50mm Summilux Black Chrome vs Original & New Summilux ASPH

[JTLeica]

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Hello guys,

I gave the opportunity to buy a well prices Black Chrome Lux, read a few reports that its a slightly better lend than the original ASPH Lens? Is that correct?

I assumed it was the same optically as the first ASPH.

How much 'better' is the new one?

Thanks again

[wizard]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb JTLeica:

Black Chrome Lux, read a few reports that its a slightly better lend than the original ASPH Lens? Is that correct?

I doubt you will find any significant difference between those two lenses. Actual differences in optical performance will more likely be due to sample variation, so make sure to test both lenses against each other before selling the old one. FYI, the 6-bit lens code on the lens flange is the same for both lenses. The new lens does have a shorter minimum focus though, in case that is of interest to you.

[evikne]

By far the biggest difference will be appearance and haptics: Scalloped focus ring vs. focus tab, removable sun shade vs. retractable.

[Ecar]

The BC is also somewhat heavier and bulkier with the hood on.

[ELAN]

The BC is also E43 vs E46 on the original standard issue.  Some say the BC E43 vignettes a tiny bit more.  I can't tell the difference.

[lldd]

I own the BC.  The overall feel of the lens is of higher quality, in my opinion.  The focus especially is about the best I've seen/felt on any Leica lens.  I assume you noticed that it does not have a focus tab, if that is of importance to you.  I don't think there is any difference in the actual optical design or output.

That said, the hood is a bit of a pain, both in use and its size.

[Ecar]

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8 hours ago, lldd said:

The overall feel of the lens is of higher quality, in my opinion.  The focus especially is about the best I've seen/felt on any Leica lens.

Completely agree. In my case, this was reason enough to switch to the BC.

[didier]

On 7/27/2024 at 9:02 AM, Ecar said:

Completely agree. In my case, this was reason enough to switch to the BC.

I prefer the feel of the BC version as well, thought the sleek design of the normal version is great too.

I use my BC version without hood as its only drawback for me is the bulk of the hood. 

[JTLeica]

Hi guys,

So I did pick up the BC Summilux at a really good price of £2400. It’s in perfect condition more or less.

I questioned at first if it focused to infinity or not. It’s exceedingly close at F1.4, I think it does just get there. I’ll try post a sample tomorrow. Hard as it’s warm here an infinity incorporates lots of heat / atmosphere. 

But I can live with it as is, find 1.25x mag a real help with this wide open.

What a gorgeous lens though. Truly a stunning design.

[JTLeica]

And I really appreciate all the replies too

[microview]

I believe it was Steve Huff who, when reviewing the black chrome, suggested it was made to tighter tolerances. I found a mint example last year and was delighted that the extra weight hardly registers over the standard aluminium. And good not to have that wretched focus tab! (Have never used the heavy shade however.)

Edited July 29, 2024 by microview

[emlokto]

On 7/28/2024 at 4:45 PM, JTLeica said:

Hi guys,

So I did pick up the BC Summilux at a really good price of £2400. It’s in perfect condition more or less.

I questioned at first if it focused to infinity or not. It’s exceedingly close at F1.4, I think it does just get there. I’ll try post a sample tomorrow. Hard as it’s warm here an infinity incorporates lots of heat / atmosphere. 

But I can live with it as is, find 1.25x mag a real help with this wide open.

What a gorgeous lens though. Truly a stunning design.

I'm in a similar boat. Just curious, do you have a long-term update on the BC Summilux? I worry I'll favor the feel and form of it at first, but lean into the convenience of a lighter lens. I have the latest summilux so this would definitely be an unnecessary splurge. 

[didier]

I got a black chrome Summilux 50 asph 2 years ago, though I already own the ‘normal’ version (v1)... not perfectly reasonable, but a nice to have

For portraits I tend to like the BC version better, as it vignettes a bit more (43mm filter thread).

[hdmesa]

11 hours ago, didier said:

I got a black chrome Summilux 50 asph 2 years ago, though I already own the ‘normal’ version (v1)... not perfectly reasonable, but a nice to have

For portraits I tend to like the BC version better, as it vignettes a bit more (43mm filter thread).

It does not vignette more per @Fred Miranda's testing, and the 43mm filter size has no impact.

[emlokto]

I mean, this is what makes this community fascinating, and I'm a bit twisted by what it all means. Whether or not the BC summilux has slightly more interesting vignetting is a none-issue for the rest of the photography community, because they seek perfect lenses and any vignetting is unacceptable. Also, vignetting is the easiest thing to apply or fix post-photography. And in the Leica community, some of us are spending $3k to $5k to more just to get that most idealized version of something or another that's ideally imperfect in the way we'd like, just for a tiny subset of photos that might be taken in that situation. 

And just like with any creative adventure, it's more about the feel than what is, and there's enough of a variation between copies of the same lens that anything can be a little true. Or a lot true. 

[evikne]

I think the only reason to choose the BC is because of the design and tactile feel (which is fantastic). Any differences in image quality are practically non-existent. Both versions share the same optical design. The latest version is a little different though.

Edited January 3 by evikne

[Ecar]

16 minutes ago, emlokto said:

I mean, this is what makes this community fascinating, and I'm a bit twisted by what it all means. Whether or not the BC summilux has slightly more interesting vignetting is a none-issue for the rest of the photography community, because they seek perfect lenses and any vignetting is unacceptable. Also, vignetting is the easiest thing to apply or fix post-photography. And in the Leica community, some of us are spending $3k to $5k to more just to get that most idealized version of something or another that's ideally imperfect in the way we'd like, just for a tiny subset of photos that might be taken in that situation. 

And just like with any creative adventure, it's more about the feel than what is, and there's enough of a variation between copies of the same lens that anything can be a little true. Or a lot true. 

Words of wisdom. But the majority around here (including myself) is not very wise. This is what makes it a fun place to hang around. 

[emlokto]

30 minutes ago, Ecar said:

Words of wisdom. But the majority around here (including myself) is not very wise. This is what makes it a fun place to hang around. 

Or at least, having enough financial freedom to be unwise. 

I think we're all seeking something. For me, using a range finder is reminiscent of landing an airplane, which sounds preposterous. But when flying and landing, you're making thousands of micro decisions and balancing soft guiding motions with quick recovery motions to keep the plane on target. It requires precision and confidence. And when turning that focus ring, I get just that. Slow for when it's calm, fast for when it's a moving target, and having the confidence to click at the right time. But just like with flying, each movement isn't perfect, it's just the most ideal motion you can make at the time and the landing itself has a decent margin of error. And yet, when you make that perfect landing when the wheels squeak, it's nirvana. 

Also, really kind of similar, when you make that perfect landing, the vast majority of the time you'll be the only person to truly enjoy it. And in that way, it's similar with photography. Lots of photographs are celebrated, sure, but your fav photos might never be seen by anyone else unless you're actively rewarded for sharing them. 

Anyway, that's my dramatic post for the day. 

[Ecar]

That's how it starts...😉

Then you'll look for 'perfectly imperfect' - and participate in countless heated exchanges on this forum (imperfection is indeed very subjective) - only to realise that it's even more elusive than 'perfect'.

Then you'll just have fun and enjoy taking pictures with whatever gear is at your disposal (as long as it's made in Wetzlar, of course).

Just my lighthearted post for the day.😉

And apologies for going OT.

Edited January 3 by Ecar

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[JTLeica]

On 1/2/2025 at 5:54 PM, emlokto said:

I'm in a similar boat. Just curious, do you have a long-term update on the BC Summilux? I worry I'll favor the feel and form of it at first, but lean into the convenience of a lighter lens. I have the latest summilux so this would definitely be an unnecessary splurge. 

Id get the latest 50 lux, I sold the BC, didnt focus perfectly and marked easily too.

I got my father 50 lux V2 for a cheap price, a better lens overall especially in the outer 1/3 of the image.