Selling the 50 Apo to return to the 50 lux?

[colonel]

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The Summilux-M 50 mm Asph used to be my workhorse standard lens for a couple of years ... but I never used it anymore after I got my Apo-Summicron. The notion that the Apo-Summicron was 'harsh' or 'sterile' is absurd. Do not, repeat: DO NOT sell the Apo-Summicron-M 50 mm Asph! You will regret. Selling yours now and re-purchasing another later will be a costly move. Instead, complement it with something else if you absolutely feel like it. I'd suggest an old Summitar 5 cm 1:2 or Summarit 5 cm 1:1.5 ... or maybe even an uncoated pre-war Elmar 5 cm 1:3.5. For better lens speed (for use with film) I'd suggest to skip the Summilux altogether and immediately go all the way to a Noctilux-M 50 mm 1:1 or 1:0.95 Asph.

 

that's a good point actually

 

if you have the money, keep the APO and buy the noctilux

never through of that before, but the more I think about it, its crazy but somehow makes sense to my bloodshot eyes

[geetee1972]

 

So anybody got examples of the Summicron Pre-apo vs the Summilux asph?

 

All current 50mm Summicrons are non-APO and non-aspherical so your comparison is just between these two lenses. Fill your boots:

 

https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=leica%2050mm%20summicron%20portrait

 

https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=leica%2050mm%20summilux%20portrait

 

 

The notion that the Apo-Summicron was 'harsh' or 'sterile' is absurd

 

I agree but it's no more absurd than believing this lens is demonstrably any better than any other 50mm Leica lens.

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[TheGodParticle/Hari]

Keep the APO50. If you want character, depending on your budget and how strong you want the character to be, get the Noctilux 50/0.95 or Noctilux 50/1.1 or 50/1.4 v2 or Xenon 50/1.5 or Summitar 50/2 (sorted from more expensive to less expensive)

[Paul J]

When you buy a new camera or lens that significantly increases quality, sharpness, clarity, resolution etc. then you need to to up your own game and learn how to use them. IMO, the answer is never in post production.

[Herr Barnack]

Keep your 50 APO and get a copy of the last pre-ASPH Noctilux f/1.0 - that would be my approach.

[albertknappmd]

I would keep the 50 mm AA and add a 50 mm older sumicron... they are plentiful and cheaper..

Don't give up the AA as you will eventually gravitate back...

 

Albert     

[Guest JMF]

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Keep the Apo and buy a Rigid v2 Summicron or/and even  a 50 1.4 Nikkor SC LTM for close focussing !

 

Or try a mild black promist filter with the 50 Apo:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1159121-REG/tiffen_46bpm14_46mm_black_pro_mist_1_4.html

 

I sold my BC 50 summilux as I found it too "modern", kept the BP 50 summilux v3 e46.

 

A 50 Summarit 1.5 is a nice lens to have as well.

 

The list goes on ...

Edited January 18, 2018 by JMF

[Csacwp]

Guys, I have a question about my 50 Apo... maybe there is something wrong with it. It swirls bokeh sort of like my 80 lux R did. It’s still razor sharp wide open even with the swirly backgrounds. Is this normal? I’m wondering if my copy is defective, which might explain why I don’t like it.

Edited January 18, 2018 by Csacwp

[Exodies]

It’s just so harsh on female skin... It’s also not a very well sealed lens- at least mine gets lots of dust in it, more than all my other lenses combined!

Buy some makeup for the wrinkly in your life.

[james.liam]

Buy some makeup for the wrinkly in your life.

 

Women will let you get away with that in Luxembourg?

[ianman]

Get a 75mm Summilux.

[james.liam]

Get a 75mm Summilux.

 

More costly than makeup

[Exodies]

Women will let you get away with that in Luxembourg?

You mean the language or the attempt to turn back the ravages of time?

[Csacwp]

I have a 75 lux... actually, in terms of rendering, I like my 28 lux and 75 lux best. They are both dark and moody. My 90 Apo has a nice look as well.

 

Funnily my 50 apo swirls the bokeh similar to the 75 lux.

[james.liam]

You mean the language or the attempt to turn back the ravages of time?

Both seem potentially problematic.

You just have kindly womenfolk

[microview]

Not quite sure what relevance the black chrome has to the decision.

 

A weighty decison indeed  .

[jmahto]

Surface blur as needed.

 

Edit: sorry, I noticed that OP is shooting film.

Edited January 18, 2018 by jmahto

[Exodies]

Both seem potentially problematic.

You just have kindly womenfolk

It varies. Some days I have to take pictures like this

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M typ 240, Apo-Summicron-M 1:2/50 ASPH

Edited January 18, 2018 by Exodies

[james.liam]

Nice out of focus legs. Good work.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[B-A-C]

The APO is incredible...but you wouldn't be the first to do this.  It's preference.