Modern 50mm to supplement 50mm Summilux pre-asph

[michael.mu]

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I have a 50mm Summilux pre-asph that I’ve been using for several years on my M240.  I’m satisfied with the photos from this lens but there are times when I would like different look in terms of color and/or sharpness.  I would like to get a modern 50mm to supplement the pre-asph Summilux.   The options I’m considering would be the APO-Summicron, Noctilux 0.95, or even a Summilux-asph.

 

Potentially I might use the lens for everything  – travel, street, portrait, etc. 

 

I’ve ready many of the forum discussions on the 50mm lenses, and looked at example photos on this forum, Flickr, and Facebook.  All of these lenses are good and have their strengths and signature look.

 

Maybe other forum members have gone through a similar lens upgrade or worked with these lenses so I would be interested in your experience and thoughts. 

 

I’ll make the final decision later in the year when I go to Germany and go lens shopping.

 

Thanks,

Mike

[spydrxx]

IMHO forget the Noctilux unless you want a really heavy camera. I tried it for a year and found that the Summilux did just fine when I needed the extra light (again IMHO the only reason one would use a Nocti in the first place). If you're stuck on a 50, you might consider something like a 50 Elmar M on one end of the scale, or an old 50/3.5 red scale Elmar with an LTM->M adapter on the other end.

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[Jeff S]

Tastes vary....in lens rendering, and in forum font/size.  

 

Best to try before buying....rent/borrow/demo.

 

Jeff

Edited September 10, 2016 by Jeff S

[dpitt]

Since you have a 50lux, going for some lighter/smaller version makes more sense than going for another sumilux or noctilux.

A nice Summicron 50 would be a fine compromise, it is smaller and lighter, and at the same time sharper from F2.0 on than your 50lux. It renders differently too.

Edited September 11, 2016 by dpitt

[luigi bertolotti]

I am (was) in a similar situation (Summilux of the '60s) and, pocket-wise, took a modern Summicron and didn't regret.

[lct]

[...] The options I’m considering would be the APO-Summicron, Noctilux 0.95, or even a Summilux-asph. Potentially I might use the lens for everything  – travel, street, portrait, etc. [...]

 

So no bulky lens a-la-Noctilux IMHO. Remain 50/1.4 asph, 50/2 apo, 50/2 non apo and 50/2.5. All excellent lenses but to complement your 50/1.4 pre-asph, a compact 50/2 (preferably apo irrespective of price) would be the best compromise, unless you need sharper results at f/1.4 in which case the 50/1.4 asph is the way to go.

[80_20]

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Having access to all three modern 50's (0.95, 1.4 and 2.0 APO), I think the APO would complement your classic 1.4 best.

 

In the other hand, if I was asked to use only one 50mm, the 1.4 ASPH could be the winner ...

[pechelman]

Having access to all three modern 50's (0.95, 1.4 and 2.0 APO), I think the APO would complement your classic 1.4 best.

 

In the other hand, if I was asked to use only one 50mm, the 1.4 ASPH could be the winner ...

 

while i'm not fortunate enough to have access to all 3, this was going to be my advice as well.

[Herr Barnack]

If you are going to keep your Summilux, why not add a Summarit f/2.4 to your kit?  Then you would have speed and light weight at hand.

 

 

[tobey bilek]

The 50 1.4 ASPH is a favorite.  Also the last generation of 50 2.8.  I have both of them.  While the ASPH is nice,  even the black version is heavy.   The 2.8 only has 4 elements which in my opinion leads to better bokeh.  The original 50 2.8 has many more diaphragm blades and the aperture is perfectly round no matter how you set it.

[menos I M6]

Voigtländer 50/2.5 LTM (discontinued, a surprisingly lovely lens and built like a tank - seriously, like a tank)

Leica 50 Summicron v4 (any version)

Leica 50 Summicron APO (if money is no issue and optical perfection is priority)

Leica 50 Summilux ASPH (if you just want a much more modern look but cannot live without f1.4 and don't mind the larger size and weight)

[IWC Doppel]

I think rendering on different sensors may mean my M9 experiences might not be wholly relavent but having four 50's the f1 Noctilux, the 50 Summilux pre asp (late e46 sliding hood), 50 Elmar, 50 summicron v5

 

I slimmed down to two the 50 Noctilux and the 50 Summilux pre ASPH. No real science other than one I can use that's light enough to be used without the heft of the f1 and the f1 I couldn't leave because if it's magic wide open and that extra stop is great at night

 

If you want a different rendering I'd punt for the summicron it's very resolving and very polished. A little too polite sometimes but a superb lens. The Elmar is lower contrast Wilde open but has some bite and character that makes it interesting too. I'd have kept them all but I decided to get to know fewer lenses and really bond with them.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if a summicron appears on my shelf again at some point

[m0n0]

I have the original 50 2.8 and yes it has a lovely round aperture but I wouldn't recommend it as a multi purpose lens over a digital sensor. I for one haven't learned to overcome low contrast and flare issues, the latter being found even stopped down (reflections off the blades or inner elements?). It's a specialty lens to me and definitely a beautifully made collectible. I concur with the suggestion of a Summarit 50 2.5 or 2.4 since you already have the Lux. They are bargains. Optical performance is almost flawless from wide open. And they're small and light, for the days when you want to go light as an alternative to a Lux

 

Sent from my EVA-L29 using Tapatalk

[DirkR440]

Hi Mike,

 

I've both, the 50mm Summilux pre asph and the 50mm Summilux asph (Black Chrome Edition). Most of the time I'm using the pre asph on my film cameras (M2 an MP). I just love the look that these lens has on film, especially black and white. On my digital Leica I actually prefer the asph lens, especially as a lens for everything as you mentioned. The Summilux pre asph is a bit limited on that, for example for pictures at night with a tripod, the pictures are just not as sharp as the one from the asph.

 

Regards

Dirk

[bocaburger]

I have the pre-ASPH Lux and the last optical version (tabbed mount) Summicron and from f/5.6 they're pretty much neck and neck.  I need the Cron because it's light and takes 39mm filters same as my other travel lenses, otherwise I would have sold both and got the ASPH Lux. 

[michael.mu]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I'm definitely interested in the APO Summicron. It sounds like the best lens to complement my Summilux II.   I'll follow up on this thread when I get a lens.

Mike