Rumored 50mm APO Summilux-M

[Jeff S]

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Thanks, Pete.  DAG fixed the sticky focus action on my standard version (after Leica could not).  But this is the first time I’ve heard of rendering differences, as the optical formula is the same as far as I know (although maybe the filter size/barrel changes has some effect).  Some have suggested that special edition or LHSA lenses in general are built to higher tolerances and perform better, but that might not be borne out by testing. I’m tempted to try this one out.  

Ditto regarding the flare resistance.  I use the hood on the standard version just because it’s built in and offers some protection from bumps.  (I also own the v.1 28 Summicron, but use the smaller 35 Summilux hood for bump protection). 

Ordinarily I wouldn’t care about a tweak here or there, but the 50 Summilux ASPH has been a core lens for me for some time,  and the ergonomics of the black chrome version has appeal, especially the fully knurled focus ring and lack of tab.  But I don’t often shoot wide open, so any optical distinctions might not be appreciated closed down a bit.

Thanks for your reply... much appreciated.

Jeff

 

Edited September 4, 2019 by Jeff S

[lct]

Same optical formula but smaller diameter fitting 43mm instead of 46mm filters so one could expect a bit of vignetting the same way as with the 50/1.4 v2. Funny that such vignetting was one of the reasons why the 50/1.4 v3 got 46mm filters 25 years ago. BTW i seem to recall that the stock hood of the black chrome does not fit current E43 Leica filters (13032 Uva II) and that earlier filters (13206 UVa) don't fit either because they have not the same thread pitch as that of the lens. See: 

 

Edited September 4, 2019 by lct

[Jeff S]

That's why I asked Pete about the hood he uses.

Jeff

[lct]

Just now, Jeff S said:

That's why I asked Pete about the hood he uses.

Leica provides a special screw-in metal vented hood to fix the issue if memory serves me well.  

[Jeff S]

9 minutes ago, lct said:

Leica provides a special screw-in metal vented hood to fix the issue if memory serves me well.  

Well, it is offered for sale...

https://leicastoremiami.com/products/leica-lens-hood-for-50mm-f-1-4-summilux-black-chrome-11688?variant=26725105424 

Jeff

 

[lct]

2 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Well, it is offered for sale...

https://leicastoremiami.com/products/leica-lens-hood-for-50mm-f-1-4-summilux-black-chrome-11688?variant=26725105424 

Looks like this one is the stock clip-on hood, not the special screw-in one i was referring to.

[Jeff S]

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6 minutes ago, lct said:

Looks like this one is the stock clip-on hood, not the special screw-in one i was referring to.

Sorry, my bad.  But Thorsten did say that Leica Germany will modify the hood for screw in for free (since 2018)...

https://www.overgaard.dk/leica-50mm-Summilux-M-ASPH-f-14-APO.html

Jeff

[lct]

5 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

Thorsten did say that Leica Germany will modify the hood for screw in for free (since 2018)..

Must be true then . This screw-in hood is due to the efforts of Ernest and other LUF members involved in the thread i quoted above IINW. I have no experience with it though.

[pedaes]

Could always buy one of Thorsten's screw in hoods.

[lct]

4 minutes ago, pedaes said:

Could always buy one of Thorsten's screw in hoods.

Not sure that Thorsten provides them for free

[genji]

10 hours ago, farnz said:

Jeff,

My own and two other samples of the black chrome Summilux I've handled have buttery-smooth focussing whereas my standard Summilux's focus action was uneven and jerky from when I bought it new until I moved it on ten years later.  The pictures from my standard Summilux were wonderfully sharp and crisp with clear, saturated and it was my favourite lens for many years colours but my taste changed (matured?) over time to a preference for character over clinical.

Naturally it's all subjective but the pictures from my black chrome offer a little bit of character through it's gentle vignette owing to the 43 mm filter thread, which is just enough for me and places its pictures in my mind midway between the standard Summilux and the Noctilux f/1; a little bit of the Noctilux's inherent character gently veiling yet not hiding the Summilux's brilliance.

Pete.

@Jeff S

I would never have considered a standard Summilux-M 50mm ASPH because of the focusing tab. When I saw the Black Chrome edition in the Leica Store I initially balked at the price but came back a few days later and purchased it—a decision I’ve never regretted since it’s far and away my favourite lens for all the reasons Pete has described.

[colint544]

In 2012, I bought a brand new 50mm Summilux ASPH, the black version. The focusing was silky smooth, the smoothest of any lens I'd ever owned. And I loved the results it gave. I had read a lot about stiff and uneven focusing being a characteristic of this lens, but reckoned I must have got a good copy. I didn't like the pull-out hood. I bumped it very lightly once, and it lost its circular shape, which made it harder to push in or pull out.

When the 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome was announced, I swapped over to that. Leica said it would be limited to 500 copies, but evidently changed their mind and made it a standard option in their catalogue. It's a lovely lens, the ergonomics are great, and I like that it doesn't have the plastic focusing tab. The aperture ring operates very precisely, like a 1960's Leica lens. 

But, on my copy at least, the focus ring is quite stiff, and uneven. I thought it might become smoother with use but four years later, and with plenty of use, it's still the same. Sample variation I guess.

[lct]

1 hour ago, colint544 said:

But, on my copy at least, the focus ring is quite stiff, and uneven. I thought it might become smoother with use but four years later, and with plenty of use, it's still the same. Sample variation I guess.

My regular 50/1.4 asph was like this. I had to send it twice to Leica Germany to fix it and it is almost butter smooth now so all hope is not lost. Problem is with Leica its QC is sometimes so poor that i fear to have to send in the same lens or body several times, which happened with my 50/1.4 asph that took more than six months to be fixed as expected.  

[evikne]

You are tempting me! There is a mint (never used / collector's item) Black Chrome edition for sale not far from here. But as I said, I have no real hurry and it's probably better to wait for the upcoming APO Summilux, even though I'm afraid the size will make it a disappointment. 

And I see several people here appreciate the lack of focus tab. I thought I was the only one, so I didn't dare mentioning in the initial post that I also hope the new APO Summilux will not have a focus tab, eventually detachable in some way.

Edited September 5, 2019 by evikne

[indergaard]

Well, according to historical Leica pricing, an APO-Summilux would be about twice the price of the current APO-Summicron. Which means about 70% more (depending on market/country) than the current Noctilux 0.95/ASPH. It's safe to say that I will never even remotely consider it even if I had the cash laying around  At one price point a lens is simply not worth it, regardless.

An APO-Summilux will never cost the same or less than an APO-Summicron. It will be about twice as expensive. How do you feel about that?

[evikne]

I doubt it will be that expensive (although I don't expect it to be cheap). But I am willing to pay ‘a lot’ for THE lens. That means a lens so perfect (in my opinion) that it can replace all my other lenses.

But in all likelihood my next acquisition will be the Black Chrome Summilux (as a modern rendering supplement). I don't even believe it's necessary to wait for the APO.

[Paulus]

Am 28.8.2019 um 15:23 schrieb evikne:

https://leicarumors.com/2019/05/06/the-latest-leica-rumors-sl2-m10x-m-with-evf-apo-summilux-m-50mm-f-1-4-asph-lens.aspx/

I am quite curious about the rumored 50mm APO Summilux-M lens with closer focusing capabilities. It sounds tempting, but I will only consider it if the lens is noticeably shorter than the current model (I love it, but I just can't stand the length of it, which is why I have purchased it and sold it three times).

Do you think there is any hope that a new lens can be made any shorter, or will the closer focusing capabilities inevitably make it even longer?

I also hope for a circular iris diaphragm at all apertures!

Funny, I thought the 1,5/90 ash would appear earlier. Say end October 2019...

[miessli]

Do we really need a new Summilux 50mm? I mean we have the karbe look with the  apsh (apo) and we have the classic mandler look with the regular Summilux. What else do you need?

i think we all have the GAS Syndrom more or less.😄

[indergaard]

3 hours ago, miessli said:

Do we really need a new Summilux 50mm? I mean we have the karbe look with the  apsh (apo) and we have the classic mandler look with the regular Summilux. What else do you need?

i think we all have the GAS Syndrom more or less.😄

The current Summilux is also a Karbe lens/look.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Jeff S]

On 9/6/2019 at 6:30 PM, indergaard said:

The current Summilux is also a Karbe lens/look.

Indeed.

https://www.shutterbug.com/content/leica-lens-saga-interview-peter-karbe

Jeff