Leica SUMMILUX M 50mm version 2 and 3 throw

[AHAB]

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Hello from Germay,

I am reading a lot about 50mm lenses in the moment. Today a saw an episode on summilux 50mm lenses on YouTube covering all the lenses in this series.

I learned that SUMMILUX version 2 and 3 lenses have the same optical design but different housings.

I am not sure BUT … is the throw different - meaning - is the way to focus a version 2 SUMMILUX 50mm from 1m to infinity way longer compared to a version 3 to focus from 0.7 to infinity … I cannot compare as I do not have both lenses but from the pictures this would be how I see it.

Can somebody please check or provide data on that?

Thanks in advance

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[evikne]

I can confirm that the v3 has a 0.7m MFD, while the v2 has 1 m. 

My v3 has about 120° focus throw from 0.7 m to infinity. I don't know if the v2 has the same length of focus throw, but from 1 m to infinity (which will make it feel longer and slower), or if it's actually more than 120°.

Edited June 9, 2024 by evikne

[AHAB]

Thanks for the answer - there should be V2 with 0.7m also which would be the youngest V2

on a V2 1m version from 1m to infinity I get  180°

so if you have 0.7 to infinity in 120° - 1m to infinity would even be less

this would correlate with my thinking of the differences

Edited June 9, 2024 by AHAB

[evikne]

16 minutes ago, AHAB said:

so if you have 0.7 to infinity in 120° - 1m to infinity would even be less

Yes, by my eye it's only about 60-70° from 1m to infinity on my v3.

Edited June 9, 2024 by evikne

[grahamc]

Sorry I can't comment on the difference , but part of why I like my v3 so much is the short focus throw.  Seems particularly quick  

Edited June 11, 2024 by grahamc

[a.noctilux]

In this Leica brochure in French, the two types are pictured with the visible focus throw.

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I use the two types and my opinion is as simple as

short throw and 70cm is great for the right lens

but when I use the first model (long throw) I appreciate the feeling of precision and focussing is so smooth much better than the "shorter throw".

...

Anyway each Summilux-M 50mm is very good lens, I use three of them.

[lct]

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On 6/9/2024 at 5:26 PM, AHAB said:

I learned that SUMMILUX version 2 and 3 lenses have the same optical design but different housings.

According to what Leica wrote to me, « The LEICA SUMMILUX M 1.4/50 lens (code 11868) was launched approx. 1994 on photokina in Cologne. The first deliveries have been made beginning of 1995. This lens in question was the third generation of this SUMMILUX lens and was totally redesigned, optical and mechanical. E.g. The close-up focus was now 70 cm. and it had an telescopic lens hood.  The lens was discontinued approx. 2004 ». in fact, as stated by @a.noctilux above, the focus throw of v3 is significantly shorter than v2's. I did not measure them though sorry.

[AHAB]

On 6/30/2024 at 11:24 PM, a.noctilux said:

In this Leica brochure in French, the two types are pictured with the visible focus throw.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

I use the two types and my opinion is as simple as

short throw and 70cm is great for the right lens

but when I use the first model (long throw) I appreciate the feeling of precision and focussing is so smooth much better than the "shorter throw".

...

Anyway each Summilux-M 50mm is very good lens, I use three of them.

Thank you - now everything is clear to me and I know I need another 50mm besides my Summilux Ver2 with a shorter focus throw - thinking of a Summarit 50 2,5 or a Nocton 50 1,5 II

 

Edited July 2, 2024 by AHAB

[AHAB]

On 7/1/2024 at 2:29 AM, lct said:

According to what Leica wrote to me, « The LEICA SUMMILUX M 1.4/50 lens (code 11868) was launched approx. 1994 on photokina in Cologne. The first deliveries have been made beginning of 1995. This lens in question was the third generation of this SUMMILUX lens and was totally redesigned, optical and mechanical. E.g. The close-up focus was now 70 cm. and it had an telescopic lens hood.  The lens was discontinued approx. 2004 ». in fact, as stated by @a.noctilux above, the focus throw of v3 is significantly shorter than v2's. I did not measure them though sorry.

Thank you - these things are exactly bothering me with the V2 - 1m close focus distance and the very long throw 

Edited July 2, 2024 by AHAB

[UliWer]

vor 5 Stunden schrieb AHAB:

and the very long throw 

There are some users who think that a long throw has its advantages for a highly opened lens. I think this is true. It is easier to achieve exact focus at f/1.4 with a long throw, and if your focus is just a tiny bit off, it matters more with a short throw than a long one.

Of course a short throw is quicker at f/5.6 - though for f/5.6 you don‘t need a Summilux.

[AHAB]

21 minutes ago, UliWer said:

There are some users who think that a long throw has its advantages for a highly opened lens. I think this is true. It is easier to achieve exact focus at f/1.4 with a long throw, and if your focus is just a tiny bit off, it matters more with a short throw than a long one.

Of course a short throw is quicker at f/5.6 - though for f/5.6 you don‘t need a Summilux.

True - so I am considering a Sumarit 50 2,5 and / or a Nokton 50 1,5 II to add to the LUX (still I have the 1m close focus issue of the V5 - but this was not the discussion here)

[TomB_tx]

5 minutes ago, AHAB said:

True - so I am considering a Sumarit 50 2,5 and / or a Nokton 50 1,5 II to add to the LUX (still I have the 1m close focus issue of the V5 - but this was not the discussion here)

The 50 2.5 Summarit has a very fast throw, which I like, but many don't.

[lct]

5 hours ago, AHAB said:

[...] these things are exactly bothering me with the V2 - 1m close focus distance and the very long throw 

The Summilux 50/1.4 v3 has been made to address that. As far as my lenses are concerned, it has about the same focus throw as the Summicron 50/2 v5. I did not measure it though.

[Danner]

I have the V2 Summilux, and confirm it has a long focus throw, which I like.  The long throw is helpful at f1.4 for focus selection.  If I'm shooting stopped down, needing some DoF, I'll take my V4 Summicron, which has a focusing tab and short throw, both helpful in quick-shooting situations.

 

My 2¢

[AHAB]

Thank you everybody to clear this up - I always thought I bother only because of the 1m short focus possibilities - but in fact also the very long throw keeps me from using the V2 in some situations - end of the story is "you need more than only one nifty fifty" 😉 so I will use different 50mm lenses for different situation in the future 

[JMF]

New mods on the 50 lux v2 ! 
https://www.instagram.com/p/C9PWjeKIhrh/?igsh=eHIweXBnOHQxeTc4

Cheers

JM