Which 50mm at 1.4 or below?

[thr1961]

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I have an older 50mm Summicron (2.0) and am interested in acquiring a 1.4 (or below) lens to my kit.  I am shooting on an M11 and have been a bit stuck on my ASPH Summilux 35mm (1.4) and want the low light capabilities at 50mm.  I have read a number of threads here on the various options, but am interested in thoughts and opinions on which 50mm to buy.

I shoot outdoors about 75% of the time and lean towards more urban settings and architecture. I often shoot in limited light, thus my interest in faster glass. This, plus the 25% time indoors and some of the challenges of the 35mm 1.4, have brought me to this point.

Thanks in advance.

 

Tim

[a.noctilux]

😄

time to try in 50mm Summilux/Noctilux, or some clones (cheaper but may be waste of money or not)

plenty of choices out there.

In 50mm, F/1.4 is far easier to use than f/1 (or .95/1.1/1.2 etc.)

I'd try one of them first, about F1.4/1.5, then faster if you feel it later.

[evikne]

Are you satisfied with the wide open rendering of your older Summicron, or would you like something even sharper, like the 35mm Summilux ASPH?

[thr1961]

 

1 hour ago, evikne said:

Are you satisfied with the wide open rendering of your older Summicron, or would you like something even sharper, like the 35mm Summilux ASPH?

I am looking for a bit more sharpness as well as the lower light capabilities at 1.4. 

[evikne]

20 minutes ago, thr1961 said:

I am looking for a bit more sharpness as well as the lower light capabilities at 1.4. 

Then I think you should go for a 50mm Summilux ASPH. Either v1, the new v2, or v1 Black Chrome. They all have a modern rendering that matches your 35mm Summilux ASPH.

[thr1961]

Thanks all.  I appreciate the help and now need to make a call on which version and also look at availability.  I am seeing a 2023 version used but LNIB for just under $4k.  I can also get a new model for $4750 via Germany.  But I am also seeing V1s available for quite a bit less.  The multiple models, colors, and descriptions do not make it easy!

My instinct is to go for the 2023 version due to the close focus and the 11 blades, but what do you all think?

[evikne]

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23 hours ago, thr1961 said:

My instinct is to go for the 2023 version due to the close focus and the 11 blades, but what do you all think?

I would probably also choose the 2023 version, for the same reasons you mention. It's probably a little bit sharper too. But I've seen comparisons of the roundness of the aperture on the old and new versions set to f/2.8, and the difference with an extra aperture blade was disappointingly small (the old pre-ASPH with 12 blades is much better in that respect).

Personally, I really miss the tactile feel of my ASPH v1 Black Chrome version. It was a very special feeling to handle the ultra-smooth, scalloped focus ring.

[wizard]

vor 18 Minuten schrieb evikne:

It was a very special feeling to handle the ultra-smooth, scalloped focus ring.

This must have been the special LHSA version of the lens then. It looks very beautiful, too. Why did you sell that one?

Edited November 21, 2023 by wizard
correction

[RexGig0]

23 hours ago, thr1961 said:

Thanks all.  I appreciate the help and now need to make a call on which version and also look at availability.  I am seeing a 2023 version used but LNIB for just under $4k.  I can also get a new model for $4750 via Germany.  But I am also seeing V1s available for quite a bit less.  The multiple models, colors, and descriptions do not make it easy!

My instinct is to go for the 2023 version due to the close focus and the 11 blades, but what do you all think?

For those who do not already own the first version of the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, I would think that it makes sense to opt for Version II, unless a specific variant of the original is desired, or a specific feature, such as ribs on the focusing ring, is desired. For example, I prefer a ribbed or scalloped focusing ring, on a 50mm lens, rather than a tab. (My original-version Summilux-M 50mm ASPH has ribs and a tab. The special edition Black Chrome ASPH has a scalloped focusing ring, with no tab.)

Close Focus is a value-added feature. I can live without Close-Focus in a 50mm M lens, because I have an APO Summicron-M 75mm ASPH, which has a Maximum Magnification, at its Minimum Focusing Distance of 0.7m, which is the near-equivalent to that of the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH II at its Close-Focus Minimum Focusing Distance. Of course, being able to use the 75 ‘Cron’s magnification requires that I bring it along with me, and in tight spaces, there may not be 0.7m of working distance.

 

Edited November 21, 2023 by RexGig0

[evikne]

13 minutes ago, wizard said:

This must have been the special LHSA version of the lens then. It looks very beautiful, too. Why did you sell that one?

It was the just the "standard" Black Chrome version (11688), which apparently was originally made in a limited number, but has since been produced on par with the standard version. I bought it new and the price of both versions was the same. I sold it a couple of years ago because I needed the money for something else.

[Jeff S]

18 minutes ago, RexGig0 said:

Close Focus is a value-added feature.

For some. For me, as an RF-only M user, it adds needless design, build and operational complexity (and probably cost).
 

I’ll happily stick with my v.1, even if I could trade for the new version at no cost. 
 

Jeff

[evikne]

On 11/19/2023 at 6:57 PM, thr1961 said:

I am shooting on an M11 and have been a bit stuck on my ASPH Summilux 35mm (1.4) and want the low light capabilities at 50mm.

Not that it probably matters, but which version of this lens do you have that you want to combine with? There are three main versions: Pre-FLE (1994), FLE (2010) and the new CF / close focus (2022). 

Edited November 21, 2023 by evikne

[thr1961]

I have the FLE version and not the CF. I bought it new about 3 years ago and am very happy with it. 

[ianforber]

To chip in with a (potentially) unwanted alternative, I have the latest version of the Voigtlander 35mm f1.5 Nokton. Sharp, modern and with close focusing. £800 so quite a bit cheaper. I bought it to see if I liked 35mm before investing in a Leica lens as it’s an almost identical size to the Summicron. I see no reason to buy the Leica now. 

[keeping_a_balance]

On 11/19/2023 at 6:57 PM, thr1961 said:

I have an older 50mm Summicron (2.0) and am interested in acquiring a 1.4 (or below) lens to my kit.  I am shooting on an M11 and have been a bit stuck on my ASPH Summilux 35mm (1.4) and want the low light capabilities at 50mm.  I have read a number of threads here on the various options, but am interested in thoughts and opinions on which 50mm to buy.

I shoot outdoors about 75% of the time and lean towards more urban settings and architecture. I often shoot in limited light, thus my interest in faster glass. This, plus the 25% time indoors and some of the challenges of the 35mm 1.4, have brought me to this point.

Thanks in advance.

 

Tim

https://www.47-degree.com/focus-shift/leica-m-50mm-lens-comparison-part-4