50 Lux pre-asph vs 50 lux asph on M8

[chris_tribble]

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I've been using a pre-asph 50 lux for around 20 years and am now tempted by a 50 asph (one's come up second hand...) Funny - for a long time I wasn't using it on the M8, but now find I use it a lot.

 

Any one with experience of making the transition? Really helpful to hear if you think it's worth the change - the new one's going to cost me around £800 once I've taken account the trade in on the old one - so it's seems like a reasonable amount to spend on a lens with an excellent reputation.

 

Hope to hear from someone.

 

V Best

[UliWer]

Just a few impressions:

 

Handling:

The new lens with hood protracted is a little bit longer, if you compare it with the last version of the pre-asph.

I don't find any difference in focussing both lenses. The new has a focussing "knob".

The aperture stops on the old version were much smoother - i never used a lens which had such a feeling; but no problems with the new lens.

 

Optics:

Fully opened the new version is much, much sharper and has much more contrast than the old one. Of course the differences become smaller and perhaps negligable downwards from about f: 5.6. The slight vignetting of the old version has gone.

I find the colour rendition of the new version "warmer" - most people see it the other way round. I think the new version ideally fits in the line 2/28asph - 2/75asph.

 

The old version concentrated its sharpness on the lens center, and was considerably less sharp and contrasty in the outward regions. Sometimes this "feature" gave photos a 3D-effect - even with the M8-crop -, which i never found on the new one. You might call the new lens more "flat" - but on a very high level.

 

Bokeh? I wouldn't dare to decide. Perhaps - the new version is not so "pleasant" ("harsher") if you have small structures (e.g. leaves of trees) in the unsharp sector. With other motives this impression may not persist.

 

Edit: Though i like the asph. very much, i shall never give away the pre-asph.

[Philippe D.]

I've been using a pre-asph 50 lux for around 20 years

In this case, your Summilux must be, at least, version 2 (1962-1994).

If you like razor sharp pictures, the Asph is the way to go. But you'll maybe miss the fingerprint of this old Lux by selling it away.

I do have the Lux Asph, which i like very much, but i also like to take pictures from time to time with my Summilux first version (1959-1961) too.

It's a bit like the Zeiss Sonnar. Old fashion pictures.

[jaapv]

I cannot compare on the same camera, Chris. I used to have the pre-asph in my film days and could never warm to it, I found the edges wide open a bit mushy. I have the asph now for two months and find it a very good lens, very precise. The bokeh is of course more defined as well with fewer aberrrations, but it is smooth enough for my taste. I find it the Summilux 50 asph a perfect companion to the 24 Summilux. In your place I would go for it.

[Shootist]

I feel compelled to reply. Although I have never use the Pre-ASPH I do have the ASPH version and if I had to sell any or all my Leica gear this lens would be the LAST thing to go, it is that good.

I recently sold a 50 Cron and Elmar because I just didn't use them. I do use the 50 ASPH all the time and rarely go anywhere without it, even if I have another lens mounted to the camera the 50 ASPH isn't far away.

 

You may hear from others that the ASPH is to harsh, to clinical and contrasty. Just blow that off. There is no better lens in any focal length, including the 50mm range.

[chris_tribble]

Really helpful comments - as my favourite lens on the M8 is the 28 cron asph, I'm moving towards the 50 asph...

 

re Leica glow / older feel, I'm not sure if that's a priority for me - so much of the work that I do is documentary in nature, and sharp, and bright with rich colours and good contrast are qualities I value very highly. As it looks as if the price is OK this may be the way to go. I'm currently planning to part-exchange so won't go into the economics as I don't want to abuse the forum!

 

Thanks again - what a useful institution this is!

 

Best

[stevem7]

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The ASPH is much sharper at 1.4, and in the four 50 ASPH lenses I have used on an M8 provide a cooler color cast than the pre I have here. As others have stated, if you like SHARP and precise, the 50 ASPH is the best there is in a 50! You lose the swirly bokeh and softer rendering but gain precision and perfection.

 

Good luck!

[ampguy]

I like the pre-asph, more character wide open, smaller, maybe not as technically good as the asph, but the asph images look like my nikon dslr images.

 

 

I've been using a pre-asph 50 lux for around 20 years and am now tempted by a 50 asph (one's come up second hand...) Funny - for a long time I wasn't using it on the M8, but now find I use it a lot.

 

Any one with experience of making the transition? Really helpful to hear if you think it's worth the change - the new one's going to cost me around £800 once I've taken account the trade in on the old one - so it's seems like a reasonable amount to spend on a lens with an excellent reputation.

 

Hope to hear from someone.

 

V Best

[fotografr]

Hi Chris,

 

Here are some photos I posted as a comparison a while back.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/other/82745-additional-50mm-comparisons.html

 

You may find the whole thread of interest.

[adan]

For me, the huge advantage to both the last pre-ASPH and the ASPH is the close-focusing down to .7 meters. The ASPH is "pinker" - which may mean warmer OR cooler depending on the context. I like the romance of the pre, but while the ASPH is more clinical, it is not AS clinical as slower ASPHs - an f/1.4, even by Leica, is always going to have somewhat lower contrast and softer corner performance than an f/2 or f/2.8.

[shootinglulu]

Hallo Chris, a bit off topic.. I just looked through you home page, your photography is incredibly good, natural, inspirational. A good link to other photographers also is very useful, theres a lot of work to look at there.

Can i ask, what camera/s lenses you use for the work in your homepage.

Thanks, Lucy

[norbertnl]

Chris,

 

I have never owned a pre-asph lux, but I know from experience that the asph perfectly pairs with the cron 28. Before I acquired the lux 50 asph I used to have a cron 50. Although the cron 50 is a legend of its own, I found the lux's clarity (which is one of the features I'm looking for in a lens) at 1,4 already superior to the cron's at 2,0, especially in contre-jour light conditions. My contribution will not answer your question as to the comparison of the pre-asph to the asph lux 50, but as you mentioned the cron 28 I expect you to be very happy with the more modern lens to complement it.

 

Best,

Norbert

[pgk]

I changed from pre-Asph to Asph after trying both wide open. The later lens is quite simply 'better' at 1.4 with significantly sharper corners. Stopped down I'd be very hard pushed to tell the difference though. So if you shoot wide-open it may well be a more usable lens for you.

[Simon Baker]

Really helpful comments - as my favourite lens on the M8 is the 28 cron asph, I'm moving towards the 50 asph...

 

re Leica glow / older feel, I'm not sure if that's a priority for me - so much of the work that I do is documentary in nature, and sharp, and bright with rich colours and good contrast are qualities I value very highly. As it looks as if the price is OK this may be the way to go. I'm currently planning to part-exchange so won't go into the economics as I don't want to abuse the forum!

 

Thanks again - what a useful institution this is!

 

Best

 

 

Hi Chris,

 

As you are aware I use the 50 asph along with a 28mm 'cron asph and 75mm 'cron APO, these are without doubt in my mind the three finest lenses I have ever had the pleasure to own and use, and the 50mm is IMO the finest of the bunch ( not that the other two are slouches ) . It really is a stellar optic, sharp as a surgeons scalpel with bright, rich colours ..... I just love this lens, IMO it is worth every penny and I am very glad I bought it, I would be surprised if you regret its purchase. BTW on another note , I'm glad the heavystar hood is working for you on the 18mm Zeiss and I will try to get an image of the actual Zeiss hood to you soon.

 

kind regards Simon

[Jeff S]

Really helpful comments - as my favourite lens on the M8 is the 28 cron asph, I'm moving towards the 50 asph...

 

FWIW, I own the 50 lux asph and the 28 cron asph....love them both and have no desire to even think about replacements. I think you'd feel the same way. (The 75 cron asph is right there, too, IMO...echo Simon).

 

Jeff

 

PS I think I posted the same question on the forum when I was trying to decide on the lux 50s (but I owned a cron at the time)...the feedback was tremendously helpful, and I don't regret the decision.

[geesbert]

I have both, bought the asph a few months ago and prefer the pre-asph, mainly for handling reasons: the pre-asph feels smoother, is quite a bit shorter, the focus and the aperture ring is where it is meant to be and better spaced, the retractable lens hood works better with those damn ir-filters.

 

wiede open it shurely isn't as sharp, but the look is nicer. much more elmar 50 than 28 cron

 

I got a focus tab from the 35mm pre-asph installed onto my lux, now it is perfect. if anyone is interested I'll post a picture.

 

the asph will go soon. was a bad investment....

[jaapv]

When you get to ideal conditions, the lens is stunning in its colour separation and contrast rendering. This shot is 100% uncorrected, as straight and default as can be

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[jaapv]

I have both, bought the asph a few months ago and prefer the pre-asph, mainly for handling reasons: the pre-asph feels smoother, is quite a bit shorter, the focus and the aperture ring is where it is meant to be and better spaced, the retractable lens hood works better with those damn ir-filters.

 

wiede open it shurely isn't as sharp, but the look is nicer. much more elmar 50 than 28 cron

 

I got a focus tab from the 35mm pre-asph installed onto my lux, now it is perfect. if anyone is interested I'll post a picture.

 

the asph will go soon. was a bad investment....

I cannot relate to this post. I guess your pre-asph is a bit more run in. My asph - it is a chrome one- is very smooth and handles perfectly to my hands. My pre-asph was a bit sloppy and less ergonomic for me. But that is a very personal thing.

[Jeff S]

When you get to ideal conditions, the lens is stunning in its colour separation and contrast rendering. This shot is 100% uncorrected, as straight and default as can be

 

Jaap...can't help but notice, but you seem to be the master of the green/orange palette....never overdone. I think it's more than the lens (but that doesn't hurt:)).

 

Jeff

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[noah_addis]

I've never used the ASPH, but I love my pre-asph (latest version) and would hate to part with it.

 

It's so nice on the M8 for portraits and I find it has a great look in tough contrasty light. I've thought about the ASPH since it's apparently so good, and I don't doubt that it is, but as I said I'd hate to part with my pre-asph.

 

If I want super-sharp I switch over to the 75 'Cron.