50mm summilux v2 or 50mm summicron v2(rigid)?

[Samascha]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi all,

I will be going on a long trip, and will either be able to bring summilux v2 or summicron v2 rigid. 
 

Does the two lens have similar characteristics? 

 

Thanks

Edited November 24, 2021 by Samascha

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[wda]

Your question raises a doubt in my mind that you have no experience of either lens. Otherwise, you would know their defining characteristics. If true, I would take the lighter lens, with lens hood and test it well before you go.

[Kwesi]

I have the 50 summicron v2 rigid and the 50/1.4 Black Chrome which uses the the same housing as the summilux v2.

I think you are better off with the summilux for a couple of reasons.

1: the focussing is much easier on the summilux , I find the focussing knob on the summicron gets in the way and the infinity lock doesn't help matters.

2: you will really appreciate the summilux when you are indoors at cafes or cathedrals, etc.

[Alberti]

The esthetics of the lux are great, but the min focus of the cron comes in very handy. The one at 1m and the other at 70 cm both have a nice signature. 
I compared both at F2 and 1 m - to me almost undistinguishble. [both have seen the Wtzlar shop for a CLA…]

Edited November 24, 2021 by Alberti

[a.noctilux]

@Samascha,

If the Summicron Rigid is to be chosen over the Summilux, it would only for it's less geometric distortion.

Otherwise, I'd choose the Summilux as I know it well and no focus lock at infinity, black Rigid is rare (very expensive) and only a bit heavier.

My Cron Rigid is 251g and my Summilux 297g, if this matter.

The close focus is the same at 1m for the two nice 50mm.

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!

Rigid from our Wiki

 

Summilux (Wiki)

[albertospa]

The two lenses you are talking about, from direct experience, are very different:
The Lux gives images with good contrast, high definition in the center and less at the edges, at full aperture it offers a subtle glow. The Cron has a more moderate contrast, the definition is higher and more homogeneous all the way to the edges. They are two lenses with very different looks.

[surfmanjoe]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

On 11/24/2021 at 12:41 PM, a.noctilux said:

@Samascha,

If the Summicron Rigid is to be chosen over the Summilux, it would only for it's less geometric distortion.

Otherwise, I'd choose the Summilux as I know it well and no focus lock at infinity, black Rigid is rare (very expensive) and only a bit heavier.

My Cron Rigid is 251g and my Summilux 297g, if this matter.

The close focus is the same at 1m for the two nice 50mm.

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!

Rigid from our Wiki

 

Summilux (Wiki)

@a.noctilux Can you also please tell the dimension of both lenses? especially for the length, Thank you. 

[shirubadanieru]

You can find all the specs in the Leica wiki, do a quick Google search and you’ll find it right away.

I’ve had both lenses, and I’d say it’s hard to beat the rigid as your take-everywhere 50mm. That being said, if you prefer portraits and dreamy bokeh, it’s always hard to beat a summilux (not that the rigid is not great for portraits, I actually like it a lot for that too). While both these lenses focus to 1m, the latest iteration of the summilux 50mm focuses to 0.7m, so you might wanna check that one too. 

External design wise, the summicron rigid is probably the most beautiful lens Leica has ever designed, alongside the steel rim summilux 35mm and the v1 summilux 50mm (chrome). 

Ease of focus the summicron wins too as it has just the right amount of focus throw, whereas the summilux has a longer focus throw. I do prefer lenses with tabs too, and the rigid infinity lock is perfect to hold when focusing. 

[a.noctilux]

1 hour ago, surfmanjoe said:

@a.noctilux Can you also please tell the dimension of both lenses? especially for the length, Thank you. 

Lengths, just measured minutes ago:

Summilux 45mm, Summicron 43mm from M mount flange to front.

 

 I had never done this, but post#8 above led me to do it.

While I'm there, I measured the dof scale on both lenses left 16 to 16 right , to have an idea of focus throw which never bother me on any of them.

Summilux 30mm and Summicron 22mm ...scale 16 to 16 on "ticks" 👍.