Advice on the 50mm APO Summicron Lens

[BEG]

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Last month, I was lucky to obtain the new APO Summicron 35mm, and I have enjoyed it immensely. I would like to pair it with the 50 APO, but want to ask the Forum's advice before I purchase one.

Do you all think there is a significant chance that Leica will issue a new version of the 50 APO in the next year or so (perhaps in conjunction with the M11 or a possible MEVF) that includes the close focusing capabilities of the 35 APO? Although I believe this is unlikely, I would appreciate your opinions. On the other hand, a lens in hand is worth . . . .

Thanks for your speculation and advice.

[Jeff S]

Peter Karbe says more coming, but not which or when.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/leicarumors.com/2021/04/17/leica-will-launch-more-new-m-lenses-with-a-minimum-focusing-distance-of-30cm.aspx/amp/
 

In the meantime, the SL50 focuses to 35cm, if one has an SL body.

Jeff

[BEG]

Thank you, I had not previously seen this interview with Peter Karbe.

[SiggiGun]

I have the APO 35,50, 75 and 90. 35 and 50 are very close, especially if you take in consideration the fact that you can crop with a modern M camera without problem. I prefer the combo 35 + 75 then 35 +50. However It depends on your photographic focus and practice 

[LeicaR10]

Beg,   You asked a very interesting question concerning the 50 APO.  The 50 APO Summicron M lens most likely is not going to be updated any time soon and does not need to be updated.  BUT!...It has been rumored at Leica Rumors for some time the 50 Summilux-Asph-M (also an APO lens), is due for an update.  I was just looking at the B&H Photo website and noticed the Germany made version of the 50 Summilux-Asph-M is on backorder.  But interesting as well...the M 50 Summilux-Asph is missing on the Leica website under the 50mm lens category.  Does this portend a new 50 Apo Summilux-Asph is coming in January along with the M11?....I do not know.  But Leica is well known for all kinds of suprises...and this might be on Santa Karbe's list as well.  Ho,Ho,Ho!  r/ Mark

[BEG]

Very interesting. It could be an expensive 2022!

[FrozenInTime]

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On 11/27/2021 at 9:42 AM, LeicaR10 said:

 But interesting as well...the M 50 Summilux-Asph is missing on the Leica website under the 50mm lens category.  Does this portend a new 50 Apo Summilux-Asph is coming in January along with the M11?....I do not know.  But Leica is well known for all kinds of suprises...and this might be on Santa Karbe's list as well.  Ho,Ho,Ho!  r/ Mark

The M lens pages look inconsistent :

On the UK site, they still show the Summarit lenses , the 24mm Summilux and the 28 Summaron in black ; while not showing the 50mm 1.2 Noctilux.

https://leica-camera.com/en-GB/photography/lenses/m

The US site does not even show the 50mm 0.95 Noctilux

https://leica-camera.com/en-US/photography/lenses/m

Same for the German site

https://leica-camera.com/de-DE/fotografie/objektive/m

Work in progress ? 

Poor web design overall, with too little information per page, overly large images and screens that require scrolling and too much traversing of hierarchy needed.

[LeicaR10]

FrozeninTime,  I agree with you.  The new Leica website is poorly done.  So, my post #5 reflects my; I do not know.  I don't know why Leica management would even consider allowing the site to go live with all the inconsistencies.  Very strange to say the least.  Just the same, a new 50 Apo Lux is still hopeful....and hope is eternal...LOL.  Best to you for the holidays. r/ Mark

[FrozenInTime]

@LeicaR10 I loved my 50mm Summilux when new, but the helicoid became loose after a few tears, then the Leica repair was stiff and sticky at the FLE transition, making it unpleasant  to focus. Thus I consider the current design mechanically flawed - too much weight on a small heliicoid.

I almost bought the classically styled variant, but the filter/hood oversight stopped me.

A new 50mm Summilux design would be most welcome .

[BjarniM]

I have a 50mm APO, and there's absolutely no - and let me emphasize  NO - reason to replace the current 50mm APO.

It's by yards the best lens I have ever tried throughout my 35 years in photograph.

Hands down, it's the best 50mm ever made - both optically and technically Period!

[sebben]

Buy a black one ☺️

[jrp]

I doubt that the 50mm APO is a priority for updating as I doubt that you'd be able to tell the difference on an M, unless they can find a cheaper way of manufacturing a different design to the get the same result.  It's hard to know what should be.  The 90mm APO Summicron is probably the oldest of the APOs but 90mm probably doesn't sell as well as some of the wider angles, so the incentives to upgrade it are less compelling (and it is very sharp on a 24mpx sensor but just has a few edge aberrations on certain scenes that show its age).

If anything, the 50mm Noctilux is starting to show its age on digital sensors (colour as well as resolution), but Karbe points out in one of his interviews that it would, of course, be possible to get rid of the purple fringing at the expense of size and raw glass costs.  I suspect that they will be guided by the sales of the 75mm and 90mm Noctiluxes.

Leica are well behind on their SL lens roadmap (21 and 24 missing) so that would be a priority over some of the other M lenses and I agree that the Summilux would be priority over the APO Summicron.  Trouble is that the 50mm Summilux has an attractive image character that might be difficult to reproduce in a more "perfect" lens.

All that said, as well as producing perfect lenses such as the SL Summicron and the AP 35/50mms, they seem to be intent on reliving the nostalgia of old lenses, such as the f1.2 Noctilux, to satisfy at least the older among their customer base.

[Sandokan]

On 11/26/2021 at 6:05 AM, Jeff S said:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/leicarumors.com/2021/04/17/leica-will-launch-more-new-m-lenses-with-a-minimum-focusing-distance-of-30cm.aspx/amp/

This link was redirected to this site, 

https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Merriweather:400,400italic,700,700italic

but the proper link i think is

https://leicarumors.com/2021/04/17/leica-will-launch-more-new-m-lenses-with-a-minimum-focusing-distance-of-30cm.aspx/