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 13 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 12 hours 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.  

[Eoin]

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No pre ASPH or no classic re-release here, though the GAS devil is strong for the newly announced black paint 50 Summilux classic.

However I do have the V1 Chrome & V2 Black Summilux Asph. Image wise, I don't notice much if any difference in print, but in use, the fatter girth of the new close focus Summilux takes a little getting used to. The close focus is handy to have, but not a function I think I'll use much.
I have always had a 11892 Summilux 50 ASPH in Chrome, I think it's one of the nicest & heaviest 50mm lenses ever made for the M.

[T25UFO]

I only have the Classic so can’t compare but agree with the comments from @pedaes the Classic is a wonderful lens.  It is also surprisingly cheap by Leica standards 🙂

According to Leica website, the Chrome and the new Glossy Black weigh the same.  The Chrome would look lovely on the M11 Safari.  I’ve always preferred Chrome on Green rather than Green on Green or Black on Green.

[lct]

If classic means the new re-release body i have no experience with it, too heavy for me. I have both Summilux 50/1.4 v3 and asph v1. I like both for different purposes but i prefer the character and compactness of VM Nokton 50/1.5 SC v2 and ZM Sonnar 50/1.5. Matter of personal preference as usual. As for the difference between Summilux v3 and asph v1, it is not true that the former is soft at full aperture. See pic below. It has less acutance there so i prefer it for gentle portraits but the asph v1 is hard to beat if you want to exhibit small details.

M11, Summilux 50/1.4 v3, f/1.4, full frame and crop:

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Edited 7 hours ago by lct

[catacore]

I have bought the 50mm Summilux Classic twice, sent it back twice due to loose aperture ring. Second time I thought I will get used to it, but after 10 days I decided to sent it back. I have asked my dealer for the newly released Glossy Black paint, he told me it has the same loose aperture ring (at least the copy he tried/or had is store). It is heavy, felt unbalanced on my M-P (240) and M3, has a looong focus throw - but I thought it has "something" special image-wise. I am not so sure anymore, now. 🙃

I also have both the 50 Lux ASPH v1 and v2 (I have to sell at least one of them), handling-wise I much prefer the v1, but mechanically the v2 (maybe because it is new). Technically, I could not see much difference against the "Classic" mentioned above. But I still though, to some point, that the "Classic" has something "special" about the images it produces. Again, as above, now I am not that confident anymore.

Bottom line - not sure I added any usefull info here.

Below 2 pictures @ f/1.4, focus is on the lens

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L.E. Gave up trying to find one 50 Lux Classic lens with a "normal" feel aperture ring, so I have just bought a Titanium 50 Lux pre-ASPH. I should get it tomorrow.

Later L.E. The 50 Lux Classic shows quite a fair bit of geometric distorsion (barrel type). It is very noticeable if one has straight lines in the frame.

 

Edited 2 hours ago by catacore

[catacore]

Two more pictures, print screen from Bridge (see less contrast, outlining in bokeh and barrel distorsion - for the "Classic" lens).

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Edited 2 hours ago by catacore

[FrozenInTime]

After a 170 mile each way drive, today I had the opportunity to handle the FLE2 Summilux 50mm . It reminded me very much of why I sold my original FLE ASPH version of this lens. The focus on the demo lens was stiff and lumpy ; stiff where the FLE mechanism starts to move and the deliberate lump at 0.7m. I had hoped the v1 to v2 mechanical design would have improved the reliability and smoothness - I remain unconvinced. The new brass classic lens focus action is silky smooth. My aluminium pre-ASPH E46 v3 is also smooth, with a lighter and faster focus action. 

I don't think there has been much comparison is flare characteristics between the versions, but my memory of the 11891 ASPH included rainbow stripe flare; this is something I've not encountered on the new classic 11714. The Achilles heel of the 11714 is very obvious field curvature and ugly foreground bokeh in the corners - things the ASPH elements and FLE mechanism were invented to improve. The 11868 v3 Summilux is similar to an engine running at a lower state of tuning - less contrast and resolution, but a more consistent draw across the whole frame.