Which 50mm...

[Keek]

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...would be the most versatile lens?

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[pedaes]

Seriously? 🙄

[evikne]

It depends a lot on who you ask, I guess. To me a fast lens is more versatile than a slower, because it can be both fast and slow. While a slow lens can only be slow. 🙂

But the speed has its price, both in dollars and weight and size. If a lens is too big  (like a Noctilux), it's maybe not so versatile anymore. Then a Summilux might end up being a better choice. Or if you don't need a fast lens at all, even a Summilux is wasted. 

In additon, people have different expectations of rendering etc. Some wants it super sharp from corner to corner, while others may think too much perfection is boring.

Edited August 2, 2019 by evikne

[otto.f]

Hi Keek, welcome to the forum which exists more than 10 years now. We have a search engine and this question has been debated quite a few times in various threads. You can revive one of these by posing your question there, which has the advantage that people think you’re already quite informed about the subject. 

[jdlaing]

All of them.

[low325]

The Noctilux. It opens the widest so it’s the most versatile. Have fun. 

[a.noctilux]

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No way not Noctilux which I use for so many years 🥶 .

Lagging that around can't be "versatile" .

Others that I use may approch that better (for fun ...not classified list ) :

a - SOMNI

b - Summar

c - Summarit-M

d - Elmar

e - Summilux

f - Summarit (1.5)

g - other Summicrons (I, II, III, etc.)

h - Hektor

...

so on

[RF’sDelight]

Most versatile 50mm? The current Summarit-M 1:2.4/50. Small, lightweight, budget, crisp IQ. And the bokeh ist just a half stop behind the Summicron. 😎

[evikne]

The more average, the more versatile.

[Sam]

Summilux can pretty much do it all. Yes it's heavier and larger, but it's also faster. If you find yourself in lowlight situations or if you're really fond of OOF backgrounds, then it might be a good choice. Your question is really impossible to answer with a simple this lens or that lens.

[lct]

Versatile M 50? My own definition would be a multi purpose lens, a lens allowing to be used in good and low light, giving good results at long and close distance, also a lens allowing to shoot any kind of subject matters including those needing speed or discretion. Must not be too slow or too big then so the winners are... Summilux-M 50/1.4 asph, or Summicron-M 50/2 apo if speed is less important, or Summicron-M 50/2 non apo if your wife holds the purse strings. 

Edited August 2, 2019 by lct

[a.noctilux]

😂

Sorry,

I've forgotten ...

At one time the most versatile "50" for me

 

 

was

MATE

Tri-Elmar-M 28-35-50  😵

closest to "ideal 50"

so versatile

that now my wife as practical person

she uses it 100% of time on her M

so now I must rely on other 50 less versatile

Edited August 2, 2019 by a.noctilux

[FrozenInTime]

The OP of such topics should be obliged to obtain and exclusively use the consensus recommendation 😉

[steve_hoffman]

Pre-ASPH 50mm 'Lux, last version.  My favorite Leica lens.

 Thomas Pastorelli stated about Mandler's 50mm Summilux f1.4 Leica design:

"I believe the Summilux-M 50 IS the best
lens Leica (or for that matter anyone) ever made. In
addition to its two main attributes of near absolute
freedom from flare and a signature bokeh of subtle
beauty, it is characterized by an artistic balance of
high resolution and realistic contrast -- even wide
open. It is perfectly balanced on the M body, such
that hand-holding is easy at 1/4 -- which makes it
very fast indeed at f1.4 (more so than the less well
balanced and holdable Noctilux at f1.0).

[jrp]

Who is T M?

[evikne]

1 hour ago, steve_hoffman said:

Pre-ASPH 50mm 'Lux, last version.  My favorite Leica lens.

That's my favorite lens too! 👍

[Cronilux]

Gerade eben schrieb evikne:

That's my favorite lens too! 👍

One more vote!

[6bit]

Similitude 50. If that’s too expensive, CV 1.2/50.

What you should be concerned about is the most versatile camera strap. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[RexGig0]

My collapsible Elmar-M can fit into smaller spaces, so, could, potentially, be nearer at hand, in more environments and circumstances. Its silver-chrome finish absorbs less of the sun’s heat, which is a factor in sunny conditions, nearer the tropics. The maximum aperture, f/2.8, is a limitation in some conditions.

My Summilux-M ASPH can, all else being equal, shoot in lower light. Its larger size is not a burden while shooting, and its weight is not a bother, but if I am wearing the camera, on a strap, the length of this lens means that it will bump into more things, in some environments. The black finish means this lens will become hotter, sooner, in sunny conditions. (A silver-chrome edition exists.) This being the lens that stimulated my entry into the Leica M system, due to its optical signature, and ergonomics, I have a personal affection for this lens, and therefore some level of confirmation bias.

My pre-APO, pre-ASPH Summicron has an “average” maximum aperture, when compared to my Elmar-M and Summilux-M, and is nicely compact, when the hood is removed. It can use a variety of add-on ventilated hoods, other than its standard 12585. (It is the 50 Jahre Special Editiion, which cosmetically resembles the earlier Rigid Summicrons, so does not have the sliding hood.) the silver-chrome finish has its advantages, in bright sunlight. This being my most-newly-acquired 50mm lens, the “new toy joy” effect is causing some level of personal bias, but I am far from alone in considering the Summicron series a very good overall choice.

Each of these fifties is versatile, in its own way. Each has limitations, when compared to the others. Notably missing, is the Noctilux series, which I believe to be too large to be considered versatile. There is, of course, a newer Summicron, the APO ASPH, which I would love to try. From a pure engineering standpoint, I reckon it could be the most-versatile Leica M 50mm lens. I may, however, prefer the “signature” of the Summilux, especially when people are the subjects. I will not know until I work with one.

[a.noctilux]

Rex,

now that you said it, once upon a time, I used to own a variety of Summicron lenses in 50mm.

Some were sold long ago, but I still keep these two silver marvels "50 Jahre" and "LTM release of 1999",

along with other 50mm ...I must use them more 😉

 

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don't know which one has my preference 😵