jonoslack Posted February 23 Author Share #61 Posted February 23 Advertisement (gone after registration) 9 hours ago, emlokto said: I have a 1973 Summilux and I do find the focus throw a bit annoyingly long. I guess the question is, is it shorter or longer? 8 hours ago, Danner said: Curious about this as well? I have a V2 Summilux, and find the focus throw a bit long say, compared to my Summicron. I don’t have any old lenses to compare, but I imagine that with the same optical design the focus throw will be the same 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 23 Posted February 23 Hi jonoslack, Take a look here Jono Slack Review: Leica 50mm Summilux f1.4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Cronilux Posted February 23 Share #62 Posted February 23 vor 11 Stunden schrieb emlokto: I have a 1973 Summilux and I do find the focus throw a bit annoyingly long. I guess the question is, is it shorter or longer? I can only talk about the V3 with extractable hood and it has a way shorter focus throw. The new pre ASPH has an even longer focus throw, than the 50/1.2 re-issue or the the 50/1.0. they are both roughly 180° and the new pre ASPH has more like 200°. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted February 23 Share #63 Posted February 23 (edited) 14 hours ago, emlokto said: I have a 1973 Summilux and I do find the focus throw a bit annoyingly long. I guess the question is, is it shorter or longer? I am fortunate to now have the 50/1.4 Summilux pre-asph version IV* (the new one) and the full focus throw is about 180 degrees, ie, starting with the 0.7 m marker at the top, below the red dot, in full throw travels round until it's at the bottom, opposite the tripod thread. I don't have a 1973 Summilux version II so you'll need to compare with yours (please post the result in this thread) but I do have a 1996 50/1.4 Summilux version III whose focus throw is about 100 degrees, so the version IV's throw is quite a bit longer than that. *I've called it the "version IV" for simplicity since it's the fourth pre-asph version. Pete. Edited February 23 by farnz 6 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobW0 Posted February 23 Share #64 Posted February 23 11 minutes ago, farnz said: I am fortunate to now have the 50/1.4 Summilux pre-asph version IV* (the new one) and the full focus throw is about 180 degrees, ie, starting with the 0.7 m marker at the top, below the red dot, in full throw it travels round until it's at the bottom, opposite the tripod thread. I don't have a 1973 Summilux version II so you'll need to compare with yours (please post the result in this thread) but I do have a 1996 50/1.4 Summilux version III whose focus throw is about 100 degrees, so the version IV's throw is quite a bit longer than that. *I've called it the "version IV" for simplicity since it's the fourth pre-asph version. Pete. My 1973 v.II has a throw of 180 deg but it only goes to around 1m. From your first hand experience, the new one is also 180 deg but goes to around 0.7m. 1 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted February 23 Share #65 Posted February 23 4 minutes ago, RobW0 said: My 1973 v.II has a throw of 180 deg but it only goes to around 1m. From your first hand experience, the new one is also 180 deg but goes to around 0.7m. Yes it does (as does the version III but with a shorter throw). Pete. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
evikne Posted February 23 Share #66 Posted February 23 BTW, when measuring focus throw, a drawing like this can be useful to compare with: 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! 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419363-jono-slack-review-leica-50mm-summilux-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5762399'>More sharing options...
adan Posted February 23 Share #67 Posted February 23 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 9 hours ago, jonoslack said: I don’t have any old lenses to compare, but I imagine that with the same optical design the focus throw will be the same Not really. The angle of the threads on the focus ring (advancement in/out in mm <> per degree of rotation) is what determines the focus throw. It is perfectly possible to mount the same chunks of glass in a mount threaded to move from infinity to 0.7m focus in 120° - or from infinity to 1m focus in 180° - or in 720° (finer pitch = two complete turns of the ring to move the glass the same distance). All it takes is different thread machining. Case in point (and on topic): Compare the v.2 50mm Summilux with the v.3. Identical glass/optical (except probably coating materials). The v.2 focuses from infinity to 10ft/3m with a throw of about 2.3 cm/20° (long and slow - but more precision) The v.3 focuses from infinity to 10ft/3m with a throw of about 1 cm/5-6° (short and fast - but sloppier) The spacing and width of the depth of field scale (f/"16" pinned to "5m" on both lenses) also tells the tale. 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! Edited February 23 by adan 4 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419363-jono-slack-review-leica-50mm-summilux-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5762492'>More sharing options...
lct Posted February 23 Share #68 Posted February 23 The Summilux 50/1.4 v3 was totally redesigned optically, according to Leica, but with the same optical design, Summicrons 50/2 v4 and v5 have not the same focus throw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted February 23 Share #69 Posted February 23 (edited) BTW - just a reminder that the v.4 50mm Summilux of 2025 is non-ASPH. However, since it post-dates (came after) the 50mm Summilux-M ASPH by about 19 years, it is not and cannot be a "pre"-ASPH (came before). 🤪 Edited February 23 by adan 1 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted February 23 Share #70 Posted February 23 1 minute ago, lct said: The Summilux 50/1.4 v3 was totally redesigned optically, according to Leica, but with the same optical design, I think you mean "totally redesigned mechanically...but with the same optical design." Which is correct. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 23 Share #71 Posted February 23 1 minute ago, adan said: I think you mean "totally redesigned mechanically...but with the same optical design." Which is correct. Redesigned both mechanically and optically, as Leica wrote to me. I will retrieve their email if you are interested. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted February 23 Share #72 Posted February 23 13 minutes ago, adan said: BTW - just a reminder that the v.4 50mm Summilux of 2025 is non-ASPH. However, since it post-dates (came after) the 50mm Summilux-M ASPH by about 19 years, it is not and cannot be a "pre"-ASPH (came before). 🤪 Yes a fair comment and good pick-up, Andy. 🙂 If I'd called it the "non-asph version IV" then I feel sure newcomers and others would be scratching their heads and saying: "You've got asph, pre-asph, and non-asph versions so how do they all fit together?". At least calling it the "pre-asph version IV" is a bit more intuitive and suggests (correctly) that the pre-asph version III is its predecessor in performance terms. I've patented the name now* so, on we go. Pete. *I might've made that up. 1 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anickpick Posted February 23 Share #73 Posted February 23 (edited) „post-asph version I“ 😁 Edited February 23 by anickpick 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted February 23 Author Share #74 Posted February 23 (edited) 58 minutes ago, adan said: Not really. The angle of the threads on the focus ring (advancement in/out in mm <> per degree of rotation) is what determines the focus throw. It is perfectly possible to mount the same chunks of glass in a mount threaded to move from infinity to 0.7m focus in 120° - or from infinity to 1m focus in 180° - or in 720° (finer pitch = two complete turns of the ring to move the glass the same distance). All it takes is different thread machining. Case in point (and on topic): Compare the v.2 50mm Summilux with the v.3. Identical glass/optical (except probably coating materials). The v.2 focuses from infinity to 10ft/3m with a throw of about 2.3 cm/20° (long and slow - but more precision) The v.3 focuses from infinity to 10ft/3m with a throw of about 1 cm/5-6° (short and fast - but sloppier) The spacing and width of the depth of field scale (f/"16" pinned to "5m" on both lenses) also tells the tale. 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! Thank you Andy - that makes perfect sense Edited February 23 by jonoslack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted February 23 Share #75 Posted February 23 Getting hard for old minds to keep up with evolving terminology. I started with interchangeable-lens cameras in the mid-last century when lenses were just "lenses" and zoom lenses were just on the horizon. (I remember watching the first broadcast of an "I Love Lucy" episode where they made a big deal about a picture taken with a "Zoomar lens.") In the early 1960s as SLRs got popular I don't recall anyone I knew using zoom lenses - too inferior to "lenses." The zoom lenses became the common ones so "lenses" became "prime lenses." Likewise it took a long time before aspheric lenses became common, and "lenses" became "pre-asph." I still think in terms of "lenses" "zoom lenses" and "aspheric" lenses. Sorry - must be time for my cocoa and nap. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
evikne Posted February 23 Share #76 Posted February 23 (edited) On their website, Leica doesn't call the new lens “pre-ASPH” (a term they probably never use), but they call it a “reinterpretation”, which means they've taken some liberties. And they say it's “based on the second version, which was produced between 1962 and 2004”, which means they don't really consider the v3 to be a separate version. Well, nothing new actually. https://leica-camera.com/en-int/photography/lenses/m/summilux-m-50-f1-4-silver-chrome-finish 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! Edited February 23 by evikne 4 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419363-jono-slack-review-leica-50mm-summilux-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5762540'>More sharing options...
exnihil0 Posted February 24 Share #77 Posted February 24 @jonoslack and @evikne Thinking of selling my 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome for the new reinterpretation of the 50 Summilux. Will I regret it? I love the rendering of my 75mm Summilux the most—so would the new lens be redundant, or should I keep the ASPH for its modern, sharper look? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
evikne Posted February 24 Share #78 Posted February 24 2 hours ago, exnihil0 said: @jonoslack and @evikne Thinking of selling my 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome for the new reinterpretation of the 50 Summilux. Will I regret it? I love the rendering of my 75mm Summilux the most—so would the new lens be redundant, or should I keep the ASPH for its modern, sharper look? Thank you. I myself have had both the 75mm Summilux and the Black Chrome Summilux that you have. These are precisely the two lenses I miss the most. If these are your only lenses, then be a little careful about replacing your Black Chrome, because you may miss a more modern rendering sometimes. It can be good to have something different to choose from. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted February 24 Author Share #79 Posted February 24 6 hours ago, exnihil0 said: @jonoslack and @evikne Thinking of selling my 50mm Summilux ASPH black chrome for the new reinterpretation of the 50 Summilux. Will I regret it? I love the rendering of my 75mm Summilux the most—so would the new lens be redundant, or should I keep the ASPH for its modern, sharper look? I agree with @evikne - if you already have the dreamy look of your 75 summilux then it's good to have the more modern look of the 50 Asph as well - I have both 50mm lenses (but then I don't have the 75 Summilux!) 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsh Posted February 24 Share #80 Posted February 24 I agree with Jonathan. He is one of the nicest and most informative contributors to this forum! 4 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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