wlaidlaw Posted March 6 Share #101 Posted March 6 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 2 hours ago, Ken Abrahams said: 11714 What a beautiful lens. The focus action is superb, fluid and smooth. The aperture ring a smidge close to the lens hood but nothing that would worry me after a bit of routine use. An older lens, the 21 SEM is my subject here because it's 40 degrees celsius outside today and I needed to shoot something straight away. The SL3S handles the lens like one would expect from a Leica camera using magnification and focus peaking. The usual method if not shooting wide open on the SL by focussing on 1.4 then stopping down to desired aperture. I guess I will test for focus shift on the M10M but I don't see that as a problem, the way I work. On close inspection the sharpness does not disappoint nor does the bokah in my small test sample. The only other vintage lens I have to compare is the Planar T Zeiss 50mm 1.4 which is also pretty sharp but ancient old without coatings and adjustments to correct chronic chromatic aberration. Apparently Kristian Dowling is using the Summilux M 1:1.4 50 (1174) lens and loving it, is what I heard. I think this lens will help my image making develop in new ways being someone who started with a bunch of Summicron M lenses ten years ago. There is such a choice these days with using the adapters on SL's and the AF Apo Summicron lenses available. Such a huge range of lenses at the disposal of a Leica photographer. PS. The silver lens with black hood looks fantastic on the SL3S and I am sure it will also look great on the black M cameras Surely the Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 T is coated. The T indicates the type of coating used. Later lenses would have used the more advanced T* hard multi coating. The only Zeiss fast 50mm (f1.5) without coating would be the pre-war Sonnar lens for the Contax RF camera. Leica brought out the Taylor Taylor and Hobson designed 50/1.5 Xenon lens to compete with the Sonnar, which was mildly updated post war, coated and renamed Summarit, where I have a 1952 version. This lens formed the basis of the design for the 50 Summilux models I, II and III but recomputed and with improved glass. I have a 1954 post-war 50/1.5 Zeiss Opton Sonnar sitting on the 1954 Contax Model IIa Colour Dial camera, that my father bought new in Switzerland in 1954. It is very sharp in the centre but with considerable field curvature at the edges and corners plus coma in these areas (spherical aberration). Wilson Edited March 6 by wlaidlaw 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 6 Posted March 6 Hi wlaidlaw, Take a look here Modern Classic: Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f1.4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ken Abrahams Posted March 6 Share #102 Posted March 6 56 minutes ago, wlaidlaw said: Surely the Zeiss Planar 50/1.4 T is coated. The T indicates the type of coating used. Later lenses would have used the more advanced T* hard multi coating. The only Zeiss fast 50mm (f1.5) without coating would be the pre-war Sonnar lens for the Contax RF camera. Leica brought out the Taylor Taylor and Hobson designed 50/1.5 Xenon lens to compete with the Sonnar, which was mildly updated post war, coated and renamed Summarit, where I have a 1952 version. This lens formed the basis of the design for the 50 Summilux models I, II and III but recomputed and with improved glass. I have a 1954 post-war 50/1.5 Zeiss Opton Sonnar sitting on the 1954 Contax Model IIa Colour Dial camera, that my father bought new in Switzerland in 1954. It is very sharp in the centre but with considerable field curvature at the edges and corners plus coma in these areas (spherical aberration). Wilson Hey Wilson, Thanks for your very knowledgable reply and response to my limited understanding of the Zeiss Planar T*. Now that you mention it, I do remember T* being a coating/s. I had this lens on my 35 mm film Contax Camera which is still in my cabinet. I have the adapters for the lens to work on SL and M Leica cameras and have enjoyed using it since the 1980's. Best Ken Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 6 Share #103 Posted March 6 HI Ken, I have recently re-bought a Contax RX film camera (sold my previous one in 2006 to fund my Leica M8) to use the 28-85/f3.3 Vario Sonnar lens, that I bought as new old stock (very cheaply) thinking to use it on my M240 with live view and a Novoflex LEM-CONT adapter. However it was rather unbalanced on that camera so rarely used. This lens has now become a hot item for Videographers, who had previously stuck to the Leica 28-90/f2.8 Vario Elmar, until prices for that became stratospheric. I paid just €300 for the Vario Sonnar, which now fetch over double that or more for a late MM mount lens like mine. I now prefer the Contax RX to the similar spec Leica R9 in my collection because the Zeiss zooms have a single trombone control for zoom/focus and the RX with its built in motor drive is considerably lighter than my R9 with its motor drive. The Contax also has phase detection focus confirmation which for my elderly eyes is a real boon. I am currently struggling to get a Contax W1 lens hood for the Vario Sonnar. So far from eBay, one badly damaged and bent hood and then one incorrect hood a Type 1 85mm sent instead of the pictured W1 82mm from Japan. Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted March 6 Share #104 Posted March 6 4 hours ago, Ken Abrahams said: a smidge close to the lens hood FWIW, I bought a cheap screw in lens cap in silver from Amazon that gives more space. Came with lens cap and a piece of thread to use as a spacer to align the cut out correctly. <$10. The 'grey' circle is a B+W 007 filter. 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! 5 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5768108'>More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted March 6 Share #105 Posted March 6 One image is the new Classic Leica Summilux M 1:1.4/50 and the other Carl Zeiss 1:1.4/50 Planar T*, a lens I bought in 1982 for the Contax 139 Quartz (if that is the model) I initially shot with two cameras SL2S and SL3S and looked at the screens for appraisal but thought the iPhone image of both camera backs wasn't the best. I could have saved some money by using the Carl Zeiss by the look of it. 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! 2 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5768110'>More sharing options...
pedaes Posted March 6 Share #106 Posted March 6 4 minutes ago, Ken Abrahams said: a lens I bought in 1982 Wow - that is amazing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 6 Share #107 Posted March 6 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) 2 hours ago, Ken Abrahams said: One image is the new Classic Leica Summilux M 1:1.4/50 and the other Carl Zeiss 1:1.4/50 Planar T*, a lens I bought in 1982 for the Contax 139 Quartz (if that is the model) Interesting... assuming the Summilux is the 1st image, it looks particularly soft here. Is this the Planar you are referring to? Mine is from 1971 I believe (although I didn't buy it - I was still a child then😉) and was converted to M. Substantially larger (but lighter) than the Summilux in this configuration. 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 March 6 by Ecar 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5768156'>More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted March 6 Share #108 Posted March 6 1 hour ago, Ecar said: Interesting... assuming the Summilux is the 1st image, it looks particularly soft here. Is this the Planar you are referring to? Mine is from 1971 I believe (although I didn't buy it - I was still a child then😉) and was converted to M. Substantially larger (but lighter) than the Summilux in this configuration. 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! Yes it looks about right except taller maybe. I’d have to get up and go to the office to check. It’s a C/Y mount for contax so maybe the M modification adds height? I will check tomorrow. The Contax is the top one which was on the SL2S the camera on the left. Don't worry about the white balance as the iPhone struggled with warm globes in the kitchen and the camera screen illumination. Ken 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 6 Share #109 Posted March 6 I am a fan of Zeiss lenses. I have a 45mm/f2 Planar G converted (beautifully) by Funleader to RF coupled M mount. If I have my 50 Summilux III Special Edition (LTM) on another camera, maybe my M7 or IIIg, the 45 Planar is my go to "standard" lens. There used to be an independent organisation called Photodo.de in Germany, that tested lenses on a Zeiss K9 optical bench and published their weighted scores and a league table, combining various measurements, resolution, MTF, vignetting etc for each lens. For a long time the Zeiss 50mm/f1,7 Planar in CX/Y mount was the top scoring lens, followed by the 45mm Planar G, then a whole lot of Canon prime telephoto lenses. I bought the 50/1.7 in 1982 along with an ex-demo RTS II and used it for many years with that lens and other Zeiss lenses. In 1999 I swapped the RTSII for the more modern RX but still using my original pool of Zeiss lenses. Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 6 Share #110 Posted March 6 2 hours ago, Ken Abrahams said: Yes it looks about right except taller maybe. I’d have to get up and go to the office to check. It’s a C/Y mount for contax so maybe the M modification adds height? I will check tomorrow. The Contax is the top one which was on the SL2S the camera on the left. Makes more sense now... My converted Contax was also in C/Y mount, so it should be the same lens - or at least a variation thereof. It's definitely the M mod that adds the height. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted March 6 Share #111 Posted March 6 On 3/4/2025 at 4:51 PM, Ecar said: Btw, have we settled on an 'official' forum lingo designation for this lens? Classic? Retro? Post-APO-Non-ASPH? Something else?😆 You asked a very good question which we didn't discuss. The only description Leica has used is 'Classic Line' So 'Classic'? My vote would be 'Post-APO-Non-ASPH' but PANA has probably been used😁 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted March 6 Share #112 Posted March 6 15 minutes ago, pedaes said: You asked a very good question which we didn't discuss. The only description Leica has used is 'Classic Line' So 'Classic'? My vote would be 'Post-APO-Non-ASPH' but PANA has probably been used😁 I'm continuing to call it the "50/1.4 Summilux pre-asph v4". I accept Andy Piper's (Adan's) point about the use of the prefix "pre" now that some versions of the lens have aspherical elements but it fits with my intuitive mental lineage of the 50 Summilux. 🙂 Pete. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 6 Share #113 Posted March 6 Why not simply v4? 2 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 6 Share #114 Posted March 6 43 minutes ago, pedaes said: My vote would be 'Post-APO-Non-ASPH' but PANA has probably been used😁 Hahaha, I thought about this too!😁 I'll go with the flow. v4 is fine by me, as long as the designation of the "other" versions continues to be preceded or followed by ASPH (or APO, which will inevitably happen, if only for marketing purposes) to avoid confusion. Anything sounds better than "11714" anyway... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted March 6 Share #115 Posted March 6 42 minutes ago, lct said: Why not simply v4? Why not. V4 then. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted March 6 Share #116 Posted March 6 6 hours ago, Ecar said: Makes more sense now... My converted Contax was also in C/Y mount, so it should be the same lens - or at least a variation thereof. It's definitely the M mod that adds the height. Very similar size and shape to V4 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! 3 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5768432'>More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted March 7 Share #117 Posted March 7 Cropped and central in frame at top ay 10000 iso SL3s the grain is quite nice in the bokeh unfocused areas. Close crop, focussed on subject and then framed at the bottom right of the frame. We can see the effects in the corners and the highlights. That's it for my pixel peeping today. I dont really need to know, just get to the creative stuff now. 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! 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5768478'>More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted March 7 Share #118 Posted March 7 (edited) The watch and box were central in the frame and some cropping done. The bokeh is fabulous although the glass in the background seems bent. Some incidental purple strip appearing at the top or the frame in portrait mode of second image. The watch placed in bottom left corner to ascertain any anomalies. It's not too bad just a little light blurring which I am not concerned about. If I wanted aberration free then I would use the Apo Summicron M 50 Asph. The lens is a classic design from 1959 not a modern design such as the Apo SL Summicrons. I would however like to see the SL Summilux 1.4 results against this Classic V4 11714 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 March 7 by Ken Abrahams 2 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5768482'>More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted March 9 Share #119 Posted March 9 (edited) Virtually straight out of camera except for a lightroom selection, bit of cropping, no tonal or light corrections and a removal of small distracting item ISO 2000 SL3 with Summilux Classic Version 4 at 1.4 Super sharp and lovely rendering as per reviews suggest. Lovely lens, 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 March 9 by Ken Abrahams sp 5 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5769360'>More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted March 9 Share #120 Posted March 9 (edited) Focused on hair on nose from about 30 inches cropped back of head out for bokeh test - 1000 iso, SL3 with Summilux Classic Version 4 at 1.4 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 March 9 by Ken Abrahams 5 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5769362'>More sharing options...
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