50mm APO standard vs Black Chrome aperture ring

[astrostl]

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Howdy. I like clicky aperture rings. Love ZEISS ZM ergonomics. Hate breathing on a lens to see its aperture has drifted.

Would someone who has handled both the standard and Black Crome 50 APOs chime in on which has a clickier aperture ring? Maybe offer a contrast to the 50/1.4 Lux? Thx!

Edited July 24, 2019 by astrostl
shortening

[rent]

I haven't got my hands on the black chrome 50 APO, but have the standard version, which is my most frequently used lens. I can say that the aperture ring is tensioned pretty perfectly. The indent is easily felt, yet I can turn it with a single finger.

My 35 Lux though... has the loosest aperture ring of them all. It can literally be turned by breathing on it. Apparently it's quite common.

Sorry not much help re: black chrome 50 APO.

[ELAN]

I have the 50 APO LHSA which is like the BC.  It has a wonderfully clicky aperture ring that does not accidentally move (like the 35 lux and alike).  Of all my (ten or so) Leica lenses I like the aperture ring of this lens the most.  I wish they were all like it.

[Jeff S]

I’ve handled 3 ‘standard’ versions, all aperture rings too loose for my taste.  This can however be corrected, by DAG for example.  

The other aspect of the standard version that I dislike is the lack of a fully knurled focus ring, likely due to its compact size.  The black chrome and LHSA versions address this issue, but also differ by using an attachable hood rather than the built-in retractable design of the original.  Trade offs, including cost.  

I haven’t handled the newer versions, but I always recommend testing for a preferred copy in case of sample variation. I’m content with my 50 Summilux ASPH, especially since DAG eliminated some sticky focus action.

Jeff

[rent]

I can now definitively answer this for you. Just wandered into the Leica store in Rīga and fondled the black chrome APO 50 alongside my regular APO 50. The aperture ring on the black chrome is slightly tighter than the regular. While not by much, it's noticeable. It also feels like it has more detent - I wouldn't say it's clickier though. I must say, comparing with the regular version's ring, I like the black chrome's better, sort of like a higher level of perfection (oxymoron, I know).

By the way, the little Leica store in Rīga has pretty much everything in stock - Q2, 50 and 75 Noctilux, all the SL lenses. Definitely a cool place to visit.

[Jeff S]

19 minutes ago, rent said:

I can now definitively answer this for you. Just wandered into the Leica store in Rīga and fondled the black chrome APO 50 alongside my regular APO 50. The aperture ring on the black chrome is slightly tighter than the regular. While not by much, it's noticeable. It also feels like it has more detent - I wouldn't say it's clickier though. I must say, comparing with the regular version's ring, I like the black chrome's better, sort of like a higher level of perfection (oxymoron, I know).

By the way, the little Leica store in Rīga has pretty much everything in stock - Q2, 50 and 75 Noctilux, all the SL lenses. Definitely a cool place to visit.

Not possible to reach a definitive conclusion by trying one lens, but at least we know there’s at least one well adjusted sample.

Jeff