microview Posted September 28, 2008 Share #1 Posted September 28, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can someone advise on the differences (apart from wider aperture) between the current 50mm Summilux ASPH and the 50 Summicron? For film I loved my pre-aspheric 50 'lux but having the ASPH 35mm Summicron and 24 Elmarit and being so thrilled with their resolution and colour rendering on the M8, I feel the older 50 lags behind. I am thinking of replacing it with a new Summicron, as I don't need to go to f1.4. But would the 'lux be noticeably different? It's a big jump in outlay. Thanks in anticipation of your replies! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 28, 2008 Posted September 28, 2008 Hi microview, Take a look here 50mm Summilux vs Summicron. Do I need to spend that much more?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pleeson Posted September 28, 2008 Share #2 Posted September 28, 2008 I like the lighter weight of the Summicron. With the M8, you could just double the ISO. For me, at least, the slight difference wouldn't outweigh the cost and size penalties. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KC727 Posted September 28, 2008 Share #3 Posted September 28, 2008 Can someone advise on the differences (apart from wider aperture) between the current 50mm Summilux ASPH and the 50 Summicron? For film I loved my pre-aspheric 50 'lux but having the ASPH 35mm Summicron and 24 Elmarit and being so thrilled with their resolution and colour rendering on the M8, I feel the older 50 lags behind. I am thinking of replacing it with a new Summicron, as I don't need to go to f1.4. But would the 'lux be noticeably different? It's a big jump in outlay.Thanks in anticipation of your replies! As per Ewin Puts, "The new Summilux-M 1:1.4/50mm ASPH is the best high-speed general-purpose lens in the Leica range. Its wide open performance is outstandingly good (in some respects like flare even better than the Sumicron at f/2). Stopped down it is better than the Summicron 2/50mm. It can be used as the universal standard lens and can be deployed without any restrictions in image quality at all apertures and over the whole image field. If you want only one lens for your M camera, this one should be the prime choice. I still have the opinion that the focal length of 50mm is the best single lens for the M (I am an old fashioned M3 user with 50, 90 and 135mm as the prime lenses) and offers a wide range of possibilities for picture taking." I love this lens very much. So, my suggestion is 50lux asph. Some random shots taken hand-held in a low light condition in another forum for your reference Forum - Randon Shots by 50mm Summilux ASPH. Enjoy your M-sytem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
guywalder Posted September 28, 2008 Share #4 Posted September 28, 2008 Can someone advise on the differences (apart from wider aperture) between the current 50mm Summilux ASPH and the 50 Summicron? For film I loved my pre-aspheric 50 'lux but having the ASPH 35mm Summicron and 24 Elmarit and being so thrilled with their resolution and colour rendering on the M8, I feel the older 50 lags behind. I am thinking of replacing it with a new Summicron, as I don't need to go to f1.4. But would the 'lux be noticeably different? It's a big jump in outlay.Thanks in anticipation of your replies! seems to me that resolution and colour rendering are very similar, the differences in those aspects certainly dont justify the cost difference. But for me the greater subject isolation at 1.4 was worth paying for. IMHO there are 2 reasons to go for a faster lens, either subject isolation or for use in low light. ISO adjustment doesnt change that basic situation for me, a faster lens is still a faster lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted September 28, 2008 Share #5 Posted September 28, 2008 I owned both the old pre-ASPH Summilux and the current Summicron. I sold both and bought the Summilux ASPH. Not because I needed the extra speed, but because the ASPH is as good at 1.4 as the Summicron is at 2.0, and far superior at suppressing flare, glare and internal reflexes. These are serious concerns, especially with a RF lens where we cannot visually check on these things in the finder. A really bad feature of the 'cron is that a strongly lit part of the image on the periphery—a lightly overcast sky, or a bright window—can create a flared field on center, totally ruining the image. The current 'lux is just as good as the Summicron 28mm in this department, which means 'superb'. The old man from the Age B.C. (Before Coatings) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted September 28, 2008 Share #6 Posted September 28, 2008 I bought the 50 Summicron with my M8. A few months back I got the 50 Summilux ASPH. I still have both lenses and dont plan to sell the cron. The cron is a smaller lens and I like that very much, it works so well on the M8, so I still use it more than the lux. Both are great, my 50cron is very sharp wide open on centre so I have no hesitation using it that way. My efforts to use the 50 lux at f1.4 have not to date given me results that I personally like because I have great difficulty in focussing it where I want it. If money is no real object, then I would get the Lux, otherwise the I would be totally happy with the cron. Also consider the 50 summarit which appears to be also excellent and the Zeiss planar. If you have never heard of Reid Reviews (a pay site) it might be a good idea to go there, all this stuff is compared and reviewed in detail by Sean Reid, in an unbiased way, will definitely help you make a decision. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
biglouis Posted September 28, 2008 Share #7 Posted September 28, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) ...save a ton of money and get the CV 50/1.5..... and a Milich adaptor... as recommended by Sean Reid in his reviews... ... just my two-pennoth LouisB Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveYork Posted September 28, 2008 Share #8 Posted September 28, 2008 The 50mm Summilux Asph is a stellar lens, but I would only opt for it if it is your main focal length. That's simply a price versus use consideration. It is however a rather large lens too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted September 28, 2008 Share #9 Posted September 28, 2008 I own both the 50 Lux ASPH and a new version 50 Cron. I've always wondered about the difference. When I bought the Lux I already had a the cron and after getting the Lux every image I take with it just POPs at me. So after reading this thread and having nothing else to do today (already back from the golf course) I figured I do a little test. First image is the Lux @ f/1.4 cropped. Second set is the Lux @ f/2, full - crop. Third set is the cron @f/2 full - crop Lux 1.4 crop 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! Lux f/2 Full Lux f/2 Crop Cron f/2 Full Cron f/2 Crop They do look similar but to me the Lux has better color and more micro detail and of course it is one stop faster. If I had to buy a 50mm lens again and I already had tried both I'd go for the Lux hands down, that is if I could afford the difference in cost. I really didn't think you could get a better 50mm lens then the Cron until I bought a Lux. Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Lux f/2 Full Lux f/2 Crop Cron f/2 Full Cron f/2 Crop They do look similar but to me the Lux has better color and more micro detail and of course it is one stop faster. If I had to buy a 50mm lens again and I already had tried both I'd go for the Lux hands down, that is if I could afford the difference in cost. I really didn't think you could get a better 50mm lens then the Cron until I bought a Lux. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/63977-50mm-summilux-vs-summicron-do-i-need-to-spend-that-much-more/?do=findComment&comment=669175'>More sharing options...
microview Posted September 28, 2008 Author Share #10 Posted September 28, 2008 . I really didn't think you could get a better 50mm lens then the Cron until I bought a Lux. I was afraid of that . Thanks for all this helpful stuff so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pleeson Posted September 28, 2008 Share #11 Posted September 28, 2008 If cost is no object, newer and faster are always better..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_m Posted September 29, 2008 Share #12 Posted September 29, 2008 I've never had a 50 cron but the 50 ASPH lux is my favorite Leica lens on the M8. I'll bet the ASPH lux is the best 50 mm lens ever made (the 0.95 ASPH is not out yet and it will be heavy and out of control expensive). You must buy the lux ASPH over the cron- if not you will likely regret the decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafael_macia Posted September 29, 2008 Share #13 Posted September 29, 2008 Shootist Excellent test! Rafael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted September 29, 2008 Share #14 Posted September 29, 2008 As I pointed out, the lenses are roughly comparable, f-stop for f-stop, as long as you have the sun behind you (though with a discernable edge for the 'lux). It is when the lighting gets to be troublesome that you really discover the strong points of the Summilux ASPH. The old man from the Age B.C. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted September 29, 2008 Share #15 Posted September 29, 2008 Another vote for the Summilux asph (and I do own a Summicron, too). Once you use it you understand why Peter Karbe, the man who designed this lens, is so proud of it. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted September 29, 2008 Share #16 Posted September 29, 2008 ...save a ton of money and get the CV 50/1.5..... and a Milich adaptor... as recommended by Sean Reid in his reviews... I fully second this. I have a chrome cron and a CV Nokton 50/1.5 (which is an excellent lens). On an ordinary basis, I use the cron (or the MATE) and the CV Nokton when needed. I wouldn't put my money on a 50 lux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
innerimager Posted September 29, 2008 Share #17 Posted September 29, 2008 I considered selling my 50/1.4 asph because this is not my go to focal length on my M8. I changed my mind because it is just that on my M7/M5 and because it is just too strong a performer. I have an older 50 cron "rigid" which is quite wonderful as well which almost got me to unload the lux....almost! best...Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted September 30, 2008 Share #18 Posted September 30, 2008 I bought my Summilux ASPH before the advent of the M8, and it was in fact my favourite lens on my M4-P. Today I seldom find any use for the equivalent of a 70mm lens on FF, but it's so wonderful I simply cannot unload it. Maybe I'm waiting for the M9 ... This is the point: Do YOU feel the need for a 70mm equivalent lens? In that case, get a Summarit which is a competent lens, and seems to be somewhat better than the Summicron in the stray light department. The current 'cron must be one of the prime candidates for either a redesign, or discontinuation. The old man from the Age of Max Berek Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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