Jono Slack Review: Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1,4

[jonoslack]

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Introduction

The first Leica 50mm Summilux began production in 1959, and although there were new versions in 1961 and 1992 the optical design was pretty much unchanged until 2006 when the Leica Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH was released. This lens has been the mainstay of many photographer's kits over the last 15 years or so, it's a similar design to the 75mm APO Summicron and is often said to have APO characteristics (sometimes by Leica!). 

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The new Leica Summilux-M 50mm f1/4

So now we have a new version of the 50 Summilux Asph utilising the new close focus helicoid so that the lens can be focused down to 0.45 metres. This new lens is a companion to the 35 Summilux Asph released on September 15th last year (https://www.slack.co.uk/leica2022.html). 

Like the 35mm Leica have increased the number of aperture blades from 9 to 11 to help in producing a good bokeh. Unlike the 35mm this lens has a slightly modified optical design to help it produce more detail.

You can read the full article with more pictures on Jonos Website too.

Close Focus

The close focus feature of the new lens brings the closest object distance to 45 cm, which increases the maximum magnification from 1: 11.3 to 1: 6.4. In this context it's interesting to note that the maximum magnification on the new 35mm Summilux is 1: 8.9 (improved from 1: 17.4).

There is a good detente at the point where the lens goes closer than the 70cm rangefinder closest focus, after which you need to use Live View on the LCD (or the EVF) for focusing.

It's worth mentioning at this point that one of my favourite lenses, the 75 APO Summicron has almost as good maximum magnification of 1: 7 at the normal closest distance of 70cm.

 

35 Summilux	1:17.4
35 Summilux CF	1:8.9
50 Summilux	1:11.3
50 Summilux CF	1:6.4
75 APO Summicron	1:7
90 APO Summicron	1:9

Optical Design Changes

Leica have made some change to the edge of elements which is designed to improve both the definition (from the centre to the edges). It has also been optimised for use with the new M11 sensor (and should thus show even more improvement with the M11 and M11M.

You can see here where the changes to the lens design have been used.

I've done some extensive comparisons of the lens against the previous 50 Summilux M Asph and also the 50 APO Summicron-M, both for definition and CA. It was no surprise that from f2 onwards the APO Summicron still rules in terms of detail and control of CA, but the new Summilux is a small but noticeable improvement on it's predecessor, especially with respect to edge definition.

Body and Design

The new 50 Summilux Asph is clearly a sibling of the new 35mm Summilux Asph. It's a little larger, but with the same slightly fatter body with the slightly recessed slide out lens hood. It is 6mm longer than the existing lens and 5mm thicker, and two grams heavier (337 vs 335). It comes in silver chrome plated or black anodised, the two new lenses are the same weight. 

Personally I found the design of the previous version to be a thing of beauty and I'm not so keen on the slightly fatter look of the new lens with the lens hood narrower than the rest of the body. On the other hand I just checked with Emma and she prefers the new one!

 

 

Conclusion

The advantages of the new lens are pretty clear:

• Modified Optical Design
• Better Definition from centre to edge
• Optimisation for the M11 sensor
• Close focus with Live View
• 11 Aperture blades (as opposed to 9)

Together with the release of the 35 Summilux Aspherical last September it's great to see Leica releasing improved versions of their core lenses. If you like to focus on details, then this is an obvious upgrade from the old lens, and if you don't already have the 50 Summilux Asph then it becomes an even more attractive option. 

[Alberti]

Jono,

Is this also an optimisation for the M10-R sensor? & i.e. high-res sensors, like also in the top-end mirrorless TTL bodies, some of which also have the BSI sensor?

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[UliWer]

vor einer Stunde schrieb jonoslack:

• Modified Optical Design
• Better Definition from centre to edge
• Optimisation for the M11 sensor

If you compare the MTF-graphs published bei Leica, you won't find any significant differences between the new and the older version. There is absolutely no higher resolution across the field with the new version - according to Leica's MTF-graphs. Perhaps they are  wrong (not totally implausible, if you look at Leica's tradition of publishing wrong information on their website...).

Though even if you ignore the lack of data about "better performance", one should not follow the marketing talk about "optimisation" for certain sensors. The sensor of any camera will show what it can deliver or not with any lens - be it a Summilux from 1960 or one from 2023, it does not get better or worse with any lens. 

 

[evikne]

Thanks for the review! The length has always been my main complaint against this lens. I was hoping the new one would be a little shorter. Unfortunately, 6 mm longer was a real turn off.

[Al Brown]

Great looking gadget, cool review @jonoslack

[tom0511]

IMO the close focusing distance is a really nice improvement, but I think it is not important enough for me to part with my 50APO, which I really adore and also like the compact size.

 

[wizard]

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vor 52 Minuten schrieb evikne:

Unfortunately, 6 mm longer was a real turn off.

Sometimes size matters, one way or another 😉.

[mediumformula]

It's a shame they couldn't update this lens without increasing the weight and dimensions.  

[Al Brown]

7 minutes ago, mediumformula said:

It's a shame they couldn't update this lens without increasing the weight and dimensions.  

Well it is 2g heavier. I will personally buy a beer to anyone who will suffer from that difference.

[mediumformula]

1 minute ago, Al Brown said:

Well it is 2g heavier. I will personally buy a beer to anyone who will suffer from that difference.

I was referring more to the dimensions but regardless, a decrease in weight would have also been welcomed.  I realize it's a matter of degrees, but when using a camera for travel or field work, these little things add up.  At a time when they are making their camera bodies lighter, their lenses seem to be moving in the opposite direction. 

[Lelmer]

Thanks for the review, Jono.

Do you know if the new version is still exhibiting "Ninja stars" at openings around f4.0?

[RexGig0]

Excellent article and images! Thanks for all the diligent work!

It is good news, for my bank account, that I can achieve a near-equivalent magnification as this Summilux ASPH II at 0.45m, with my APO 75, at 0.7m. I will not “need” the close-focus capability of this new 50 ASPH II. The lack of ribs, grooves, flutes, or other texture on the focusing ring is also a disappointment. The optical improvements, in the center of the frame, however, remain a serious consideration. Perhaps, someday, I will make a pilgrimage to one of the really large Leica Stores, with my “pre-II,” to handle and test-shoot both versions, side-by-side.

I believe that I will remain fiercely loyal to my “pre-II” Summilux-M 50mm ASPH. It was my first M lens, acquired because its images exhibited “character” that none of my SLR lenses could hope to duplicate. I might add the ASPH II, someday. One can never have too many Fifties, or so I have read/heard. 😉

Edited April 13 by RexGig0

[algrove]

Jono

Very much liked this review and especially the painterly images you captured with this new CF lens. Some day I will be able to PP my color images in this manner, hopefully.

[Printmaker]

7 hours ago, RexGig0 said:

Excellent article and images! Thanks for all the diligent work!

It is good news, for my bank account, that I can achieve a near-equivalent magnification as this Summilux ASPH II at 0.45m, with my APO 75, at 0.7m. I will not “need” the close-focus capability of this new 50 ASPH II…. 😉

+1

Never been a big 50 fan. Love the 35+75 combo but keep a 50 Summicron V for occasional use. Good to know there’s no reason to change. SL lenses seem to drain my bank account more these days.

[jakontil]

Everytime a rumor comes out bout anything new from leica, i keep an eye on jono meticulously… i knew it 😎

always love your writing in sharing the experience 

[stefanusj]

great review as always, Jono. i always try (not) to read your articles... the temptation is too much.... 

[logan2z]

15 hours ago, RexGig0 said:

The lack of ribs, grooves, flutes, or other texture on the focusing ring is also a disappointment.

That's common on Leica lenses with a focus tab. See the 28mm Elmarit 2.8, for example.