Is the Summilux 50/1.4 asph too big?

[Likaleica]

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I traded my chrome version for a black one several years ago because, even though the weight difference doesn't seem like much, the chrome lens was always too heavy for the camera.  But the black version is perfect (for me).  Perfect size and weight.

[adan]

30 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

And focus tab on v.4, not v.5.

Jeff

Exactly - which means the v.5 also has to have a full-sized focusing ring with knurling (which the v.4 does not have or need.) See lct's images previous page.

................

Back on the original subject ("50 SUMMILUX-M ASPH too big?") - which version are we talking about?

There are many different "sizes/shapes" of the 50 Summilux ASPH:

Original; special-edition/black-chrome/LHSA/etc. with old-school knurled rings, separate hood, and no focus tab; the most recent "fat, close-focus" version.

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[evikne]

This is the lens I've had the strongest love/hate relationship with. I've owned both the regular v.1 and the Black Chrome, but have sold it again all (five!) times. I love the rendering, but I think it's at least 5mm too long. I almost filed off the tip of the BC version, but came to my senses and put it up for sale instead.

[JoshuaR]

I thought it was too big when I first bought it, especially compared to my 50 Summicron v5 and Zeiss Sonnar. (I have the version with the slide-out hood.) But the more I used it and compared it to other 50s (including 50 Cron v4, 50 Elmar-M, 50 Summarit), the more I came to appreciate its particular combination of features. Now I love it and find that it feels properly sized and well-balanced on my M cameras. All of which goes to show that, ultimately: It's All In Your Mind.™

Also, on my SL2-S, it balances and handles so perfectly that it feels like it was made for the camera. I'm toying with selling my SL2-S but keep coming back to how nicely it works with the 50 Lux ASPH. It's like owning a super-modern M3!

[Guest]

3 hours ago, JoshuaRothman said:

I thought it was too big when I first bought it, especially compared to my 50 Summicron v5 and Zeiss Sonnar. (I have the version with the slide-out hood.) But the more I used it and compared it to other 50s (including 50 Cron v4, 50 Elmar-M, 50 Summarit), the more I came to appreciate its particular combination of features. Now I love it and find that it feels properly sized and well-balanced on my M cameras. All of which goes to show that, ultimately: It's All In Your Mind.™

Also, on my SL2-S, it balances and handles so perfectly that it feels like it was made for the camera. I'm toying with selling my SL2-S but keep coming back to how nicely it works with the 50 Lux ASPH. It's like owning a super-modern M3!

I totally agree with @JoshuaRothman statement that it’s all in ones mind.

I used to be all about the smallest possible M lenses (35mm pre-asph Crons and Luxes, 28mm Elmarit ASPH, etc.).

Now my two lens combo is 24mm Summilux and 50mm Summilux ASPH. v2 (close focus), and I’m loving it. Added a thumb support to my two M10M bodies and balance seems perfect now.

I have no problem carrying one of these lenses on an M10M on a cross body shoulder strap all day.

I wanted wide (24mm) and fast, so the Summilux is the only game in town - and it’s actually small for what it does. Same story with 50mm Summilux.

[didier]

I have shot for years my M7 with the ‘lux 50 asph (black anodized normal version) 80% of the time, and I loved the combo.

When I got the APO 50 (after going digital), the ‘lux got less use : because I prefer the smoother bokeh and amazing clarity of the APO, and also because it is smaller.

I must admit that when you get used to small Lenses, you understand how lucky we are in Leica World with a lot of light / small Lenses. But I never felt the ‘lux being that big, nor too heavy.

DIdier 

[DadDadDaddyo]

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Doesn't seem too big to me. I consider it an indispensable lens. 

Now, the 50mm Summilux-L...

...yup,

... might be too big.

[henning]

I've had a Summilux ASPH since it came out, and I've always been quite happy with it. However, I've had a Noctilux f/1 (v2) a lot longer, and usually that one is too big. My 50/2 Apo-Lanthar is rather bigger than I like for an f/2 lens, but then my LLL Elcan, while quite dense and Color-Skopar f/2.2 are rather tiny. The Elmar-M is somewhere in the middle. At present, mostly because it is the newest, the Color-Skopar is on the camera unless I really need more light while the Elcan comes for its nicer rendering.

No lens is 'too big', but sometimes a smaller lens is a more attractive option. I sometimes go out, if I need the focal lengths and the light gathering and shallow depth of field, with a 21 Summilux, a 35 Distagon, the Noctilux and a 75 Summilux. Occasionally, clearly for other purposes, I'll take the 280/4 Apo-Telyt with converters. Yes, I would like 280/4 Apo-Telyt performance in a package size and weight of a 90 Macro-Elmar, but that's not going to happen, is it?

The Summilux ASPH is an appropriate size for its focal length and performance. So I say it's just the right size.

Edited December 5, 2024 by henning

[smkoush]

I used all three versions of the 50mm Summilux-M ASPH (except the latest close-focus version). At the end I sold all three versions. I couldn't get along with the length, and in the case of the chrome and black chrome versions, the length *and* the weight.

I very much like small lenses, I appreciate the extraordinary performance of modern Leica lenses but in the last few years I gradually came to terms with the fact that smaller lenses (for me) work better in the way I want to use them. That, and the fact that modern sensors eliminate the need for f/1.4 (f/2 is adequate for most situations unless one needs the additional depth of field effect of f/1.4). 

 

[Ray Vonn]

It's the (to me) relatively large size and weight that makes the 50mm asph not compatible.  This won't be an issue I dare say for the majority of people but at the same time there's still a lot of people, myself included, that take their pleasure from the system having small(er) and much lighter lenses.  There are exceptions to this of course but for me if I'm going to break that rule it'll be for a Noctilux F1 as opposed to the Summilux ASPH 50mm which is a wonderful lens of course, but there are alternatives.

Edited December 6, 2024 by Ray Vonn

[lct]

I wish Leica could make lenses as compact as Cosina's
Sonnar 50/1.5 & Summilux 50/1.4 asph v1 below.
The Sonnar has 0.9m MFD but the Nokton 50/1.5 has the same size with 0.7m MFD.

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[charlesphoto99]

Too big??  🤣 Honestly, this forum is the height of Leica ridiculousness sometimes...

[charlesphoto99]

Hey aside from the snark (sorry about that), my recommendation is if you want a truly compact 50, and stay with Leica, there is only one true choice, and that is the 50mm Elmar-M 2.8 (the modern design). I have one with six bit coding, and I used to have one in silver ages ago, and it is a tiny lightweight lens that makes really luscious photos. If you need ultra precise contrast and the extra f-stops, then the 50 Summilux is the lens (I own two, the previous aspherical and the other a late model pre-asph). For the occasional travel use when you want to go light, the Elmar 2.8 is wonderful for that. It won't take the abuse the Lux will, so I leave mine extended, unless I really have to. The 50 Summicron I owned off and on, and always found it to be a dull lens, unless it's all one can afford (they used to be much more affordable comparatively). That said, there are few Leica lenses one can truly go wrong with. 

M10 Monochrome from last weekend with the 50mm Elmar-M of my daughter, Leica. F4-5.6 and shot from the hip, so to speak.

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[lct]

The Elmar-M 50/2.8 is a great little lens lens indeed but the Summarit 50/2.5 is even shorter when the Elmar is in extended position. None of them can beat the tiny Skopar 50/2.5 though.

[Bear]

I've owned the black chrome version and the 2023 close focus version. Black chrome felt like just the right size, the 2023 felt a little too big and I rarely choose it. Athough I love the images it helps me create when I do.

[jakontil]

On 11/29/2024 at 9:38 PM, lct said:

Summicron 50/2 v4, Summilux 50/1.4 v3, Summilux 50/1.4 asph v1.
I have not the Sonnar 50/1.5 at hand but i wouldn't be surprised if it is even shorter than the Summicron. Same for the Nokton 50/1.5 v2.

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I have the lux my entire shooting with leica and I have all other lenses too... but have I not seen this side by side... I wouldn't know it is this big lol... but still well considered.. especially the OP seems to come from a 6x6.. anything will feel and look smaller

[jakontil]

On 12/1/2024 at 4:50 PM, evikne said:

This is the lens I've had the strongest love/hate relationship with. I've owned both the regular v.1 and the Black Chrome, but have sold it again all (five!) times. I love the rendering, but I think it's at least 5mm too long. I almost filed off the tip of the BC version, but came to my senses and put it up for sale instead.

you aint alone... I even got the black chrome twice.. one when was allegedly limited, and second was in early 2020s... but the black anodized once back in 2014 used it for some time before trading it for a silver chrome.. and the last piece I had was a silver chrome in black paint custom by kanto.. however.. I think now im settled with the most common iteration as @Al Brown suggested...

anyway... I prefer the form factor of the 50 noctilux 1.2 honestly.. may be dont mind the diameter.. but a tad shorter?

[jakontil]

1 hour ago, Al Brown said:

Oddly my by far favorite form factor of any M mount 50mm lens is the Nokton 50/1.0 which took its shape from the distant cousin, Canon’s “Dream” 50/0.95.

 

I thought it resemblances the noctilux 1.2 a lot? Like i mistake it sometimes

[fisheess]

On 11/28/2024 at 4:03 PM, Cobram said:

Yes it is. Especially chrome version is too bulky.

This is my most dramatic love/hate relationship in my entire life😅

Every time I use it I come back to home with "definitive" decision to sell it. Than I transfer DNGs to my PC and always postpone/change my "final" decision😂

 

I have the same experience. I really regret buying the chrome version. But it is just too much hassle to sell it and find another black one in good condition.

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