New or old: a dilemma with the summilux 50mm pre-asph

[Olaf_ZG]

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To my, and I guess many others, surprise Leica this week introduced a new classic: the 50mm pre-asph summilux.

The older version (all three) got great attention in @evikne’s thread. And actually I always wanted one, but bought a sonnar instead.

Having recently re-bought a M (m8), this lens got my interest again as I dont have the sonnar anymore.

The question is though, old or new?
With old, I am thinking of the v3: short focus throw, built-in hood, wonderful look in chrome.  
 

I really dislike the looks of the vented hoods (and I always use a hood), but recently I discovered that though ugly, when carrying the camera in my left hand during my walks, it really prevents my touching the lens itself, so no fingers. With the built in hood from the 50mm asph, I often touched the lens. In other words the vented hoods are functional.

So, look or function for the hood?

Other things to consider vs old and new are focus throw, weight and price. I expect the older versions to go down in price as supply will go up.

If you are going to buy one, what will it be?

Edited February 22 by Olaf_ZG

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[TomB_tx]

I always preferred the Summicron to the Summilux on an M camera. I still have an M Summilux, but it sits in a drawer - I just prefer smaller lenses on an M, and on my M10 generally use Summarit 2.5 lenses, both for the size and fast focusing. However on my R bodies I prefer the Summilux, and the version I use is essentially the same optical design as the ver2 M model. When I compared SLR 50 1.4 lenses years ago the Summilux-R was my favorite.

With the new Summilux-M being heavier and still with the long focus throw, I'd prefer the older model if I were in the market. The closer focus is nice though - one thing I like about the LLL Rigid copy compared to the Summicron Rigid.

[FrozenInTime]

I think the choice may come down to out of focus bokeh:

The v3 has outlined background blur and smooth foreground blur.

The new re-edition samples show the opposite character - smooth background blur.

Which is preferable would depend upon the subject and setting. 

 

[sinjun]

Weight would be an issue for me - I'm less and less tolerant of heavy lenses but maybe it's not a big deal for you. If I were you I would see what it was like to carry on your camera.

[evikne]

Many people seem to prefer the longer focus throw. I do not. The only thing I miss on my v3 is the scalloped focus ring. Sometimes it can be a little hard to get a good grip around the grooves (but I still don't miss a focus tab). 

I still haven't seen any direct comparisons between the v3 and the re-issue wide open. According to the charts, the latter should be a little sharper, but I prefer real pictures. The v3 sometimes suffer from a little distortion and focus shift. I don't now yet how the re-issue is in this regard.

I have also considered the 50mm Summicron v5 several times, because it's a little sharper and has less distortion. But each time I've come to my senses and kept my v3 because it has a magic charm that the Summicron lacks.

[grahamc]

I can only comment on the v3 as I haven't tried the reissue.  Of the v3, I own 2 copies - the standard black aluminium (approx 250g) and the brass/black paint (approx 385g ?).

Like many of us I have a black paint finish bias (!) so really want to prefer the brass version.  The reality is that the aluminium version feels so lighting-quick and 'right' in use. The focus action feels much lighter than the heavier knurled brass ring (the actual ring itself is quite significant in size, hence carries some weight).   I have tried the Titan version and that is also quick and light focus ring , feeling like the alu version, since they share the design (same with silver chrome)..

As it stands, since they both share a short focus throw, I take a hit on speed/weight vers. cosmetic beauty (of the black paint) and call it a tie. 

But if you added in some extra weight of the reissue (418g) plus a longer focus throw into the comparison, then I think that in practical use I'd far prefer the standard alu v3.  It's a featherweight for what it delivers and I've taken some of my favourite photos with it.  

Hope it helps ! 

Edited February 22 by grahamc

[lct]

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I have not my silver Summilux 50/1.4 v3 (11856) at hand but the last time i checked it had the same focus throw as the Summicron 50/2 v5. Shorter than the Summilux 50/1.4 v2 but longer than the Summicron 50/2 v4.  The weight of the 11856 is 380g. Big lens compared to my other 50s, especially the compact Sonnar and Nokton 50/1.5 i use preferably now. See technical data below.

LeicaM_5014_11856_tech_ge.pdf

 

 

[Jeff S]

9 hours ago, evikne said:

I have also considered the 50mm Summicron v5 several times, because it's a little sharper and has less distortion. But each time I've come to my senses and kept my v3 because it has a magic charm that the Summicron lacks.

After selling off some little used gear last year, I made one exception and traded for a new 50 Summicron v.5. It mostly now lives on my M10 Monochrom.  Even though I still enjoy the 50 Summilux ASPH v.1 (my only remaining Summilux), the smaller Summicron marries well with the M10M for my shooting style. It brings me back to the v.4 that I owned decades ago. The Summilux ASPH has moved to my M10-R, but it sees little use these days, instead relying on the SL2 and 24-90 for most complementary needs.

I don’t shoot wide open often enough to justify the new Summilux pre-ASPH classic. Stopping down eliminates a lot of GAS. 

[Elliot Harper]

20 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

don’t shoot wide open often enough to justify the new Summilux pre-ASPH classic. Stopping down eliminates a lot of GAS. 

I rarely shoot at 1.2 but I still bought noctilux 50/1.2 re-issue.

stopping down doesn’t help eliminate GAS, for me.

[shirubadanieru]

Having used most reissues VS the original lenses, my advice would be to keep the original if you have one in good condition. As you can see, Leica’s philosophy when doing these reissues does not seem to be to follow the original formula, but to do a new/modern interpretation of it. I am not a big fan of this approach, since there is a reason I like the original lenses (the way they render + how smaller/lighter they are VS asph lenses).

While this time around Leica improved from 1m to 0.7m which is AWESOME (!!), the fatter and much heavier body are downgrades VS the original from my opinion; and if you like vintage lenses, this one seems to be much more modern than the original in the way it renders. 

At this weight, I think the Noctilux reissue (or the LLL reissue as they tried to keep it closer to the original formula) seem better options if you want a unique rendering. But if you want a 50mm that can do a bit of everything and don’t mind the weight, then the new reissue looks good. But again, I’d keep the original or get the v3 since it’s much smaller and lighter (almost half the weight), and at least to me that makes a huge difference.

[Olaf_ZG]

Thanks all for your feedback. Will go for a v3.

[FrozenInTime]

15 minutes ago, Olaf_ZG said:

Thanks all for your feedback. Will go for a v3.

Another eBay adventure ? 😉 

[costa43]

I have a v3 too. For me, it is more than just about the output. I think there is a charm to owning lenses from Leica of a certain era, the v3 is not that old but it was made to the best it could be for its time. It’s not a reissue or homage. It might be silly but that’s one of the reasons I always go for the real deal.

Outside of this. The v3 is the smallest 50mm Summilux and very light with a short throw that I prefer for everyday use. I use my gear a lot and after some time the way it looks becomes secondary to the way it feels. I do think the new lens looks stunning though and wouldn’t turn one down.

I’ll post a pic shortly with it on my M8 so you can get excited😁

Edited February 24 by costa43

[costa43]

As promised. Pretty badass old skool setup if you ask me.

Ignore the black tape on the sides of the M8, my wife bought me a strap with massive hooks as a gift and I didn't have the heart to tell her it would batter the sides of the camera. The funny thing is, she has not even noticed the black tape. That is how interested she is😆

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Edited February 24 by costa43

[davidmknoble]

On 2/22/2025 at 10:45 PM, shirubadanieru said:

As you can see, Leica’s philosophy when doing these reissues does not seem to be to follow the original formula, but to do a new/modern interpretation of it.

My understanding is that some of the glass types used are not as easily made, or not at all, so the formula adjusts a little bit and the coatings are all different (and more durable).  It doesn’t change you comment that the formulas are different though.

[Alberti]

I have the dilemma: trade in Summilux II or Summicron V? I tend to the latter. It has been my most used lens up to now. (almost 9K pictures). 

The central sharpness will be the same, the sides just a tad more soft, without being provocative. 

• After that, the GAS will not be gone.   💭   A  Summicron v3 (which I have had for many years) would be interesting again as a real small one. At the end of its life I got a bit bored with the v3, the v5 was sooo much better on the new M8.2 I had bought. Oh my, I promissed my wife to reduce reduce.

[BradS]

I am almost certainly not going to but a 50mm Summilux anytime soon (too big, too heavy, and way too expensive) but if I were somehow in the market, I would certainly buy the new one. Seems like an obvious choice. 

In reality, I continue to be very content with the 50mm collapsible Summicron. 

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[Olaf_ZG]

23 hours ago, FrozenInTime said:

Another eBay adventure ? 😉 

I bought several SL lenses and Leica bodies via eBay, all from real shops, but who also sell via eBay. Never had a problem except for the “real” Leica store.

Found a lens, but not from a Leica store.

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[Olaf_ZG]

The v3 arrived. eBay adventures with a “normal” photo store are not real adventures. Just fair deals, as they have a reputation to hold up.

(ok, let’s be fair, Leica store Nuernberg also holds up its reputation of Leica’s customer service: bad/low).

Anyway, the v3…

I have had the chrome/silver 50 asph, and both lenses are heavy for their size. But, once used to that, I don’t mind. The built in hood of the v3 is perfect and much better than the one on my asph: that one once felt off and it never stayed fully in position. The v3 just works. 

The lens will be fitted permanently on my m8.2, and will be mostly for portraits and I am very curious to try it out…

[Alberti]

Off topic on the reputation of sellers, I bought a V2 from a TheBay store of a real shop in Bunde that after just more than half a year got oily blades and black guck came out of the helicoid: they were not receptive. I showed it to the Leica Store in Amsterdam, who said that was quite normal, no concern, it was just as heavy in handling as new ones. That is why a new one (even though mine is a Good Fellow Traveller) might be welcome here.

 But also probable is no new IV purchase or a VM look-alike version. 

Edited March 2 by Alberti