{"id":3220,"date":"2014-03-15T09:17:01","date_gmt":"2014-03-15T14:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/?p=3220"},"modified":"2014-03-20T22:07:36","modified_gmt":"2014-03-21T03:07:36","slug":"fuji-56mm-f1-2-vs-panasonic-leica-42-5mm-f1-2-nocticron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/admiringlight.com\/blog\/fuji-56mm-f1-2-vs-panasonic-leica-42-5mm-f1-2-nocticron\/","title":{"rendered":"Fuji 56mm f\/1.2 vs. Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f\/1.2 Nocticron"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"telephoto_battle2\"<\/a>It is time for another battle! \u00a0Both Fuji and Panasonic have released fast 85mm equivalent lenses with f\/1.2 maximum apertures over the past month, and both are turning out to be truly outstanding lenses. \u00a0While there are likely few people who are contemplating which to buy between the two (as that would require simultaneously having both Fuji and Micro 4\/3 systems…which is something I have, but is not too common), with two fantastic lenses such as these coming out around the same time, there’s bound to be comparisons.<\/p>\n

I reviewed the Fuji 56mm f\/1.2<\/a> recently and found it to be a truly stellar lens. My review of the Panasonic Leica 42.5mm<\/a> is also now up.<\/p>\n

So let’s take a look at these two lenses and how they stack up.<\/p>\n

Important note: \u00a0This article was updated on 3\/20\/14 to reflect new findings on the Fuji 56mm f\/1.2. I recently discovered that my Fuji 56mm had a faulty focus motor (it arrived this way, making odd sounds that stopped after a short while, but I later discovered the focus clutch had broken, making it unable to hold focus when the lens was pointed up or down). \u00a0I received a replacement lens yesterday, and noticed that not only did it have the properly functioning focus motor that you’d expect, but that the lens was sharper as well. \u00a0In comparing cross-frame sharpness, the second lens did not display what I viewed as a ‘mid-frame dip in resolution’ in the original test. \u00a0 Based on the more even sharpness profile, I conclude that the first tested copy of the Fuji 56mm f\/1.2 had a slightly misaligned element that caused a drop in sharpness towards the edges of the frame at wide apertures. \u00a0It also decreased contrast. \u00a0This comparison has been updated for the first portion of the test to reflect that second lens. \u00a0While I feel the ‘portrait test’ on page 3 would likely similarly be affected, I can’t really exactly recreate that shot, though I may try in the next few days to get it close and will update the article at that time.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Tale of the Tape:<\/h4>\n

The first contender is the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 56mm f\/1.2 R. \u00a0The lens weighs in at 405g, and measures in 73.2mm in diameter and 69.7mm long.<\/p>\n

The second contender is the Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f\/1.2. \u00a0The lens weighs in at 420g, measuring 74mm in diameter and 77mm long.<\/p>\n

As you can see from above, despite needing to cover a smaller image circle and having a shorter focal length, the Panasonic Leica 42.5mm is the larger of the two lenses, coming in nearly a centimeter longer and very slightly heavier. \u00a0In practice, the two lenses feel relatively similar in size and weight, but it is interesting. \u00a0One other interesting thing of note is that the 42.5mm lens is capable of covering an APS-C sensor, though of course you can’t do much with this since focus is by wire.<\/p>\n

The two lenses both have bodies built entirely of metal. \u00a0Both have well damped focus rings and aperture rings, and both are very solid. \u00a0Overall, I think the Leica 42.5mm has a little nicer fit and finish, and feels a little more premium in the build department, though the Fuji isn’t far behind. \u00a0Both are very well-built lenses.<\/p>\n

\"Fight!\"<\/a>
Fight!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Test<\/h3>\n

Please note that this test is limited in scope. \u00a0In using both lenses, I have noticed some additional things about each lens that aren’t really showcased in this situation. \u00a0I will summarize those findings at the conclusion, as I don’t really have solid head to head test shots to show you, but they may be worth noting.<\/p>\n

I set up the book you see, which is in a hard case that is very flat. \u00a0Focus distance is approximately 1 meter. I ensured the camera was square to the book. \u00a0I set the crystal decanter behind the book by about two feet to provide a good target for evaluating bokeh. \u00a0The cameras were tripod mounted, set to the exact same exposure parameters (ISO 200, f\/1.2 and 1\/8 second, adjusting aperture and shutter speed while keeping ISO constant for smaller apertures). \u00a0Shots were triggered with 2 second self timer. \u00a0There are very slight differences in camera position left and right due to where the tripod plates sit on the cameras, but otherwise, the cameras were in identical positions for each shot.<\/p>\n

Images were processed in Lightroom 5.3 and were converted straight from RAW aside from my standard sharpening and custom white balance from the white letters on the book.<\/p>\n

Here are the overall scenes at f\/1.2:<\/p>\n

\"Full<\/a>
Full Scene – Fuji 56mm f\/1.2 @ f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Overall<\/a>
Full Scene – Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To evaluate sharpness, I took crops from the center and upper right corner of the images at f\/1.2, f\/1.8, f\/2.5 and f\/3.5. \u00a0The results are shown below. \u00a0Click on the image, then click on the green arrow below to view full size.<\/p>\n

\"100%<\/a>
100% crops – Click to Enlarge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some interesting results, in my opinion. \u00a0Getting the obvious out of the way: both lenses are fantastic. \u00a0Each lens is very sharp in the center right from f\/1.2. \u00a0At f\/1.2, the Fuji has a slight edge in the center of the frame, while the Leica has a sharper center at f\/1.8 and f\/2.5. \u00a0By f\/3.5, the Fuji has caught up again with the Panasonic, though the X-Trans sensor prevents the moire that is present in the Panasonic crop.<\/p>\n

In the corner, the Fuji has an edge throughout at this focus distance. \u00a0While the Leica 42.5mm has an edge in overall contrast at f\/1.2 and f\/1.8, the Fuji 56mm is resolving more fine detail in the corners at these apertures. \u00a0By f\/2.5, the Fuji has a notable boost in contrast while keeping a slight resolution edge.<\/p>\n

When I originally did this test, I had noticed my first copy of the 56mm showed some weakness a little ways in from the corners of the frame and simply assumed it was how the lens performed at f\/1.2. \u00a0Upon receiving a replacement lens, I could see that it was not the case for a properly assembled lens. Below are crops taken from the lower right side of the frame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

\"Mid-Zone<\/a>
Mid-Zone 100% Crops, f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
\n

\"Mid-Zone<\/a>
Mid-Zone 100% Crops, f\/3.5<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

As you can see here, the Fuji again has the lead, both wide open and stopped down (though both are very sharp stopped down).<\/p>\n

Overall, the sharpness comparison is pretty darn close. \u00a0At this focus distance, which is approximately 1 meter, \u00a0the Fuji is showing itself to be a little bit sharper all things considered.<\/p>\n

Continue: Bokeh<\/a><\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n

Bokeh<\/h3>\n

Below are crops from the previous test scene, showing how specular highlights and blur are rendered by each lens. \u00a0As you’d guess, the Fuji 56mm is capable of about 2\/3 stop more background blur than the Nocticron. \u00a0With both lenses at f\/1.2, the Leica 42.5mm renders specular highlights a little more smoothly, as the Fuji has a slight bright outline on highlights at f\/1.2. \u00a0By f\/1.8, the Fuji’s bokeh smooths out (and at this aperture, the amount of blur is similar to the Leica wide open.) \u00a0Stopped down, both lenses maintain smooth out of focus backgrounds.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the 100% crops below. \u00a0Again, click to enlarge and click the green arrow to view full size.<\/p>\n

\"Bokeh<\/a>
Bokeh Crops<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Overall, the Panasonic Leica 42.5mm has slightly smoother bokeh overall, though both lenses again perform very well here. \u00a0Below are full scene comparisons as well, both at f\/1.2.<\/p>\n

\"Spout<\/a>
Spout – Fuji 56mm f\/1.2 @ f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Leica<\/a>
Leica 42.5mm f\/1.2 @ f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Both lenses do a very good job here blurring the repeating lines in the bricks without any distracting artifacts.<\/p>\n

Continue: Portrait Test<\/a><\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n

Portrait Test<\/h3>\n

Finally, we’ll take a look at a ‘portrait test.’ \u00a0My daughter was kind enough to sit patiently while I took photos of her with the two lenses. \u00a0These are handheld with flash, taken from the same position. \u00a0Unfortunately, sometimes my daughter would like to rock slightly, which is apparent in the 56mm f\/1.2 crop, where she moved very slightly out of the plane of perfect focus.<\/p>\n

This test has not yet been repeated with my second copy of the Fuji 56mm. \u00a0I will attempt to recreate the shot below with my replacement 56mm, and will update the article at that time. \u00a0For now, this test shows the results of that first lens. \u00a0Given the improvement seen in this focus zone with the properly aligned Fuji 56mm, I’d imagine there would be some change in the resolution at the focus point for the Fuji lens.<\/em><\/p>\n

Full images are below:<\/p>\n

\"Fuji<\/a>
Fuji 56mm f\/1.2 @ f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Panasonic<\/a>
Panasonic Leica 42.5mm f\/1.2 @ f\/1.2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Fuji<\/a>
Fuji 56mm f\/1.2 @ f\/1.6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The overall rendering is very nice between both lenses. \u00a0WIth the 56mm \u00a0at f\/1.2, there’s just that little bit softer look from the shallower depth of field. \u00a0The Leica performs beautifully, with great subject separation and a really nice look. \u00a0The PL’s higher native vignetting at f\/1.2 is actually rather desirable and beautiful here (though this can be added in post for the Fuji if desired). \u00a0In both Fuji shots, I think the colored bin to the left of the arm (which is actually folded laundry) is rendered smoother in the background than the Leica.<\/p>\n

Below are 100% crops:<\/p>\n

\"100%<\/a>
100% crops (click to enlarge)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In this case, the Leica shows a bit more resolution than the Fuji at f\/1.2, though how much is due to depth of field is hard to tell. \u00a0When the Fuji is set to f\/1.6 to equalize depth of field, it is then a bit sharper than the Leica. \u00a0In any case, there’s plenty of resolution here. \u00a0Either lens will do a great job for portraiture.<\/p>\n

Additional Notes<\/h3>\n

While not directly tested here, I’ve not shot enough with both these lenses to add a few more observations between these two lenses.<\/p>\n