doug_m Posted August 14, 2009 Share #21 Posted August 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Like others I have used many fine Leica lenses. However, the 50 ASPH 1.4 is as good as it gets- especially for the money. Yes its pricey but worth every cent and I think its a better lens than the last version pre- ASPH. You absolutely can not go wrong with this lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 Hi doug_m, Take a look here 50 Lux pre-asph vs 50 lux asph on M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Rolo Posted August 14, 2009 Share #22 Posted August 14, 2009 I've owned both a chrome latest pre-asph and a black asph and disposed of them. Today, I wish I still had the pre-asph for it's feel and look. However, the reason I sold it was because mine was little use in shooting wide groups of people as distortion towards the edges was unacceptable. I returned it to Solms under guarantee and there was nothing wrong with it. As a portrait lens it was fabulous, but I needed groups, so I p/x'd it for a used, faulty Asph and when I took it back my lens had moved on. Now, on the M8, using the central part of the pre-asph glass, I see that it's a great lens, but on a FF M9 (if ever), I anticipate the OOF areas will become very prominent and reduce the popularity of this glass. So, when you write M8, do you mean M9 as well, because it would influence my choice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakley Posted August 14, 2009 Share #23 Posted August 14, 2009 The 50/1.4 Summilux ASPH is the lens that stays on my M8 all the time. I think it's the best lens ever made for a 35mm-format camera. I almost always shoot it wide open at ISO 640; its bokeh is to my eye as good as or maybe even better than the pre-asph (of which I had, but sold, the most recent version); it's much sharper in the corners, and it's much more resistant to flare. The fact that it focuses to 0.7 meters is, as a previous poster noted, a huge advantage over earlier lenses and over the Noct, which I also have the first version of. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbarker13 Posted August 14, 2009 Share #24 Posted August 14, 2009 The 50/1.4 Summilux ASPH is the lens that stays on my M8 all the time. I think it's the best lens ever made for a 35mm-format camera. I almost always shoot it wide open at ISO 640; its bokeh is to my eye as good as or maybe even better than the pre-asph (of which I had, but sold, the most recent version); it's much sharper in the corners, and it's much more resistant to flare. The fact that it focuses to 0.7 meters is, as a previous poster noted, a huge advantage over earlier lenses and over the Noct, which I also have the first version of. Just in case it's not clear to folks not familiar with the pre-asph 50 lux - the third version of that lens (with 46mm filter) also focuses down to 0.7 meters. That was the main reason I chose that model over the smaller second version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share #25 Posted August 14, 2009 Well - made the plunge. Ffordes is sending me the 50 Lux asph tomorrow and my well loved but still beautiful Lux will be finding a new home at some point soon (I hope)... MANY thanks for all your comments. I'll post some images with the new one once I've had a chance to get used to it... Best, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 15, 2009 Share #26 Posted August 15, 2009 Oh my...you didn't take us seriously, did you? Enjoy your new toy (uh, tool) . Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share #27 Posted August 15, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Deadly serious . Ffordes got it to me this morning so I can send my series II Summilux back in the same bubble wrap! First impressions are: 1/ it's pin sharp (checked by taking a shot of my wife's computer screen - fully open at around 2 metres away (100% crop below + original) - my wife's a lexicographer amongst other things... 2/ I like the focus tab 3/ action feels really smooth - aperture ring positive but unobtrusive... Waiting for a UV/IR filter from Robert White (they seem to be the only people who have it in black at the moment) and looking forward to using it for real. Thanks to those who gave me a clearer basis for decision making... Best 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/93365-50-lux-pre-asph-vs-50-lux-asph-on-m8/?do=findComment&comment=994511'>More sharing options...
Shootist Posted August 15, 2009 Share #28 Posted August 15, 2009 Chris now you are in for it. The ASPH is almost to sharp, some people will say but not me. I can always blur down a image but I can never make it sharper. Good luck with your new tool. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted August 15, 2009 Share #29 Posted August 15, 2009 Chris, congratulations on this lens. I suspect it will quickly become a favorite and that you will never sell it again. Mine is without question the best lens I have ever owned or used extensively: WATE, 28/2A, 35/2 IV, 35/2A, 35/1.4A, 50/1, 50/1.4A, 75/1.4, 90/2A, 90/4M. The only one of these which comes close is the 90/2A which like the 50/1.4A is stunning, sharp, creamy boke most of the time, sharp, great colours, sharp, character... In the only comparisons I have seen versus the 50/1.4 pre-Asph, the Asph has more than held its own, easily matching or exceeding the boke of the pre-Asph, most of the time. IMO, of course. The pre-Asph is a great lens, but the Asph is certainly one of the best lenses ever made by anyone. I can almost always tell immediately which shots I have taken with it, due to their vibrance and creamy sharp look. This lens combined with a FF M9 is my dream-team. On the M9 my 28/2A will finally come into its own, as will the 90/2A. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share #30 Posted August 15, 2009 Carsten - I suppose part of the strategy has been picking this up while it was affordable with the thought that there may be a FF round the corner. For the moment I'll enjoy it as a useful, compact portrait lens for when I don't want the reach of the 75 of 90 - and then maybe, one day, the 28 / 50 / 90 combo will come back into play - as I now have modern asph lenses in these lengths I feel I'm prepared for most things... Oddly (interested to hear how others feel on this) the ONE lens I'm not at all tempted to go modern on is the 35 cron IV - I'm just so happy with this one ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share #31 Posted August 19, 2009 Just for completeness I said I'd post something once the lens + filter were to hand. Now (thanks to Robert White) I've got my black UV/IR 46mm filter in place, and am a very happy bunny. The photo below was shot fully open, 160 ISO@ 1/60th of a second. As it's a mirror shot it's not going to be as crystal as a genuine portrait - but I find this kind of image really useful for testing focus. I suppose the shot also shows how easy it is to focus the M8 with both eyes open! Judgement - I'm happy. The lens focuses easily and accurately on both my M8 bodies, even when fully open, and renders colour naturally. I don't need anything else really! Thanks again for earlier comments - they helped with the decision. Best... 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/93365-50-lux-pre-asph-vs-50-lux-asph-on-m8/?do=findComment&comment=998351'>More sharing options...
fotografr Posted August 19, 2009 Share #32 Posted August 19, 2009 Now you can update your avatar. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted August 19, 2009 Author Share #33 Posted August 19, 2009 True - though I kind of like the FOV I got with the 75 cron... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Baker Posted August 19, 2009 Share #34 Posted August 19, 2009 Hi Chris, the 50mm Asph is a stunning lens, is it not. I just love the IQ I get with mine and now find myself using it more than the 75mm 'cron, enjoy your new beauty. BTW, as soon as I get my 18mm Zeiss back from coding I'll send you a photo of the hood ( should be by middle of next week. On another note, the mount on my 135 APO is being modified in such a way as to make it easy to change back for M9 full frame 135 lines, note I "did not" request this, it is being done by "you now who" because he felt it worth doing as he today confirmed that it is an M9 announcement that is coming on 09/09 and that it is full frame as someone he knows very well is currently testing the camera and has confirmed it to him. To everyone except Chris .... YES this all sounds very "someone who knows someone" but please note I am not in the habbit of spreading rumours or making things up and Chris will know who I am talking about and that he is an extremely reputable person and is not the type to say things just for the sake of it. What he did also say is that "he believed" it will be an announcement on 09/09 and not the actual launch as the camera is still being tested and we are now only 3 weeks away from 09/09 So, read into what I have said whatever you wish, all I will say is that the "source" is very reliable and I am sure Chris will agree. I guess we will know for sure on 09/09 .... what I also know for sure is that I will not be able to afford an M9 yet, having spent the best part of £12k on M kit in the last 10 months:eek: Anyway, back to the 50mm ...... Chris, I am sure you will never regret its purchase, congrats. Kind regards Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonoslack Posted August 20, 2009 Share #35 Posted August 20, 2009 Deadly serious . Ffordes got it to me this morning so I can send my series II Summilux back in the same bubble wrap! Hi Chris I thought you might be the culprit . . . I just missed the boat on that one, so I ended up getting a new one instead, and they only had silver, so I'll be breaking my back carrying it around . . . certainly is sharp though. Interesting information on the 135 Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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