Summicron 50mm F2 version 5 vs Summilux 50mm f1.4 version 1

[charles tay]

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Between Summicron 50mm F2 version 5 vs Summilux 50mm f1.4 version 1, which one is worth the buy? I am considering to mount it to a M10 camera. I am deciding on the lens before i get both the camera and lens together. 

 

Edited August 10, 2021 by charles tay

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[a.noctilux]

Hello Charles,

I'd go for the Summicron.

I had used long time ago, Summilux version 1, not the lens I was fond of,

now I prefer easier to use Summilux-M 50mm v2.

I like a lot so I use three of these.

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[RF’sDelight]

The 50mm Cron v5 will provide more detail wide open where the Summilux shows more classic glow. This glow is often described and liked as "character" of the lens but if you want your micro-contrast to be slightly crispier and the colors more finely rendered and portrait is not your main sujet I would go for the Cron.

[RF’sDelight]

PS: M10 + Summicron-M 50 (V), f2.0, ISO 1600, 1/90 sec.

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Louise Bourgeois exhibition, Schinkel Pavillon, Berlin 2018

 

 

[tobey bilek]

Lux has some advantages in low light like 1.4 and flair resistance.  Summicron is sharper and straight lines are straight, ie less distortion

[Jean-Michel]

Hi,

I gather that the OP, Charles Tay, is deciding between a used Summilux (version 1) and a new Summicron. I guess that in that case the difference in cost is not the same as if both lenses were new, in which case the Lux is twice the price of a Cron. If price is a concern then the balance may well weigh in favour of the Cron.

I have used a 50 Cron since the late 60s (Rigid, and now a current model) and rarely missed having a 1.4 aperture. 

If one's images are mostly made with a wide open aperture (1.4 or 2,or…) then getting the Summilux makes sense in spite of the additional cost. If one is an "f/8 and be there" type of photographer, then the Summicron is unbeatable. In any case, I cannot think of a Leica 50 mm lens that would disappoint. I have zero experience with other makes so cannot offer any comment on those.

Jean-Michel

[spydrxx]

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I had both and much preferred the Summicron. I had great expectations of the Summilux, but it6 disappointed on several occasions. If using the lens on a digital body, IMHO there is no contest....Summicron wins.

[evikne]

2 hours ago, tobey bilek said:

Lux has some advantages in low light like 1.4 and flair resistance.

I have a Lux v.3 (E46) and it flares like h***! I am very frustrated with this, because I really love it when everything's right, but the strong veiling flare can be hard to predict. It can occur when there is no obvious backlight, for example on a cloudy day. I can't see anything wrong with it, but am not sure if this is normal behavior of the lens. And it's strange if v.3 is worse than the older versions in this regard.

[Capuccino-Muffin]

Well, be happy: the summicron flares as well. 
Even the latest apo does, like crazy.

oh! And I’d choose the LEGENDARY lux V1. Over any Lux as well. 

Edited August 10, 2021 by Capuccino-Muffin

[charles tay]

Seems like more people sided to summicron... both lens are second hand unit and later i go to shop to take a look. 

[darylgo]

The v1 lux is not a favorite on these forums.  The Summarit f1.5, it’s predecessor is more loved along with the summicron.   The Summilux is a best of both worlds lens, soft wide open, it tames contrast well. Stopped down its sharp and performs well. The summicron performs well across the board, more modern coatings, sharp but not so cutting edge that it creates harsh digital images. A third lens that is worth considering is the pre-asph Summilux, giving a Summilux glow at f1.4 and quickly switching to a modern rendering at f2 and on.   If I’m shooting low contrast subjects I want a more modern lens. High contrast subjects, flare withstanding, a more classic lens rendering with digital is very very nice.  
Order of preference: Pre-asph lux, ver 1 lux, summicron.  

[charles tay]

In the end, one lens was sold off and another lens the condition was not suitable to be sold off. 
 

I got a brand new lens voigtlander 50mm f2 APO to use while I wait for more pre-loved 50mm Leica lens when people sell back to the second hand Leica lens shop. 

[a.noctilux]

In my view, what I do with a lens to render what I want

is far more important than which lens to use.

So many lenses give many palettes of renderings to learn how to use.

[Cowz]

I have never owned a 50 Lux, but I have a pre six bit code 50mm f2 Cron in Brass and Chrome.  The lens is amazing and renders equally nice on my M9M, M10P AND SL.

It is tiny and punches above its weight.  Can get amazing bokeh and OOF transitions and yet have the focal plane very sharp. It is perfect for my portraiture style.

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[Martin B]

Best of both worlds - Get the 50/2 Summicron-M Version V and for a good deal a used Canon 50/1.4 LTM lens which resembles properties of the first Leica Summilux lens. IMO the above mentioned Leica 50/1.5 Summarit lens is a very different kind of lens and not really like a Summilux regarding lens rendering. 

[Capuccino-Muffin]

I am dumbfounded regarding what is said about Lux v1 vs Summarit f1.5.

 

My own tests suggest they are so close together as to be impossible to differentiate. 

[a.noctilux]

Again, my experiences also, I had before Summilux 50 vI two Summarit 1.5/50 in screw mount, so I kept Summarit, as original 50mm Summilux was almost same results.

Seen in this article Summarit from Marco Cavina

Have a look at same optical figure of the two lenses: Summarit 1.5/50 and Summilux 1.4/50 before 1,844,001 serial num.

[Martin B]

I never had the Summilux version I but I highly doubt that its bokeh is the same as in the very unique looking 50/1.5 Summarit lens (which I own). Can the Summilux make this kind of bokeh? I highly question this! Show and convince me! 

Photos below taken with the Leica 50/1.5 Summarit lens. I especially love the triangular-shaped bokeh circles which I find very unique for this lens. My Canon 50/1.4 (Japanese Summilux) which supposedly is very close to the Leica version I Summilux does not give me this kind of rendering. That's why I keep both of them because they are so different.  

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Edited August 16, 2021 by Martin B

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Hallo,

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[a.noctilux]

Martin,

with Summilux vI, we would have less round high light, if aperture closed from wide.

The Summarit 1.5 has round aperture opening all stops, the Summilux vI or later ...not round anymore after wide open.

[Martin B]

1 minute ago, a.noctilux said:

Martin,

with Summilux vI, we would have less round high light, if aperture closed from wide.

The Summarit 1.5 has round aperture opening all stops, the Summilux vI or later ...not round anymore after wide open.

Again, show me examples. My examples above were taken at f/2.0 (since for the photos above I would have needed a ND filter to cope with the needed camera exposure limit). It exactly opposes what you say from your only in-theory statements. Show me practical photo examples please to prove your point.