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The ASPH II being optically better, in the center, should help those whose portraits are of a style that benefits from this characteristic. I wonder whether my 24MP M cameras (M10 and M Type 246) would realize any noticeable benefit. Perhaps I will eventually make a pilgrimage, with my “pre-II” Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, to one of the really larger metro-area Leica Stores, that might have an ASPH II available for demonstration. (I do not plan to traded my precious pre-II APSH. It was my first M lens, the lens that lured into adding the Leica M system. I might, however, sell or trade other photo gear, to enable adding an ASPH II.)

Edited by RexGig0
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vor 3 Stunden schrieb wdahab:

I thought I'd look at the MTF charts, and you can see some interesting differences in the detail. Most interestingly is that the lens is far improved in the center, but actually a little "worse" midframe. All of it is minor, but it seems like they have very much decided to focus on getting portraits to be as crisp as possible.

Yes, something must be wrong: Either the MTF-graphs published bei Leica for the new lens are wrong, or the marketing talk about "better definition from centre to edge" is wrong.

The "old" Summilux asph. always had a "saw spot" half way between the center and the edge. You can see this on the MTF-graph, though I  confess that I didn't see much of it in reality. If the MTF-graphs for the new lens are right, this "saw spot" is aggravated as the definition at the very center is considerably higher, but the dip in the region from 6 to 12 mm seems to be a little bit lower. 

It would be funny If this really represents the optical characteristics of the lens, as it seems closer to the pre-aspherical Summilux than to the former aspherical version. The pre-aspherical had - rather - high resolution at the center, but then dropped dramatically towards the edges, which could produce a three dimensional look if you were lucky. The first aspherical version was of course better in any respect, though perhaps a bit "boring" - but for me it was and stays the ideal "working horse" for every situation. The new version might be a little bit more specialized for portrait and close-ups.

 

Edited by UliWer
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vor 6 Stunden schrieb UliWer:

Yes, according to the data sheet published by Leica the new one is 59.3mm long, while the older one is 52.5mm - though I shouldn't be so sure about this, since the people at Leica have a very strong habit to measure their items always in different ways (hood extended or not, etc.). So as long as nobody has seen both next to each others guessing is still allowed. The new one is described in the datasheet as not being heavier:  337g to 335g.

So to call it "Fattilux" compared to the "Slimmilux" would not be very kind...

Maybe better "Chubbilux" vs. "Slimmilux"...

BTW, based on the MTF graphs, it appears that Leica did not only change the number of aperture blades but also the optical design (at least slightly). Otherwise, the small but non-negligible differences would not seem plausible.

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vor 1 Minute schrieb Photoworks:

If you want some details between the two, please let me know!

Leica describes the focus throw of the new lens as follows:

Specially developed by our engineers, it greatly increases the rotation range of the distance ring compared to the previous model. This facilitates extremely easy and convenient focusing over the entire range, 

Can you give details how much the focus throw from infinity to 70cm has been increased for the new lens compared with the previous model?

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5 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

Sweet to get an updated lens. I get my new lens tomorrow and will make some comparisons with previews ASPH

If you want some details between the two, please let me know!

I would like to see a picture of both lenses side by side, to compare height and width. I would also like to see a close-up of the aperture blades on both lenses, set to aperture f/2.8.

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I got it for myself - a bit of a folly but I have an emotional relationship with this lens. This is my 5th time buying in the past 20 years or so (I had the ASPH I twice, the preasph, the ASPH BC, still have).

I like the idea of close focusing and the changed blades. The fact that it has put on some weight not only feels more aligned with my own scale progression over the same period of time, but also makes It feels more balanced than the skinny version, whose looks I absolutely loved but felt was quite nose heavy especially when close focused

Will keep both this and BC for a while and then decide

 

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2 hours ago, Fedro said:

I got it for myself - a bit of a folly but I have an emotional relationship with this lens. This is my 5th time buying in the past 20 years or so (I had the ASPH I twice, the preasph, the ASPH BC, still have).

I like the idea of close focusing and the changed blades. The fact that it has put on some weight not only feels more aligned with my own scale progression over the same period of time, but also makes It feels more balanced than the skinny version, whose looks I absolutely loved but felt was quite nose heavy especially when close focused

Will keep both this and BC for a while and then decide

 

Did you actually physically pick one up today? Order a guaranteed stock item that will be delivered? Or pre-order without stock guarantee? Just curious, since I haven't heard about any launch day inventory anywhere, but I also usually hear that there's secret launch day inventory some places. Leica Miami gave me the usual "we don't comment on unannounced items but sign up at launch" which I did. And I also got onto a list at a much more likely source, where I got my 35APO, so hopefully I'll get the lens soonish.

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For the last few years, the only reliable source for newly introduced products are the Leica Boutiques (for me in the USA).  Within several weeks to a few months, I've gotten calls for items such as the 35 APO Summicron ,the re-issue 50 Nocti 1.2 and 35 Lux Steel Rim.  I've been told by a prior very reliable independent dealer that Leica no longer supplies them with "special" non limited but higher demand items.  My guess is that this change drives more foot traffic to the boutiques as they need to pay the rent.   

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9 minutes ago, maxpower said:

Just curious, we know on paper it's bigger than the previous version but has anyone seen a side by side comparison already? I like visual things instead of numbers

See post #86. I hope @Photoworks will post some pictures later today.

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11 hours ago, wdahab said:

Did you actually physically pick one up today? Order a guaranteed stock item that will be delivered? Or pre-order without stock guarantee? Just curious, since I haven't heard about any launch day inventory anywhere, but I also usually hear that there's secret launch day inventory some places. Leica Miami gave me the usual "we don't comment on unannounced items but sign up at launch" which I did. And I also got onto a list at a much more likely source, where I got my 35APO, so hopefully I'll get the lens soonish.

I had emailed Miami, but they didn't have any. I went to Leica website and the silver was in stock, it is coming today from Leica NJ.

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Regarding the new lens design:
Some of you will remember Peter Karbe explaining that one of the glass elements of the then new Summilux 50 Asph. was as expensive as all other elements together.
He also mentioned it was element #3. Now when you look at the drawing of the changes in lens design (you will find this drawing for example in Jono's review) it is exactly the group containing the third lens element that has been redesigned.
It could well be that the exotic glass of element #3 is no longer available -at a reasonable price- and has therefore been replaced. The resulting difference in performance is perhaps less a real improvement but more the best performance compromise possible.

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59 minutes ago, Maarten said:

Regarding the new lens design:
Some of you will remember Peter Karbe explaining that one of the glass elements of the then new Summilux 50 Asph. was as expensive as all other elements together.
He also mentioned it was element #3. Now when you look at the drawing of the changes in lens design (you will find this drawing for example in Jono's review) it is exactly the group containing the third lens element that has been redesigned.
It could well be that the exotic glass of element #3 is no longer available -at a reasonable price- and has therefore been replaced. The resulting difference in performance is perhaps less a real improvement but more the best performance compromise possible.

I thought that expensive lens element had to do with the 50 APO.

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26 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

Wow, they all look great, and thank you so much for the pictures!

At the same distance setting, the two lenses appear to be exactly the same length. Only at MFD there is a difference, and that is of course very understandable, due to the much shorter MFD. I wonder why Leica apparently lists the length at MFD, is that normal?

And the new lens appears to have a significantly rounder diaphragm at f/2.8!

Edited by evikne
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