Summicron-M 50 vr Summilux-M 50... Change?

[thomasw_]

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Granted, OP, that the fiscal aspects of this decision are as you claim, the rest of the decision revolves around your lens rendering preferences.

 

I have owned the 2 lenses you have and I do own currently the lens you are considering. While the canon f1,4/50 LTM lens is a good lens for the money, the pre-asph lux E43/E46 is a much more pleasing renderer of people than the canon; the subject isolation possible and its OOF rendering are very highly regarded by many. Some consider the pre-asph Lux to be one of Mandler's masterpiece designs; but the key here is you must decide for yourself whether you like its rendering qualities. Above someone characterized its OOF rendering as 'swirly' and 'busy'; I do not agree with the terms chosen, as I think they misrepresent its rendering. I would describe the pre-asph's OOF rendering as 'soft' and 'creamy' and 'pastel-like'. I do love it for certain work, but the ASPH's OOF rendering is more defined, smoother and gives a 'cleaner' look wide-open. But as you are only interested in the Pre-ASPH LUX I would recommend checking image samples on flickr's M-mount group to compare/contrast the rendering qualities for yourself.

 

Good cheer, thomas