APO 50mm IQ outweigh not having f1.4?

[jdsvt]

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Do APO 50mm users find the lens Image Quality makes up for losing 1 stop compared to the Lux?

I have the summicron 50mm ASPH and the Summilux 50mm ASPH. I purchased the f2.0 first and then a couple of years later the Lux 50mm f/1.4. The cron hasn't been on my M9 since. I shoot a high percentage shots at 1.4, maybe 30%. I am on the waiting list for the APO 50mm cron F2.0.

I really enjoy having f/1.4 and the focusing tab on the Lux

I really enjoy the smaller e39 lens and the size of the cron.

The APO comes with the focusing tab, so that is definitely a plus for me, plues e39 instead of e46 another plus.

I read the thread on APO 50mm flare, and it seems to me that it is a non-issue at this point.

For those that made the transition to the APO 50mm f/2.0, does the IQ make up for the loss of a stop, i.e. the f/1.4 that the Lux has?

When my name comes up on the list for the APO, I would probably fund it by trading in the 50mm cron and Lux, hence my question.

For now the lenses are used exclusively on a M9

Thanks in advance for any responses.

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[FrozenInTime]

I briefly thought about the APO, but as I have not yet found the Summilux lacking on the M9 or MM ( perhaps I have not looked hard enough ) I see no reason to get the Summicron.

 

If you are shooting handheld at f/1.4 due to low light, moving to the Summicron will degrade your IQ due to increased shake.

 

ps. the non APO summicron has only spherical elements.

[Jeff S]

Why don't you rent it and see (by making prints)?

 

Only your experience and preferences matter.

 

Jeff

[jdsvt]

Yes, I do shoot a lot of f/1.4. To tell you the truth I am kind of smitten with the APO 50mm, maybe its the hype I have been reading, but I really like the size and it does have the tab. To tell you the truth the price also makes it Unobtanium, which makes it even more desirable. I really can't convince myself I can give up 1 stop, f/1.4 to f/2.0. I have the 50mm cron ASPH and haven't used it since I purchased the Lux 50mm f/1.4. However, in all fairness, I was getting a lot more flair with the f/2.0 cron ASPH, but that isn't the primary reason, the primary reason is the additional stop of the Lux, f/1.4. Subjectively, I also like the images I create the Lux rather than the Cron, however, that might just be some kind of bias to the Lux.

[jdsvt]

Jeff S, thanks, I can't believe you can actually rent that lens, thanks for the link. Unfortunately I doubt I will rent it, I am more of a buy and learn guy. Although I know your suggestion makes perfect sense. I just know that when I went from the Cron to the Lux it actually took me 6 months of photography and analysis to really appreciate the Lux. Otherwise I could have talked myself into not making the leap to the Lux. At least for me, the subtle differences takes time to discover after many shots and lots of time in front of lightroom.

[FrozenInTime]

Sounds like your non APO summicron is just gathering dust - you can afford to pitch it for a high-ish price and see if there are any takers.

 

Perhaps the Noctilux ASPH and Summicron APO will make your ideal pair.

[Jeff S]

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Well then you have your answer, further reinforced by the fact that no stranger's opinion here can substitute for your 6 months of effort, and your own eyes.

 

It's only a question of how much you want it, given the only certainty, which is that you will no longer have a 50 with 1.4 capability (unless you sell something else or spend more).

 

But you knew that.

 

Jeff

[jdsvt]

FrozeninTime,

Yes good points. Cron is gathering dust, you are correct about the f/1.4, I actually really like shooting that aperture. Hence my trepidation. If it wasn't for that $7K price tag, and all the hype, I wouldn't be considering it, but now ...?

I was wondering if anyone with a Lux actually gave up a Lux for the APO. Just to see after some time what they thought? Did the IQ make up for the loss of stop?

[alainD]

Do APO 50mm users find the lens Image Quality makes up for losing 1 stop compared to the Lux?

I have the summicron 50mm ASPH and the Summilux 50mm ASPH. I purchased the f2.0 first and then a couple of years later the Lux 50mm f/1.4. The cron hasn't been on my M9 since. I shoot a high percentage shots at 1.4, maybe 30%. I am on the waiting list for the APO 50mm cron F2.0.

I really enjoy having f/1.4 and the focusing tab on the Lux

I really enjoy the smaller e39 lens and the size of the cron.

The APO comes with the focusing tab, so that is definitely a plus for me, plues e39 instead of e46 another plus.

I read the thread on APO 50mm flare, and it seems to me that it is a non-issue at this point.

For those that made the transition to the APO 50mm f/2.0, does the IQ make up for the loss of a stop, i.e. the f/1.4 that the Lux has?

When my name comes up on the list for the APO, I would probably fund it by trading in the 50mm cron and Lux, hence my question.

For now the lenses are used exclusively on a M9

Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

 

Note: I've owned at one point or another the classic 50 Summicron, the 50 Sumilux asph, the 50 Noctilux 0.95 and now the 50 APO Summicron.

 

If you need f/1.4, you need the Summilux, period.

Now, the question is, do you need it or not.

 

I'd suggest you look at the good pictures you took at f/1.4 and ask yourself what would those pictures have looked like if they had been taken at f/2 instead. I'm not so much talking about the amount of light, but of the depth of field rendering. What would have happen to those images if a tad more depth of field was applied?

 

If you realized that you would not have missed much, then the APO 50 Summicron can be an answer... I was never very happy with the classic Summicron wide open, not so with the APO. What is supposed to be in focus is super sharp and the rest is really nicely blurred. That very nice blur is what I like the best about this lens.

 

Now, keep in mind that not only the lens is made of unobtanium because of its price but also because it is very hard to find... My dealer only got a couple in a year.

 

There is another side effect of the APO 50 Summicron... you get spoiled very quickly. after you try it, your other lenses might look soft in comparison. For example, I used to be very found of my 28mm Summicron, now I find it not quite there...

 

Hope that helps...

 

Alain.

[alainD]

I was wondering if anyone with a Lux actually gave up a Lux for the APO. Just to see after some time what they thought? Did the IQ make up for the loss of stop?

 

To tell the truth, I might end-up re-buying a Noctilux to supplement the APO. Now, that would be a nice pair!

 

Alain.

[Sawboneslf]

It really depends on what camera you are shooting with the lens. I don't miss the summilux with the M and the MM due to their higher ISO capabilities. If shooting with the M8, M9 or film, you will miss the summilux IMHO

[jdsvt]

oh shoot Alan, there we go, now you have me going. Was you experience with the M9? Of course I have read the banter about sensor resolution versus lens resolution. The physics arguments were very interesting. Yes, I started to notice that 3D kind of popping out quality on the APO 50mm cron. I can also get that with the f/1.4 Lux, but I am totally intrigued by your observations about the increased quality of the Bokeh with the APO Cron versus the non APO 50mm Cron ASPH. Might I ask, do you miss your Lux? Or if you still have your Lux, do you ever shoot with your Lux anymore? Or is the APO your goto now, and the rest of your lenses you are pixel peaking evaluating if they measure up.

Thanks for you input, it is appreciated.

[CaptZoom]

jdvst,

Put away your 'lux. Put it back in its packaging, and put it in safe but difficult place to reach. Start reusing your 'cron, paying extra attention to depth of field. Do this for a significant amount of time, preferably weeks if not months. Regrettably, it'll most likely be months before your number's up for the new 'cron. This exercise should prove to you if you can really give up the f/1.4 for f/2. If you can, than you'll already have learned to deal with f/2, making the transition to the new 'corn that much easier. If you learn f/2 is simply not enough for you, than you know not to purchase the new 'cron. You can go back to your 'lux or start pining for the Noctilux:)

 

 

 

Do APO 50mm users find the lens Image Quality makes up for losing 1 stop compared to the Lux?

I have the summicron 50mm ASPH and the Summilux 50mm ASPH. I purchased the f2.0 first and then a couple of years later the Lux 50mm f/1.4. The cron hasn't been on my M9 since. I shoot a high percentage shots at 1.4, maybe 30%. I am on the waiting list for the APO 50mm cron F2.0.

I really enjoy having f/1.4 and the focusing tab on the Lux

I really enjoy the smaller e39 lens and the size of the cron.

The APO comes with the focusing tab, so that is definitely a plus for me, plues e39 instead of e46 another plus.

I read the thread on APO 50mm flare, and it seems to me that it is a non-issue at this point.

For those that made the transition to the APO 50mm f/2.0, does the IQ make up for the loss of a stop, i.e. the f/1.4 that the Lux has?

When my name comes up on the list for the APO, I would probably fund it by trading in the 50mm cron and Lux, hence my question.

For now the lenses are used exclusively on a M9

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[jdsvt]

Alain and Sawbone,

To tell you the truth, with the Lux at f/1.4, I get many quick portrait shots close, at f/1.4 in low light, however, most of my subjects have a slight head cock, one eye forward and the other back. I noticed alot with women, it seems like something that comes kind of natural spur of the moment. In those cases, I've always wished I had more DOF, to reach both eyes focus. Now, obviously I would have to give up a stop, and with the M9, that is a non-trivial sacrifice, but I would get that extra DOF. Of course I could get that with the Lux shooting at f/2 as well. But if Bokeh on the f/2 on the APO Cron, blows away the non-APO Cron, and the Lux then I can see how your observations are very intriguing.

I can understand how that much IQ in focus can just pop, because of the transition to bokeh, just giving you more of a 3d look.

[Jeff S]

Why would you care what someone else thinks?

 

There will be an opinion here, given enough time and input, to support any conclusion you want.

 

And in the end, none of them will shoot your kind of pics, make your kind of prints, or have your same style and preferences.

 

If you don't want to rent then buy the lens. If you don't like it, start over, with probably very little money lost, and a lot learned.

 

This is really not complicated. Unless you like surveys more than taking pics.

 

Jeff

[jdsvt]

Captzoom,

Good point, ugh, I have to focus without the tab again, ugh. Counterpoint I love the e39 size.

[CaptZoom]

Captzoom,

Good point, ugh, I have to focus without the tab again, ugh. Counterpoint I love the e39 size.

 

You know, I get annoyed with the focus tabs!

 

In any case, good luck with the decision. It's not an easy one to make.

[jdsvt]

Jeff S.

Of course you are correct. Nowadays I don't print much, I purchase prints off SMUGMUG, that is where I share my images. I really like the job they do. I've actually been entertaining getting a nice Epson printer again, since I have my printer graveyard in my garage.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jdsvt]

Note: I've owned at one point or another the classic 50 Summicron, the 50 Sumilux asph, the 50 Noctilux 0.95 and now the 50 APO Summicron.

 

If you need f/1.4, you need the Summilux, period.

Now, the question is, do you need it or not.

 

I'd suggest you look at the good pictures you took at f/1.4 and ask yourself what would those pictures have looked like if they had been taken at f/2 instead. I'm not so much talking about the amount of light, but of the depth of field rendering. What would have happen to those images if a tad more depth of field was applied?

 

If you realized that you would not have missed much, then the APO 50 Summicron can be an answer... I was never very happy with the classic Summicron wide open, not so with the APO. What is supposed to be in focus is super sharp and the rest is really nicely blurred. That very nice blur is what I like the best about this lens.

 

Now, keep in mind that not only the lens is made of unobtanium because of its price but also because it is very hard to find... My dealer only got a couple in a year.

 

There is another side effect of the APO 50 Summicron... you get spoiled very quickly. after you try it, your other lenses might look soft in comparison. For example, I used to be very found of my 28mm Summicron, now I find it not quite there...

 

Hope that helps...

 

Alain.

 

Alain,

This is the quote that has me going:

"I was never very happy with the classic Summicron wide open, not so with the APO. What is supposed to be in focus is super sharp and the rest is really nicely blurred. That very nice blur is what I like the best about this lens."

 

I can envision exactly what you are talking about.

[Jeff S]

A chain and its weakest link....

 

I wouldn't waste my time then. Like buying a Ferrari and hiring a chauffeur.

 

Jeff