LHSA 50th Anniversary Special Edition APO Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH [merged]

[dugby]

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Great news on these two new variations of the APO 50mm  announced in the following LHSA url

 

https://lhsa.org/2017/11/lhsa-50th-anniversary-special-edition-apo-summicron-m-50-f-2-asph/

 

 

LHSA – International Leica Society is celebrating its 50^th anniversary with a new LHSA Special Edition lens. With the help of LHSA member, Bill Rosauer, we have once again worked with Leica camera to bring a totally unique lens to Leica users. Click here to read an LHSA Special Editions article by Bill Rosauer.

The new LHSA Special Edition lens recalls the elegant design of the original 50mm Rigid Summicron lens introduced with the original Leica M, and the M3. Combining the design cues of the original classic M lens with the top performance of the state-of-the-art APO Summicron-M 50 f/2 ASPH, we can offer the Leica enthusiast the best of both worlds. With this LHSA special edition lens, you have the look and feel of the classic Leica Summicron, plus cutting-edge performance. Indeed,  Leica engineers have set new standards in imaging with this optical masterpiece. 

 

500 Units – Two Finishes

The lens, which is projected to be available mid-January 2018, will be offered in two classic finishes, Silver Chrome and Black Paint on a solid brass construction. There will also be an inlaid LHSA designation. The separate lens hood is also machined of solid brass as is the special lens cap. As a limited edition, the lens production will be restricted to 500 units, 300 black paint finish and 200 silver chrome finish, and will be available to all Leica Stores, Boutiques, and Dealers. The special edition serial numbers are shown on the aperture ring, while the LHSA logo is inscribed (without inlay) on the bayonet ring, just above the ‘Made in Germany’ lettering.

[wattsy]

Yes, this special edition has been discussed quite a bit in recent months. Undoubtedly a desirable product – certainly the one in black paint is.

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[pedaes]

One London 'Premier Dealer' is saying sold out.

[wattsy]

Click here to read an LHSA Special Editions article by Bill Rosauer.

 

 

That's well worth a read. Interesting (though not surprising) to learn how much inertia had to be overcome to realise some of these editions. I imagine that Leica were quite pleased with how the reincarnation of the black paint finish ended up for them. I can't help but think the MP hammertone edition was a complete dud but I've always like the retro bodied 35 Summicron that came with it and I wonder why that lens body design wasn't reused for later special editions of that lens like the black chrome and Kravitz versions.

[wattsy]

One London 'Premier Dealer' is saying sold out.

 

Quite possibly true – the lens was announced some months ago – but there is always a lot of this "sold out" hype in recent years that often simply isn't true. If you are keen, you might try one or two of the US dealers – e.g. B&H are listing it.

Edited January 15, 2018 by wattsy

[rnl]

pardon me for asking...I am new to leica world...but are these lenses optically superior to the 50 cron apo?

[pedaes]

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Quite possibly true – the lens was announced some months ago – but there is always a lot of this "sold out" hype in recent years that often simply isn't true. If you are keen, you might try one or two of the US dealers – e.g. B&H are listing it.

 

Agreed - Leica Miami also, but it does make a expensive lens even more so with cost of importing. Also, unless buying for collection I think the convenience of the built in hood on the standard version outways the retro look, but I appreciate that is a very personal observation.

[michaelwj]

pardon me for asking...I am new to leica world...but are these lenses optically superior to the 50 cron apo?

Nope. Just a different body.

[Jeff S]

Too bad it took a special edition to get a fully knurled focus ring, not cramped against the aperture ring as the standard version. One hopes that the aperture ring is also not loose like the two standard samples I tested. But the absence of an integrated hood is a trade off (albeit possibly more effective).

 

Jeff

[Peter H]

I don’t find any of the retro-lenses very attractive with the exception of the 28mm Summaron which strikes me as uniquely pretty as well as offering something different in terms of performance.

 

Admittedly I haven’t seen an example of the new 50mm special edition APO Summicron in the flesh, but in the photos it doesn’t very look nice to me. But then I have mostly preferred the look of the modern Leica lenses to the older ones.

 

How does the new special edition compare in size and weight with the standard 50mm APO Summicron?

Edited January 16, 2018 by Peter H

[Guest]

Tricky question because nobody takes it out of the box.

(The 1.4/50A retro sure's purty!)

Edited January 16, 2018 by tri

[Steve Ash]

Tricky question because nobody takes it out of the box.

(The 1.4/50A retro sure's purty!)

 

There you go:

 

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Steve

[Guest]

The dear doctor Feier sold me one that looks very-very similar and I'm pleased with the photos it takes. Mersi Horea !

[Steve Ash]

From the top:

 

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[horosu]

Looks nice, but almost as big as the 50 Summilux ASPH Black Chrome. I understood they weigh exactly the same : https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/277814-ultimate-50mm-summicron/?p=3408388

[wattsy]

Yes, it does look nice but for that kind of money it has to be in black paint (unless you have that one too, Steve?).

[Steve Ash]

Yes, it does look nice but for that kind of money it has to be in black paint (unless you have that one too, Steve?).

 

The problem is you need at least one kidney...

 

but seriously I prefer the look of the silver one. Further I think the chrome one is more durable especially as I actually would like to use it.

Edited February 12, 2018 by Steve Ash

[Steve Ash]

Here is a size comparison with the Summilux 50 Asph. for anyone interested.

 

 

 

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[mmradman]

From the top:

 

2018-02_LHSA_0021.jpg

Interesting to see lens fully erected on top with of the fashion magazine, sorry, I meant set at minimum focus distance.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[B-A-C]

Dang the special edition is massive, and beautiful.  Congrats

 

From the top:

 

2018-02_LHSA_0021.jpg