50 Lux ASPH, last or previous for 1k€ difference?

[Seba66]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hello everyone, I'm finally on the verge of buying my first Leica lens for my M10. I have read and seen how much is possible about the difference between the two versions of the 50 lux ASPH, and the difference in cost between the two that I could take used from a local dealer is around 1k€ (3.8 vs 2.8). What would you choose also thinking from a point of view of depreciation beyond the differences in the technical characteristics?

[RexGig0]

Hello! This seems to be a good time to buy a 2005 version of the Summilux ASPH pre-owned. There seem to be plenty from which to choose. My first M-mount lens acquisition was a lovingly well-preserved, pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, in 2018, after several visits to Houston Camera Exchange, in Texas, where helpful employees coached me in using the rangefinder, with pre-owned and demonstrator M9 and M Type 240 cameras. I had been doing the homework, on the various 50mm M lenses, for several years, before a post-retirement financial windfall enabled adding the M system. (Actually, a shoulder injury had caused me to scuttle plans to acquire a long, heavy Nikon “super telephoto” lens, for chasing birds. The long lens, alone, would have cost more than I paid for the pre-owned Summilux, and my new M10.)

I have only bought one Leica M lens new. I finally allowed myself that luxury, in mid-2023. It may well remain the only Leica M lens that I buy new, rather than pre-owned.

Close Focus could be useful, at times. I will not deny that. In my personal case, however, I have a Macro Adapter M, also bought pre-owned, before Leica had introduced this newest Summilux ASPH M with Close Focus. I actually bought the Macro Adaptor M to use with a 90mm lens, but, I could use it with a 50. Using the Macro Adapter M does require using Live View on the LCD, or through a Visoflex, but, using Close Focus with the newest ‘Lux ASPH II requires the same.

So, buying a pre-owned Summilux ASPH Version I worked well, for me, but, my way is a way, not THE way.

Only time will tell which lens would depreciate more in value, if bought pre-owned, today. 

 

Edited February 11, 2024 by RexGig0

[costa43]

Tough one. I would probably go with the saving but in the back of my mind I think that if Leica introduced an M with a built in evf at some point, it would be nice to have that close focus functionality. If you are a visoflex fan then it could come in useful too. 

Edited February 11, 2024 by costa43

[Robert Blanko]

Hi Seba66,

Regarding the depreciation you mentioned as criteria, it is my guess that the first version has suffered already a significant drop in price with the launch of the new version and I would not expect further steep decrease of the price. The price of the new version is supposedly more stable - until the next version will be released. In absolute terms, the depreciation might be the same if you would buy now.

Thus, if I were in your shoes, my decision would essentially boil down to the question whether I would need the close focus capability. The rounded bokeh balls I would rather consider uncritical for my purpose, as the aperture at 1.4 will be perfectly round also for the old version. If I want bokeh, I would chose 1.4 anyway.

[spydrxx]

Owning neither, but having owned lots of Leica lenses over the years, I'd suggest disregarding depreciation, it is only speculation and changes with fanboy whims. Don't begin overthinking the purchase of your first Leica lens, unless you are a professional photographer relying on the output to earn a living. Just buy whatever is most appealing and within your budget and take a year or so to learn how to get the best out of your lens and camera. Then you can begin thinking about subtle differences.

[FrozenInTime]

My experience says avoid early copies of the first ASPH version 11891.

The helicoid is undersized for the weight of the lens elements, so over time grease will migrate and the lens focusing can become very loose and the front elements wobble. An expensive lengthy Leica repair later and the focus was stiff, sticking slightly around 1.5m; did not clear up with use. The test for this is to compare the focus with the lens pointing straight up against the smoothness when it is horizontal.

Externally at least, the mechanical design of the integrated hood 11891 version did not change until this new close focus version. The latest one also seems to have improved internal anti-internal reflection coatings.

I skipped the 11688 version as there were hood to filter compatibility issues.

After a few years without a 50mm Summilux, the 11728 is on my wish list for these reasons.

 

[tappan]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Coincidentally, this was offered by RedDotForum, last night.

 

[evikne]

48 minutes ago, tappan said:

Coincidentally, this was offered by RedDotForum, last night.

Thanks, I look forward to watching this episode when I get the time!

Edited February 11, 2024 by evikne

[Jeff S]

1 hour ago, FrozenInTime said:

My experience says avoid early copies of the first ASPH version 11891.

The helicoid is undersized for the weight of the lens elements, so over time grease will migrate and the lens focusing can become very loose and the front elements wobble. An expensive lengthy Leica repair later and the focus was stiff, sticking slightly around 1.5m; did not clear up with use. The test for this is to compare the focus with the lens pointing straight up against the smoothness when it is horizontal.

 

 

DAG put better grease in mine back in 2013, after Leica NJ could not fix the sticky focus.  Cost $90, including shipping. It has been focusing smoothly for the 10 years since.  
 

Jeff

[Jeff S]

2 hours ago, tappan said:

Coincidentally, this was offered by RedDotForum, last night.

 

Almost the first hour and a half details the differences between the 5 Summilux versions, in chronological order, (Versions 4 and 5 are the two ASPH versions.)

David Farkas left out some fun facts about the first ASPH version, which Karbe explained in this old interview (especially p.2, where he explains the cost of one glass element).

https://www.shutterbug.com/content/leica-lens-saga-interview-peter-karbe

Jeff

Edited February 11, 2024 by Jeff S

[chris7273]

I don’t have the Summilux 50 but I have the new Summilux 35 FLE v2. I use the close focus ability a lot (with the rear screen or the Visoflex). Therefore I would also opt for the new 50. The price difference is almost forgotten after one year of ownership 🙂

[Seba66]

Thank you guys for your contribution. Being also an SL shooter I'm leaning more towards the latest CF version  (I don’t like to much using the LCD and the Visoflex with M…)

[Jeff S]

I use M lenses on my M, RF only, and SL lenses on my SL2. SL lenses typically focus closer than these M close focus lenses anyway, and are weather sealed to boot. Different shooting circumstances and experiences.  I don’t want or need the added operational complexity of these new M lens close focus designs, irrespective of cost.  YMMV.

Jeff