eox Posted October 13, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 13, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hopefully an easy query for the experts on this forum: i've just bought a Summilux 50 over the internet, advertised as ASPH but upon receiving the item i noticed that the ASPH engraving was missing from the front design. Is spotting the difference between the 2 models as easy as ASPH on the front design = aspherical, nothing = pre-ASPH? I'd like to be sure before contacting the seller and asking for explanation/return in case Leica released/produced an ASPH version without the ASPH writing on the front design. Are there any other signs/noticeable differences i should check in order to establish whether it's an ASPH or a pre-ASPH? Cheers David Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 13, 2009 Posted October 13, 2009 Hi eox, Take a look here Help with identifying a Summilux 50. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jc_braconi Posted October 13, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 13, 2009 The Summilux 1.4/50 issued during the 2004 summer succeedind a lens, which apart some little modification, was issued in 1962. If it is not engraved ASPH it is a pre one. http://www.summilux.net/m_system/SummiluxM50Asph.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eox Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted October 13, 2009 Thank you very much for the prompt reply. ..... sad news for me though. Hopefully the seller will agree to solve this in a civilised manner. Thank you again. Much appreciated Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted October 13, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 13, 2009 I bought last June new Summilux , on the front, it is marked "Summilux-M 1:1,4 / 50 Asph" as on the link of JC BRACONI and i paid 2600 E. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eox Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted October 13, 2009 It all makes sense .. I wouldn't even dream to be so fussy about whether it's a pre-ASPH or an ASPH if it wasn't for the ASPH (premium) price when compared to the older model. They're both outstanding optics and both guarantee a technical (and emotional) level way beyond my amateur photographer skills. I will have the last response on thursday when i go to Richard Caplan's . cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodor Heinrichsohn Posted October 15, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 15, 2009 Hopefully an easy query for the experts on this forum: i've just bought a Summilux 50 over the internet, advertised as ASPH but upon receiving the item i noticed that the ASPH engraving was missing from the front design. Is spotting the difference between the 2 models as easy as ASPH on the front design = aspherical, nothing = pre-ASPH? I'd like to be sure before contacting the seller and asking for explanation/return in case Leica released/produced an ASPH version without the ASPH writing on the front design. Are there any other signs/noticeable differences i should check in order to establish whether it's an ASPH or a pre-ASPH? Cheers David As far as I remember, the first Summilux 50/1/4 was issued in 1959. It was modified in 1962 starting with # 1844....... and remained more or less unchanged until superseded by the 50/1.4 asph. I have the second version of the 50/1/4 and like it in spite of a rather soft imaging at foll aperture. The asph. is superior in nearly all aspects except if you want an old look. The 50/1.4 wit numbers prior to #1844.... are softer etc. than the second version and are, in my personal opinion, not as desirable for picture taking. Collectors may have a different opinion, especially with the chrome versions. I suggest you check the serial number before making a decision. This is quite apart from the fact that if you were offered an asph. version, that is what you should have received. Teddy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted October 23, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 23, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Let us hope he is honest. There were three `Lux. 1959 to 1961, 1962 to 2004 with some later ones having a pull out shade and better coatings. Then the ASPH model which is a ten times better lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirdwheel Posted November 7, 2009 Share #8 Posted November 7, 2009 As far as I remember, the first Summilux 50/1/4 was issued in 1959. It was modified in 1962 starting with # 1844....... and remained more or less unchanged until superseded by the 50/1.4 asph. I have the second version of the 50/1/4 and like it in spite of a rather soft imaging at foll aperture. The asph. is superior in nearly all aspects except if you want an old look. The 50/1.4 wit numbers prior to #1844.... are softer etc. than the second version and are, in my personal opinion, not as desirable for picture taking. Collectors may have a different opinion, especially with the chrome versions. I suggest you check the serial number before making a decision. This is quite apart from the fact that if you were offered an asph. version, that is what you should have received. Teddy Hi, Is the #1844xxx number an accurate way to demarcate what is V1 or V2? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 7, 2009 Share #9 Posted November 7, 2009 Hi, Is the #1844xxx number an accurate way to demarcate what is V1 or V2? Thanks. Absolutely, and the "divide" is right on the round number... 1.844.001 is a V2 Summilux 50; screw mount version are all of the V1, apart (seems) FOUR items made to special order, and the Leica "special screwmount edition" of some years ago (maybe these were aspherical,,, I don't remember) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirdwheel Posted November 8, 2009 Share #10 Posted November 8, 2009 Absolutely, and the "divide" is right on the round number... 1.844.001 is a V2 Summilux 50; screw mount version are all of the V1, apart (seems) FOUR items made to special order, and the Leica "special screwmount edition" of some years ago (maybe these were aspherical,,, I don't remember) Hi, Appreciate the response. I am just a little confused as I have seen supposedly V1 Summilux 50mm (i.e. little shy of the 1.844.001 number) in bayonet mount though.... Could some of these have been "franken lenses" - i.e. some unethical sellers mixed and matched lens parts and passed them off as what they are not? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted November 8, 2009 Share #11 Posted November 8, 2009 No, the v.1 was made in both bayonet and screw, actually bayonet is by far the most common. The old man from That Age Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc_braconi Posted November 8, 2009 Share #12 Posted November 8, 2009 This is a screw mount s/n 1 641 6xx made in 1958 1st version this is a M mount s/n 1 702 0xx made in 1959 also 1st version here are 2 black 2nd version s/n 2 346 8xx made in 1969 and 2 980 8xx made in 1979 with no difference in aspect in between. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirdwheel Posted November 9, 2009 Share #13 Posted November 9, 2009 Thanks for sharing these useful photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thirdwheel Posted November 9, 2009 Share #14 Posted November 9, 2009 No, the v.1 was made in both bayonet and screw, actually bayonet is by far the most common. The old man from That Age Thanks for sharing the useful knowledge. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted January 24, 2010 Share #15 Posted January 24, 2010 Elliot Erwitt used the first version. If it was good enough for him, good enough for me. The ASPH is the finest fifty I ever used. Takes two men and a small boy to carry it though. I settled for a 28 Elmar latest version which is a damn fine lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted January 25, 2010 Share #16 Posted January 25, 2010 And finally there was the 1990-something to 2002 last mount version, which took 46mm filters and had a pull-out hood. I had it in chrome. The old man from the Spherical Age Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted January 27, 2010 Share #17 Posted January 27, 2010 And finally there was the 1990-something to 2002 last mount version, which took 46mm filters and had a pull-out hood. I had it in chrome. The old man from the Spherical Age And I have one, its lovely! Gerry Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haskell Posted March 4, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 4, 2010 Thanks for this very useful thread. Any have or know where I can buy a 50mm lux pre asph version II? I am not sure what the average price is either so that would also help. feel free to contact me or pm me if you have one for sell, still learning my way around this forum. Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted March 4, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 4, 2010 (edited) Thanks for this very useful thread. Any have or know where I can buy a 50mm lux pre asph version II? I am not sure what the average price is either so that would also help. feel free to contact me or pm me if you have one for sell, still learning my way around this forum. Cheers. Not far from N.Y.C. this dealer does have some Summilux 50 for sale : Leica M Mount Lenses Used - Leica - They are not so easy to find, it seems... and a used Summilux Asph almost impossible. Edited March 4, 2010 by luigi bertolotti Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Macmillan Posted March 10, 2010 Share #20 Posted March 10, 2010 ...this is a M mount s/n 1 702 0xx made in 1959 also 1st version. This lens looks just like my recent acquisition: #1 897 XXX. Date lookup puts this at 1961. Mine has a tiny '13' engraved next to the feet/M marking. I gather this means the lens is actually 51.3 mm. Closest engraved distance is 1m / 3'4"; the actual barrel turns a few degrees beyond this. I've had my Summilux for just four days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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