Is Leica Summilux 50mm asph worth trading against three lenses ?

[Johannes Adriaan]

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Every time I see images taken with the Leica 50mm Summilux asph, I recognise the very special quality of separating subject from background, combined with crispness in centre wide open. This is something my Zeiss sonnar 50mm or Voigtlander apo lanthar will not give me. The Zeiss because it is not sharp enough to my taste (and certainly not when shooting near infinity) and while the Voigtlander will give me very good resolution (a better description than just sharpness), I am not thrilled by its bokeh (f2 after all). The Leica seems to be better in producing a quick fall off of contrast in the background relative to the high contrast of the subject. I am now tempted to trade in my two fifties together with another lens (Summarit 90mm) against a second hand Summilux.
It may look like a bad deal, but in the end, if you only use one lens on your camera, a lot of people would say the Summilux is the only one you need. 
Anyone who can concur or advise?

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[jakontil]

41 minutes ago, Johannes Adriaan said:

Every time I see images taken with the Leica 50mm Summilux asph, I recognise the very special quality of separating subject from background, combined with crispness in centre wide open. This is something my Zeiss sonnar 50mm or Voigtlander apo lanthar will not give me. The Zeiss because it is not sharp enough to my taste (and certainly not when shooting near infinity) and while the Voigtlander will give me very good resolution (a better description than just sharpness), I am not thrilled by its bokeh (f2 after all). The Leica seems to be better in producing a quick fall off of contrast in the background relative to the high contrast of the subject. I am now tempted to trade in my two fifties together with another lens (Summarit 90mm) against a second hand Summilux.
It may look like a bad deal, but in the end, if you only use one lens on your camera, a lot of people would say the Summilux is the only one you need. 
Anyone who can concur or advise?

Hi johannes, i too tend to see leica glasses produce a quick fall off of contrast in the out of focus area too, in facts thats what actually differ with other glasses imho, that include the super power 50 apo summicron when compared to the likes of voigtlander apo lanthar

the 50 lux asph, is a cheat code lens in my book, very predictable in a way, you will just love the image it shoots, so very much dependable too, hence a good choice for a single lens usage

[Johannes Adriaan]

Thanks! That’s what I thought. I should add that I am not happy with the Voigtlander apo colours, although it is great for black and white shots.

[BastianK]

Did you consider the latest Voigtlander VM 50mm 1.5 Nokton MC II?
I have used the Voigtlander in the past, I now have a Leica 50mm 1.4 Asph on the table and I am honestly
shocked how bad the Leica perfroms in many areas by comparison.

20 years of technical advance do make themselves felt.

Edited May 12, 2023 by BastianK

[Johannes Adriaan]

Hi Bastian, thanks, yes, I have been thinking about that lens. I suppose a lot depends on the subject one wishes to shoot. I would mainly use it for people/street photography. From what I‘vd seen on Flickr etc, the VL is indeed very good, but it doesn’t seem to have that magic that I see in images taken with the Leica (to be fair, the images that impressed me are from great photographers such as Torsten O. But I am happy to be convinced of the contrary! What quality in the Summilux do you find disappointing?

[Olaf_ZG]

I own both the sonnar and the lux. The sonnar is for soft portraits, nudity, still life, or when shooting a foggy landscape. The rest is for the lux.

As the sonnar is relatively cheap, it doesn’t make sense to sell it, despite sometimes wondering about it.

I guess my answer is not really helpful…

[Pierre68]

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If I had to keep only one kens, it would be the 50mm f/1.4 Asph... So go for it!

[Lelmer]

17 minutes ago, Pierre68 said:

If I had to keep only one kens, it would be the 50mm f/1.4 Asph... So go for it!

+1

[rustyrus]

Yes…

 

Law of diminishing returns but I think yes. I would rather shoot with the 50 only than those 3 lenses. 

 

Although I would want to own the lenses you own so there’s that I have the lux but will own a 50 Sonnar at some point  

[Johannes Adriaan]

I have around 10 lenses, for various focus distances and from various brands, but I rarely use anything other than 50. So perhaps I should bite the bullet and sacrifice these three.

[rramesh]

The 50 Summilux ASPH is a gem. Just note that when it goes for the occasional CLA you will need another to prevent you from going into withdrawal. 

Edited May 13, 2023 by rramesh

[Alan Friedman]

I have both the Summilux-50 ASPH and the CV APO-Lanthar 50 and carry both in my bag all the time. They have different signatures and strengths. I wouldn't care to give either up.

[Johannes Adriaan]

Indeed, they are different beasts and it would be great if I could keep both. Do you use the CV APO for street photography as well, or rather for architecture or landscapes?

[Riccardo.asselta]

Di 50mm ne ho 3 il Summilux asph, il Voigtlander Nokton f1,2 asph e lo Zeiss Sonnar, 3 obiettivi fantastici ma il Summilux è il migliore. Colori, microcontrasto, bokeh nettamente superiori, il Sonnar è molto sognante, mentre il Nokton è il miglior compromesso prezzo/rendimento. Il Summilux è l’ultimo arrivato e ora faccio fatica ad utilizzare gli altri 2.

[Gobert]

I have quite some fifties. The Lux, 2 APO’s and the Noct 0.95. I love them all.

[spydrxx]

Do it and don't look back. Personally I likr=e the lenses you currently have but if they don't cut it for you, move on to that which will.

[PhotogLeica]

I love my 50mm Summilux 1.4 asph, my favorite lens of the all the lens I have. According to lens designer, Peter Karbe, it's even an APO lens, which is a much hidden fact about this lens. It is superb in every way. Low light monster too. You can't go wrong with this lens.