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Very large box, very small lens, very high price!


Jennifer

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Just perusing the first batch of photos form my APO-Summicron 50......... WOW, what a phenomenal performing lens. Except in poor light, I can't see why I'd ever choose the Lux over it.

 

I shall join the chorus....please do post some of your results from the APO50...we don't seem to see all that many images posted on the forum from that lens, considering the rave reviews from it's owners.

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Except in poor light, I can't see why I'd ever choose the Lux over it.

 

With a modern digital sensor, there isn't as much need for faster lenses (unless one is looking for the specific wide aperture look).

A one stop underexposure can be easily corrected in post with very little to no impact of noise.

Don't hesitate to use your 50AA in the dark...

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I shall join the chorus....please do post some of your results from the APO50...we don't seem to see all that many images posted on the forum from that lens, considering the rave reviews from it's owners.

 

This could just be because images reduced to the *.jpeg format required for posting on the forum would be indistinguishable from those taken with any of the other current 50mm lenses.

 

I'm prepared to accept that 50Apo images look better on a good monitor, (they certainly should or else what is the point), and also on prints of size A3 and larger, which I contend is the real test of lens performance.

 

Unfortunately none of this "superior" performance can be demonstrated remotely.

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This could just be because images reduced to the *.jpeg format required for posting on the forum would be indistinguishable from those taken with any of the other current 50mm lenses.

 

I'm prepared to accept that 50Apo images look better on a good monitor, (they certainly should or else what is the point), and also on prints of size A3 and larger, which I contend is the real test of lens performance.

 

Unfortunately none of this "superior" performance can be demonstrated remotely.

 

Still...when someone is referring to a lens as "phenomenal" it would be nice to see some corroborative images posted here, even if only just for the love of a good image, don't you agree?

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On my iPad I would pick the first image.

On my computer screen as well, namely this image l1006718_c1ps.jpg.

To my eyes l1006718_c1ps.jpg is clearly sharper than l1006724_c1ps.jpg at 200%.

I looked at the bottom of the clock face at the text SWISS MADE.

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We are looking at the lens that is praised for its corner sharpness on a non-full frame camera and I can definitely see that the little wooden statue on the left is much sharper in one over the other. However, when you compare it to the 50Lux aspherical, it will be a much closer comparison. Here is a link to my non-scientific comparison:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/335873-results-informal-test-50-apo-vs.html

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I have had my 50APO for perhaps a week now and am more than happy with the difference i can see over the 50lux, which i also have. I still love the lux, which has been my primary lens from the days of the M8, however, the images look to be notably more crisp and clearer than if i had taken them with my 50lux.

Here are a couple of images at f2 and f16 from the APO. Both with the same post processing in LR

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!

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When I typed my post I hesitated because I was minded to write, ".....any current 50mm lens with the possible exception on the 50mm f/2 Summicron-M."

 

I didn't because it was likely to provoke a storm and upset people who are perfectly happy with the 50mm Summicron.

 

The reality is that the current 50mm Summicron is an old design and with modern digital sensors it is relatively easy to demonstrate its shortcomings.

 

The key point as I saw it was to demonstrate the superiority of the 50mm AA over what had previously been accepted as the best available, i.e. the 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH.

 

I still maintain that this cannot be done remotely.

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Wanna bet again? My 50/1.4 asph is still in Wetzlar so you have the time to change your mind. :D.

 

So you have demonstrated using images that are not posted on the forum that there is possibly a difference between the most recent and the oldest design of 50mm f/2. I'd be very surprised if there were not.

 

A very small amount of sharpening on the least sharp image, (Is it in focus?), renders it indistinguishable from the sharper one.

 

If these files are re-sized to allow them to be posted on the forum then any difference is debatable. Perhaps that is why you provided a link to two rather odd files, (no metadata!), with image dimensions roughly equivalent to A0, (138 X 92 cm), but with a resolution of only 72 ppi.

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Calibrated RF and 6-bit lenses (50/2 # 4156***, 50/2 apo # 4296***), tripod, cable release, focus bracketting (focus on the "VIII"). I did not keep the raw files but you may wish to take a look at these later snaps with metadata. Hope you can read them as i'm on an old Mac here (C1 v4, CS3). Please feel free to crop or reduce the files if need be

http://lctphot.smugmug.com/photos/3856134435_DzLgGhb-D.jpg

http://lctphot.smugmug.com/photos/3856137219_q7vgc9d-D.jpg

(7 MB files)

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Looks like one of them is back-focusing (or maybe just not the best copy out there)?

 

According to photozone, the Summicron-M's sharpness is very at any aperture (and the Summilux ASPH should be a bit better still).

 

I saw another comparison on a Japanese site where they came quite close. Of course the APO has much better CA control in the corners and contrast but it isn't That much sharper.

But it does have a very nice 3D look for sure.

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Wanna bet again? My 50/1.4 asph is still in Wetzlar so you have the time to change your mind.

 

You might be surprised. I have a suspicion your 50lux asph. will be much sharper than you thought once it is properly calibrated. Mine was shimmed by Leica and came back tack sharp.

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I saw another comparison on a Japanese site where they came quite close. Of course the APO has much better CA control in the corners and contrast but it isn't That much sharper.

But it does have a very nice 3D look for sure.

 

Looking at different sites and reviews is a good way of investigating the performance of a new lens, with sharpness being one of parameters that give and add to the overall look. For me, and i have already stated that i love the 'look' of my lux wide open, but i also love the 'look' AND sharpness of the APO over my LUX, which incidentally, was sent back to leica when i first purchased it to correct it for back focusing.

 

All i can say to add to the discussion, is that in the week i have had it, having used a LUX for the last several years, there is absolutely an apparent difference in sharpness. Whether that is enough for anyone else or not, is another matter. In the meantime, i continue to enjoy using the lens and remain happy with my purchase :)

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All i can say to add to the discussion, is that in the week i have had it, having used a LUX for the last several years, there is absolutely an apparent difference in sharpness.

 

Lloyd Chambers' made an observation in his review that despite being 'only' an Æ’/2 lens, the APO isolates subjects more dramatically to his eye than the others tested; he postulates that its higher native resolution WO, viewed against the OOF areas makes it so. He did an extensive 'shoot-out' against the Summilux, Noctilux, old Summicron and Zeiss Biogon; there is a resolution convergence at Æ’/5.6--where the non-APO cron really shines--stopped down further and the differences are subtle at best.

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[...] I have a suspicion your 50lux asph. will be much sharper than you thought once it is properly calibrated [...]

Mine was tack sharp already but it had some play in the focusing ring so i just hope it won't be softer when i get it back.

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