50mm Summilux pre-ASPH v3 vs. Noctilux f/1.0

[evikne]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I love my 50mm Noctilux f/1.0 because of the fabulous bokeh and classic rendering. But sometimes I wish it was a bit smaller and had a shorter focusing limit. If I should add another lens – maybe a 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH v3 is what I need?

Is there anyone who has both these lenses? How is the image quality when both are set to f/1.4? Is the Summilux sharper and better controlled?

Edited November 15, 2018 by evikne

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Dan Bachmann]

I have both for the reasons you describe above. In terms of sharpness, I'd rate them from least sharp to sharper:

Noctilux f/1

Summilux f/1.4

Noctilux @ f/1.2

Summilux @ f/1.7

and then the Summilux may be slightly sharper through the rest of the range. The Noctilux f/1 look is unique but is compatible with the pre-ASPH lens looks.

[evikne]

@Dan Bachmann Thank you very much for a very informative answer!

[Bo-Sixten]

I also have both these lenses - the Summilux pre ASPH and the Noctilux 1.0. I   second Dan’s reply. I actually sold my ASPH 50 to buy the pre ASPH because of the sharpness combined with the beautiful rendering. At 1.4 the pre ASPH is very sharp but not quite as oof smoth as the Noctilux. Still a very very good combination to the Noctilux. Both are my most used lenses. Go for the version 2. In my opinion it is easier to focus with its longer focus throw, but you sacrifice the close focus. It is still 1m as the Noctilux. 

[evikne]

@Bo-Sixten Thank you very much! The close focus is a very important factor. But easy focusing is also important. So the choice is difficult …

[lct]

Matter of tastes. I have both v2 and v3 of the Summilux 50/1.4 pre-asph and i prefer focusing v3 personally. YMMV.

[a.noctilux]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

1 hour ago, evikne said:

@Bo-Sixten Thank you very much! The close focus is a very important factor. But easy focusing is also important. So the choice is difficult …

I use Noctilux 1.0 and other Summilux 50mm, now.

When I first use the Noctilux, I had for a while (ten years or so) Summilux-M 50 (pre-asph. of course) then sold this latter.

I had opportunity to buy a Titanium Summilux-M 50mm v. III with 70cm focus, but the short focus throw bother me so I bought another Lux v. II with 1m close focus.

Lastly, I have a black anodised Summilux-M v . III, lighter than the Ti version.

This is my prefered one and because it's lighter, the short focus throw is more than usable.

What please me it's the "round aperture" of Summilux-M compared to Noctilux ( so is 50mm Summilux-M asph.) close down a bit.

So when closed down a bit, I prefer the "round spots" of Summilux over "Ninja Stars" of Noctilux when some bright spots are in the picture.

...

Talking about sharpness, I don't see significant differences between Noctilux 1.0 and Summilux pre-asph. at comparable aperture.

Depending on ISO and camera used mainly.

 

[evikne]

@lct & @a.noctilux Thank you both! A shorter focus throw probably also mean faster focusing (even though a bit less precise)?

While I use the Noctilux almost exclusively wide open, a Summilux would be used at different apertures. So the more round aperture of the Summilux is a good thing.

I may add that I also have the new 50mm Summilux ASPH. But I have a very ambivalent relationship with this lens. I have sold it and re-purchased it three times. I love the compactness and smooth operation, but I am literally knocked out by the sharpness and contrast. It is almost too much. Even though I love the beautiful rendering, it doesn’t fit in among my other lenses, which all are Mandler designs from the 80’s.

[a.noctilux]

I had for a couple of years Summilux-M 50mm asph.

sold it because it was too good/contrasty for my use .

Trying to have "only one lens" is something I would prefer, but failed to miserably and I'm happy now that I have choices to play with 😇.

Nothing serious, but that's only me.

Tracking THE LENS is a nice passtime 😍.

[evikne]

39 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

Trying to have "only one lens" is something I would prefer, but failed to miserably and I'm happy now that I have choices to play with 😇.

My dream lens would be as fast as a Noctilux and as small as a Summilux. But I'm afraid that's an impossible combination. 😬

BTW, how is the size of the 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH v3 compared to the ASPH? I know it is lighter, but is it also smaller/shorter?

[lct]

1 hour ago, evikne said:

BTW, how is the size of the 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH v3 compared to the ASPH? I know it is lighter, but is it also smaller/shorter?

A bit shorter.

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!

 

[evikne]

@lct Thanks a lot! I've been looking for such a comparison, but never found it.

[jdlaing]

Extend the hood on the silver lens and compare again.

[evikne]

1 minute ago, jdlaing said:

Extend the hood on the silver lens and compare again.

I am mostly interested in how short they can be. I don't know why, but I tend to hate long and thin lenses. Long and thick is better, but short and fat is best. 😁

[jdlaing]

Just now, evikne said:

I am mostly interested in how short they can be. I don't know why, but I tend to hate long and thin lenses. Long and thick is better, but short and fat is best. 😁

I understand. If that’s the case remove the hood on the black lens and recompare.

[lct]

None of the hoods is removable and both are collapsed in my pic above.

[Jul]

4 hours ago, evikne said:

My dream lens would be as fast as a Noctilux and as small as a Summilux. But I'm afraid that's an impossible combination. 

If you are not afraid of something different, the 50 1.1 Sonnetar from MS Optics is fast and small.

[Metin Colak]

On 11/15/2018 at 7:21 PM, evikne said:

I am mostly interested in how short they can be. I don't know why, but I tend to hate long and thin lenses. Long and thick is better, but short and fat is best. 😁

Dear Evikne,

Last time you compared Summilux-75mm and Noctlux 50mm f1 at their minimum focusing distance which was very useful for my dicision to buy the Noctilux. I am going to buy Summilux 50mm f1.4 pre-asph e46. I also have Noctilux 50 f1. 

I see some amazing photographs on your "Real Moment" webpage taken with Noctilux f1 and Summilux 50mm f1.4 e46 besides others. What I would like to ask you your general impressions of the Summilux-M 50mm. What is your thought about the rendering, colour fidelity, abberations, and versatility of the Summilux 50mm e46 if you compare it to Noctilux 50mm f1? Comparable photographs will be greatly appreciated..

Thank you very much in advance.

Best regards.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[evikne]

@Metin Colak Thank you! 

What I love the most with the 50 Summilux pre-ASPH is that I have this beautiful rendering, not unlike both the 75 Summilux and Noctilux f/1, in a small and light package. It amazes me every time. It has the same "unpredictable" out of focus rendering as the other Mandler lenses, so there is always something exciting to find in a picture if you study it. I think the colors are more accurate than the Noctilux, which sometimes are a little "dirty", with a greenish tint, even when I use an ExpoDisc for correct WB. And the focusing is so fast and accurate, especially with the E46 version, which I think has a shorter focus throw.

I am sure others can give you a more "scientific" description of this lens. I am not very concerned about such technical things. I just love the way it works and renders, and its versatility. So this has become my new favorite lens.

[a.noctilux]

Metin,

The two 50mm lenses are "very" different.

I understand that when one needs the Noctilux "look", only Noctilux can give.

But that can be boring over time, so one Summilux can save the day as an "everyday lens".

No need "scientific" comparison, as for me it's impossible to "compare" them.

I've never go out for photos (real life and not "brick wall test")  with the two to compare them, as I know that is worthless.

 

My suggestion is to try out by oneself to find it out.

I use three Summilux-M 50mm of different periods ( and colors ! ) and I have zero complain with them.

They are "better choice" than Noctilux that I use for longer time, but less and less now.

 

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!

 

have a look at your Noctilux aperture shape at say f/2 to f/4 , and take photos at those aperture,

you would prefer the rounder aperture of Summilux

Edited July 3, 2019 by a.noctilux