LocalHero1953 Posted February 20, 2014 Share #761 Posted February 20, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've been encouraged enough by the reported performance of corrected lenses to place my order. Maybe only two years to wait Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 Hi LocalHero1953, Take a look here APO Summicron 50/2 ASPH: Central veiling flare / fogging. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
John McMaster Posted February 23, 2014 Share #762 Posted February 23, 2014 I am still waiting nearly two years after ordering... john Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 23, 2014 Share #763 Posted February 23, 2014 That's why I ordered 2. One to use and one to send in for "correction". Such a shame to have to do that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
platypus Posted February 23, 2014 Share #764 Posted February 23, 2014 I am still waiting nearly two years after ordering... john I noticed yesterday that both Tamarkin in the US and the Camera Exchange in Melbourne list a copy of this lens for sale. So......no need to wait any longer! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted February 24, 2014 Share #765 Posted February 24, 2014 Does anyone know at what serial number the new batch starts? I imagine that many on here want to avoid the first run. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewilde Posted February 24, 2014 Share #766 Posted February 24, 2014 B-A-C - Don't worry about serial numbers, since even the "new batch" will still have problem lenses, so my advice is buy if you want the lens, but be warned that you might have to send it in a few times to get it right.. My lens still isn't "right" but I'll hold off a lot longer before sending it in again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 24, 2014 Share #767 Posted February 24, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Does anyone know at what serial number the new batch starts? I imagine that many on here want to avoid the first run. What makes you think a new batch has been started? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted February 25, 2014 Share #768 Posted February 25, 2014 @ dewilde - appreciate the advice. @ algrove - I heard that the lens was going back into production at the new facility. I can't confirm that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
platypus Posted February 25, 2014 Share #769 Posted February 25, 2014 APO 50 at the Camera Exchange is listed as sold today, so someone is obviously not buying into the general paranoia surrounding this lens, or perhaps they just don't subscribe to this forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 25, 2014 Share #770 Posted February 25, 2014 APO 50 at the Camera Exchange is listed as sold today, so someone is obviously not buying into the general paranoia surrounding this lens, or perhaps they just don't subscribe to this forum. Paranoia? You think customers have nothing to worry about when the factory is reworking lenses but has not issued a recall? I have no idea who bought the lens you mention, but wouldn't be the first time someone with more money than sense bought Leica on brand name alone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
helged Posted February 25, 2014 Share #771 Posted February 25, 2014 That's why I ordered 2. One to use and one to send in for "correction". Such a shame to have to do that. Would be very interesting to learn your findings based on two 50 APO-lenses! Any idea when you have the two lenses in-house/you will get the second lens back from Solms? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dewilde Posted February 25, 2014 Share #772 Posted February 25, 2014 Would be very interesting to learn your findings based on two 50 APO-lenses! Any idea when you have the two lenses in-house/you will get the second lens back from Solms? algrove - I'd be very shocked if both your lenses were identical in performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 26, 2014 Share #773 Posted February 26, 2014 I would be shocked too based on recent experience. One lens I have was one of the first bought in the US. It has already been sent back two times-once by NJ and once by me. Sent in the first time last June, 2013. Sent back the last time Dec, 2013. The second one I "borrowed" from my wife and it performs just fine with me. I must say I never try to induce flare so maybe it is one that should be "adjusted", but for the time being, it is a very satisfying lens to use. From time to time I find myself carrying only E39 lenses, so the APO50 sure fits into my kit just fine, i.e., 28/35/50/90 and sometimes an old 135/4. Maybe I am one of the "more money than sense" guys Stephen talks about, but I very much like the lens on any M digital body I use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 26, 2014 Share #774 Posted February 26, 2014 Maybe I am one of the "more money than sense" guys Stephen talks about, but I very much like the lens on any M digital body I use. Not even close Lou. When you come to China I will take you to the Leica stores and you can see for yourself. It's not quite as bad now, as Xi Jinping is making a big anti-corruption push, but to see someone who an hour before didn't know anything about Leica who then walks out with over $100K worth of kit is something to behold. (Shakes head...walks away). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woorob Posted February 26, 2014 Share #775 Posted February 26, 2014 Lou (and other 50 APO owners), Based on your experience with two of these lenses, would you recommend buying one? I've flirted with getting one but have been scared off by the user experiences reported here on the LUF. It's a lot money and for that amount one should expect -- and receive -- perfection (or close to it). I've got a 50/2.8 collapsible and a 50/0.95 Noctilux, so I'm not sure I even need (or can afford) this lens, but it seems that when it shines, it really shines. So anyway, I'd be interested in your subjective thoughts on the matter. Thanks in advance! Bob Woods PS. I should move to Florida (or back to California), it's still below zero (F) here and getting tiresome. Too cold today even to ski. Just sat in front of the computer working all day. Sorry to whine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted February 26, 2014 Share #776 Posted February 26, 2014 From time to time I find myself carrying only E39 lenses, so the APO50 sure fits into my kit just fine, i.e., 28/35/50/90 and sometimes an old 135/4. Briefly off topic to feed my curiosity, but which E39 90 do you carry? I'm assuming the others are 2.8/28 (asph?); 2/35 (asph?); 50AA. (I'm trying to choose an E39 90mm) Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 26, 2014 Share #777 Posted February 26, 2014 Briefly off topic to feed my curiosity, but which E39 90 do you carry?I'm assuming the others are 2.8/28 (asph?); 2/35 (asph?); 50AA. (I'm trying to choose an E39 90mm) Michael Macro 90/4.0. Sharp and light-my cup of tea. Seldom take the adapter, but when I want close images it sure comes in handy and I often use the 45 degree viewer on other lenses for landscapes & flowers while using the RF for focusing. Comes with its own little leather case the size of an OVF case. Seems this one is the often forgotten 90. When collapsed and hood on backwards it is the same height as the 50 lux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted February 26, 2014 Share #778 Posted February 26, 2014 Lou (and other 50 APO owners), Based on your experience with two of these lenses, would you recommend buying one? I've flirted with getting one but have been scared off by the user experiences reported here on the LUF. It's a lot money and for that amount one should expect -- and receive -- perfection (or close to it). I've got a 50/2.8 collapsible and a 50/0.95 Noctilux, so I'm not sure I even need (or can afford) this lens, but it seems that when it shines, it really shines. So anyway, I'd be interested in your subjective thoughts on the matter. Thanks in advance! Bob Woods PS. I should move to Florida (or back to California), it's still below zero (F) here and getting tiresome. Too cold today even to ski. Just sat in front of the computer working all day. Sorry to whine. You know Bob, frankly the lens has never bothered me.The first one had issues I had caused and it just has never been repaired properly since then. Maybe the second one will bother me one day and then if that happens I believe Leica will make it right for me. Sometime soon this year I imagine they will start up production again. The move to Wetzlar will impact all production for a while no matter how well it was planned. Heck, place an order and maybe in a year you will get the call yours has arrived. By then, you will have gotten good input as to how others characterize their experiences. If you are still in doubt when the call comes, I am sure the dealer will have 5 or more behind you hoping you decline. Just order one where a deposit is not mandatory. Last Summer CS told me (for sure) they would be moving into the new facility in December. They just moved in and their move is less of a challenge than other departments I would think. Since they have been 5km from the factory it will be nice for them to be close at hand for all concerned. I have not used my Noctilux since mounting up this baby. I know it's a shame, but that's just me right know where I'm liking light and small (it is not that light, but it is small). Overgaard asked me if I really liked the lens and I told him I liked it so much I got a backup for it. He just laughed, but looked at my images and seemed to like what he saw as far as IQ was concerned since we all were shooting the same scenes that day. Bob, don't remember if you have an MM, but on that body it is magic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
platypus Posted February 26, 2014 Share #779 Posted February 26, 2014 Paranoia? You think customers have nothing to worry about when the factory is reworking lenses but has not issued a recall? I have no idea who bought the lens you mention, but wouldn't be the first time someone with more money than sense bought Leica on brand name alone. Stephen, what I was attempting to say is this; I get the impression that the first run copies of this lens may be being made to suffer from the old "give a dog a bad name" syndrome. The fact that the factory has not issued a general recall thus far may be because (they are aware that) only a very small number of the APO 50 lenses out there are in fact affected. The rather bad press surrounding this lens may have some people jumping at shadows...or rather at flares....it could be that flare anomalies ascribed to the lens are often the result of their owner's photographic techniques rather than any fault in the lens. Do you really know? All I can be certain of is that I have a copy of this wonderful lens, it is the most rewarding and inspiring lens I have ever used in 34 years of Leica lens ownership. Also I would trust Leica to do the right thing by me if this lens, or any other piece of Leica gear I own, proved to have problems....as they always have. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted February 26, 2014 Share #780 Posted February 26, 2014 ...it could be that flare anomalies ascribed to the lens are often the result of their owner's photographic techniques rather than any fault in the lens. Do you really know? Do I really know? Yes, I know that veiled flare is a problem that has been greatly reduced or eliminated in many modern lens designs. Blaming the photographer and poor technique for CVF is simply uncalled for, as it doesn't take an optical engineer to examine the sample images and see that this problem occurs during many different lighting situations and oblique angles...not just when shooting straight into bright sunsets. I think it's fair to say that Leica has acknowledged the Ver. 1 lenses have a CVF problem by the fact they have changed components and/or processes in production and are reworking lenses sent to them. I have already voiced my opinion that a recall was warranted, and there is no reason to tread over that ground once again. I appreciate that you enjoy your lens, and perhaps your personal style is such that this issue will never be a problem for you. I certainly hope that is the case, and that the lens brings you years of enjoyment. What we do not know is if the original design was intentional, in that Leica designed this lens knowing it would have a greater tendency to exhibit veiled flare, perhaps by reducing the number or amount of coatings on certain elements to enhance resolution, which was a key design goal of this lens according to Peter Karbe. I appreciate your 34 years of loyalty to the Leica brand, only a couple more than myself, however I do not think that it is beyond Leica to make a calculated design decision, or perhaps trade off is a better term, when creating a new lens. Such a decision was made concerning the sensor cover glass in the M8. Was a similar decision made when designing the 50 APO? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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