APO 50 images

[lct]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Admittedly,not the best setup. I was using the ND at the time for other shots when this view appeared. Decided to snap and despite the less than prefered f-stop, im amazed at the rendering of this lens.

Your nice pic does not seem to have been shot at f/2. Too wide DoF in my humble opinion. Reason why the exif data say f/5.6 perhaps.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Winedemonium]

Two from Bali in 2014

 

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!

 

[Winedemonium]

Two from Bordeaux this year

 

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!

 

[Winedemonium]

Others have said this before me on this forum, but I would concur, with the following subjective observations - 

 

The APO-50 resolution is extraordinary. I usually carry it in tandem with the 28 Cron which is another lens I love. But when I look at the files, there is a noticeable difference in fine detail.

 

The rendering is 'transparent' - very clear and precise. Very planar in feel, but not in a dull way.

 

Rather, the look is what I would describe as 'solid'. Others might say 'wet', or 'oily'. That's partly the high contrast, and partly the colour saturation. I prefer the look to my 50SX, but the 50SX is a touch less contrasty, so more shadow detail seems immediately apparent before PP. 

 

I love this lens.

[Ai_Print]

If only I could swap my other FL's with lenses of similar quality.

In looking at Jennifer's list of owned lenses, does anyone else find this statement completely absurd?

[Jennifer]

In looking at Jennifer's list of owned lenses, does anyone else find this statement completely absurd?

 

Admittedly, I have a few decent lenses, but IMO the APO 50 is in a class all of its own. Hence my statement.

Edited June 16, 2015 by Jennifer

[Winedemonium]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Perhaps I have a few decent lenses, but IMO the APO 50 is in a class all of its own. Hence my statement.

 

I agree. It takes nothing away from the other lenses. But I share the view that the 50 APO is in a league of its own (though I have yet to try the 28SX)

[MarkP]

In looking at Jennifer's list of owned lenses, does anyone else find this statement completely absurd?

 

No .  

 

I think alll she's saying is that although her other lenses are very good she does not consider their fidelity to be at the level of, and therefore compatible with, the 50 APO-Summicron. 

Whether that level of IQ is necessary is besides the point - she loves her 50 APO-Summicron  .

[Jager]

[Carduelis]

After recently getting over a bout of shingles, this thread is starting to give me GAS.  I must resist the temptation....  ......... my 50 mm ASPH Summilux is good enough, it is only about 40 g heavier !!   (keep repeating)  

[Ai_Print]

No .  

 

I think alll she's saying is that although her other lenses are very good she does not consider their fidelity to be at the level of, and therefore compatible with, the 50 APO-Summicron. 

Whether that level of IQ is necessary is besides the point - she loves her 50 APO-Summicron  .

 

I guess I am just an uncultured ass, I only love brilliant photographs.

[hiepphotog]

Admittedly, I have a few decent lenses, but IMO the APO 50 is in a class all of its own. Hence my statement.

 

I second this as well. Having shot with many sharp SLR lenses and even the very sharp Elmar 24, I don't think the 50 APO strength lies only in its sharpness. It doesn't have that overall dull, smack-in-the-face look that I see with the previous sharp lenses I used. The details are all there, but it's like they are wrapped in a very very thin veil (not the SA glow thing) to soften the harshness. It's hard to describe but I don't find the APO is clinical at all. On the other hand, I found the Elmar 24 pretty clinical. I liked the sharpness, but not the overall look. So I sold it. Surprisingly, I found my ZM 15 has this very quality of the 50 APO, albeit its corners at WO are not as stellar. The Cron 28 just has a little too much of the soften look and its details rendition at WO is clearly not as good. But I have to make do. Like Jennifer, I am looking forward to seeing more lenses like the 50 APO from Leica. After all, gear doesn't make good photograph. But if we enjoy using the gear we have, creativity flows easier .

[Ai_Print]

Like Jennifer, I am looking forward to seeing more lenses like the 50 APO from Leica. After all, gear doesn't make good photograph. But if we enjoy using the gear we have, creativity flows easier .

 

I'm sure it is a great lens that lives up to the metrics presented by Leica, but the images I see in this thread in tandem with the praise are just not there man.

 

If a shooter who really lived light, color and emotion got ahold of this lens, I am sure it would show it's stuff even in a web image just like when you see a great photograph wrapped in nuanced light by that same kind of shooter elsewhere. 

 

I get people love this gear, but when someone starts to refer to incredible lenses like the 35 1.4 FLE & 50 1.4 asph as "decent", hoooweee folks, lets see some images from that poster that show us why those peerless lenses fall short. 

Edited June 16, 2015 by Ai_Print

[hiepphotog]

I'm sure it is a great lens that lives up to the metrics presented by Leica, but the images I see in this thread in tandem with the praise are just not there man.

 

If a shooter who really lived light, color and emotion got ahold of this lens, I am sure it would show it's stuff even in a web image just like when you see a great photograph wrapped in nuanced light by that same kind of shooter elsewhere. 

 

I get people love this gear, but when someone starts to refer to incredible lenses like the 35 1.4 FLE & 50 1.4 asph as "decent", hoooweee folks, lets see some images from that poster that show us why those peerless lenses fall short. 

 

Again, I don't believe great gear would automatically translate into great pictures.  It's not like the people of his time would say to HCB that his masterpieces were realized because he used XYZ lens. And though we might not "really lived light, color and emotion" to your standard, it doesn't make our photography less relevance or valuable, especially on a personal level. Through test charts and shots, I can show you how much better the 50 APO would be compared to the like of 35/1.4 FLE and Lux 50 ASPH technically. But we would waste both of our time doing so. The fact is, I enjoy my 50 AA tremendously, and that is the most important thing to me. At least I didn't put it in a dry box waiting for its future collector's value to soar.

[Ai_Print]

I hear you sir, I can't wait to check out this lens too, I don't rule out getting it especially considering what could be coming down the pike in the Leica digital realm.

 

But when someone infers other lenses in the top of the Leica heap are not up to snuff, I suspect a good number would want to see how that person's work would stack up in general.

 

Photography is a visual thing, so this is a very instinctive reaction and I understand it could come off as an affront so apologies for that. It's a simple matter of basis or reference point for such an opinion.

 

 

Again, I don't believe great gear would automatically translate into great pictures. It's not like the people of his time would say to HCB that his masterpieces were realized because he used XYZ lens. And though we might not "really lived light, color and emotion" to your standard, it doesn't make our photography less relevance or valuable, especially on a personal level. Through test charts and shots, I can show you how much better the 50 APO would be compared to the like of 35/1.4 FLE and Lux 50 ASPH technically. But we would waste both of our time doing so. The fact is, I enjoy my 50 AA tremendously, and that is the most important thing to me. At least I didn't put it in a dry box waiting for its future collector's value to soar.

Edited June 16, 2015 by Ai_Print

[Jennifer]

I'm sure it is a great lens that lives up to the metrics presented by Leica, but the images I see in this thread in tandem with the praise are just not there man.

 

Sadly, some of us, myself included, have little choice but to accept our ability will be forever limited. Fortunately, though I may enjoy photography, I don't have to rely upon it to feed myself.

 

If a shooter who really lived light, color and emotion got ahold of this lens, I am sure it would show it's stuff even in a web image just like when you see a great photograph wrapped in nuanced light by that same kind of shooter elsewhere. 

 

Well as a shooter who doubtless "really live(s) light, color and emotion" we await your offerings with baited breath. As an aside, try and get hold of a British publication called "Private Eye" I think you might find a certain affinity with its "Pseuds Corner"

 

I get people love this gear, but when someone starts to refer to incredible lenses like the 35 1.4 FLE & 50 1.4 asph as "decent", hoooweee folks, lets see some images from that poster that show us why those peerless lenses fall short. 

 

Accepted both the lenses you mention are "incredible". Please put my use of the word "decent" down to a natural British instinct for understatement.

[Ai_Print]

In order to be gracious, I think I need to rent or borrow the lens and put up or shut up..:-)

 

 

 

I'm sure it is a great lens that lives up to the metrics presented by Leica, but the images I see in this thread in tandem with the praise are just not there man.

 

Sadly, some of us, myself included, have little choice but to accept our ability will be forever limited. Fortunately, though I may enjoy photography, I don't have to rely upon it to feed myself.

 

If a shooter who really lived light, color and emotion got ahold of this lens, I am sure it would show it's stuff even in a web image just like when you see a great photograph wrapped in nuanced light by that same kind of shooter elsewhere.

 

Well as a shooter who doubtless "really live(s) light, color and emotion" we await your offerings with baited breath. As an aside, try and get hold of a British publication called "Private Eye" I think you might find a certain affinity with its "Pseuds Corner"

 

I get people love this gear, but when someone starts to refer to incredible lenses like the 35 1.4 FLE & 50 1.4 asph as "decent", hoooweee folks, lets see some images from that poster that show us why those peerless lenses fall short.

 

Accepted both the lenses you mention are "incredible". Please put my use of the word "decent" down to a natural British instinct for understatement.

[MarkP]

I guess I am just an uncultured ass, I only love brilliant photographs.

 

The moment wasn't related to the artistic output oft he photographer which is obviously ALWAYS ore important than the technical characteristics of the equipment. You would get no argument from me there.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Peter Kilmister]

 

I'm sure it is a great lens that lives up to the metrics presented by Leica, but the images I see in this thread in tandem with the praise are just not there man.

 

Sadly, some of us, myself included, have little choice but to accept our ability will be forever limited. Fortunately, though I may enjoy photography, I don't have to rely upon it to feed myself.

 

If a shooter who really lived light, color and emotion got ahold of this lens, I am sure it would show it's stuff even in a web image just like when you see a great photograph wrapped in nuanced light by that same kind of shooter elsewhere. 

 

Well as a shooter who doubtless "really live(s) light, color and emotion" we await your offerings with baited breath. As an aside, try and get hold of a British publication called "Private Eye" I think you might find a certain affinity with its "Pseuds Corner"

 

I get people love this gear, but when someone starts to refer to incredible lenses like the 35 1.4 FLE & 50 1.4 asph as "decent", hoooweee folks, lets see some images from that poster that show us why those peerless lenses fall short. 

 

Accepted both the lenses you mention are "incredible". Please put my use of the word "decent" down to a natural British instinct for understatement.

 

Surely the word,"decent" falls far too short of good old British litotes , such as, "it ain't too bad", or," it's not perfect, but it'll do".

 

From the photos I have seen the APO 50mm Summicron looks brilliant ... one hell of a positive statement from a Brit.

 

When I sell my Noctilux 0.95 I want to try the Summicron APO.

Edited June 16, 2015 by pkilmister

[Ai_Print]

Well now I have gone and done it...

 

For an event I have been doing for 11 years, I just rented an M240, 35 FLE and 50 Apo Summicron. I'll pair it with my M6 and M3, 28 elmarit asph, 35 asph pre FLE and 50 Planar. 

 

I'll have the gear for two weeks and given the celebrity back stage aspect of this, I'll have no doubt in my mind what this gear will really allow me to do.

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!