nobbylon Posted February 1, 2008 Share #1 Posted February 1, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 50 version 2 Summilux and have to say that I'm left feeling a little let down by it but that's probably the fault of the asph 35 that i'm used to! Does anyone who has used the 60mm Elmarit R know which 50 comes close to the same look in the M series lenses? Don't get me wrong, I like the look of the summilux pics but they do lack that 'zing' i'm after. To me the pics are not that different to my 1967 collapsable elmar, which cost a 3rd of the 'lux' ! and don't flame me please, my 50 1.4 zuiko which cost me £32. Wide open, it just seems a little too soft! Is it just me? any thoughts please? best to all j Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 Hi nobbylon, Take a look here Summilux 50. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
hans_s Posted February 1, 2008 Share #2 Posted February 1, 2008 You want "zing" like from the 35 asph from a Leica 50 -- gor for the latest summicron or the latest summilux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 1, 2008 Share #3 Posted February 1, 2008 John many people including me just love the look of the pre-ASPH Summilux (someone bought one on eBay yesterday for almost US$2500!! ). But I also have the ASPH version for when I want sharp. They may be the same focal length and have the same name but if you think the lens is soft then you need the ASPH version. I really like both and will keep both. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted February 1, 2008 thanks Hans and Peter. I think i'm just not used to the look of the results yet. I've been looking at two rolls this morning and comparing to the elmar and I think at 1.4 the lux is very similar in softness at centre as the elmar is at 2.8. I do tend to use my lenses wide open a lot of the time and I think I need to use the lux at f2 and f2.8 and see how I feel then. Perhaps i'm missing the point of having a 1.4 lens! How does the 50 summicron gen 4 I think with the 50 on barrel and focus tab, compare to the look of the lux and asph cron 35. I know you can't really compare the two focal lengths but it is a look and similar feel to the pics i'm after. I also know that in reality the asph 50 lux is the way to go but just wondered from others experience and ownership if there is anything else out there, thx j Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 1, 2008 Share #5 Posted February 1, 2008 John this is all so personal. I've not used the Summicron you mention (I don't like tabs) but I have used two of the current 50mm Summicrons and didn't like either. Both were painfully sharp to my eyes in a clinical, unpleasant sort of way. Just my eyes mind you, as I said this is all very personal and many people love the Summicron. I have used the current 50/2.8 Elmar-M for a number of years and my copy of that lens is sharper than my pre-ASPH Summilux but I like the overall look of the Summilux better. The 50/1.4 ASPH is the best 50mm lens I've ever used. If I had to make a choice between the pre-ASPH and the ASPH I'd choose the ASPH. In addition to it's look it focuses down to 0.7M and has a very short focus throw (I use the tabless LHSA version) in comparison to the older lens. The ASPH lenses have what I think is an undeserved reputation for harshness, I also use the 24 and 35/1.4 ASPH lenses but don't find them harsh at all. I'm a firm believer in trying lenses for myself. You can ask on forums such as this and look on flickr to your heart's content but there is no short-cut to assembling a decent kit. You have to try everything for yourself and see if you're comfortable with the ergonomics too. Is there anything else out there? If you are willing to stray beyond Leica you would probably like the Zeiss Planar and the Konica M-Hexanon. Both are f2 lenses and I haven't used either but both look really good on flickr. I'm a big Hexanon fan and use their 90 and 28mm lenses. Tremendous optics and build quality that puts modern Leica to shame. I would steer clear of the Zeiss Sonnar f1.5 - too much thinking required to use that lens... IMHO the Leica f1.4 ASPH is The One in the 50mm range and it is just really difficult to look beyond that lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted February 1, 2008 Share #6 Posted February 1, 2008 John: If you want a lens in the M with the quality of the recent 50mm Summilux R, you probably need a 50mm Summicron as you described above or the latest 50mm Summilux ASPH. My photos on the Tmax 400 thread were taken with a 50mm Summicron with the tab focusing. The first one was at f2 or f2.5, the second at f4. You will find the 50mm Summicron plenty sharp, but it also creats very smooth images. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/40701-new-t-max-400-film.html Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted February 1, 2008 Author Share #7 Posted February 1, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Peter, you are absolutely spot on regarding trying lenses out for yourself. I've done the usual flickr viewing on the m-mount section but you just can't tell until you have a piece of kit if it really suits. This was the main reason I sold my R cameras. I loved the 60 Macro-Elmarit but in combo with an R8 it was just too big for me. If I could get a miniature 60 Macro-Elmarit in M mount I'd be very happy! I know the asph 50 lux is probably it but would like to try a 4th gen sum as Rob suggests before I commit. It's a good job the resale on Leica gear is so good. It means that you can buy and try and if you are not happy with the look sell on for much the same you paid. I've a feeling a summicron search is on. j Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted February 1, 2008 Share #8 Posted February 1, 2008 John, you won't be disappointed by the current Summicron 50 (the one with the tab is said to have the same optical formula as the current one). It is very well corrected, and f2 is usable without reservation. I am tempted to call it the poor man's Summilux asph . I don't find my copy painfully sharp, but there may be variations between the lenses. I also like the way it renders colors very much, they are so vivid yet subtly differentiated. Of course, if it is 1.4 you need, then there is no choice but the current Summilux 50asph. This is a jack of all trades kind of lens, perfect from full opening, nice colors, no fault that I am aware of, but it comes at a price (to pay, that is). If I had to sell all my 50mm lenses except one, this would be the one I keep without hesitation. It is a landmark design. Cheers, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted February 2, 2008 Share #9 Posted February 2, 2008 Hi there John; I have owned the Summicron in various versions including the ASPH, the Elmar, as well as 2 Luxs. Presently I have the ASPH Lux 50/1,4 and it is the finest all-round 5cm focal length lens I have used. Sharp and full, rich tones across the negatives. But not harsh or clinically sharp. I have used the version 2 Lux 50, and it has a great look, though it is softer than what I think you are after. The lens you might like is the ZM 50/2 Planar. I have a copy, and it is so flare resistant, I can shoot it w/o the hood 99% of the time. It is NOT as clinically sharp as the ASPH cron 50/2, but it is sharp without being harsh. It is a nice compact lens on my MP. So these two 50s I have found very useful: the Summilux ASPH 50 and the ZM 50 Planar. Regards, Thomas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 2, 2008 Share #10 Posted February 2, 2008 ...The lens you might like is the ZM 50/2 Planar. I have a copy, and it is so flare resistant, I can shoot it w/o the hood 99% of the time. It is NOT as clinically sharp as the ASPH cron 50/2... You mean the asph lux 50/1.4 i guess. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted February 2, 2008 Share #11 Posted February 2, 2008 You mean the asph lux 50/1.4 i guess. No, I do mean the asph cron 50/2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 2, 2008 Share #12 Posted February 2, 2008 AFAIK there is no such thing as a Summicron 50/2 asph Thomas. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted February 2, 2008 Ok thanks everyone for your ideas and comments. I've done another roll along with my long suffering 'lens tester' and have worked out roughly what works and what doesn't with this lens for me. I think my earlier woes where probably due to my errors in focus at the lens' min focus distance where at f1.4 there is prob around 3 cm of good focus. In future I will just back up a little if I want or need to use 1.4 Definately a keeper and I just need to use a lot to get used to it more, regds j 1st one is at f1.4, 2nd one is at f2 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/44183-summilux-50/?do=findComment&comment=470810'>More sharing options...
aesop Posted February 2, 2008 Share #14 Posted February 2, 2008 No, I do mean the asph cron 50/2. ...Thomas, please expand on your comment re: "the ASPH 'Cron 50/2". I am really struggling. Thanks. Sota. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 2, 2008 Share #15 Posted February 2, 2008 Very nice John! When I bought my pre-ASPH 50 I sent it off to DAG for a complete CLA so I have never had any focusing issues... I'm glad to see your boy supports my team but they are losing 1-0 at half-time against Spurs today. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobbylon Posted February 2, 2008 Author Share #16 Posted February 2, 2008 Peter, that was a close call! full time 1-1 best j Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted February 2, 2008 Share #17 Posted February 2, 2008 Yes but I just love little Carlito! He never gives up! I have been following his career since he was a boy at Boca Juniors... Good luck with the lens John it looks great! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted February 2, 2008 Share #18 Posted February 2, 2008 No, I do mean the cron 50/2. err, that's what i meant :/ hehe, a sorry typist. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted February 2, 2008 Share #19 Posted February 2, 2008 err, that's what i meant :/ hehe, a sorry typist. So you feel the 50/2 is 'clinically sharp' and not the 50/1.4 asph really? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted February 3, 2008 Share #20 Posted February 3, 2008 So you feel the 50/2 is 'clinically sharp' and not the 50/1.4 asph really? Yes. Of course this is merely my take. But I found the current cron to be sharper than the lux asph, the lux possessing a certain 'creaminess' and smoother transition between the tones. The Lux asph is sharp enough, but not, as 'clinically' sharp as the cron with the shade. The Planar is very sharp, too, but, again, not as sharp as the cron. I liked to shoot the cron with slide film, K64. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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