Brand new close focus Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 ASPH

[Leon Berg]

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vor 12 Minuten schrieb James Lu:

 

Totally agree. Form factor does matter. 

Yes it does! In fact the 465g of the chrome silver one is also to consider, why I think about getting the old black one. I like silver more in fact on my black M240.

but is it really so improved that it matters? Is the size so increased? I saw one Video where it looked ok. I have to test them in my hand.

[wizard]

Am 11.4.2023 um 15:57 schrieb Marckyokay:

Impossible to find a perfectly smoothly focusing current 50ASPH

Each and every 1.4/50 asph LHSA I had in my hands (and I tried a couple of those) had a perfectly smooth focus operation. I own a chrome copy myself, and it is a delight to use and focus. The problems existed only with the regular version of that lens.

[Leon Berg]

vor 15 Minuten schrieb wizard:

Each and every 1.4/50 asph LHSA I had in my hands (and I tried a couple of those) had a perfectly smooth focus operation. I own a chrome copy myself, and it is a delight to use and focus. The problems existed only with the regular version of that lens.

I am talking about the regular one. Silver chrome, not black chrome limited edition. 

[wizard]

vor 1 Stunde schrieb Leon Berg:

I am talking about the regular one. Silver chrome, not black chrome limited edition. 

I know, but my comment still applies. A friend of mine had the silver chrome regular 1.4/50 asph. for some years, and it was just fine in every regard. He has since sold it for a very good (high) price.

[Leon Berg]

vor 5 Minuten schrieb wizard:

I know, but my comment still applies. A friend of mine had the silver chrome regular 1.4/50 asph. for some years, and it was just fine in every regard. He has since sold it for a very good (high) price.

Yeah, you are right. I hear good things about the newer one. Maybe I just pick that.

I find it to be modestly priced for a limited edition. I’ve seen offers from deals for under 4K euros in Germany

But: I like the industrial design of the standard version and the build in hood as well as the focus tab.
I have a friend who lives in another city and uses the limited edition and speaks highly of it. The hood is huge and blocks a bit of the viewfinder, though, right? Something to consider, but of course it may or may not bother you. Generally, if I like a lens, I tend to tolerate these kind of flaws.

I am not a hundred percent sure about the newest standard version… 

[wizard]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Leon Berg:

The hood is huge and blocks a bit of the viewfinder, though, right?

I don't use the hood that came with the LHSA edition lens. Instead, I bought a Leica hood for the old Summilux 50 lens from the 60ies, which fits the LHSA lens perfectly and does not block the viewfinder much.

[Leon Berg]

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vor 1 Stunde schrieb wizard:

I don't use the hood that came with the LHSA edition lens. Instead, I bought a Leica hood for the old Summilux 50 lens from the 60ies, which fits the LHSA lens perfectly and does not block the viewfinder much.

Nice. I think about this option

thanks!

[James Lu]

Hi, Guys, it's all about personal experiences. 

Let's go back to the essentials of M cameras, what makes a M a M...

I hate big and chunky lenses, especially the plastic feelings.

The look does matter. It is an essential part being Leica and M.

For 50mm lenses, I have a 50 cron DR and 50 Lux V2 in V1 chrome shell. I also have a Chinese Ttartisan 50 f1.4.

I also have to ltm lenses where I can adapt to M mount: Canon 50mm f1.8 ltm and Nikkor 5cm f1.4 ltm.

To be honest, I don't feel the urge to upgrade to the newest 50 Luxes. 

The current lenses lineup serve me very well and I am very proud of their esthetics. 

My feeling is we are probably the last generation of photographer or cameraman. 

In perhaps less than a decade, a AI driven camera/ computer will take or make pictures than any of the best photographers in the world. 

With AI coming, people will become more and more like "camera operators". 

Even today, who can claim himself a true cameraman when the camera does 30 frames per second when he press the button. It's hard to say he is responsible for any of the particular picture amongst the 30 taken. 

Being limited by the "defects" or "limitations" of either your camera or lenses is a blessing. 

That's when you truly feel you are taking pictures. 

That is how M system survives till today. 

[wdahab]

Got my new 50 lux in, in silver. One thing I can confirm is that it is indeed only 54mm at infinity, hood retracted, not 59mm. I actually was pleasantly surprised at how small it is, not nearly as large as I thought it would be. 

[kinetic]

Can anyone post sample images from the new lens that are well lit, well composed? I'm just looking at samples and unrealistic images (such as taking a photo of a dead tree wide open against the sun). I'm not trying to find any scientific proofs here, just want to see some nice eye candy for once.

[wdahab]

Other initial thoughts/impressions:

- No ninja star bokeh. Took an out of focus shot on my iPhone's flashlight, and it's mostly round at f2.8 and f4. If you're looking for ninja stars and look very closely at 100% magnification, you can see the very slightest hint of points going the perimeter, from the curved blades. But nothing that I think will cause anyone to notice.

- The focus ring is very stiff

- The detente at 0.7m is not as significant as I'd like, and it gives a slight "squeak" when I go past it. Hopefully that sound goes away with use cause it's a little annoying.

- The aperture ring isn't as clicky as I hear the new 35mm lux ii is. This aperture ring is as light to the touch as my 35 apo cron, which is to say I think it will be easy to find it's accidentally changed on me after walking around for a little bit.

- Focus shift and calibration are great. Focused at 0.7m with RF, was in focus in the picture. Held it there and opened up the aperture and that point stayed in sharp focus the whole way. Again what you'd expect for the lens, but nice to confirm.

- No flaring issues at all

Great lens, glad I got it as my first foray into a 50mm on the M system. I now have a modern lens at 28, 35, 50 and 90. Pretty happy with my collection.

Edited April 20, 2023 by wdahab

[Fedro]

its a great lens, size is pretty much the same as the previous iteration both in terms of length and weight. its slightly fatter at the base which for me its a plus and definitely worth the negligible extra bulk for close focusing, nicer hood, slightly better performance

I am not sure I get some of the snarky comments on the forum, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion, of course.

older version looked nicer to me, but i prefer the handling of the new version

 

[ymc226]

4 hours ago, wdahab said:

Got my new 50 lux in, in silver. One thing I can confirm is that it is indeed only 54mm at infinity, hood retracted, not 59mm. I actually was pleasantly surprised at how small it is, not nearly as large as I thought it would be. 

That is great.  Mine, also in sliver, is in the mail;  hopefully to be delivered early next week.  My present silver 50 Lux ASPH will be given to my daughter when becomes more proficient with handling film cameras.  

[kinetic]

3 minutes ago, ymc226 said:

That is great.  Mine, also in sliver, is in the mail;  hopefully to be delivered early next week.  My present silver 50 Lux ASPH will be given to my daughter when becomes more proficient with handling film cameras.  

Where are you guys ordering!? I can't find anything in stock. Or did you get on some kind of list very quickly?

[Leon Berg]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb wdahab:

Other initial thoughts/impressions:

- No ninja star bokeh. Took an out of focus shot on my iPhone's flashlight, and it's mostly round at f2.8 and f4. If you're looking for ninja stars and look very closely at 100% magnification, you can see the very slightest hint of points going the perimeter, from the curved blades. But nothing that I think will cause anyone to notice.

- The focus ring is very stiff

- The detente at 0.7m is not as significant as I'd like, and it gives a slight "squeak" when I go past it. Hopefully that sound goes away with use cause it's a little annoying.

- The aperture ring isn't as clicky as I hear the new 35mm lux ii is. This aperture ring is as light to the touch as my 35 apo cron, which is to say I think it will be easy to find it's accidentally changed on me after walking around for a little bit.

- Focus shift and calibration are great. Focused at 0.7m with RF, was in focus in the picture. Held it there and opened up the aperture and that point stayed in sharp focus the whole way. Again what you'd expect for the lens, but nice to confirm.

- No flaring issues at all

Great lens, glad I got it as my first foray into a 50mm on the M system. I now have a modern lens at 28, 35, 50 and 90. Pretty happy with my collection.

Thanks for the report, that helps! Cheers from Berlin!

[ymc226]

Just now, kinetic said:

Where are you guys ordering!? I can't find anything in stock. Or did you get on some kind of list very quickly?

Got my new 50 Lux from Leica Washington DC.

Got my new M11 Mono from Leica Los Angeles.

Put my name on both of these only 4 days prior at Leica Boston, LA and DC.  Boston also called to let me know the Mono was available but LA beat them by a day.

For new products, especially more special products like the re-issue steel rim Lux, my very good independent dealer for Leica products in the past said only the company stores were getting shipments. In his case being a loyal Leica dealer did not give him any advantage in obtaining stock for the more popular items.

[wdahab]

For other folks who got there's, how is your close focus detente? Mine is almost completely non-existent when going from coupled to uncoupled. When going from uncoupled back to coupled it's there properly, but has a loud high pitched squeak. It's far less effective than with my 35APO, and squeaky/frictiony in that one direction, where the 35APO is more clicky. I'm a bit concerned overall with its quality. Curious if it's how the 50lux is being made, or if this lens just isn't working quite right.

[elmars]

vor 10 Stunden schrieb kinetic:

Can anyone post sample images from the new lens that are well lit, well composed? I'm just looking at samples and unrealistic images (such as taking a photo of a dead tree wide open against the sun). I'm not trying to find any scientific proofs here, just want to see some nice eye candy for once.

 

 

[sebben]

19 hours ago, wdahab said:

For other folks who got there's, how is your close focus detente? Mine is almost completely non-existent when going from coupled to uncoupled. When going from uncoupled back to coupled it's there properly, but has a loud high pitched squeak. It's far less effective than with my 35APO, and squeaky/frictiony in that one direction, where the 35APO is more clicky. I'm a bit concerned overall with its quality. Curious if it's how the 50lux is being made, or if this lens just isn't working quite right.

This is exactly the experience that I feared. 

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[kinetic]

Just a heads up, Adorama has the silver (11729) in stock now. I actually just ordered through them from Amazon (I had some rewards + prime card cash back). Their delivery estimate is a week longer than ordering direct from Adorama, but hoping to get the lens by May 1! I'll do some comparisons between that and my 50mm lux black chrome when it comes.