Apo-Summicron 50mm f/2 ASPH. - just too perfect I don't really fancy it...

[Jeff S]

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I’ve reported on my 50 Summilux ASPH sticky focus action before. Short story… Leica NJ tried to fix it (including new grease) but could not. I spoke with the tech by phone and he said it couldn’t be improved.  I sent it to DAG and he had it back in a week, focusing perfectly, after using his supply of the prior Leitz grease. No problems since.

Jeff

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[trickness]

I've got an SL2 and a Q2M, and a wide range of both M and SL glass. The SL glass is optically amazing and renders in a way some might call "perfect". But I've always realized that making an image that's either interesting or boring is always down to me - I've never taken a single frame and thought, oh this is really bad, it must be this $9000 lens I have mounted on my $6000 camera. I'm the goober that chose the subject, worked with the light on the scene, chose what was in the frame. 

They're all just tools, the cameras and the lenses. Lean into the strengths of each tool, like paintbrushes. Constantly having shots with a vintage rendering look can be just as boring as clinical shots. I have a 50 1.4 Lux M ASPH and I love the look of that lens, but I am also blown away but the 35 SL Cron.

 

 

 

[Huss]

Get a $30 Jupiter 8 50mm f2  to bookend your APO.

[Jon Warwick]

On 9/11/2022 at 4:20 PM, schimmey said:

Good afternoon all...

I have had the above lens for about 1 1/2 months now and not overly excited. Sure it is pin sharp but feel that the image lacks character that (perhaps) comes from slight imperfections. I wonder whether I can get more character from a wider aperture lens. I don't think there will be much noticeable loss in sharpness with a newer 1.4 or .95.

Would be interested in your thoughts.

Thanks.

Paul

I can’t answer your question, because I don’t have the wider aperture lenses, but I see a lot of wonderful images done with those lenses on this forum.

I owned the M 50 APO lens for a few years, and also the even more pin sharp and perfect SL 50 APO. I used to think both were “too sharp” for some subjects, especially portraits. I think what I’ve learnt is how to better tame them, when needed, in post processing. I typically will always have sharpness at zero-zero in ACR, given I think they already have enough edge sharpness for small to moderate print sizes; often I add a little grain too; I’m also very cautious on not adding too much clarity or texture etc. All this adds some softness back to the lenses IMHO.  If the image is still too sharp for what I’m after, I will add Blur via filters, sometimes generally or in selective areas. So I guess I’ve found ways to deal with what I used to think was excessive sharpness.

At the same time, in conjunction with the above, I’m starting to appreciate that perfect lenses such as these can actually be beneficial in creating a “softer” look due to their absence of aberrations and exceptionally smooth bokeh! 

[schimmey]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I’m surprised it got so much attention and it’s nice to read through the advice/views of others. Just to clarify - I am using it on an M11 body. I treated myself to the two following a little inheritance. I like the general idea of not getting rid of it - at least until I have found a suitable alternative for my needs.

Cheers. 
 

Paul

[T25UFO]

If you can afford to keep it and buy something else, that's the best answer.  I have had the 50mm APO almost since it was first announced and more recently bought the 50mm Noctilux f1.2 reissue.  Wide open it's a completely different lens (of course) but it's as sharp as the APO when stopped down to f5.6 or thereabouts.  

If I didn't have the APO, I would be perfectly happy with just the Nocitlux.  This reissue is very compact, 49mm filter size, and handles extremely well on the M camera.  I wouldn't even consider the f0.95 version because of its size and weight.

[budjames]

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I own the APO Summicron 50mm and 35mm. I used these lenses on my M10, M10-R and now, my M11. They are small, light and fantastically sharp and contrasty, corner to corner. The M11 and these two lenses are my go-to travel kit. However, most of the time, the 35mm is my main lens.

I also own a Summilux 35mm and Noctilux 50mm f0.95. These are amazing lenses, however the Noctilux is too big and heavy for travel.

Regards,
Bud James

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography.