50mm summilux and 35 summicron

[kenneth]

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The lenses you highlight look a little retro for an M6 and Canadian optics are not the same, or dare I say up to Leica Germany. Rather that buying 2 lenses, which are very close in focal length terms you might be as well buying one, say a 35mm Summicron which performs superbly wide open. I have a 35mm asph Summicron and it copes happily with film speeds from 50 asa to 400 asa

[andybarton]

<snip> and Canadian optics are not the same, or dare I say up to Leica Germany.

 

That is an absolute falacy, Kenneth.

 

Canadian Leica lenses are identical in quality to those made in Germany.

[brunom]

I'll second that Andy, and also mention that the very 1st version of the 50mm Summilux is not a bad lens, in fact it's very good, unless of course you want to photograph brick walls and lens charts only. I have one, number 166... from 1959 and it is great - I use it to photograph people and it has its own very distinctive character. It is not as sharp as the latest version but it I want pin sharp I just use a 120mm Macro Planar on a 503 CW.

 

Bruno

[JBA]

I have both a current version 50 Summicron and a 2nd ver. 50 Summilux (that I've perhaps erroneously been calling a pre-asph -- it has 1989 serial #s).

 

The major difference I've been able to detect is in the bokeh. The Summicron produces a smooth bokeh in which background objects simply melt, while the ver.2 Summilux produces a boken that looks as if it has been jolted out of phase. It's a very painterly bokeh that I quite like, though I've heard others describe a similar effect in certain lenses as "harsh." This lens also gives a very three-dimensional effect. Versatile lens and wonderful performer that will serve you well.

 

For what it's worth, I once rented a 50 Summilux Asph from Leica, but it appeared to be a poor example with something out of whack. Out of six rolls of film shot with it, hardly a single photo was arguably in focus. Very disappointing. Given that initial experience, the price is far above my pain threshold.

 

The 35 Summilux Asph is superb. Worth holding out for. Stunning sharpness and contrast.

[phovsho]

the very 1st version of the 50mm Summilux is not a bad lens, in fact it's very good, unless of course you want to photograph brick walls and lens charts only.

 

 

Brilliant! My quote of the week.

 

Murray

[jaapv]

The lenses you highlight look a little retro for an M6 and Canadian optics are not the same, or dare I say up to Leica Germany. Rather that buying 2 lenses, which are very close in focal length terms you might be as well buying one, say a 35mm Summicron which performs superbly wide open. I have a 35mm asph Summicron and it copes happily with film speeds from 50 asa to 400 asa

 

That is a strange lens, that adapts its performance to film speed...

[SJP]

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I'm sure it would fail abysmally with 16 ASA dia-direct from Agfa but there is no way to check that anymore Unless someone has built a time-machine.