50 Lux is an absolute joy

[jay968]

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I've shot with Leicas since 1972. Up until recently my favorite lens in the system (or any system for that matter) has been the 35 summicron (I own the current version right now). However I just had to come on here and give praise to the latest 50 lux which I have recently purchased. It is without a doubt the best lens I have ever shot with and I have been amazed at just how well it performs. Not only is the sharpness outstanding, but its overall drawing, contrast and color are absolutely superb. I've been using a Zeiss 21 on Canons for the past year and have been amazed at how good that lens is. But I've been really shocked at just how good the Leica is. It's almost in an entirely different class than that of the Zeiss.

I highly recommend it to anyone considering a 50, especially if trying to decide between this lens and the summicron. It's a big chunk of change but honestly well worth every penny.

[DigitalHeMan]

They don't call it the best 50 in the world for nothing

 

 

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[Steve Ash]

Congrats to your new lens. I really love my 50 Lux aswell.

[jay968]

Thanks. As I said in another thread, using this lens has for the first time given my photos a sort of a "Leica look" that I have missed ever since the transition from film Leicas to digital Leicas. SOMETHING has been missing for the past 6 years or so, but it's now back.

[Simon Bee]

My Favourite lens of all, here is mine on my M3

 

Simon

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[B-A-C]

Jay,

 

I recently purchased a 50 lux asph as well. You are 100% correct - what a lens! With Portra on my M6 it is a revelation. Nothing against my 35 cron but this lens is incredible. Let's see some pics.

 

BC

[tookaphotoof]

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Why comparing a 35 summicron with a 50 summilux?

 

 

 

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[jay968]

Why comparing a 35 summicron with a 50 summilux?

 

 

I think it's because in my original post I mentioned that the 35 cron until now has been my favorite lens.

[arthury]

Oh well, the 35mm 'cron ASPH is the best 35mm/2 lens in the world. I have not come across one better.

 

The 50mm 'lux ASPH is beautiful and draws beautifully. No doubt in mind it is a top-shelve lens compared to all of the other 50mm lenses; except, may be, for one emerging and stiff competition in the market --- the Zeiss Otus 55mm/1.4 for the Nikon/Canon platform.

 

I'm willing to say that the Otus is nipping on the heels of the high end Summilux lens if not already there in terms of resolution, bokeh and APO color corrections. The only issue is that it does not have the compactness of the Summilux.

[aesop]

Thanks. As I said in another thread, using this lens has for the first time given my photos a sort of a "Leica look" that I have missed ever since the transition from film Leicas to digital Leicas. SOMETHING has been missing for the past 6 years or so, but it's now back.

 

...I own both the final pre-asph and ASPH versions of the 50mm Summilux lenses. They are both wonderful lenses but, at full bore, I actually prefer the way the former renders.

 

jay968, I understand these things are subjective, but are you able to post some images to illustrate your point? I am particularly interested in images that convey the "sort of Leica look" you refer to. Thanks.

 

P.S. Incidentally, as an all-rounder, my 35mm Summicron ASPH is a clear favourite (performance, size, ease of use, robustness).

[jlindstrom]

I'm willing to say that the Otus is nipping on the heels of the high end Summilux lens if not already there in terms of resolution, bokeh and APO color corrections. The only issue is that it does not have the compactness of the Summilux.

 

From what I've understood in the webs the otus & Leica apo summicron are both ahead of the Summilux in terms of optical pure quality. But Otus is massive and the apo summicron a lot more expensive..

 

But none of that really matters in the end, as the Summilux is a truly excellent lens. No matter how many other brilliant lenses are out there, it takes nothing away from fine qualities of the Summilux.

 

Getting mine tomorrow :-)

 

//Juha

 

 

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[jay968]

aesop -- illustrate my point? I am not trying to prove anything, just giving praise to a lens that has made me look at Leica imagery the way I used to look at it when I shot film Leicas. It stands above and beyond most everything that I have seen coming out of my Canons and (used to shoot with) Nikons in recent years. When I use the term "Leica look" what I am saying is that with the lux, I am finally seeing images which are setting my Leica files apart from my Canon ones. That's all. It's basically the sharpness, color rendition and accuracy that this lens provides that is making me say this.

 

Yes the 35 summicron is an outstanding lens, but frankly on the M240 its borders are a bit problematic as are those with most wide angles using the M240. So, since purchasing the M240 I honestly haven't seen anything that I couldn't achieve using a Canon.

 

The 50 lux has changed that. Its borders are squeeky clean, it's sharpness is superb, its color accuracy is outstanding. Everything I have shot with this lens looks better than most anything I have seen coming out of my Canon gear.

 

I am new to this forum so I haven't looked into posting images yet, but that day will come.

 

jlindstrom -- I don't doubt the Otus and summicron APO are even better than the 50 lux. That's not my point though. As I said, the point is just to give praise to the lux and mention that for the first time in about 6 years or so of shooting digital Leicas, I am now feeling that I am shooting with something worthy of being considered above and beyond most everything else out there...something I felt when I first shot with my old M3 and 50 rigid summicron in 1972.

 

A bit more info...I tried the 50 summarit prior to purchasing the lux. While a decent lens, I just didn't think it had anything at all special going for it. There is no comparison between it and the lux.

[tookaphotoof]

Why comparing a 35 summicron with a 50 summilux?

 

 

I think it's because in my original post I mentioned that the 35 cron until now has been my favorite lens.

 

That's why I asked the question. Maybe you already have it, but if not, would the latest 35mm Summilux please you even more?

 

 

 

 

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[Guest Ansel_Adams]

I think perhaps the 50 Lux ASPH was designed more with digital in mind and that is what you are seeing.

[aesop]

aesop -- illustrate my point? I am not trying to prove anything, just giving praise to a lens that has made me look at Leica imagery the way I used to look at it when I shot film Leicas. It stands above and beyond most everything that I have seen coming out of my Canons and (used to shoot with) Nikons in recent years. When I use the term "Leica look" what I am saying is that with the lux, I am finally seeing images which are setting my Leica files apart from my Canon ones. That's all. It's basically the sharpness, color rendition and accuracy that this lens provides that is making me say this.

 

Yes the 35 summicron is an outstanding lens, but frankly on the M240 its borders are a bit problematic as are those with most wide angles using the M240. So, since purchasing the M240 I honestly haven't seen anything that I couldn't achieve using a Canon.

 

The 50 lux has changed that. Its borders are squeeky clean, it's sharpness is superb, its color accuracy is outstanding. Everything I have shot with this lens looks better than most anything I have seen coming out of my Canon gear.

 

I am new to this forum so I haven't looked into posting images yet, but that day will come.

 

jlindstrom -- I don't doubt the Otus and summicron APO are even better than the 50 lux. That's not my point though. As I said, the point is just to give praise to the lux and mention that for the first time in about 6 years or so of shooting digital Leicas, I am now feeling that I am shooting with something worthy of being considered above and beyond most everything else out there...something I felt when I first shot with my old M3 and 50 rigid summicron in 1972.

 

A bit more info...I tried the 50 summarit prior to purchasing the lux. While a decent lens, I just didn't think it had anything at all special going for it. There is no comparison between it and the lux.

 

 

...thanks for your response, jay968. I take your point re: the posting of images on this forum - however a couple/series of images would have helped move this on from the abstract to the real. Hope to see/hear more from you.

[KM-25]

For several years I had 4 Leica M bodies and 5 lenses including the LHSA version of the 50 lux Asph for a project based on a famous color film. Once I was done with that project, I sold almost all my Leica gear because I was moving to what I use most now and that is MF and LF black and white film.

 

I kept one M3 which is all I need and have and proceeded to go through 4 50mm lenses before realizing that what I really wanted was another 50 Lux Asph. I caved and bought one a few weeks ago and just LOVE it!

 

I have no interest in any other lens for my one and only Leica....

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[Jeff S]

I don't know about a 'lux' (Nocti? Summi?)….gives me refLUX…but I do like my 50 Summilux-M ASPH.

 

Jeff

[Carduelis]

I may be tempted to buy a 50 mm ASPH Summilux after issues with flare whilst in particular photographing the temples at Angkor Wat (Cambodia) using a 50 mm Summicron M on a Leica M240 during a recent holiday. I have never had any complaints with the Summicron prior to this experience with the lens always being acceptably sharp edge to edge. I think it was the situation of photographing and metering for relatively dark temple/ building structures that caused the flare from light coming through the trees above these structures. My 35 mm ASPH Summilux (pre FLE) on the M240 and the zoom lens on the XVario certainly coped well with this situation, without flair. The only thing that puts me off the 50 mm Summilux is that its MTF profiles tail off more than the Summicron towards the edges at mid apertures, as though you are paying the price for exceptional centre performance at wide open apertures such as f1.4

[KM-25]

I may be tempted to buy a 50 mm ASPH Summilux after issues with flare whilst in particular photographing the temples at Angkor Wat (Cambodia) using a 50 mm Summicron M on a Leica M240 during a recent holiday. I have never had any complaints with the Summicron prior to this experience with the lens always being acceptably sharp edge to edge. I think it was the situation of photographing and metering for relatively dark temple/ building structures that caused the flare from light coming through the trees above these structures. My 35 mm ASPH Summilux (pre FLE) on the M240 and the zoom lens on the XVario certainly coped well with this situation, without flair. The only thing that puts me off the 50 mm Summilux is that its MTF profiles tail off more than the Summicron towards the edges at mid apertures, as though you are paying the price for exceptional centre performance at wide open apertures such as f1.4

 

 

Funny how I *never* hear this kind of stuff from actual photographers who's immense raw talent results in brilliant visual narrative....must be the domain of the enthusiast....

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Carduelis]

Funny how I *never* hear this kind of stuff from actual photographers who's immense raw talent results in brilliant visual narrative....must be the domain of the enthusiast....

 

Although I am no pro, I have about 35 years experience of handling various cameras and using them on my travels. I would say the 50 mm Summicron (with lens hood extended) let me down on the day causing flare in my images. Thankfully, my other equipment was OK.