FrozenInTime Posted April 2 Share #161 Posted April 2 Advertisement (gone after registration) This is a far from perfect image from the new v4, taken to demonstrate the corner zone coma that can be produced when provoked - something to exploit; a portrait with a background of fairy-lights would be interesting. Very bright light taken into the noon sun shows almost no flare or glow ( a modern trait ) other than the coma smearing ( a classic design trait ). 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! 6 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=5780672'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 2 Posted April 2 Hi FrozenInTime, Take a look here Modern Classic: Leica Summilux-M 50 mm f1.4. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
wlaidlaw Posted April 2 Share #162 Posted April 2 (edited) I am just not sure why one would need to pay that price for a classic Summilux lens with that behaviour. Less than £1000 will buy a new old stock Zeiss ZM 50/1.5 Sonnar, with very similar characteristics. However, if you want to stick to Leica lenses, get a good condition 50/1.5 Summarit with intact coating, the predecessor to the 50 Summilux and have it cleaned (essential to reduced the flare from muck condensing on the air surfaces over the 65+ years since it was made). If I want dreamy bokeh, that is still my "go to" lens. Wilson Edited April 2 by wlaidlaw 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted April 2 Share #163 Posted April 2 23 minutes ago, wlaidlaw said: I am just not sure why one would need to pay that price for a classic Summilux lens with that behaviour. Less than £1000 will buy a new old stock Zeiss ZM 50/1.5 Sonnar, with very similar characteristics. However, if you want to stick to Leica lenses, get a good condition 50/1.5 Summarit with intact coating, the predecessor to the 50 Summilux and have it cleaned (essential to reduced the flare from muck condensing on the air surfaces over the 65+ years since it was made). If I want dreamy bokeh, that is still my "go to" lens. Wilson Yes, mechanics and looks are good: chrome over brass, smooth focusing, sorted hood/filter, and up to date coatings; but I am struggling to find any way to rate this lens optically ahead of the v3, which I used for comparison in earlier images. v3 Summiluxes remain, with good reason, very difficult to find used, even selling for a premium over the ASPH. This lens is not easy to use; the v3 and ASPH are. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted April 2 Share #164 Posted April 2 As a V3 Summilux user, I am wholly with you on that. I never like my ASPH, as on the M8 and M9's CCD sensors, purple fringing was a distinct problem. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted April 3 Share #165 Posted April 3 Perhaps I have been too harsh on the lens; at f/8 sharpness, contrast and, flare are excellent : well worth $3895 + 20% (Trump Tarif ) + 8.75% ( NYC sales ) = $5000 😉 Leven looking into the sun, toward the Bass rock and North Berwick Law. 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! 9 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=5780923'>More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted April 6 Share #166 Posted April 6 Another example of flare handling : this time wide open 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! 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/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5782799'>More sharing options...
Vanillasludge Posted April 7 Share #167 Posted April 7 Advertisement (gone after registration) On 4/3/2025 at 6:28 AM, wlaidlaw said: I am just not sure why one would need to pay that price for a classic Summilux lens with that behaviour. Less than £1000 will buy a new old stock Zeiss ZM 50/1.5 Sonnar, with very similar characteristics. However, if you want to stick to Leica lenses, get a good condition 50/1.5 Summarit with intact coating, the predecessor to the 50 Summilux and have it cleaned (essential to reduced the flare from muck condensing on the air surfaces over the 65+ years since it was made). If I want dreamy bokeh, that is still my "go to" lens. Wilson I actually think the modern Sonnar has better corners than this. The original sonnar converted to M mount looks closer. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanillasludge Posted April 7 Share #168 Posted April 7 1 hour ago, Vanillasludge said: I actually think the modern Sonnar has better corners than this. The original sonnar converted to M mount looks closer. Here’s something from an original sonnar to illustrate the falloff in the corners. Perhaps the new Summilux is not this extreme but I had hoped from the mtf that it was more modern looking. 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 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=5782844'>More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted April 7 Share #169 Posted April 7 I have a 1954 Opton Sonnar 50/1.5 on my Contax IIa Colour Dial. Occasionally I will use this on one of my digital Leicas, via an Amedeo Muscelli made adapter. It is remarkably sharp in the centre but its "bête noir" is field curvature. However, rather like my father found with this Contax, after he bought it to replace an older Super Ikonta, the "wrong way round" focusing collar is a PITA for people who are dyed in the wool Leica users. There is always the thumb wheel for focusing but the knurling is so aggressive on that that it will soon make the thin and fragile skin (30+ years of powerful anti-inflammatory medication) on my finger tip bleed. If I want a lens with those characteristics I always have my 1952 50/1.8 Canon Serenar, the chrome one with the infinity lock in LTM, which focuses the right way round, and produces close to the same photos as my Opton Sonnar. Wilson 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Abrahams Posted April 9 Share #170 Posted April 9 I dont have the Version 3, 50 Summilux but have always drooled over it. I have a few 50 mm lenses as we all probably do but my Apo Summicron M is for getting things straight and sharp in the corners. I am loving the Classic 50 V4 and try to always shoot open as I did yesterday with a B+W ND 3 stop filter using the SL3S. This lens is super sharp and I am not concerned with the corner (un) sharpness. I generally leave room for cropping on subjects specific images and knowing that I will most likely be darkening down that outer area in post. So I am loving the sharp and unsharp abilities of the version 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! 13 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=5783795'>More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted April 9 Share #171 Posted April 9 Map camera has put up one of their usual mini-reviews here https://news.mapcamera.com/k4l/summiluxm50mmf14_11714/ ( there is a drop down, top left, for Google translation ) As a retailer, they do show compositions that bring out the best of the lens. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMF Posted April 15 Share #172 Posted April 15 On 4/7/2025 at 4:19 AM, wlaidlaw said: I have a 1954 Opton Sonnar 50/1.5 on my Contax IIa Colour Dial. Occasionally I will use this on one of my digital Leicas, via an Amedeo Muscelli made adapter. It is remarkably sharp in the centre but its "bête noir" is field curvature. However, rather like my father found with this Contax, after he bought it to replace an older Super Ikonta, the "wrong way round" focusing collar is a PITA for people who are dyed in the wool Leica users. There is always the thumb wheel for focusing but the knurling is so aggressive on that that it will soon make the thin and fragile skin (30+ years of powerful anti-inflammatory medication) on my finger tip bleed. If I want a lens with those characteristics I always have my 1952 50/1.8 Canon Serenar, the chrome one with the infinity lock in LTM, which focuses the right way round, and produces close to the same photos as my Opton Sonnar. Wilson FYI, the second version of the Contax to Leica M Amedeo adapter focusses the Leica way and down to 0,70m accurately . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted April 15 Share #173 Posted April 15 33 minutes ago, JMF said: FYI, the second version of the Contax to Leica M Amedeo adapter focusses the Leica way and down to 0,70m accurately . Now that I have a Funleader Zeiss Contax 45mm/f2 G lens converted (beautifully) to Leica M, I am not too bothered about getting another Muscelli adapter to use my Opton Sonnar 50/1.5. I also have a late 1959 LTM Summarit 50/1.5 which to some extent fills that niche for a vintage lens with lovely swirly bokeh. Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMF Posted April 15 Share #174 Posted April 15 1 hour ago, wlaidlaw said: Now that I have a Funleader Zeiss Contax 45mm/f2 G lens converted (beautifully) to Leica M, I am not too bothered about getting another Muscelli adapter to use my Opton Sonnar 50/1.5. I also have a late 1959 LTM Summarit 50/1.5 which to some extent fills that niche for a vintage lens with lovely swirly bokeh. Wilson Ok! I was worried about your bleeding finger ! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedaes Posted April 19 Share #175 Posted April 19 Some very good demonstrations of different apertures here 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenInTime Posted April 19 Share #176 Posted April 19 6 hours ago, pedaes said: Some very good demonstrations of different apertures here A very selective piece of advertising : good detail across the horizontal width at f/5.6, and good background bokeh for portraits at f/1.4 ... f/2.8. I certainly agree with this, both of these scenarios bring out the best of the lens, but there is equally much said in omission. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
arichter Posted April 19 Share #177 Posted April 19 (edited) FWIW you can observe that swirly foreground bokeh in the lower left corner at 5:28 into the video. But for me the review mostly covers how I would you this lens. Edited April 19 by arichter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoramer Posted April 20 Share #178 Posted April 20 (edited) 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! Leica Summilux 1,4/50mm lux pre-asph. V3 Black paint version (millenium editon) Edited April 20 by panoramer Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Leica Summilux 1,4/50mm lux pre-asph. V3 Black paint version (millenium editon) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5789634'>More sharing options...
panoramer Posted April 20 Share #179 Posted April 20 (edited) 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! Leica Summilux 1,4/50mm lux pre-asph. V3 Black paint version (millenium editon) Edited April 20 by panoramer 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Leica Summilux 1,4/50mm lux pre-asph. V3 Black paint version (millenium editon) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5789638'>More sharing options...
panoramer Posted April 20 Share #180 Posted April 20 (edited) 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! Leica Summilux 1,4/50mm lux pre-asph. V3 Black paint version (millenium editon) Edited April 20 by panoramer Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Leica Summilux 1,4/50mm lux pre-asph. V3 Black paint version (millenium editon) ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/419366-modern-classic-leica-summilux-m-50-mm-f14/?do=findComment&comment=5789642'>More sharing options...
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