50mm Summilux pre-asph alternative

[costa43]

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Hi all,

My favourite lens, the 50mm 'lux pre-asph v3 is in with Leica for a CLA. It suffers from the relatively common issue it seems of light haze between the cemented elements. Leica cannot clean the residue but they can replace the affected elements. It's a 5 - 6 month wait though. With this in mind, I'd like a low cost fast 50mm to plug the gap. So far the strongest contender is the Canon 50mm f1.4 ltm but thought I'd ask around to ensure I'm not overlooking any other good options. 

Thanks

Costa

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[jankap]

Dangerous! Perhaps you like the Canon better afterwards.

[Anbaric]

Just curious if this issue is restricted to the v3? Did the cement change when they moved to the E46 design?

I guess the Voigtländer 50mm f/1.5 II is a bit outside the low cost range?

[a.noctilux]

Hello Costa.

I use the two lenses for many years.

My point of view is they are quite different in picture rendering.

Even if the Canon 1.4/50 is called 'japanese Summilux' by some, I would not call it the same.

The Canon has  it's own character (as Jankap wrote above perhaps you'll like it better).

I love the pre-asph Summilux 50 so much that I own now three from different periods.

For me the subtle rendering of Summilux can not be replicated by other (less so the Canon).

In your place, I'd find another Summilux 50.

(When the asph. came, I sold the pre-asph. then regretted, so I re-bought 3, not be able to find same lens).

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/280972-selling-the-50-apo-to-return-to-the-50-lux/?do=findComment&comment=3900321

 

[costa43]

23 minutes ago, a.noctilux said:

Hello Costa.

I use the two lenses for many years.

My point of view is they are quite different in picture rendering.

Even if the Canon 1.4/50 is called 'japanese Summilux' by some, I would not call it the same.

The Canon has  it's own character (as Jankap wrote above perhaps you'll like it better).

I love the pre-asph Summilux 50 so much that I own now three from different periods.

For me the subtle rendering of Summilux can not be replicated by other (less so the Canon).

In your place, I'd find another Summilux 50.

(When the asph. came, I sold the pre-asph. then regretted, so I re-bought 3, not be able to find same lens).

 

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/280972-selling-the-50-apo-to-return-to-the-50-lux/?do=findComment&comment=3900321

 

Thank you, It's a lens I'm very fond of too. I will have the Summilux back from Leica by April so it is just a backup to see me through the winter that is required. 

[costa43]

30 minutes ago, Anbaric said:

Just curious if this issue is restricted to the v3? Did the cement change when they moved to the E46 design?

I guess the Voigtländer 50mm f/1.5 II is a bit outside the low cost range?

I believe so but I speak from the little knowledge I have gathered from this forum and elsewhere. It seems that the e46 suffers more from this ailment than the previous two versions. No doubt there is someone on here who knows a whole lot more about this than I do. 

Thank you for the recommendation. It is one to consider too. I've heard good things. 

[RexGig0]

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I, too, have “heard good things” about the Cosina Voigtlander 50mm f/1.5 II being a Summilux competitor. Sample images can readily be found on-line. I have never seen this lens, but am happy with several other Cosina Voigtlander lenses lenses that I have acquired, and continue to use.

Edited November 6, 2023 by RexGig0

[lifeandmylens]

2 hours ago, costa43 said:

Hi all,

My favourite lens, the 50mm 'lux pre-asph v3 is in with Leica for a CLA. It suffers from the relatively common issue it seems of light haze between the cemented elements. Leica cannot clean the residue but they can replace the affected elements. It's a 5 - 6 month wait though.

I'm surprised they still have the parts to replace those cemented elements.  I read somewhere that DAG can clean and replace the cement used, which I'd imagine would be quicker and cheaper, but I am not sure.   I have owned all versions of the 50 summilux except the newest close focus one.  My favorite is the v3 pre asph like yours.    The perfect blend of modern haptics and characterful rendering.  

The closest rendering lens I've found to it is the f/1 Noctilux stopped down.  But that's not cheap.  I would try the Canon LTM like you mentioned or you could try the Summarit 1.5 which is quite similar to the lux v1 but cheaper (lower contrast, more swirl).

 

[Anbaric]

Another possibility might be to go for something with rather a different character, so that when you get the Summilux back you'll have two complementary lenses. That might be a lens with a very modern rendering, like the Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar, which reviews suggest is competitive with Leica's own APO at a fraction of the price. Or you could go even further back than the Canon, perhaps to the Summitar, a well-behaved lens at middle apertures you might not guess is vintage glass, but with some interesting swirly bokeh when opened up with the right background.

[Olaf_ZG]

My Zeiss Sonnar is the replacement. Thought it would be temporary, but I will not sell it, nor replace it with the “original “.

[a.noctilux]

Afterall, for me the closest to Summilux 50 ( or Noctilux 1/50 ) would be Canon LTM 1.2/50.

I should not write this because this one has reputation to develop haze, even if my unit used for many years always has clear glasses.

 

Because of this reputation, this 1.2 lens can be bought cheaper than most.

[costa43]

5 hours ago, lifeandmylens said:

I'm surprised they still have the parts to replace those cemented elements.  I read somewhere that DAG can clean and replace the cement used, which I'd imagine would be quicker and cheaper, but I am not sure.   I have owned all versions of the 50 summilux except the newest close focus one.  My favorite is the v3 pre asph like yours.    The perfect blend of modern haptics and characterful rendering.  

The closest rendering lens I've found to it is the f/1 Noctilux stopped down.  But that's not cheap.  I would try the Canon LTM like you mentioned or you could try the Summarit 1.5 which is quite similar to the lux v1 but cheaper (lower contrast, more swirl).

 

I was also surprised. I half expected them to say they couldn’t fix it but I got the quote through today.

[costa43]

5 hours ago, Anbaric said:

Another possibility might be to go for something with rather a different character, so that when you get the Summilux back you'll have two complementary lenses. That might be a lens with a very modern rendering, like the Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar, which reviews suggest is competitive with Leica's own APO at a fraction of the price. Or you could go even further back than the Canon, perhaps to the Summitar, a well-behaved lens at middle apertures you might not guess is vintage glass, but with some interesting swirly bokeh when opened up with the right background.

I failed to mention in my original post that I do already own another modern 50mm and it happens to be the Voigtlander Apo. A lens I have never really got on with, but since buying an m10r, I have used it a little more often than previously, the increased resolution is quite addictive in some scenarios but it’s far too perfect for it to be my only 50mm.  I’m really keen to have a more “soulful’ option, closer to the pre-asph in its absence. The summitar is an interesting one. Thank you. I’ll look at some images on Flickr and here. 

Edited November 6, 2023 by costa43

[simonr]

I have both the V3 summilux 46mm and the Zeiss sooner 1.5 and this Zeiss is relatively similar, to my eyes.

[Anbaric]

2 hours ago, costa43 said:

I was also surprised. I half expected them to say they couldn’t fix it but I got the quote through today.

I'm guessing it's not €50...

[costa43]

7 hours ago, Anbaric said:

I'm guessing it's not €50...

A little above €600 for the CLA and glass replacement. 

[nitroplait]

3 hours ago, costa43 said:

A little above €600 for the CLA and glass replacement. 

Dare I say, surprisingly reasonable!?

[costa43]

6 hours ago, nitroplait said:

Dare I say, surprisingly reasonable!?

I thought so too. 

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Hallo,

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[lifeandmylens]

Wow that’s extremely reasonable!

[Gavin G]

Yes, Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM

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