50 APO summicron - fallen out of love with it?

[newtoleica]

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I’ve been thinking of going back to this lens and letting go of my 50 summilux ASPH. I used to have one briefly but couldn’t really justify it at the time, so quickly sold it on. I prefer the rendering and handling to the Lux. I notice there are a number of 50 APO lenses around for sale these days used and wondered why? Is it people switching to the new Lux? If you owned one and sold it, why (other than tied up capital). Tx. 

[Panda2]

I just think many ppl used the APO and went "meh" since it brings almost no character/aberrations to the table and the lux-asph would be a better option for a lot of ppl (esp portrait) with 1 extra stop and not a huge step up in size. There is also the Voigtlander 50 APO which is beginning to somewhat eat Apo-summicron's lunch if size or edge case bokeh (foliage background can be slightly swirly) isn't a dealbreaker.

[Bronco McBeast]

In my case, that lens isn’t a holy grail whatsoever. It’s simply one of the 50s that gets its turn whenever I feel like it.  I sometimes spent 3 months shooting it and then I went a whole year forgetting I even own it, falling in Love back again with the collapsible.

Like for example, I’ve spent the last month with the 24 Summilux, which I plan on using for a good part of the winter, but haven’t used it for the past 6 years. It’s simply its turn, and I never had the self-induced Emergency to sell it “just because I’m not using it”.  

Simply owning it is indeed using it. It serves a purpose, even when it’s stored away. No need for the self-inflicted and unnecessary emergency of selling. 

 

Edited September 18, 2023 by Bronco McBeast

[newtoleica]

So not much love for it then 😂

[Panda2]

3 hours ago, newtoleica said:

So not much love for it then 😂

Oh I personally love mine and think it’s easily the single most uncompromising lens across all camera systems that balances S-tier technicality* with superb modern rendering in an unbelievably compact size.

But I try to be as lowkey as possible about this lens because the gushing is a bit embarrassing for a grown man. 😂

As for comparisons to the Lux-asph, after extensive tests I just didn’t like the handling nor the rendering of it compared to the apo, but plenty have the opposite opinion and that is equally valid. Close focus is a nice-to-have and not a must so can’t imagine the new lux is particularly upgrade worthy.

I think the only other 50 I would give a go is the Lux pre-asph, but it’s for the character and thus isn’t a replacement for the apo.

*bettered technically by the SL Apo, but that thing is also huge in comparison. 

[Flu]

Best lens I own is the 50mm APO. I love it so much in fact I bought 8 different Leica versions of it…. 😂 

[LeicaR10]

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NewtoLeica,   I owned the 50 Apo several times.  I currently have one now and will keep it.   Everyone has different reasons for having lenses.  For me, I use the SL 50 Apo-Summicron for landscapes when the terrain is easy to moderate along with other SL lenses when hiking.  The M 50 Apo Summicron becomes the lens of choice with the SL2 or M11-M when I am faced with difficult terrain to hike and must lighten the load.  Both lenses perform nearly the same with the superb attributes of the lenses being outstanding for landscape photography.  Can the M 50 Lux Asph be used for landscapes?  Absolutely.  But it does have very small shortfalls in the edges and corners.  Most viewers would not notice.  Most photographers would not see it either, but there are those who look for perfection.  Others not so much.  It gets down to intended purpose of the lens and if perfection is needed or wanted...and bank account. The good news for Leica photographers, there are most excellent choices available to help them create their photographs.   r/ Mark

Edited September 19, 2023 by LeicaR10

[Winedemonium]

My favourite character lenses in the M system are the 35APO and 50APO. I really love the rich yet gentle way they draw. Then the 2/35 8-element, and the 2/50 Rigid for a 'lighter', comparatively lower contrast look. 

[SNJ Ops]

I don’t own the lens and probably never will due its price but I was on Flickr  Sunday evening viewing photos taken with the 50 APO and M11 and have to say I was extremely impressed with what I was seeing. I’m probably not articulating what I saw properly but the way this lens renders the whole scene is mix of subtlety and very very high resolution. Perhaps what I’m seeing is the often talked about microcontrast, perhaps someone more knowledgeable can confirm either way.

 

 

[newtoleica]

Another day, more balance. What I liked about it was the 'detail floating on smoothness' effect. I'll have to save up, but the used prices are not unreasonable for a Leica lens.

[Kwesi]

I have the collapsible Summitar 50/2 LTM, Summicron 50/2 rigid, Summilux 50/1.4 v2, and the Summilux 50/1.4 ASPH Black Chrome. All of which I use with the M11. 
Someday if the stars are aligned I will add the 50/2 APO. Although the 50 APO is a spectacular lens, I wouldn’t sell or trade any of my current 50’s towards the purchase of the 50 APO though as it doesn’t replace any of them. 

[RexGig0]

If Leica M were my only system, I would almost certainly have an APO Summicron-M 50mm ASPH, by now, and would certainly love it. I added the Leica M system, in early 2018, to serve as a form of therapy, and wanted lenses with character. I had just retired from a career in public service, which had included the duty of evidentiary/forensic/crime scene photography. I needed a break from using optically-well-corrected lenses, to produce scientifically best images. 

I started with a pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH. It remains my favorite. Short of starvation, I will not be “letting go” of my ‘Lux.
 

My “ perfect” lens, in the normal focal length range, has been the Micro-Nikkor AF-S 60mm f/2.8G. My wife and I share the Nikon system, which is her only system, so, I will not be quitting Nikon. (She is the more-senior photographer, by far.)
 

When I was ready for an optically-well-corrected 50mm M-mount lens, I could buy it, without letting go of anything, by opting for a different brand. I added a Cosina Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar. The APO Lanthar is larger than a Leica APO ‘Cron, but well within the acceptable size range, for my purposes. Ultimately, the APO Lanthar’s apparently superior flare resistance, compared to the APO ‘Cron, prompted me to opt for the APO Lanthar. Because I opted against buying an APO ‘Cron, I was able to add a Steel Rim “Re-Edition” Summilux-M 35mm to my cart, when Leica USA received some stock, at the end of June 2023.

I may yet buy an APO Summicron-M 50mm ASPH, someday, but it will be if/when I can afford to spend that much money on niche lenses.

[Wonzo]

vor 14 Stunden schrieb Flu:

Best lens I own is the 50mm APO. I love it so much in fact I bought 8 different Leica versions of it…. 😂 

So you`ve got twice as much as I do … 😀👌

[Huss]

I was thinking about getting one, but could not tell any difference on film between it and the Summicron v5 so went for the v5.

Perhaps digital is different?

[jakontil]

I love the apo 50, it renders 3D is magical, sharp but the smoothness is there, however, i even more preferred it on my BW or film bw projects

i disagree when it was said being too clinical, it has its own characters

[newtoleica]

Yes, the APO Lanthar is interesting, but I really hate the look and feel of it. I'm much faster focussing with a tab, especially at 50mm. Still.... take your point on cost!

I limit myself to 3 very good lenses and only the M system as its perfect for what I do (street mainly). One each of 24, 35 and 50. The 24 gets most use, closely flowed by the 35, and the 50 for portraits and when I need a bit more distance (as in Budapest where photographing people without permission is illegal). I've the 24 summilux and the pre-fle summilux ASPH 35 which I love, so one day a 50 APO would be good..... I tend to shoot either wide open or f8 and not in between.

[Photoworks]

On 9/18/2023 at 7:32 AM, newtoleica said:

I’ve been thinking of going back to this lens and letting go of my 50 summilux ASPH. I used to have one briefly but couldn’t really justify it at the time, so quickly sold it on. I prefer the rendering and handling to the Lux. I notice there are a number of 50 APO lenses around for sale these days used and wondered why? Is it people switching to the new Lux? If you owned one and sold it, why (other than tied up capital). Tx. 

there are minimal optical improvements between the Luc v1 and v2, I got it because it was lighter in silver and the lens shade stays up when out.

the 50 apo is a lens with minimal character and very detailed rendering. It's almost too sharp. but it is supposed to be a reference 50mm for M cameras.

If you are looking for resolution and sharpness, the 50 APO is the best. every f-stop renders incredible details. It always comes to what you shoot. The other day I was taking portraits with SL and 50 apo SL. I was having a hard time getting the magical look. I switched to my trusty Nocti 0.95 and everything was good again. 

To me the Summilux-M 50 is the perfect rendering of the bokeh, it is in between the Noctilux and Summicron. If I had only one the Summilux would be it.

Keep in ming that the LUX is 2 lenses in one. At 1.4 it renders soft with a little glow. at f 4 it is as sharp as the APO.

[Huss]

10 hours ago, jakontil said:

I love the apo 50, it renders 3D is magical, sharp but the smoothness is there, however, i even more preferred it on my BW or film bw projects

i disagree when it was said being too clinical, it has its own characters

Do you have any examples you would like to post using the 50 APO on film?

[Erato]

@Huss 

This is a good example from @jakontil  FYR.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Jon Warwick]

On 9/18/2023 at 12:32 PM, newtoleica said:

If you owned one and sold it, why (other than tied up capital). Tx. 

I sold my M 50 APO when I moved to an SL2 + SL 50 APO, then realised I deeply missed the smaller M form factor ….and now use a Voigtlander APO Lanthar (both the 50mm and 35mm siblings) on an M11 and M10M.

I think I’m missing basically nothing in terms of image quality by owning the APO Lanthar (compared to the previous M 50 APO), but the APO Lanthars are relatively longer, esp the 35mm lens, and have no built in hood. Mechanically, the Lanthars feel very high quality.

As an aside, having owned an SL APO prime, which is what many people think are the very best Leica lenses, I personally feel like I’ve given up remarkably little in terms of lens image quality by moving to the M11 when coupled to these reference grade M-Mount lenses.