Shade Posted July 4, 2013 Share #1 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I currently have a chrome summilux asph 50. And I find that despite its a great lens, I find it a bit large and heavier than what I'd like. Â Im planning to step down to its brother but have found numerous issues regarding the centre flaring, how often does it occur? Â And does it make sense if I sell my chrome one and buy a NEW black summilyx asph instead? I was told its alot lighter, but was also told the chrome ones are better made? Â Decisions... Â Thanks.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 4, 2013 Posted July 4, 2013 Hi Shade, Take a look here Summicron 50/2 6-bit flare problems... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted July 4, 2013 Share #2 Â Posted July 4, 2013 If you look on the Leica website you will see that both versions weigh the same. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted July 4, 2013 Share #3 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Chrome Summilux is heavier than the black version. The Leica website info must be a 'misprint'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 4, 2013 Share #4 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Good 'ol Leica & their Dept. of Misinformation! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted July 4, 2013 Share #5 Â Posted July 4, 2013 The new current version of the 50mm 2.0 Summicron has no problems with flare as far as I have seen, my guess is that the coatings are better than the privies versions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share #6 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Would I better off with a mint rigid or the latest (non-apo) cron? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 4, 2013 Share #7 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Chrome Summilux is heavier than the black version. The Leica website info must be a 'misprint'. Â Indeed. I've read about actual measure of 460g (versus 335g for black). Â I have the black version and love the lens except for its tight, sticky focus turn, which makes fine tuning the focus with the tab problematic. Leica NJ couldn't fix this and said it was just the way some samples are, but I recently sent the lens to Don Goldberg (DAG) who said it was due to the poor grease that Leica now uses. He's replacing the grease with his supply of new 'old stock' grease used by Leitz in the 60's. I should get it back in the next week or so. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share #8 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Jeff, one of the reluctant reasons to change mine to a black one is because my chrome one focuses smoothly and have no stickyness at all.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest borge Posted July 4, 2013 Share #9 Â Posted July 4, 2013 The main reason I purchased the Summilux ASPH over the Summicron was the problems with flare. The Summicron (latest non-APO version in very good/near mint condition) flared like crazy in many situations that I have never encountered flare before, even with much cheaper Canon, Fujifilm, Tamron and Sigma (!) lenses. Â The Summilux is almost immune to flare. The black Summilux ASPH weighs about 80-90 grams more than the latest non-APO Summicron, and only 35 grams more than the APO-Summicron (which according to some owners experience also flares easily compared to the Summilux/Noctilux designs). Â My black Summilux does not have a sticky focus. It did in the beginning (I purchased it new), and I sent it to Leica in Solms and it came back buttery smooth. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 4, 2013 Share #10 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Jeff, one of the reluctant reasons to change mine to a black one is because my chrome one focuses smoothly and have no stickyness at all.. Â Yep, I think you take your chances, whether chrome or black, on this issue. But we'll see if DAG is correct; if so, I'll have a perfectly fine lens...in fact better than new... for an extra hundred bucks. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted July 4, 2013 Share #11 Â Posted July 4, 2013 My black version has smooth focusing, perfect. 50mm 2 summicron latest ver. Also it has a nice long focus throw, so easy to focus. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 4, 2013 Share #12 Â Posted July 4, 2013 My black version has smooth focusing, perfect.50mm 2 summicron latest ver. Also it has a nice long focus throw, so easy to focus. Â Just to be clear, my comments relate to the 50 Summilux asph. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted July 4, 2013 Share #13 Â Posted July 4, 2013 Thanks for the clarification. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted July 4, 2013 Author Share #14 Â Posted July 4, 2013 I havent used the 50 cron latest one before, but I have seen some samples where the centre part gets flared and desaturated somehow or something. Its actually an unusual type of flare, whereas the rigid flares better and can be used artistically at times. Â Maybe I should stick to my chrome summilux instead of taking my chances on other lenses hm? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 5, 2013 Share #15 Â Posted July 5, 2013 Or, if you want a smaller, lighter 50 without flare issues, consider the 50 Summarit. Only a half stop slower than the Summicron. Easy to rent for comparison in US; don't know about your location, but maybe a dealer could lend you one. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share #16 Â Posted July 5, 2013 I have tried the summarit but I wouldnt like to go any lower than f2 for dof purposes.. I tend to shoot wide open half of the time.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted July 5, 2013 Share #17 Â Posted July 5, 2013 Does it have to be a Leica lens? If not, perhaps you could consider the Zeiss 50/2 Planar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share #18 Â Posted July 5, 2013 Does it have to be a Leica lens? If not, perhaps you could consider the Zeiss 50/2 Planar. Â No but sourcing a planar here is like looking for a needle in a haystack. And I prefer to buy locally so I can make sure my RF patch and lens is in sync.. My dealers have the sonnars but never the planars and he wont order just one unit for me.. Â And yes I have used a sonnar before but I wont be bothered with the focus shift issues. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted July 5, 2013 Share #19  Posted July 5, 2013 I bought a new Summicron last year, and while it is much better on flare compared to my earlier Summicron, it can still flare when the sun is shining into the lens just outside the frame. However, nearly all lenses will do this. I intentionally tried to get a bad example yesterday, and this is the worst I could get. Just a slight change in framing and the flare disappeared. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/208181-summicron-502-6-bit-flare-problems/?do=findComment&comment=2366752'>More sharing options...
Shade Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share #20 Â Posted July 5, 2013 Tomb, the problem is (and yes Im being finicky), I shoot weddings and other live documentation events as well, if something unwanted happens I wouldnt be able to fix it. Also since Im better at using the RF mechanism rather than liveview, I will not be able to see if my lens flared or not until the image is recorded.. Â However I dont think the flare is too terrible, whatever came from your pic could still be used I reckon. I will give it a better thought or I will just buy a black summilux instead. I just compared its weight and its alot lighter for my 18 hours wedding photoshoot.. Â Thanks for the samples and inputs my friends, so I guess I need to find someone who can lend me the latest non apo cron and see for myself if it lives up to my expectations.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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