I’ve been using the SL system for many years for my food/cocktail work. I started with the original SL and now have the SL2. It has become my workhorse. At some point during the last year or so, I’ve started thinking about trying to elevate the quality of my work. This aspect seemed a little daunting because of the already stellar images I get with the SL2. I have been improving my lighting setups as well as adjusting the color grading in post in order to get a different look. Yet, I wanted more.
It wasn’t until recently when Leica released the new 50mm Summilux close focus lens that I really considered using my M10R for food/cocktail work. Knowing the look I potentially would get with the M10R I jumped at the chance to try this new lens. Now mind you, in the past I’ve never considered using a macro adapter as it just didn’t appeal to me. But now with the close focus ability from this new iteration things have changed. Being able to focus down to as close as 0.45 meters really fits my work style, all without having to use a macro adapter.
Recently on some professional jobs I was able to incorporate this new setup into my workflow. I am quite pleased with the look. The images are tack sharp but yet painterly. Normally I am at an F stop of 5.6 but I did take a few snaps wide open and that really set off the images. The food almost seemed fake at 1.4. I’m not one to get overly obsessed about bokeh but it even rivals what you might get on a Noctilux. It’s very aesthetically pleasing to the eye by lending that soft, artistic look. The color rendering from the lens is exquisite. For my discerning eye the overall look is very cinematic. Something that I am constantly after.
