50mm lens for the M8

[zernikepolynom]

Dear all,

this has been discussed in similar threads but I couldn't find anything comparing directly the four 50mm Leitz options for the M8. I started a small summary but would be interested in your views (please contradict me ).

Summarit - new, modestly fast, relatively inexpensive

Summicron - mature , fast enough for 98% of 'typical' images, seemingly still one of the benchmark for 50mm lenses

Summilux - mature, fast enough for 99,9% of 'typical' images, Erwin Puts doesn't like the image quality compared to the Summicron.

Noctilux - breaking all scales in size, weight and price.

[Shootist]

I think you may have something askew. There are at least 2 versions of the Summilux 50mm M-Mount lens. The ASPH version, current, and the Pre-ASPH version.
The Non-ASPH version is said to be soft wide open and doesn't compare with the 50 Summicron even stopped down.
The newer, current, 50 Summilux is the lens that ALL OTHER lenses are referenced against. It is sharp wide open and only gets better as it is stopped down.
I have the current version of the 50 Summicron and Summilux and although the Cron is a great lens the Lux tops it, and give you one extra stop.
If I had it to do over again and knew what I know now about the different 50mm lenses (and money was not a problem) I would buy only the Summilux.

You also leave off the newest 50mm Summarit f/2.5 which is being tested by several member of this forum and if it is anything like the other focal lengths in this newest line of lenses it might even cause the demise of the 50 Cron. It has already caused the end of the 50 Elmar.

[tom0511]

Here is my opinion:
1) Summilux 50asph: very sharp, contrasty, still creamy bookeh, very expensive, color a little warmer (slightly more red)
2) Summicron: can be had for a good price used, bokeh not as creamy as the lux asph, very good price-value
3) lux pre asph (only used it long time ago): maybe not as sharp over the whole frame wide open (IMO still not a soft lens), very nice bokeh, might be the lens I would get today if I had to do it again
4) Summarit: Obviuously havent used it- but I probably would rather get a 50cron used for the same money because of f2.0 vs f2.5
5)Noctilux: focus shift-so if you have it right for f1.0 it will backfocus at f2.8/f4.0; Nice contrast, sometimes very interesting, nice bokeh, sometimes somewhat harsh bokeh;I have one becausse I got it for a good price but wouldnt get it for the normal price
6)Zeiss Sonnar: focus shift but not as bad as the Noctilux, a little softer and a little colder than the Leica lenses wide open- very intersting lens-I lke it.
Cheers, Tom

[andym911]

Stefan

don't leave out the superb Elmar 2.8/50 in your selection.
Light, super sharp, great handling and can be had for relatively small money.

regards
Andy
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...poor-mans.html

[Artichoke]

after reading a great deal about the different options, including the Zeiss, Konica and CV offerings, I went with the ASPH 50 Summilux
from what I understand Shootist is correct
it is a benchmark lens
I have a chrome version and I love it
the focus ring is a bit tight at the extremes & the lens hood seems a bit inadequate with an ir/cut filter on board but these are small problems that are simple to remedy

[Shootist]

Originally Posted by Artichoke

I went with the ASPH 50 Summilux
from what I understand Shootist is correct
it is a benchmark lens
I have a chrome version and I love it
the focus ring is a bit tight at the extremes & the lens hood seems a bit inadequate with an ir/cut filter on board but these are small problems that are simple to remedy

Funny I also have a chrome version and it too has a fairly stiff focusing ring.
But I wouldn't give it up for the world, well may for the whole world.

[j. borger]

I have the lux asph and an early rigid summicron from 1957 ..... i use the sumicron about 90% of the times i use a 50mm ..... so this is very personal!
All the 50's you mention draw different and all are very good .... there are no bad 50's past or present!

[Ecaton]

I started with a Summicron from the 70s, had a M-Hexanon, have a ZM Sonar and since about a month a Summilux 50 asph. To my eye, the lux asph is in a class of its own. Starting all over again as a non-pro, I would buy fewer lenses, but not compromising on any focal length I use most. And for me the 50 lux asph is one of the lenses to have.

[Eoin]

Ahh the 50's shoot out, LOL for me it's the most unlucky focal length I've had the pleasure to use on MY M8. I started with the 50 Summicron, lovely, compact, light weight lens, seems good at all apertures, perhaps a little softer wide open. Slightly warmer in it's tones when I was shooting all lenses without the UV/IR filters. Hard to fault given the 2nd hand price.

Then I tried the Noctilux, heavy, large, long focus throw, that was all acceptable given the nature of the beast. Much softer than the Summicron 'till about f:/5.6 where they seem to merge into the same fingerprint. I was bitterly disappointed to discover the intervening apertures from f:/2.8 to f:/4.0 were giving focus shift and given I like to use this focal length for informal portraits with defined ears were not what I was looking for. Still it had a unique fingerprint one I'd describe as a light tunnel, very soft washes of colour before and after the focus point which in it's self was neither sharp nor soft. Perhaps in hind sight and given the digital abilities of the M8, it was a bit of an over kill. Despite 2 trips to Solms and the improvements gained in focus accuracy at all apertures except where the drift occurs I decided to let it go.

I got a new chrome Summilux Asph remembering how I liked the feel chrome 35 Summilux Asph and how accurate it seemed displaying none of the focus drift other 35 users were complaining about. It arrived, the tactile feel was exactly as I had remembered, cold, heavy but very solid. Put it on the camera and shot away for a few minutes. Everything was soft at every aperture and every distance. Once I identified the problem of total back focus I began to compensate and I have to say it's a stunning lens, such clarity and colour neither the Summicron or Noctilux can match. I'd even say the wide open performance in bokeh and definition far exceeds the Noctilux and the summicron needs at least f:/5.6 to catch up. I know sharpness is not everything but there is a clarity across the frame the other two lenses could not even come close to. I've just sent it to Solms to get it adjusted and hope they can do the job without my M8 before the Christmas period otherwise I'll have to send the M8 in some time in January. I'm eagerly awaiting it's return with bated breath.

If one were to make a rational decision, a Summicron given it's 2nd hand price is hard to beat, but given the Summilux Asph's position between the Noctilux and the Summicron it should be the lens of choice for those who are considering owning both. YMMV

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by andym911

Stefan

don't leave out the superb Elmar 2.8/50 in your selection.
Light, super sharp, great handling and can be had for relatively small money.

regards
Andy
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-...poor-mans.html

Yes - the only lens to still have the old Leica fingerprint, with current quality added!

[adan]

So, Jaap - are those mountains outside Amsterdam or Rotterdam?

8^)

The 50mm ASPH f/1.4 is, in fact amazing at most apertures and distances. At long distances and f/1.4 it delivers resolution and detail that would require stopping down to f/5.6 (or more) not just with the Summicron, but with any other 50 made.

HOWEVER, in the range under 1 meter, and especially, close to 0.7 meters, I found the Summicron still comes out on top @ full aperture. Despite the fact that the ASPH has floating elements to improve close-up performance. LFI came to the same conclusion in their review of the 50mm lenses in 2006.

For me, that's crucial - I use a 50 on the M8 the way I used a 75 on film - up-close and personal most of the time. So the 'cron suits my shooting style better. But I could wish for some of that 'lux ASPH bokeh!

[jaapv]

Just a few km's south of Roterdam (1200 to be exact.... )

[zernikepolynom]

Thanks a lot for your insights.