One Lens to rule them all? Which 50mm?

[indergaard]

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I happen to be lucky enough to have both an apo-summicron 50mm, Zeiss Otus 55mm and " normal " summilux and summicron;

I am still investigating why i have so dubious feelings about the apo summicron, my technique or a defective lens ?

 

Nothing of the kind with the Otus, whatever the speed or handheld with a sony A7r wich is not reputed to be perfectly vibrations free, even in a blurred image you can notice the qualities of the lens.

The summilux and regular summicron are also very, very good.

My apo summicron is from the last batch.

 

Interesting. I have used an Otus for a short time on an A7R, and was astounded of the IQ of those two in combination! Not a practical setup by any means, but for maximum quality in 35mm format, absolutely fantastic. I haven't had the pleasure of using an APO-Summicron 50mm though. I would be interested in your findings. Many say that the APO is on par, and even better than the Otus 55mm, something I struggle to believe until I have seen it with my own eyes.

 

The lenses are designed with a completely different philosophy: The Otus without any size or weight restriction. Just make the perfect 55mm lens even if it is big, heavy and costs a lot. The APO-Summicron however was made to be the best 50mm lens but with a very big restriction on size and weight. The last 35mm Distagon-M from Zeiss basically proves that they can easily outperform Leica glass even at under half the cost, without much difference in size and weight. So... Every logical sense tells me that the Otus 55mm should outperform the APO-Summicron. I'm hoping to be able to compare these lenses myself some time.

[Jennifer]

Nothing of the kind with the Otus, whatever the speed or handheld with a sony A7r wich is not reputed to be perfectly vibrations free, even in a blurred image you can notice the qualities of the lens.

The summilux and regular summicron are also very, very good.

My apo summicron is from the last batch.

 

I have an A7R too and I'd have to say that IME its 37mp make it quite demanding to use to its full potential hand held even when teamed with the 'not to be sniffed at' Zeiss 55 FE. That said, when you get it right the results can be quite stunning.

[biglou]

Hi Indergaard,

I did not try yet the apo summicron and A7r, so difficult to say anything.

Testers have found the Leica lens not at its optimum because of the glass width in front of the Sony sensor.

What i can say is i cannot fault the Otus, color is wonderful too, very, very fine lens whatever the diaphragm.

I had also some great results with the Apo-summicron on MM.

The jump in contrast is very obvious when you close the lens one or two stops.

The depth of field seems more extended than with other lenses (or the focused zone less evident)

Problem is maybe with the distance setting.

A7r is much more precise and easy than rangefinder with its 10x magnification.

[Jeffry Abt]

I've been thinking about this thread..... The APO rules them all! The others are superlative the APO is perfect. I am tempted to call it "my precious".

 

Ah, Tolkien had a way with words!

[platypus]

The APO rules them all! The others are superlative the APO is perfect. I am tempted to call it "my precious".

 

Ah, Tolkien had a way with words!

 

You would not be the first to call it that........

[skinnfell]

50 Lux.

They are readily available used or new.

(as opposed to just a few years back)

 

If you can find faults with that lens, then be my guest and save up for the Apo.

Besides, you might find that you want F1/.4 for one reason or another.

[pixel35]

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Lals,Your particular interest in shooting people, particularly kids, suggests to me that if you buy a Summicron ( my lens for many years) you will soon be pining for a Summilux for the wide-open effects that are so nice with portraits.

 

If you care alot about weight get the black, pre-asph version, but get a Summilux and be happy!

[TRIago]

50mm Summicron Rigid. Give it a try.

I did. And I don't even think about buying another 50.

It is that good.

[philipus]

I have, inter alia, the Summilux Asph and the Summicron v3 (11817) but use film only.

 

Actually no. I know I want a 50mm and that's about it. [...] To shoot wide open, the additional f/stop on summilux is essentially double the amount to light at a given shutter speed and may make for interesting photos.. especially if I zone focus and go with aperture priority.

 

Just a comment, and I've probably misunderstood but thought I should mention it, it's pretty impossible to use zone focus with the lens at 1.4 even at longer distances. That will likely result in pretty poorly focused photographs.

 

Lenses don't rule, photos do.

 

Just get what is within budget, and what you like the look of it's rendering (search flickr groups) and go take photos.

 

For your criteria I would suggest a 35mm lens instead.

 

I disagree on the 35mm part but that's just me. The rest of what Paul says is the right way to see this question. I would however suggest not to disregard the older lenses. Just the other month I helped a new digital M user pick a lens and he went with the 11817 which is a sublime lens, imho. As is pretty much every 50 mm lens made since the '50s (at least). You could save heaps of money by not going with the latest and greatest just because that's what other people say is the best.

 

The Summilux Asph is special though, and I own it because it means being able to shoot at 1/30 indoors instead of 1/15. In other words, to me as a film shooter it has a meaningful advantage over a Summicron. I also like the way the photos come out and don't find it clinical or cold or that it would have ugly OOF rendering. In fact I prefer the "clean" look it gives (there was a 50mm comparison in an LFI September or October from 2-3 years back that is pretty instructive).

 

If it is within your budget you won't be disappointed. From what I've understood, it is almost everything the APO is in terms of sharpness and all those other things that pixel peepers like to marvel at, at about half the price and twice as fast. It's a no-brainer. Then add an older lens for fun; they're delightful to use.

 

I am afraid I don't have many portrait shots at f1.4 on my Flickr but these may give an idea of how it renders (on film) more or less wide open.

 

Hanging gnome or something

TTL on Tri-X

 

Pretty girl at the bar

TTL on Tri-X

 

Hello Kitty

TTL on Portra 160

 

Sigh, Christmas again

TTL on Portra 400

 

Good luck

Philip

[biglou]

I come back with some more experience, the apo is indeed very good, no more reticence.

I had a slight problem focusing, that was the reason i doubted first.

[michaelwj]

Exactly.. So I can only use the 1.4 when I really need.. will it be a good option often enough? Most of the time, I may be using f4 or f8 depending on time of day

 

If I were in your shoes with that sort of $ to drop on Leica kit, and only wanted one lens for what you say you want to do, I'd go for the 50/1.4. My reasoning is;

1. Compared to an SLR they're all "small and light"

2. You will be able to go into lower light than with any of the f/2 versions. (Even with the great high ISO of the M240, one stop is still one stop)

3. From your OP, you seem to be more of the "quick react and snap a shot" type rather than the "everything must be perfect on a tripod" type - travel, friends, daughter, etc. Will your shot discipline be good enough to take advantage of the APO? I know mine wouldn't be.

4. If you get the regular 50/2 you will regret it when you would like the extra stop.

 

The only reason I wouldn't get it was if I didn't like the ergonomics. This is actually my main consideration when choosing lenses. They're all optically great, but I like the way some of them handle better (focus tab or not? position of the aperture ring? is it raised or tabbed? how does the hood attach? whats the filter size? etc).

 

Regarding camera, I'd second the vote for the M(240)-P. Its the most recent model, and that does matter with digital equipment.

 

I personally got a used 1969 50/2. I like the way it handles (no tab, no built in hood, 39mm filters) and I couldn't in 10 years justify the 1.4, let alone the APO!

 

Whatever you get, use it and enjoy.

 

Cheers,

Michael

[algrove]

It took 25 posts to bring up a 40mm. A very nice and petite lens is the Leica 40mm Summicron-C f2.0 and it be had for a very reasonable price. Later you can decide if a 35 or 50 would suit your needs and style better and if a switch is needed, then sell the Summicron-C at probably what you paid for it.

 

If you need one stop more then go for the Summilux. If no budgetary concerns, like the government, then go for the APO50 which is still diminutive in size. Also there is nothing wrong with the current regular Summicron 50/2.0.

 

Also perhaps consider a short rental of one or two lenses from lens rentals or whomever so as to use one before you lay out hard earned cash.

[pico]

To repeat, the 50mm Summicron type 3 is optically outstanding BUT its ergonomics suck beyond contempt.

.

[michaelwj]

To repeat, the 50mm Summicron type 3 is optically outstanding BUT its ergonomics suck beyond contempt.

.

 

To repeat from where exactly?

 

Each to there own I suppose, Lucky for you they make a type 4?

 

Cheers,

Michael

[algrove]

I have an A7R too and I'd have to say that IME its 37mp make it quite demanding to use to its full potential hand held even when teamed with the 'not to be sniffed at' Zeiss 55 FE. That said, when you get it right the results can be quite stunning.

 

Did you get your 75/1.4 back from Wetzlar? If yes, how do you like it?

[algrove]

Leica gurus ---> Newbie could use some advice..

 

I am finally ready to buy M-240P but would like to buy just one 50mm lens. So which one would you recommend - 50mm Summilux or the new summicron APO 50mm? Given that the APO lens has such a waiting list, should I get the regular summicon 50 or maybe pick up a used one until I can get the APO? Or is the Summilux better.

Context: The camera would used by a petite woman who mainly shoots travel, garden, and daughter/ friends etc. in natural light outdoors, sometimes low light. Really want a lighter weight set up that is ready to go anytime and is easy to carry everywhere. Loves B&W and color. Will likely not too much post processing in LR or Photoshop. Any additional lenses will not come anytime soon . This would also be the first rangefinder that I will own. Have borrowed and tried a few times and the framing and composition feels very natural to me. Never owned a DSLR but was a avid manual film SLR photographer until a few years ago.

 

Are you suggesting here that you will use jpegs more than dng?

[jamriman]

Once bitten by the bug, is it truly possible to own only one lens? Perhaps another topic.☺️

[semi-ambivalent]

Each to there own I suppose, Lucky for you they make a type 4?

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

Lucky for me they did: today's glass and yesterday's focus tab.

s-a

[michaelwj]

Lucky for me they did: today's glass and yesterday's focus tab.

s-a

 

 

Unfortunately it means we have to try them all !

Michael

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Jennifer]

Did you get your 75/1.4 back from Wetzlar? If yes, how do you like it?

 

Yes, got it back last week, thanks.

 

We rechecked the calibration at Leica Mayfair and it's spot on. I'm planning on giving it a thorough field trial perhaps tomorrow if I can clear my paperwork (boring management accounts ) early enough in the morning.

 

I'll report back.