eyeheartny Posted October 10, 2020 Share #1 Posted October 10, 2020 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I am about to pull the trigger on a purchase of a Summilux 50mm ASPH. I'm debating between silver and black. I have been leaning toward the black for weight savings, but the product pages at B&H do not show a weight difference. Does anyone who has purchased one of these new recently know if Leica changed the internals and therefore the weight? Or is this just an error on B&H's part? I was under the impression that the 50mm Summilux was one of the few remaining lenses where the silver chrome version was heavier than the black due to the brass focusing barrel. B&H black, listed at 335g weight B&H silver, listed at 335g weight B&H silver Portugal production line, listed at 335g weight Appreciate any help on this! EDIT: it appears that Leica has also changed the weights on their site. Silver 335g and Black 335g Edited October 10, 2020 by eyeheartny Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 10, 2020 Posted October 10, 2020 Hi eyeheartny, Take a look here 50mm Summilux ASPH: Is the Silver Still Heavier on New Inventory?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Jeff S Posted October 10, 2020 Share #2 Posted October 10, 2020 Listing correct; Leica has been moving to silver anodized lenses for years now, with few exceptions. I believe the LHSA version of the 50 Summilux ASPH is brass. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeheartny Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted October 11, 2020 8 minutes ago, Jeff S said: Listing correct; Leica has been moving to silver anodized lenses for years now, with few exceptions. Thanks Jeff. I had tried to do my homework on the forum by searching but missed that thread. I had seen plenty of other threads that referred to the 50 Summilux still being made of brass but that must have preceded the change. Now that only makes the decision harder since there isn't a potential weight penalty! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2020 Share #4 Posted October 11, 2020 6 minutes ago, Jeff S said: Listing correct; Leica has been moving to silver anodized lenses for years now, with few exceptions. I disagree. The silver version of the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH is silver chrome, not silver anodized. It will be heavier than the black anodized version but Leica never distinguished weights of the silver and black versions in the technical data of this lens. My records show a weight of 466g for the silver version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 11, 2020 Share #5 Posted October 11, 2020 10 minutes ago, Joachim_I said: I disagree. The silver version of the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH is silver chrome, not silver anodized. It will be heavier than the black anodized version but Leica never distinguished weights of the silver and black versions in the technical data of this lens. My records show a weight of 466g for the silver version. I may stand corrected. But I wouldn’t be the first to be confused! Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeheartny Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share #6 Posted October 11, 2020 7 minutes ago, Joachim_I said: I disagree. The silver version of the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH is silver chrome, not silver anodized. It will be heavier than the black anodized version but Leica never distinguished weights of the silver and black versions in the technical data of this lens. My records show a weight of 466g for the silver version. Interesting, Joachim. Thanks. Do you have a sample of the lens in front of you? If you do, I'd be grateful if you could pop it on the scale. Second question-- do you think the extra weight is significant in terms of how it affects the camera balance in the hand and when worn on a strap? I'm not worried about the fatigue that some folks claim happens, as I don't think that is significant enough to make a difference-- 131g is quite small in terms of carried weight when you're my size (6'2", 220lbs). It's more the balance I'm curious about, as I am coming from a camera system (Canon RF) with huge lenses that were terribly imbalanced. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeheartny Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted October 11, 2020 Advertisement (gone after registration) 2 minutes ago, Jeff S said: I may stand corrected. But I wouldn’t be the first to be confused! Jeff Even that thread is totally confusing. I'm not sure at all what is true! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted October 11, 2020 Share #8 Posted October 11, 2020 8 minutes ago, eyeheartny said: Even that thread is totally confusing. I'm not sure at all what is true! Exactly. Best for someone here to weigh (a recent) one, as you requested. Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 11, 2020 Share #9 Posted October 11, 2020 25 minutes ago, eyeheartny said: Interesting, Joachim. Thanks. Do you have a sample of the lens in front of you? If you do, I'd be grateful if you could pop it on the scale. Second question-- do you think the extra weight is significant in terms of how it affects the camera balance in the hand and when worn on a strap? I'm not worried about the fatigue that some folks claim happens, as I don't think that is significant enough to make a difference-- 131g is quite small in terms of carried weight when you're my size (6'2", 220lbs). It's more the balance I'm curious about, as I am coming from a camera system (Canon RF) with huge lenses that were terribly imbalanced. Sorry, I don't have the lens. You certainly can feel 131g difference. But I am the wrong person to ask because I just happen to like silver chrome lenses and don't mind the extra heft. All my Leica M lenses are silver chrome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelG Posted October 11, 2020 Share #10 Posted October 11, 2020 I don’t have my copy of the silver chrome 50 lux ASPH here to weight it but I do own one as well as the regular black anodised and the “retro” black chrome (don’t ask 🙄) The weight difference is very noticeable in the hand, but much less so when mounted, but the balance of the camera is slightly affected. I don’t find it a problem, it doesn’t drag the front of the camera down like a Noctilux 0.95, but it’s definitely slightly different to the regular black version. More of a difference is the focus feel - though that it partially down to copy variation. My black anodised has a lighter focus action than the silver chrome - which has a tiny “inertia” when you start to turn it but then “feels” more precise when you then dial the focus in. It feels somehow more mechanically solid. The finish on the silver chrome is also much more robust. The retro black chrome version is between the two in weight but is without doubt the lens with the best focussing action I use - butter smooth yet absolutely precise. The only drawback is the separate hood which I find a bit of a pain even without the ongoing filter problem (see other threads) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelatino Posted October 11, 2020 Share #11 Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) Here is mine with rear cap and front one under to avoid rolling down the floor 😄 New in july 2017 with few grams added by a filter I couln't remove. Breaking news: second test the scale comes 499g 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! Edited October 11, 2020 by Gelatino Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/314109-50mm-summilux-asph-is-the-silver-still-heavier-on-new-inventory/?do=findComment&comment=4060895'>More sharing options...
lct Posted October 11, 2020 Share #12 Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) . Edited October 11, 2020 by lct Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelatino Posted October 11, 2020 Share #13 Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) 15 minutes ago, lct said: . Too late Ict, I have had enough time to reed your post 🤣 The lens being a bit cold, the filter is tightened and I did not insist to take it off, just indicating it was there to take account of it in the final weight. The lens up right, DOF wouldn't have permitted to read the weight AND the lens barrel Edited October 11, 2020 by Gelatino 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted October 11, 2020 Share #14 Posted October 11, 2020 The situation is complex. I believe the chrome Summilux is still brass, and it does in my view feel very different on the camera. Whilst new issues of regular lenses are anodised silver, the 'Classic' range is chromed brass(5.6/28). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelG Posted October 11, 2020 Share #15 Posted October 11, 2020 24 minutes ago, pedaes said: The situation is complex. I believe the chrome Summilux is still brass, and it does in my view feel very different on the camera. Whilst new issues of regular lenses are anodised silver, the 'Classic' range is chromed brass(5.6/28). These two are also the only current lenses available that actually match the body finish of silver chrome M cameras (matters to me but YMMV)... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelatino Posted October 11, 2020 Share #16 Posted October 11, 2020 1 hour ago, NigelG said: These two are also the only current lenses available that actually match the body finish of silver chrome M cameras (matters to me but YMMV)... +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted October 11, 2020 Share #17 Posted October 11, 2020 2 hours ago, Gelatino said: Too late Ict, I have had enough time to reed your post 🤣 The lens being a bit cold, the filter is tightened and I did not insist to take it off, just indicating it was there to take account of it in the final weight. The lens up right, DOF wouldn't have permitted to read the weight AND the lens barrel Truth is you don't have rubber soles i bet 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/314109-50mm-summilux-asph-is-the-silver-still-heavier-on-new-inventory/?do=findComment&comment=4060987'>More sharing options...
Kwesi Posted October 11, 2020 Share #18 Posted October 11, 2020 2 hours ago, NigelG said: These two are also the only current lenses available that actually match the body finish of silver chrome M cameras (matters to me but YMMV)... 1 hour ago, Gelatino said: +1 Im glad I'm not the only one who is put off by the overly shiny (slightly gaudy) finish on the silver anodized lenses. I have a silver chrome camera and the silver anodized lenses don't match. I wonder if this is an oversight on Leica's part or if there is some technical reason. To answer the OP's question, unless the lens is described as silver chrome, you are more than likely buying the silver anodized version. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelG Posted October 11, 2020 Share #19 Posted October 11, 2020 33 minutes ago, Kwesi said: Im glad I'm not the only one who is put off by the overly shiny (slightly gaudy) finish on the silver anodized lenses. I have a silver chrome camera and the silver anodized lenses don't match. +1 Leica would get my wallet open very quickly if they released the barrel-hooded version of the 28 summicron ASPH - the Kravitz drifter brown / Safari green one - as a brass-bodied silver chrome lens. It would be a perfect everyday set for me with the 50 Lux ASPH. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyeheartny Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share #20 Posted October 11, 2020 7 hours ago, NigelG said: I don’t have my copy of the silver chrome 50 lux ASPH here to weight it but I do own one as well as the regular black anodised and the “retro” black chrome (don’t ask 🙄) The weight difference is very noticeable in the hand, but much less so when mounted, but the balance of the camera is slightly affected. I don’t find it a problem, it doesn’t drag the front of the camera down like a Noctilux 0.95, but it’s definitely slightly different to the regular black version. More of a difference is the focus feel - though that it partially down to copy variation. My black anodised has a lighter focus action than the silver chrome - which has a tiny “inertia” when you start to turn it but then “feels” more precise when you then dial the focus in. It feels somehow more mechanically solid. The finish on the silver chrome is also much more robust. The retro black chrome version is between the two in weight but is without doubt the lens with the best focussing action I use - butter smooth yet absolutely precise. The only drawback is the separate hood which I find a bit of a pain even without the ongoing filter problem (see other threads) Thank you for this, super good info. The only unfortunate part is I still have no idea which one to get! I’m quite torn between them. I am reluctant to add weight I don’t necessarily need, but at the same time the more robust finish and more precise focus feel are appealing characteristics. In lower light conditions, do you think the markings on the silver chrome are as easy to read as the markings on the black anodized? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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