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Thinking of buying a 50mm Summilux ASPH


nelly

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I have been thinking about buying this lens for a while and would appreciate any opinions from owners and past users of this lens who have used it with the M9 and also a film body M

I have read various reviews but always find owners and user comments the best.

Two concerns I had picked up from the reviews out there were some back focusing issues with some copies and a stiff focusing ring.

I do wish it had a similar removable metal compact hood like the 35mm Summilux FLE. How do you like the built in telescoping hood and how many out there have damaged it and had to send in for repair. Is it covered under warranty?

I had thought about trying to pick one up second hand but as Leica warranties are not transferrable and if other owners found a need to send their lenses in for adjustment/calibration then maybe I should buy new.

Thanks for your input.

Neale

Edited by nelly001
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I haven't had any issues with mine (knock on wood). It works as it should. The built in hood is OK, obviously not the best option. It is a bit stiff, but that's no big deal. In terms of performance, it is super sharp @f/1.4. Some don't like it for portraits because it will reveal all flaws on a persons face. Not a good lens when photographing ladies who want to look good in pictures, unless they have flawless skin.

 

Here is a portrait shot. Skin looks great but this is an 18 year old. :-)

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Edited by wilfredo
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I have been thinking about buying this lens for a while and would appreciate any opinions from owners ...

Great lens. Absolutely great lens. If you're looking for the ultimate 35-mm-format standard lens then this is it ... umm, or possibly the upcoming Apo-Summicron-M 50 mm Asph which is even greater (really—I tried it) but it's slower and will cost 2.5× as much.

 

 

Two concerns I had picked up from the reviews out there were some back focusing issues with some copies ...

This is just an adjustment issue which can happen with any lens.

 

 

I do wish it had a similar removable metal compact hood like the 35mm Summilux FLE. How do you like the built-in telescoping hood ...?

I absolutely detest the built-in hood! It's ridiculously short and hardly useful. Thank goodness there are cheap screw-in hoods in E46 size 'for Leica' from China-based online dealers which work admirably on the Summilux-M 50 Asph. I use one of these and they are just fine.

Edited by 01af
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Neale, my lens is not stiff to focus, but smooth and precise. The lens hood is a compromise with convenience winning. It does collapse in use unless locked as suggested. I have not use it on film, but digital is more demanding from a focus point of view. Focus has been perfect on mine.

 

It is noticeably heavier than my 50 Summicron, but out-performs it at the wider apertures.

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I haven't had any issues with mine (knock on wood). It works as it should. The built in hood is OK, obviously not the best option. It is a bit stiff, but that's no big deal. In terms of performance, it is super sharp @f/1.4. Some don't like it for portraits because it will reveal all flaws on a persons face. Not a good lens when photographing ladies who want to look good in pictures, unless they have flawless skin.

 

Here is a portrait shot. Skin looks great but this is an 18 year old. :-)

 

I have been shooting portraits with my 50mm Nokton 1.1 and I know this lens has received some comments about being soft wide open but has produced some flattering portraits and especially liked by the women I have photographed.

I do like the idea of a sharp 50 wide open for more gritty portraits though

Thanks for your take on it Wilfredo

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A glorious lens. Not stiff to focus. Never had any back focusing issue. I don't really use the hood much, but it is smooth and easy to twist into position.

 

Both a very sharp lens, and a lens whose bokeh is, I believe, distinctive and superb. It is a great partner to the M9!

Edited by johnbuckley
Bokeh was auto spelled as broken :-)
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Well known as the best 50. But that's an opinion of course. I love it's rendering so I am a big fan.

As far as new or used they are not as hard to find new as they were last year. So I would call around the dealers. I used Popflash and I think it was seven months. I love pull out hoods.

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Well known as the best 50. But that's an opinion of course. I love it's rendering so I am a big fan.

As far as new or used they are not as hard to find new as they were last year. So I would call around the dealers. I used Popflash and I think it was seven months. I love pull out hoods.

 

I have a new one on hold for me and must make the decision on monday

Because I already had the 50mm Nokton 1.1 I have been trying to decide if I need both. I know they are very different lenses and obviously the summilux is in a league of its own.

Thanks for your thoughts on it.

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Speaking from my own personal experience with these lenses, I purchased a 50mm Summilux ASPH about 3 years ago and it's on my camera 90% of the time.

 

I also had a Nokton f1.1 but found it too soft wide open and too bulky so I sold it. A few months ago I bought a Noctilux 0.95 and after 6 weeks I sold that as well. I found the wide open rendering IMO too "contrived", the CA when shooting into the light drove me nuts and it's also far too bulky for an M lens.

 

If for whatever reason I had to give up all my lenses and keep only one, it would be the 50 Summilux ASPH.

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The Nokton doesn't come close to what the Summilux ASPH can produce wide open. I purchased a Nokton only to return it, and finally decided on the Lux. The Lux is regarded by many as the finest Leica lens ever made. It's not cheap but I've never regretted the purchase. If you need a fast sharp lens, this is as good as it gets.

 

Good luck with your choice. Bottom line question: Will it meet your needs?

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I wouldn't compare the Nokton with the Summilux - two very different lenses and different renderings.

The Summilux is arguably one of the best 50mm lenses ever made.

The Nokton is an excellent performer at a comparatively moderate price point and can be flattering for portraits.

I have both and both get some usage (but then, so do a bunch of old rangefinder lenses, so perhaps I'm not representative of the never-ending quest for super-sharp glass...)

If funds allow, I'd have both.

If I had to keep only one, it would be the Lux.

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The 50 Summilux ASPH is a stellar performer wide on, which after all is why most users buy it. it has all the sharpness you would ever want, and to the argument that 'sharpness isn't everything': I agree but it's easy to reduce sharpness when required but not the other way around.

 

Yes, the telescopic lens hood is pretty ineffectual but the lens is so flare resistant, especially to veiling glare, that I hardly ever use it anyway.

 

I've experienced no back focus problems with mine on my M2, MP, M8, or M9-P. The focus ring was slightly heavy when it was new but it's not something that bothers me now; either it's run itself in or its trained me.:rolleyes:

 

Pete.

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I'd say the combination of sharp in focus plane and creamy smooth bokeh is unique. This lens is probably the #1 reason why I want to upgrade to a FF Leica. No issues with mine whatsoever. I did buy it new though, if possible try before you buy.

 

I forgot: the focus ring is noticeably stiffer than all other M mount lenses I own or tried. It's not a deal breaker and the tab helps, but combined with shallow dof wide open and it clearly requires the most care and effort to focus. Only an issue for moving subjects though.

Edited by FlorianM
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It's the best lens for the money in the world, including the 50 APO.

 

Buy it and never look back.

 

Focus is silky smooth on my black lens. The hood is flimsy but largely irrelevant since the lens virtually never flares.

 

/S

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it's a great lens. but (and this may be a sin) i sold it because the rendering was too perfect for me, too "karbeian." i'm more of a watz/late mandler guy. but if you like the modern rendering, the lux 50 asph will make you very happy.

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