dkmoore Posted March 4, 2018 Share #1 Posted March 4, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I recently sold my Leica gear stupidly and I am purchasing again. I bought the M10 (for the second time) as I had a lot of issues the first go around. My question is which option would you pick? 1. 50 APO or 2. 28 Cron (latest version) & 50 Lux (latest version) I know the pros and cons of each but am having something similar to writers block deciding which way to go. If I go 50 APO I can probably buy the 28 in 6-12 months. Thanks for your help! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 4, 2018 Posted March 4, 2018 Hi dkmoore, Take a look here Purchase advice 50 APO. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
PaulJohn Posted March 4, 2018 Share #2 Posted March 4, 2018 Welcome to stupid sellers anonymous. I am the chairman. I've had two 50 APO's. Sold the second time to fund an M-A and don't regret (yet). I will make do with the very fine 50 cron v5 for a good while. I've never had the 50 lux ASPH but do have the 50 lux pre ASPH which I prefer and will never sell (never say never). As I'm not struck on the 50 Lux ASPH, I would get the APO from your options. It is a truly amazing lens. As regards the 28 Cron, I decided to get the Q instead as I don't like changing lenses. Q and M10 with a 50 make perfect partners. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted March 4, 2018 Share #3 Posted March 4, 2018 The 50 APO is a statement lens - it shows what it is possible to design and build. The 50 Summilux is stunningly good (excellent) in the real world and I defy anyone to be disappointed in its performance. So the question you need to ask yourself is whether you want a lens because of its theoretical performance, or two lenses which are as usable as any you could want. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted March 4, 2018 PGK, That is exactly the internal fight that is raging. PaulJohn, I'm probably VP in the group. : ( Thanks for the fast responses. I may have to cut the indesicive crap! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulJohn Posted March 4, 2018 Share #5 Posted March 4, 2018 Wide open the 50 lux ASPH has a distinctive rendering which I find cheesy. That's an exaggeration but it's the best word I can think of. If you want tack sharp images with backgrounds that melt into mush then it's a great lens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted March 4, 2018 Share #6 Posted March 4, 2018 The 50 APO is a statement lens - it shows what it is possible to design and build. The 50 Summilux is stunningly good (excellent) in the real world and I defy anyone to be disappointed in its performance. So the question you need to ask yourself is whether you want a lens because of its theoretical performance, or two lenses which are as usable as any you could want. All rational, reasonable, sensible and spot-on accurate...until you start agonizing whether you should have gotten the APO anyway and begin plotting its purchase. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted March 4, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've owned the 50 lux three separate times. I've also owned the prior 28 Cron. I've never owned the 50 APO. But I also enjoy using a 28. I can probably make due using just the one lens , 50 APO for 6-12 months. I do go back and forth between 28 and 50 quite frequently. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted March 4, 2018 Share #8 Posted March 4, 2018 Then get a MATE. You’ll have 28 and 50 with 35 thrown in for good measure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 4, 2018 Share #9 Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) I prefer the ergonomics of the 50 Summilux ASPH compared to the APO.... and the extra stop is a bonus. Neither lacks in IQ for my printing needs. I’ve had the 50 Summilux ASPH and 1st version 28 Summicron ASPH for many years. I rented the APO, and decided to keep what I have, irrespective of cost. But you love just the ‘thought’ of the APO, so GAS will likely rule...or nag after the fact. Jeff Edited March 4, 2018 by Jeff S Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share #10 Posted March 4, 2018 Jeff, You hit the nail on the head perfectly. 50 Lux is better than I am skilled it just isn't about that. I am selfishly hoping someone writes something that I haven't already thought of or read already that convinces me the APO is a must have. That just hasn't been the case and I read this forum a ton. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 4, 2018 Share #11 Posted March 4, 2018 Keep looking.... there are several here who will be buried with theirs. Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted March 4, 2018 Share #12 Posted March 4, 2018 Jeff, You hit the nail on the head perfectly. 50 Lux is better than I am skilled it just isn't about that. I am selfishly hoping someone writes something that I haven't already thought of or read already that convinces me the APO is a must have. That just hasn't been the case and I read this forum a ton. I like your honesty. If it’s GAS you are trying to satisfy, I think you need to push the boat out and buy the LHSA black paint APO before they all get snapped up. The bog standard 50 APO no longer cuts it as far as GAS is concerned. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 4, 2018 Share #13 Posted March 4, 2018 Option 2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted March 4, 2018 Author Share #14 Posted March 4, 2018 The thought crossed my mind. I love the look. But 10k for one lens even scares me away. Knowing how good the lux and 28 Cron are has me leaning in that direction. Leica gear needs to be passed down to next generations or bought and sold 10X like I stupidly do. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted March 4, 2018 Share #15 Posted March 4, 2018 The LHSA version would address my ergonomic issues with the standard APO, but sacrifices the nifty slide out hood (albeit with a likely more flare resistant option). But GAS is independent of logic. Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted March 4, 2018 Share #16 Posted March 4, 2018 I would actually buy the 50 lux ASPH if the 50 APO were the same price. I am a film shooter but the images look better to me, and I need the 1.4. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colint544 Posted March 4, 2018 Share #17 Posted March 4, 2018 For what it's worth, I have both the 50mm Summilux ASPH, and 28mm Summicron ASPH mk1. I think they compliment each other beautifully. They render images in a similar way - modern, but classic. https://www.instagram.com/colintempleton/ 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-A-C Posted March 4, 2018 Share #18 Posted March 4, 2018 I would actually buy the 50 lux ASPH if the 50 APO were the same price. I am a film shooter but the images look better to me, and I need the 1.4. Of course I will still buy the APO someday. GAS is addictive and I love 50's. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neko Posted March 4, 2018 Share #19 Posted March 4, 2018 (edited) I have the 50APO, the 90APO and the 35 lux FLE. I see obvious differences between the 50APO and the other lenses is when I use my monochrome. With the inevitable technical evolution I foresee an M model with higher mp count, broader DR, better high ISO capabilities, in body stabilization system...etc in the near future. With the 50APO you can be sure the the lens would be up to the upcoming technical progress of the next M itineration. Edited March 5, 2018 by Neko 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkmoore Posted March 5, 2018 Author Share #20 Posted March 5, 2018 For what it's worth, I have both the 50mm Summilux ASPH, and 28mm Summicron ASPH mk1. I think they compliment each other beautifully. They render images in a similar way - modern, but classic. https://www.instagram.com/colintempleton/ I agree, I have had 3+ copies of both those lenses over the years. They are excellent. I have the 50APO, the 90APO and the 35 lux FLE. I see obvious differences between the 50APO and the other lenses is when I use my monochrome. With the inevitable technical evolution I foresee an M model with higher mp count, broader DR, better high ISO capabilities, in body stabilization system...etc in the near future. With the 50APO you can be sure the the lens would be up to the upcoming technical progress of the next M itineration. Maybe, and I mean maybe........4-6 years from now, but I doubt it. We are much more likely to see a 36+ mp SL before an M with high megapixel count. All rational, reasonable, sensible and spot-on accurate...until you start agonizing whether you should have gotten the APO anyway and begin plotting its purchase. FACT *I pulled the trigger and went with a new 28 cron V2 & new 50 Summilux* 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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