New 50mm lux or...?

[Guest]

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...Before I spend 4k on a new 50mm lux I was wondering if there was a reason to shop for any previous gen 50mm's? I can't afford to keep switching lenses and this 50mm is going to be my lifelong and main lens. Any reason to consider a different 50mm rather then the current one? Thanks.

Depends on your outlook: if you feel that the latest, most expensive must be the best then go for the Summilux-50 ASPH — and you'll have an excellent lens. On the other hand, many people prefer the rendering of the Summilux-50 pre-ASPH in general and in terms of the bokeh. Actually, I rushed out and bought it new (for US$1,350) when I learned it was being discontinued when the ASPH came out. For me the ASPH has more of a clinical rendering. But lately I have been shooting with the Dual Range Summicron-50, whose rendering I really like both on the M-Monochrom and the M9. This is essentially the same lens as the "Rigid" Summicron, which doesn't have the dual range goggles. You can get these lenses for about US$600 — and they have the best build quality I've seen on any lens. Below are two shots with the DR Summicron followed by two shots with the Summilux-50 pre-ASPH:

 

 

 

M9P | DR Summicron-50 | ISO 320 | f/11.0 | 1/350 sec

Bangkok

 

 

 

M-Monochrom | DR Summicron-50 | ISO 320 | f/4.0 | 1/350 sec

Bangkok

 

 

 

 

M9P | Summilux-50 pre-ASPH | ISO 640 | f/5.6 | 1/250 sec

Bangkok

 

 

 

 

M9P | Summilux-50 pre-ASPH | ISO 640 | f/2.0 | 1/125 sec

Paris

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[TonyField]

One of the characteristics of the old 50mm F1.4 and F1.0 is that there is a noticeable shift of focus as you stop down from full aperture. In addition, they tend to be low contrast when shot at large apertures.

 

I cannot comment on the new version of these lenses, however I would assume they suffer less from these problems.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

If you're a 50mm shooter then you'll end up with a bunch of them anyway. I have 6 and I'm not considered a serious 50mm collector. But you'll need one to come back to as your "main" 50 and the 'Lux is as close to the best "all round" 50 ever made. It's really sharp but still has good blur and separation. It also has no visible focus shift.

 

Fun lenses with focus shift might include the 50mm 1.0 Noct, the Ziess Sonnar 1.5 or some of the older 50's from Leica. These and others draw in a unique way but are probably not every day lenses for most of us.

 

Or you could just get a 0.95 and be done with it.

 

Gordon

[BerndReini]

Or you could just get a 0.95 and be done with it.

 

And a back brace to go with it. Seriously though, the .95 is a wonderful lens, but it is disproportionately big and heavy on an M camera for everyday use.

[pico]

Just a quickie Pico - I see your point about "Lux" etc but I am interested to know how else you would describe the older 50mm Summilux so as to differentiate it from the latest aspherical lens?

 

 

I would have to use Leica's catalog number. [emoji20] I'm sure that would not endear me to our enthusiasts.

[jaapv]

Or 'tar-s' !

I even have a couple of 'tor-s and a 'lon.

[indergaard]

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And a back brace to go with it. Seriously though, the .95 is a wonderful lens, but it is disproportionately big and heavy on an M camera for everyday use.

 

Yeah. I used the 0.95 exclusivly for a year and wen't back to a Lux, and never looked back, and eventually sold the 0.95 and have zero regrets about it. It's a hyped up lens in my opinion.

[MarkP]

I currently have three 50mm Leica lenses, well actually 4 if I count the E49 MATE in addition to the 1.4/50 Summilux ASPH (FLE), 1.0/50 Noctilux, and 2.8/50 Elmar-M.

 

Of the lot, the Summilux stands out as the best all-rounder and most versatile - IQ, colour, OOF rendering, speed, balance of weight and size for what it does.

 

The Noctilux renders beautifully, draws rather than photographs the image (my 'Art' lens), and the little Elmar-M is a lovely lens both optically and for its diminutive size and weight. I use it more and more for 'casual' photography and 2.8 is fast enough for many situations. The 50 on the MATE also has some of that older Leica look and colouring.