sbac Posted July 2, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 2, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello, I own a summicron-m 50mm (serial 348xxxx) and use it on an M6. I have the opportunity to acquire a summilux 50mm from 1959 so that makes it a first version. I've searched for samples and I really like the "look" of the pictures so I'm thinking about replacing my summicron with this lens. I know that the min focusing distance is 1m for the summilux (0,7 for the summicron) and I think I can live with that. But are there other drawbacks that I'm not aware of (I cannot test the lens)? Is it a stupid idea? Thank you Sebastien Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 2, 2009 Posted July 2, 2009 Hi sbac, Take a look here Summilux 50mm type 1?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ivar B Posted July 2, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 2, 2009 I would not do that if I were you. I also have a Summilux 1.4/50 version 1, on an M3 from the same time period. I tested out the Summilux a bit on my M8 also and compared results to the 50 Summicron. It depends on your preferences of course, but it is obvious that the Summicron gives an image with much higher contrast and punch. I was actually quite surprised to see how great the difference was. Now, you may prefer the fingerprint of the old Summilux, but it is hardly a general purpose lens in this day and age. I think this lens was only in production for 2 years, and you may consider the successor which was made for 40 years or so and it is still a favourite lens among many M users. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbac Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted July 2, 2009 Thank you for your answer! I'll have a look at version 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 2, 2009 Share #4 Posted July 2, 2009 Sebastien, I've had the v.2 and recently bought a v.3 (focuses down to 0.7M) and sold the v.2. Both are wonderful lenses but I just wanted you to know that there's also a version of the lens that allows you to get as close as your Summicron. I'm somewhat with Ivar in the sense that many of the images I've seen from the v.1 are a bit on the soft side but that is their charm, as you have apparently found for yourself. Personally I found the Summicron too sharp, painfully sharp when it came to people. Any of the pre-ASPH 50/1.4 lenses are prefereable to my eyes, though most people seem to want sharpness above all else. Let us know what you decide, and welcome to the forum! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbac Posted July 3, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted July 3, 2009 Sebastien, I've had the v.2 and recently bought a v.3 (focuses down to 0.7M) and sold the v.2. Both are wonderful lenses but I just wanted you to know that there's also a version of the lens that allows you to get as close as your Summicron. I'm somewhat with Ivar in the sense that many of the images I've seen from the v.1 are a bit on the soft side but that is their charm, as you have apparently found for yourself. Personally I found the Summicron too sharp, painfully sharp when it came to people. Any of the pre-ASPH 50/1.4 lenses are prefereable to my eyes, though most people seem to want sharpness above all else. Let us know what you decide, and welcome to the forum! Thank you ! Regarding the lens, I'll follow your advices and see if I can find a v2 or even a v3. But prices seem to rise quickly even for a v2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbelyaev Posted July 3, 2009 Share #6 Posted July 3, 2009 I like my Summilux 50/1.4 v1 very much. You may want to take a look at these images and decide for yourself whether you like it or not. summilux v1 - a set on Flickr Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ampguy Posted July 3, 2009 Share #7 Posted July 3, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) V2's are great, the later V2's which focus closer are even more usable for me. I have both, and a recent summary of them on my blog site. Thank you for your answer! I'll have a look at version 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runkel Posted July 3, 2009 Share #8 Posted July 3, 2009 I have the current summicron and the v1 and I use the v1 much more. It's great for people at /2. I don't worry about some of the limitations and supposed deficiencies of the v1 because if I need the best contrast and .7m focusing I have a different tool available. Certainly you should be paying much less for a v1 than for any iteration of the v2. It's often suggested that the v1 is generally sharper in the center of the frame than the v2, and that the v2 has more even performance across the field. There have been at least two good threads here recently about the v1. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem7 Posted July 9, 2009 Share #9 Posted July 9, 2009 I just acquired a black paint v3 and it is superb! Posted my results/write up on my site last night. Great lens. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbac Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted July 18, 2009 I just acquired a black paint v3 and it is superb! Posted my results/write up on my site last night. Great lens. Steve I finally acquired an early v2 for about 400 euros. It's in perfect shape and I'm loving the first results I got with it even wide open! By the way, your site is great, there are some amazing photographs (Especially the rural landscape section)! I still have a lot to learn... Sebastien Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted July 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted July 18, 2009 Congratulations Sebastien, great price & you will love the lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.