Dikaiosune01 Posted March 26, 2015 Share #1 Posted March 26, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) How does it compare to the normal version? - Is the focus throw as short? I prefer a longer focus throw. - Do you think this is going to be a regular release? It seems to be included in a lot of different sets out there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 26, 2015 Posted March 26, 2015 Hi Dikaiosune01, Take a look here 50mm summilux ASPH Black Chrome - have you tried it?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
smkoush Posted March 26, 2015 Share #2 Posted March 26, 2015 How does it compare to the normal version?- Is the focus throw as short? I prefer a longer focus throw. - Do you think this is going to be a regular release? It seems to be included in a lot of different sets out there. Looking at the two images (standard current version and the black chrome version) here Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH. // M-Lenses // Leica M // Photography - Leica Camera AG, the distance markings appear to be identical, so expect the focus throw to be the same (i.e., not longer). As far as I know it is not a regular release as only 500 of them will be made (this number is confirmed through a Leica dealer). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkThailand Posted March 26, 2015 Share #3 Posted March 26, 2015 I suspect that Leica might release several series of the 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome lenses 11688 the same way that the 50mm Summilux (pre-ASPH) black chrome lens was released as the Millennium version, a kit version, and the 11623 that I have. I was thinking quite hard about getting the 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome lens 11688 to complement my 50mm Summilux (pre-ASPH) black chrome lens 11623 but I already have the 50mm Summilux ASPH 11891 and several other 50mm lenses. However, I do not have a 35mm Summicron lens so I might be able to feed my GAS and get the 35mm Summicron black chrome 11689.... Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smkoush Posted March 26, 2015 Share #4 Posted March 26, 2015 I suspect that Leica might release several series of the 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome lenses 11688 the same way that the 50mm Summilux (pre-ASPH) black chrome lens was released as the Millennium version, a kit version, and the 11623 that I have. I was thinking quite hard about getting the 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome lens 11688 to complement my 50mm Summilux (pre-ASPH) black chrome lens 11623 but I already have the 50mm Summilux ASPH 11891 and several other 50mm lenses. However, I do not have a 35mm Summicron lens so I might be able to feed my GAS and get the 35mm Summicron black chrome 11689.... Mark Mark, the pre-ASPH 11623 that you have is black paint and not black chrome. I am not aware of any other Leica modern black chrome lenses (I believe somebody mentioned of a non-regular production 50mm black chrome lens back in the 50's or so, but nothing since then). Savvas Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkThailand Posted March 26, 2015 Share #5 Posted March 26, 2015 Mark, the pre-ASPH 11623 that you have is black paint and not black chrome. I am not aware of any other Leica modern black chrome lenses (I believe somebody mentioned of a non-regular production 50mm black chrome lens back in the 50's or so, but nothing since then). Savvas You are correct about the distinction of the black chrome lens as opposed to the black paint lens. I meant that I believed, in concept, that there probably would be more releases of this "limited" release black chrome lens just as the limited release black paint lens was released several times. However, if the black chrome lens were truly to be a limited release lens of 500, then it would indeed be very rare and the 10-20 % price premium over the standard anodized black lens would be quite reasonable and thus quite desirable.... Mark Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 26, 2015 Share #6 Posted March 26, 2015 Surely only the finish is different. They would hardly redesign the lens for a limited edition, or would they? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted March 26, 2015 Share #7 Posted March 26, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Surely only the finish is different. They would hardly redesign the lens for a limited edition, or would they? Certainly no optical differences that I am aware of. It's a pity that these interesting new editions are already catching the attention of the collectors who are considering the lenses in terms of rarity and price premium. I'm a fan of the brass bodied lenses from a functional perspective and black chrome is an attractive alternative to the more gaudy silver chrome and brass paint versions and it would be nice if these lenses became a regular option. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
graphlex Posted March 26, 2015 Share #8 Posted March 26, 2015 Leica Store Miami has posted weights for these lenses. The 35 is heavier than its chrome counterpart, (378g vs 340) but perhaps they're including the hood. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subject Focus Posted March 26, 2015 Share #9 Posted March 26, 2015 I don't think there is a price premium for the black chrome lenses. Yes it's more expensive than the regular black but it's brass and the silver brass ones are always more expensive yet the black chrome is slightly cheaper then the silver while still being made of brass and having a metal hood and cap. So if you want a brass 50 this is actually the cheapest and best value. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gberger Posted March 26, 2015 Share #10 Posted March 26, 2015 david, Not only is the finish different, but also the barrel itself. The black chrome lens takes a 43mm filter while the regular black and silver ones take the standard 46mm filters. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smkoush Posted April 14, 2015 Share #11 Posted April 14, 2015 Have any of these black chrome lenses appeared anywhere? (i.e., anyone received one?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurgalvao Posted April 15, 2015 Share #12 Posted April 15, 2015 Have any of these black chrome lenses appeared anywhere? (i.e., anyone received one?) I ordered mine a while ago and still haven't gotten it. I don't think anyone has. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackstraw Posted April 15, 2015 Share #13 Posted April 15, 2015 Will someone please enlighten me as to the purpose if other than aesthetic? I had a silver chrome 50 Lux that I sold because it was just too heavy. Granted, I liked the way the silver looked when I bought it. Given that the black is already available in a lightweight version I am puzzled. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheshireCat Posted April 17, 2015 Share #14 Posted April 17, 2015 Will someone please enlighten me as to the purpose if other than aesthetic? Sure: collectors like to put these special editions in their display cabinets. You don't have the latest python-leather gold-coated Summilux 50 special edition that comes with white gloves used by Mandler to design the original lens during cold winters ? Really ? ... Quick ! Gotta catch 'em all ! It's only $15000 ! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shlomo Posted May 3, 2017 Share #15 Posted May 3, 2017 Hi friends, Is there a difference in image quality to the regular Summilux 1.4? - or is it just design version with similar assembled lenses? Thank You! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmars Posted May 4, 2017 Share #16 Posted May 4, 2017 The optics are similar, only the design is different. A beautiful lens, I have mine for about two years. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted May 4, 2017 Share #17 Posted May 4, 2017 The optics are the same. If you can live with the hood/filter problem (well documented elsewhere) it is an interesting alternative to the regular lens. I came close to buying one and the one I tested was notable for me because, unlike the two regular ones I have owned (the first from 2005), it had a light and very smooth focussing action and did not show any tendency towards back focus when focussed at F1.4 in the close focussing range. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted May 4, 2017 Share #18 Posted May 4, 2017 (edited) I am afraid to my eyes, the scalloped focus ring makes it look just like a Cosina Voigtlander - not a good look. I do wonder however, if Leica have tweaked the focusing concentric sleeves and slopes for the moving elements. Compared with the 50 ASPH Summilux I had some years ago, the black chrome one I looked at in Nice, had very smooth and reasonably light focusing. My silver chrome version was stiff enough and had a sufficiently sharp edged focus tab, that it could actually cut your finger. I left it at Solms during a visit but I suspect it was returned untouched, as it was no lighter to focus than when I left it. Wilson Edited May 4, 2017 by wlaidlaw 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted May 4, 2017 Share #19 Posted May 4, 2017 I ordered mine a while ago and still haven't gotten it. I don't think anyone has. I noticed one had popped up on Harrison's website the other day, but no others listed in UK and it soon was sold. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colint544 Posted May 4, 2017 Share #20 Posted May 4, 2017 (edited) For what it's worth, I had the standard black anodised version of the 50mm Summilux ASPH. Bought it new in 2012. Out of the box, the focus was buttery smooth and effortless, and it gave razor sharp and beautiful results. A good copy, you might say. I never really liked the retractable hood though, and in a fit of extravagance, traded the lens in for the black chrome version in 2015. I really really like the black chrome version, and the hood is effective and sturdy. And I kind of like that it's one of only 500. The action of the aperture ring on the black chrome lens is sublime - weighted just perfectly, much like Leica lenses from the fifties and sixties. But the focus is a little stiffer and more uneven compared to the one I traded in against it. I don't mind this, but it goes to show that sample variation exists in all hand-built lenses. Results-wise, I can't tell any difference between the two lenses. Edited May 4, 2017 by colint544 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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