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Posted in the wrong forum. Please move to the lens forum. Thanks.

 

I've got my 35mm cron up for sale because I want to get a 50mm lux. I've discovered I'm definitely a 50mm shooter. One day I'll get a wide angle then tele and those three lenses will complete my Leica set. Before I spend 4k on a new 50mm lux I was wondering if there was a reason to shop for any previous gen 50mm's? I can't afford to keep switching lenses and this 50mm is going to be my lifelong and main lens. Any reason to consider a different 50mm rather then the current one? Thanks.

Edited by Georgios Athanasopoulos
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The best all round 50 out there I will never let go of mine.

 

At smaller stops, 50 collapsible is similar image quality and I use mine when I need lighter weight.

 

Bokek is nicer than 50 cron V4.

 

For all out sharpness, 50 APO would be my choice.

 

Sharpness isn't my goal. Having something that will keep me satisfied for years to come is what I'm looking for. I've thought about the Noctilux 1.0 besides the lux. I tend to get bored easily and I can't afford to keep switching lenses. I'll probably end up with the lux but I just wanted to verify that there isn't some vintage 50 that might not be as technically perfect as the lux but would be more artsy or fun or whatever you want to call it.

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[...] I've thought about the Noctilux 1.0 besides the lux. [...]

 

See what happens when you specify 'lux'? It is Summilux (type) or Noctilux (type). Is it time for another rant on this 'lux', 'cron', 'rit' stuff?

 

Don't even get me started on "pre ASPH Summilux".

.

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See what happens when you specify 'lux'? It is Summilux (type) or Noctilux (type). Is it time for another rant on this 'lux', 'cron', 'rit' stuff?

 

Don't even get me started on "pre ASPH Summilux".

.

 

Haha. I've always seen "lux" refer to Summilux while "noc" referred to the Noctilux.

 

So it's down to the 50mm ASPH Summilux, Noctilux 1.0, or previous version Summilux which I hear has more of a film look which is what I want but all the reviews say the current Summilux is much better. It would be easier to be able to test the older lenses but I can't. I guess I have until my 35mm sells to decide.

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Get the aspherical summilux over the non-aspherical. My friend just upgraded to the aspherical and he is super-happy with it. At around $1,000, the old lux was a valid consideration, but with the collectible premiums it demands these days, there is no way I would recommend it over a new lux. The new version still has nice bokeh, but it is tack-sharp wide open as opposed to the non-aspherical version. The unsharpness actually bothers me more with digital than with film.

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Sharpness isn't my goal. Having something that will keep me satisfied for years to come is what I'm looking for. I've thought about the Noctilux 1.0 besides the lux. I tend to get bored easily and I can't afford to keep switching lenses. I'll probably end up with the lux but I just wanted to verify that there isn't some vintage 50 that might not be as technically perfect as the lux but would be more artsy or fun or whatever you want to call it.

Any early Summicron would satisfy your needs. Then you could keep your 35mm lens as well.

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Hi,

 

I hate to throw the cat amongst the pigeons, but I will. I'm relatively new to the M system, but have loved using Olympus fixed lens rangefinders from the 60s/70s, and wanted a digital Rangefinder. I also consider myself pretty much a 50 mm person (the 35 mm on the Fuji-X series (50 mm equivalent) made me really like 50 mm).

 

However, someone recently asked a question I this forum about if you only could have one lens, what would it be. For me (due to the flexibility), I answered 35 mm.

 

Now due to one reason or the other (I don't buy new if on an M system), I've yet to get a 50 mm Lux ASPH. I have a 35 mm FLE and 75 mm Cron (I would have gone for the new 75 mm Summarit, but got a great deal on a 75 mm Cron).

 

Maybe you should keep your 35 mm Cron, and go for adding a 75 mm Summarit (or Cron if you find a good deal). A 35 mm / 75 mm pair is a very flexible combination.

 

With Well Wishes,

 

Rob

Edited by bobbywise
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[...] So it's down to the 50mm ASPH Summilux, Noctilux 1.0, or previous version Summilux which I hear has more of a film look which is what I want but all the reviews say the current Summilux is much better. It would be easier to be able to test the older lenses but I can't.[...]

You will get better info here than from reviewers having no clue about legacy lenses. If you need the sharpest results at f/1.4, the Summilux 50/1.4 asph is a must. If not, the latest Summilux 50/1.4 pre-asph (Leica order # 11868, 11856, 11869, 11623 or 11621) will give you very decent results at f/1.4 and similar sharpness at f/2 and on than the Summicron 50/2 non apo in the center of the frame. For edge to edge sharpness, better choose the Summilux 50/1.4 asph or the more expensive Summicron 50/2 apo though.

Edited by lct
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With the OP only mentioning a "film look", and not being able to afford to keep switching lenses, and looking for a lifetime lens, then of course he should go with f/1.4 rather than f/2 because f/2 lenses (even Leica's) stink at f/1.4. If you want superlative sharpness and will settle for less than the ne plus ultra then the Summilux ASPH is a done deal. I don't know if you can even get a film look without shooting film, in which case f/1.4 can be handy indeed, and I say this as a 50 v4 Summicron owner who doesn't shoot digital.

 

'For edge to edge sharpness, better choose the $3995.00 or the $8250.00 though.'

 

Certainly paraphrasing there. :)

That said, has the ever-increasing pixel count of digital cameras alone led to statements like this, and am I the only one to find this vaguely unsettling?

 

Always happy to muddy the water,

s-a

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[...]'For edge to edge sharpness, better choose the $3995.00 or the $8250.00 though.'[...]

This is the cost of edge to edge sharpness at wide apertures but one can get similar results at f/4 and on with lenses like Summicron 50/2 non apo, Summarit 50/2.5 or (i've been told) Planar 50/2 for much less. Let alone lenses with less perfection but more character like Sonnar 50/1.5 or Elmar 50/2.8 v2 to name my favorite few. Nothing to complain about, 50mm lovers have never had a wider choice in 80 years or so.

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Get sure whether you really are a fifty man first with the Elmar 50mm, which you can always keep if you decide for the summilux50 asph later on (I traded my summilux50 for the 35 FLE and have enough 50 with my Elmar, completely satisfying for me)

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If you want the film look, get yourself a film M and shoot film. You are talking about lens purchases that will last for the rest of your life, but chances are slim your digital M is going to last that long (unless you are much older than it appears to me ...), it's rather likely going to be an unservicable, unrepairable piece of electronic junk ten or fifteen years down the road.

 

All modern or semi-modern Leica lenses have sufficient IQ if you are photographing and not pixel peeping. If I was to choose a lens for a lifetime, "corner to corner sharpness wide open" would be my least concern. My greatest concern would be if I feel comfortable with the size, weight and ergonomics of the lens. This will usually make or break a lens for me. I cannot remember having sold a Leica M (or even compatible) lens because I didn't like its IQ, but I remember selling lots of lenses, some of them with excellent IQ, because I didn't like their handling. So before you sink thousands of dollares in a lens, make at least sure you have handled it once and see how it fits your hands.

 

Speaking of purchases that last for a lifetime, I would personally also prefer a lens where basic service/maintenance (cleaning, lubrication) can be done by independant camera repair specialist. This might rule out some of their newer lenses for me (just speculating, I currently don't own any post 1990 or so Leica lenses).

The reason is, I am not entirely optimistic that Leica (the company) will be around in ten or fifteen years time; it might well be that after Blackstone has milked this luxury toy thing cow to death, the factory will be closed and the brand sold off to some company that will use it to sell refrigerators, vacuum cleaners or some sort of consumer electronics in China.

 

This is just my personal point of view based on my very personal priorities, and I don't mean that you or anyone has to or should agree with me, it is simply meant as some food for thought.

Edited by joeswe
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