncomfortable with the presence of large cameras.
Leica rangefinder camera is an ideal camera to use when the photographer needs to be discreet because it is compact and small yet deliver incredible results. The omission of logo and lettering lets people forget that it is a professional camera. In fact, those who are intrigued by the camera begin conversing about the make and how I came to own it.
This would never happen with any large size camera. In fact, I have seen people ask to have their photographs deleted from photographers using imposing lenses and cameras.
Armed with my Leica Monochrom and Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0 APO, I entered the jazz club almost unnoticed. One of the seats at the bar was vacant and was close enough to the musicians. I figured that it would be an ideal point to start photographing, first at a distance and closer as the night progressed.
From experience I know it takes some time for people to warm up to the idea that there is someone taking photographs in the room. There is an often a point when the room accepts the presence of a photographer and lets him or her to just blend in. For me, that is when the magic starts, as I see people in their natural state.
I agree with the wise words of Frank Capa who said, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.” I believe that applies to almost every circumstance. Being close often translates to telling the story more impact. When I think of all the great photographs that made history it is the proximity that allowed us to peer into someone’s life and be a part of it for a fraction of a second.
When I took my seat among the jazz music lovers, I did not immediately take out my camera out of my bag. I always let the energy of the room allow to guide me. I call it being in the vibe, very much like the musicians do when they are playing their instruments. I am a photographer so I am the observer and witness recording life with photographs.
It is almost zen to be still and wait and witness life. Just like Henri Cartier-Bresson did, he waited to capture that decisive moment. Those moments make great photographs and memorable moments.
As the Cuban jazz music carried everyone in the room to another place and time, it was my time to be the witness to this harmonious, joyful scene. I could see that Cuban classics like Chan Chan, Sigue El Paso transported everyone to the warm nights of Havana.
I took my Leica Monochrom camera and placed it on the bar. No one even took any notice of it. Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0 APO lens was discreetly hidden by the low lights in the jazz club. Leica’s classic rangefinder look just blended beautifully with the wood color on the bar illuminated softly by spotlights from above.
For all its worth, that sight of Leica Monochrom with Leica APO Summicron 50mm lens would be a sight one could look and see the beauty of craftsmanship and artistry. For me, Leica cameras and lenses are artworks. A combination of solid construction, ease of use, well-engineered mechanics and timeless design is as close to perfection as any camera could get which is why Leica cameras are passed down from generation to generation.
Among the musicians, there is an apprenticeship which I respect tremendously. On nights when the band has built up the tempo, younger players are invited into join in for a song or two. This is their opportunity to learn to play before a crowd and show their skill.
I took this photograph that you see above, and the band allowed me to come in closer and closer like an invitation to be there to record the “magic” that hung in the air.
When I returned to my seat to check the images on the back of my Leica Monochrom, I could see some magic happening. The images were extremely sharp, and they conveyed the sentiment of the jazz club. I knew that these photographs would tell the story of that night.
Having worked with numerous cameras and lenses, a photographer builds a know-how base from which he makes decisions as to which lens and camera combination would yield the best results. Whether it is still images or moving images, there is some magic that can only be told through the beautiful harmony of lenses and camera. As a photographer and filmmaker, I can say that Leica Monochrom with Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0 APO lens is perhaps the best marriage of lens and camera that anyone can use.
I like to use 50mm lenses. I like them for photographing people, allowing me to capture the spirit through the right amount of bokeh, composition, and expression. In fact, for photographs taken indoors, I use 50mm lenses when I want to bring the spotlight on the person.
Overtime I must confess I began to favor lenses especially the 50mm lenses. So much so, I think I own almost all lenses produced by Leica. Leica Summilux, Noctilux, Summicronwhich all have their own unique touch; each helps me in telling my side of a story. As I continued to photograph through the night, I began to be wooed by the resolving power of Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0 APO lens. It was just amazing. Yes, Leica S medium format cameras that I use in my work delivered detailed photographs, but this lens had the feel of medium format quality.
The way it rendered the bokeh, ultra smooth with a touch of timelessness only comes from the right combination of lens and camera just made me love my Leica lenses more. Clearly, Leica had set the bar so high that competition would need a decade to come close to the image quality that this lens delivers.
What is perhaps more incredible is that all this quality came from a small, compact lens. For a photographer that is pure joy to use a lens as power and yet compact as a Leica Summicron 50mm f/2.0 APO lens.
That very night, I walked home with brisk steps to see what magical concoction Leica Monochrom camera and Leica 50mm Summicron APO lens had brewed. I loaded up the photographs to my computer and turned on my OLED screen. Photographs from this lens and camera combination was incredible.
First word that came to my mind was “captivating” and what made these photographs even more special was that they did not require any editing. Photographs could tell the story and that night, I felt a sense of satisfaction which can only be described contentment.
I hope you have enjoyed this article.
Here are some links to get the best prices on some of my favorite Leica lenses.
Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 lens can be purchased used or new, here I have provided links for the best online sites. Most are authorized dealer and the others are reputable dealers. I have also included a list for other alternative lenses that perform well.
Here is the link for the Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 lens and other lenses mentioned in this article.
Recommended Leica 50mm Focal Length Lenses:
Leica Summicron-M 50mm f/2 Lens
Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH. Lens
Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. Lens
Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. Lens
Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. Lens
Affordable Leica 50mm lens:
Leica Summarit-M 50mm f/2.4 lens
Other 50mm Lenses (Recommended *)
ZEISS Planar T* 50mm f/2 ZM Lens*
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.1 lens *
7artisans Photoelectric 50mm f/1.1 Lens
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5 Aspherical Lens *
ZEISS C Sonnar T* 50mm f/1.5 ZM Lens *
Meyer-Optik Gorlitz Nocturnus 50mm f/0.95 III Lens
Used 50mm and other Lenses:
Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/0.95 ASPH. Lens (USED)
Leica Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.0 Lens (USED)
Leica Summilux-M 75mm f/1.4 Lens (Used)
Leica Cameras:
Used Leica Cameras:
For my upcoming 2019 photography workshops, here are the links
We offer photography workshops around the world specializing in Leica cameras and lenses. You are invited to take part in one because what you gain from a dedicated photography workshop for Leica cameras and lenses. The tips and techniques you will learn in these workshops will take your photography to the next level also will stay with you for a lifetime. We look forward to hearing from you.
As always, if you have any comments please write to us.
Thank you
Oz Yilmaz
Leica Review Team