50mm lux or cron for my 'new' M9

[nickmeertens]

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Hi All, after 10 years with no Leica (sold my M8 in 2012) I bought a M9 with a replaced sensor today.🥳

With the money left in the pot I want to buy either a 50mm v5 summicron or a v2 summilux. Used prices seem similar.

I can find all sorts of information online but not how they render differently at similar apertures. 

Does someone here have experience  with both these lenses and say something about the way they render compared to each other? Or a link to an article or post about this subject?

Thank you so much, best, Nick

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[jpto]

Get a lux, I'd aim to stretch for a good used copy of the ASPH. You'll need the extra stop of light with the M9

Edited December 23, 2022 by jpto

[dpitt]

I have both and both have their own qualities. The Summicron V rendering sits in between the older sixties look and the modern ASPH lenses. It is definitely the best al rounder and I do appreciate the built in hood. So it is the most practical with E39 filter size and hood.

The Summicron is older in rendering and will be more artistic (less 'perfect' if you measure it probably), more playful with light. This character difference remains, even when stopped down, so even full open at F2.0, I think the Summicron is more 'exact' than the Summilux at F2.0.
Hard to choose between them. You can not really go wrong. For portraits I prefer the lux, for architecture and landscapes I would probably take the cron.
Indeed the extra stop helps when shooting indoor, but F2.0 is not too slow for that, so you can work around it in most cases.

If it is going to be your only lens, what you shoot most will have to tip the balance for you.

[lct]

50/1.4 v2 (left) has an 1m MFD and its separate hood is bulky so i would prefer 50/1.4 v3 (right) with 0.7m MFD and built-in hood or 50/2 v5.

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[rramesh]

Agree with post by jpto above. A fast lens would be a good companion for the M9. If you like the 50mm focal length, the Summilux 50 would be a great choice. If budget is tight you might also consider the Voigtlander Nokton Vintage 50 f/1.5 reviewed elsewhere. 

[nickmeertens]

15 hours ago, dpitt said:

I have both and both have their own qualities. The Summicron V rendering sits in between the older sixties look and the modern ASPH lenses. It is definitely the best al rounder and I do appreciate the built in hood. So it is the most practical with E39 filter size and hood.

The Summicron is older in rendering and will be more artistic (less 'perfect' if you measure it probably), more playful with light. This character difference remains, even when stopped down, so even full open at F2.0, I think the Summicron is more 'exact' than the Summilux at F2.0.
Hard to choose between them. You can not really go wrong. For portraits I prefer the lux, for architecture and landscapes I would probably take the cron.
Indeed the extra stop helps when shooting indoor, but F2.0 is not too slow for that, so you can work around it in most cases.

If it is going to be your only lens, what you shoot most will have to tip the balance for you.

The balance tipped towards a 1973 Summilux. Thanks for your thoughts.

And to the others who chimed in.