The new Leica 50mm f1.4 question

[colonel]

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I have decided to return to Leica 50mm lenses. I used to have the 50mm f1.4 ASPH years ago and sold it for a stupid reason. I loved it.

So I am looking at the 50mm f1.4 non-asph (now available in black!), 50mm f1.4 ASPH v1 and 50mm f1.4 ASPH v2 

The non-asph classic lens intrigues me. I hear it is practically almost as sharp at f4 and above, but has more of an ethereal look with aberrations wide open. I presume it is still reasonably sharp wide open ? I know it is around 80g more heavy then the ASPHs. Not sure this is a big difference day-to-day, but any opinions interesting!

for folk that have the classic and one of the ASPH lenses, do you use both or one much more then the other ? what are your comments on the differences ? and for the ASPH, is the v2 worth getting over the v1 for general quality (optical formula seems to be the same but not sure, I don't need the close focus, the weight seems the same, the new one is fatter and longer, the new one has more shutter blades - better for bokeh!)

Edited 2 hours ago by colonel

[luigi bertolotti]

I have both... the classic is a lens of 1961 in very good conditions, and I have used it for +25 years , then (3 or 4 years ago) got an ASPH of 2007-8 (from a Forum member) : now, I tend to use it only... but the old one has indeed some specific behavior, at 1,4 / 2 that makes it tasty : the OOF areas have a sort of little "swirling" that is almost unique (a more quiet version of the "Thambar effect") , moreover, the subject in focus, at 1,4, is undoubtly not of top sharpness, and for some subjects this adds to the image... overall, the color rendition is warm, so you can take really "sweet" pics. The Asph is an excellent modern lens 

Edited 1 hour ago by luigi bertolotti

[pedaes]

49 minutes ago, colonel said:

for folk that have the classic

If you mean the newly released f1.4 I have it, and like most 50mm lenses they are all pretty equal from around f5.6, and I would certainly say f4 or maybe earlier for the new lens.

It is a beautifully made lens but does have a weight. I am not familiar with new black version, and if it is not all brass that would be a bonus.

Good luck with your decision making!

[Steve Ash]

I have both the classic and the aspherical. Beside the look the focus throw is different. The classic’s one is longer which makes it perfect for portraits.

[jgeenen]

I had the latest non-asph in Titanium finish (which is based on the heavier chrome body) and the v1 asph version (in standard black). I liked the design of the  non-asph but it was  very front-heavy. Furthermore I felt limited by the optic limitations wide open which I wasn‘t able to control for the benefit of a pleasing result. Therefore I decided to sell the non-asph and keep the asph. Right now I am using my APO-Lanthar more and more. I love the contrast between maximum resolution in the plane of focus and the rendering of out-of-focus areas.
 

May be the next step will be to replace the asph-Lux with an APO-Summicron… 

[darylgo]

Red dot forum's 50mm episode has in depth information:

https://www.youtube.com/live/lFdAWauKB0I?si=1YyrpqQED3j_72Ag

They talk about weight extensively, brass and aluminum, etc.  The nuances, both optically and physically.