Matching 50mm with 35mm Summicron ASPH V1

[Casey Jefferson]

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Hi everyone,

I've been enjoying the 35mm summicron asph v1 very very much since last year. While it's my first and only lens on my M but I've used handful of other 35mm on other system and this cron strike a great balance between sharpness and character - sharp enough details like eyelashes but with plenty of contrasty character (without crushing the blacks).

Is there any recommendation on a matching 50mm? I don't mind 3rd party lens, and hope to have at least f2. I briefly had the 50lux asph but it's somewhat cleaner which imho doesn't quite match.

Any other commends are welcome too. Attached is a shot I took with the 35mm summicron asph v1 (with quite some tone and color grading).

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Edited January 26, 2021 by Casey Jefferson

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[bayernfan]

The obvious answer would be the 50mm Summicron v4 or v5.  It does match the character of the 35 Summicron ASPH  based upon images I've made and seen.

Another "similar character" lens worth investigating is the Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton M Aspherical.  Now that the v2 is out, the original can be had for a low price.

[Casey Jefferson]

1 hour ago, bayernfan said:

The obvious answer would be the 50mm Summicron v4 or v5.  It does match the character of the 35 Summicron ASPH  based upon images I've made and seen.

Another "similar character" lens worth investigating is the Voigtlander 50/1.5 Nokton M Aspherical.  Now that the v2 is out, the original can be had for a low price.

Thanks for the insight! My dealer does have a couple of used 50 cron V5 for sale, will check them out. Heard about the 50/1.5 probably a little harder to get in where I live.

[a.noctilux]

Matching a lens to another one was a game I've tried but failed.

- each lens can give or not the same rendering as one at some specific use

- matching 50mm lens to 35mm lens was lost cause for me trying for so long

- now I just use one lens at a time, so no worrying matching nothing but the subject in front of me

...

all that said, I'd admit that Summicron 50mm can "match" every other lenses when used with care 😉.

have a read here ...(link)

My first 50 Summicron is anyway my favorite, if not Summarit-M 2.5/50

this one from Wiki

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[lct]

I don't match my 35/2 asph v1 with 50/2 v4 or v5 personally. Those are Mandler lenses doing better with the 35/2 v4 IMHO. My best match with the 35/2 asph is the 50/2 apo but the 50/1.4 asph is a good match too. Now many people use their 35/2 asph together with a 50/2 v5 with no problem at all.

[Casey Jefferson]

47 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

Matching a lens to another one was a game I've tried but failed.

- each lens can give or not the same rendering as one at some specific use

- matching 50mm lens to 35mm lens was lost cause for me trying for so long

- now I just use one lens at a time, so no worrying matching nothing but the subject in front of me

...

all that said, I'd admit that Summicron 50mm can "match" every other lenses when used with care 😉.

have a read here ...(link)

My first 50 Summicron is anyway my favorite, if not Summarit-M 2.5/50

this one from Wiki

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Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

You have a valid point there but I was basically curious if there's any 50's from Leica that shares the similar rendering character.  35cron asph is my primary lens that stuck to my camera all the time, once in a while I wished there's a 50 that's similar in character when I'm shooting portrait for my friend. I'm pretty open minded about it just don't know where to start with 🤪

6 minutes ago, lct said:

I don't match my 35/2 asph v1 with 50/2 v4 or v5 personally. Those are Mandler lenses doing better with the 35/2 v4 IMHO. My best match with the 35/2 asph is the 50/2 apo but the 50/1.4 asph is a good match too. Now many people use their 35/2 asph together with a 50/2 v5 with no problem at all.

I love how the 35cron asph v1 being so balanced on many aspects, I used to be a sucker for sharp lens with smooth bokeh at the same time only to find myself constantly pixel peeping all the time. These lenses usually don't give the impact like a good Leica glass render when viewed as a whole.

I might as well just go to my dealer to play with the 50lux asph and cron v5 side by side again and see what happens. I didn't have good experience with the 50lux and hopefully I will be getting some new insights. 😆

[a.noctilux]

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Me too, I was Summilux asph. 50mm lover (as same time as when I use Summicron asph.35mm).

Now I use 50mm Summilux pre-asph. when I want something neutral and not so "special" and good balancing (not like Noctilux ).

I even have choice of three of them 😉.

 

 

[lct]

22 minutes ago, Casey Jefferson said:

I might as well just go to my dealer to play with the 50lux asph and cron v5 side by side again and see what happens.

Good idea as the 35/2 asph is a modern lens with high acutance like the 50/1.4 asph. Nothing can replace a side by side comparo anyway.

[Guest Nowhereman]

The question for me is, what are the key aspects that need matching?

Unless you insist of shooting (digital) with no post-processing, or if you shoot slide film for projection, you could be concerned with the maximum matching possible, which would mean, for most people, a 50mm Leica lens contemporary with the Summicron 35 ASPH. However, once you accept that you want to do post-processing, it seems, the me the question becomes moot in that, if you're reasonable skilled, you can extract a similar enough look in terms of style from both lenses.
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[Casey Jefferson]

12 minutes ago, Nowhereman said:

The question for me is, what are the key aspects that need matching?

Unless you insist of shooting (digital) with no post-processing, or if you shoot slide film for projection, you could be concerned with the maximum matching possible, which would mean, for most people, a 50mm Leica lens contemporary with the Summicron 35 ASPH. However, once you accept that you want to do post-processing, it seems, the me the question becomes moot in that, if you're reasonable skilled, you can extract a similar enough look in terms of style from both lenses.
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Frog Leaping photobook

More like I like the rendering of the 35mm cron asph and wondering if there's any 50's that render similarly. I'm shooting for own pleasure and sometimes a little informal shooting for my friend so nothing is critical.

After some reading it does seem the 50 cron v5 catches my eyes more than the lux or apo.

By the way I don't quite agree on shooting digital more forgiving on lens choices. Or else I'll be happy with just about any mirrorless system for much less money, or save a ton by buying non leica lenses for my M.🤪

[Guest Nowhereman]

36 minutes ago, Casey Jefferson said:

...By the way I don't quite agree on shooting digital more forgiving on lens choices. Or else I'll be happy with just about any mirrorless system for much less money, or save a ton by buying non leica lenses for my M.🤪

Not really what I said: I posited shooting digital without post-processing as equivalent with respect to lens matching: against that, I contrasted creating, or staying within, a given style by post-processing digital — but that also, obviously, goes for post-processing film scans — or even by means of darkroom printing as well.

My real point was in the first sentence: the desirability on considering, what are the key aspects that need matching?  That, it seems to me, will differ depending on the aesthetic that the photographer is seeking.
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Edited January 26, 2021 by Nowhereman

[lct]

Some lenses look "clinical" for example and others look softer but you know this already.

[Guest]

Would imagine the new voigtlander 50mm apo-lanthar would be a good match.

The summicrom V5 is a wonderful lens but a much older design than the 35mm asph V1.

[tobey bilek]

Rigid or DR Summicron if you can find a decent one.

[surfmanjoe]

In my opinion, I would rather to have a new lens with different rendering/characters to current gear.

[TheBestSLIsALeicaflex]

If you like the version one 35/2, you'll probably also like the rigid type 2 50/2 and DR 50/2.

[Casey Jefferson]

Thanks for replies guys, after more readings somehow my eyes gravitate towards the V3 cron. Gotta save up for that since the pendamic isn't kind to my income right now. Maybe I'll grab a TTA 50/1.4 since it's so cheap and seem to perform really well.

[a.noctilux]

In your place, I'd save money NOT buying other lens, if money is tight.

Good thing with the Summicron 50 v III, now the price seems "right" (not rising like some other Leitz/Leica lenses).

As my always (oldest M lens I bought) first love lens.

 

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this one ?

from Wiki !

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[lct]

The 50/2 v3 was my first Leica lens in the seventies. My only gripe was flare with this lens but it may give a dreamy look to pictures when shooting into the light.

[Casey Jefferson]

@a.noctilux Actually, part of the reason opting for a TTA is because of the option for user to calibrate the lens. If I'm getting a lens that's off, too much troubles to send the lens off for calibration and probably more spending involved. But then I'm holding my spending until I absolutely needed a 50mm as I find 35mm is a little challenging to shoot portraits at times.

@lct I won't say flare resistant lens are boring but certainly I wished to have some imperfect elements every now and then, so it probably is a plus.