50 Summilux ASPH mk2

[colint544]

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A new close-focusing 50mm Summilux ASPH lens has been rumoured to be in the works for years now, but there's still no sign of it. The current lens must be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, aspherical lenses in Leica's line-up - designed in the era of film. The 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE only came out in 2010, was optimised for digital sensors, and has already been updated to the new close-focusing design.

I have a black chrome version of the current lens, and I think it's wonderful. If only it were a tiny bit shorter, and had more aperture blades, to avoid the ninja star out of focus highlights. I doubt I'll ever sell it, but just curious to see if Leica end up making the re-design even larger than the current version.

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[wizard]

vor 8 Minuten schrieb colint544:

The current lens must be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, aspherical lenses in Leica's line-up

Certainly not the oldest. The 90mm Summicron Apo Aspherical was there years before.

[colint544]

5 minutes ago, wizard said:

Certainly not the oldest. The 90mm Summicron Apo Aspherical was there years before.

Well, one of the oldest then. I had both bases covered. Cheers

[wizard]

vor 1 Minute schrieb colint544:

I had both bases covered.

True. And no offense intended, of course.

Cheers

[colint544]

Just now, wizard said:

True. And no offense intended, of course.

Cheers

No, and none taken! Appreciate the input. I wasn't sure, but it strikes me that a fast 50mm is an important lens in any manufacturer's line-up. I imagine that if and when Leica refresh the 50mm Summilux ASPH, they'll make quite a bit of fanfare about it.

[Stuart Richardson]

It is a great lens, and the best "reasonable" 50mm lens that Leica sells. I also am not really looking for a replacement, but if they are going to update it, I would hope for two main things: 1. They are able to keep the price in their mid tier range, not in the stratosphere like the APO Summicrons or Noctiluxes. 2. They can improve a bit on LOCA (bokeh fringing). I don't always love the green/magenta tones it can get in bokeh, though it is quite minor compared to most lenses. I am kind of spoiled by the SL APO Summicrons and S lenses in this context.

[evikne]

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23 minutes ago, colint544 said:

I have a black chrome version of the current lens, and I think it's wonderful. If only it were a tiny bit shorter, and had more aperture blades, to avoid the ninja star out of focus highlights.

I fully agree. The scalloped focus ring was a dream to handle, the best of all lenses I've used. But the length annoyed me a lot, I was almost tempted to file a bit off the front to make it shorter. 😉 And I used it wide open most of the time to avoid the ninja stars, but also to get a slightly more dreamy expression. I'm not a fan of the too clinical rendering of most modern lenses.

[colint544]

16 minutes ago, evikne said:

I fully agree. The scalloped focus ring was a dream to handle, the best of all lenses I've used. But the length annoyed me a lot, I was almost tempted to file a bit off the front to make it shorter. 😉 And I used it wide open most of the time to avoid the ninja stars, but also to get a slightly more dreamy expression. I'm not a fan of the too clinical rendering of most modern lenses.

Yes, it's just that tiny bit too long. I guess, in some senses, we'd be better off with the previous non-aspherical version. I'm sure it has more aperture blades, and it's a bit shorter, just the right side of compact. That said, there's something magical about the images from the aspherical version. It seems to blend modern sharpness with smooth, melting backgrounds. Sort of the best of vintage and modern lenses. I find it quite special.

[colint544]

25 minutes ago, evikne said:

I fully agree. The scalloped focus ring was a dream to handle, the best of all lenses I've used. But the length annoyed me a lot, I was almost tempted to file a bit off the front to make it shorter. 😉 And I used it wide open most of the time to avoid the ninja stars, but also to get a slightly more dreamy expression. I'm not a fan of the too clinical rendering of most modern lenses.

Yes, for a fairly modern aspherical lens, it has just the right amount of character. It's a winning formula.

[colint544]

This is the current 50mm Summilux ASPH at full aperture, on the mk1 Monochrom

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[WvE]

1 hour ago, evikne said:

I fully agree. The scalloped focus ring was a dream to handle, the best of all lenses I've used. But the length annoyed me a lot, I was almost tempted to file a bit off the front to make it shorter. 😉 And I used it wide open most of the time to avoid the ninja stars, but also to get a slightly more dreamy expression. I'm not a fan of the too clinical rendering of most modern lenses.

I sold mine (with some regret) as I found it far too heavy on my M, it felt like a hump of lead. 

[evikne]

43 minutes ago, WvE said:

I sold mine (with some regret) as I found it far too heavy on my M, it felt like a hump of lead. 

It was heavy, but I think it balanced well on my M10, and the wonderful tactile feel pretty much made up for the weight. 

Edited November 17, 2022 by evikne

[Knipsknecht]

It would have been nice if it had the dimensions and the outer appearance of the older pre-aspherical 50mm Lux in Version I or II. 

[anickpick]

vor 4 Stunden schrieb colint544:

A new close-focusing 50mm Summilux ASPH lens has been rumoured to be in the works for years now, but there's still no sign of it. The current lens must be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, aspherical lenses in Leica's line-up - designed in the era of film. The 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE only came out in 2010, was optimised for digital sensors, and has already been updated to the new close-focusing design.

I have a black chrome version of the current lens, and I think it's wonderful. If only it were a tiny bit shorter, and had more aperture blades, to avoid the ninja star out of focus highlights. I doubt I'll ever sell it, but just curious to see if Leica end up making the re-design even larger than the current version.

The updated 50 Lux is around the corner - another couple of months 😄

[evikne]

18 minutes ago, anickpick said:

The updated 50 Lux is around the corner - another couple of months 😄

I'm very excited. For me, a new 50mm lens is the most exciting and important product Leica can present. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be good, in the right ways.

Edited November 17, 2022 by evikne

[FrozenInTime]

14 minutes ago, anickpick said:

The updated 50 Lux is around the corner - another couple of months 😄

Does that also mean that Voigtlander, who of late seem to be in a shadow race with Leica, will soon release, and ship, a fast 50mm Nokton with floating elements ? 😈 

[Jeff S]

As an RF-only M user, the close focus distance would be a waste for me, and would add needless build complexity and ergonomic annoyance. My current version performs exceptionally, and is dialed in well for aperture clicks/focus action.  I prefer my lens to the 50 APO Summicron that I rented. More aperture blades might be a plus, but not worth the trade-in cost for me.   

Jeff

[archive_all]

1 hour ago, Jeff S said:

As an RF-only M user, the close focus distance would be a waste for me, and would add needless build complexity and ergonomic annoyance. My current version performs exceptionally, and is dialed in well for aperture clicks/focus action.  I prefer my lens to the 50 APO Summicron that I rented. More aperture blades might be a plus, but not worth the trade-in cost for me.   

Jeff

I second that regarding close focusing, however I guess it's a nice feature for those using LV, an EVF or those that really close focusing. The only slight ergonomic flaw is I find the focus tab sits a little too far back on the lens for me. If that's pushed forward a few millimeters it would be nice. That said, I don't think a trade in is justifiable for me regardless of aperture blades, close focus or a slight ergonomic change. I'd upgrade my 35 Lux before my 50 and I should mention I'm glad I didn't unload my 35 considering the current issue.

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[Jeff S]

6 minutes ago, archive_all said:

I second that regarding close focusing, however I guess it's a nice feature for those using LV, an EVF or those that really close focusing. The only slight ergonomic flaw is I find the focus tab sits a little too far back on the lens for me. If that's pushed forward a few millimeters it would be nice. That said, I don't think a trade in is justifiable for me regardless of aperture blades, close focus or a slight ergonomic change. I'd upgrade my 35 Lux before my 50 and I should mention I'm glad I didn't unload my 35 considering the current issue.

Of course, I was only commenting based on my own needs and preferences.  I’m also not an early adopter, and would never sell any gear without following reported issues and, even then, conducting my own real life tests.  
 

Others think differently, thankfully, and save people like me from being beta testers for Leica.

Jeff

[oldwino]

1 hour ago, FrozenInTime said:

Does that also mean that Voigtlander, who of late seem to be in a shadow race with Leica, will soon release, and ship, a fast 50mm Nokton with floating elements ? 😈 

Do Voigtlander have any lenses with floating elements? It doesn't seem to be their thing.