Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

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Bobu
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p.1 #1 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Today I got my 50 AA which I ordered some months ago. It was already getting dark when I received the parcel, but I managed to do some quick test shots. Here are some 100% crops:

Summilux 50 @ f/2.0:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

50 AA @ f/2.0:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

This is the whole test image:

This image is copyrighted by the owner

I've posted some more examples on my blog:
http://wild-places.com/2013/01/25/quick-test-of-the-apo-summicron-2-050mm-asph/

Short conclusion (after using the lens for about 1 hour):
The 50AA is extremely good wide open at f/2.0, especially at the edges/corners. Outside of the centre area it is significantly better than the Summilux (at f/2.0). Stopped down to f/8.0 and in the centre area the sharpness difference between the two lenses is very small and probably not visible in a print. Due to the extreme price difference of the two lenses the 50AA makes only sense if you use it wide open and edge/corner sharpness is important. This conclusion is only valid regarding sharpness at infinity. I’ve not yet tested other as aspects like bokeh, colors, contrast, sharpness at MFD etc.

I will do some more tests tomorrow.

Boris

Jan 25, 2013 at 08:51 PM

douglasf13
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p.1 #2 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Wow, that is a tangible difference.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:04 PM

allebaug
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p.1 #3 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

If only it was the Lux's street price.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:06 PM

joakim
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p.1 #4 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

First of all congratulations to the lens and great to see some photos with it, I'll be looking forward to see more.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:06 PM

hiepphotog
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p.1 #5 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Thank you for the test. The 50 AA should have much less field curvature as well. Based on the MTF, it seems to be the sharpest at f/5.6 (the best MTF figure of any Leica lens). Since there is less astigmatism, I imagine the lens would have excellent 3-d rendition.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:09 PM

douglasf13
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p.1 #6 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

allebaug wrote:
If only it was the Lux's street price.

Yeah, the price is tough. I could understand if the 50/2 was the same price as the 50/1.4, since you're gaining some IQ and loosing a stop, but another few thousand bucks makes it tough to justify. That f2 performance certainly looks outrageous, though.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:09 PM

naturephoto1
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p.1 #7 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

douglasf13 wrote:
allebaug wrote:
If only it was the Lux's street price.

Yeah, the price is tough. I could understand if the 50/2 was the same price as the 50/1.4, since you're gaining some IQ and loosing a stop, but another few thousand bucks makes it tough to justify. That f2 performance certainly looks outrageous, though.

B&H Photo has the 50mm AA listed for $7195, That is quite a price for a normal lens.

Rich

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:15 PM

carstenw
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p.1 #8 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

One might even say an abnormal price for a normal lens.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:20 PM

douglasf13
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p.1 #9 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

naturephoto1 wrote:
douglasf13 wrote:
allebaug wrote:
If only it was the Lux's street price.

Yeah, the price is tough. I could understand if the 50/2 was the same price as the 50/1.4, since you're gaining some IQ and loosing a stop, but another few thousand bucks makes it tough to justify. That f2 performance certainly looks outrageous, though.

B&H Photo has the 50mm AA listed for $7195, That is quite a price for a normal lens.

Rich

Yeah, I basically only shoot normal lenses, so it would be right up my alley, and I'd consider it if it was in the realm of the 50 Summilux in price, but $7K is steep. It does look to be a world beating lens, though, so I'm sure it will sell well.

I can't wait to see more samples, Bobu. Thanks!

Edited on Jan 25, 2013 at 09:26 PM · View previous versions

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:21 PM

naturephoto1
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p.1 #10 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

douglasf13 wrote:
naturephoto1 wrote:
douglasf13 wrote:
allebaug wrote:
If only it was the Lux's street price.

Yeah, the price is tough. I could understand if the 50/2 was the same price as the 50/1.4, since you're gaining some IQ and loosing a stop, but another few thousand bucks makes it tough to justify. That f2 performance certainly looks outrageous, though.

B&H Photo has the 50mm AA listed for $7195, That is quite a price for a normal lens.

Rich

Yeah, I basically only shoot normal lenses, so it would be right up my alley, and I'd consider it if it was in the realm of the 50 Summilux in price, but $7K is steep. It does look to be a world beating lens, though, so I'm sure it will sell well.

Doug,

Would we expect anything else from Leica when they charge such a premium price for an optic? But, in my case I hardly use my 50mm R lens. Tuesday, I just picked up my 50mm and 35mm R Summicrons from Leica USA after a cleaning and lube. But, we all have different needs and uses.

Rich

Edited on Jan 25, 2013 at 09:28 PM · View previous versions

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:26 PM

Bobu
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p.1 #11 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Yes the price is very high and I will have to sell some lenses to finance it. But I'm pretty sure it will keep it's value and I really like 50mm focal length for landscape images. I could probably live with just two lenses: 21mm and 50mm.

Anybody interested in a 50mm Summilux Asph.

Boris

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:26 PM

hiepphotog
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p.1 #12 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Boris, curiously enough, the 50 AA seems to have more magenta aberration at wide open than the Lux at f/2 based on your test.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:28 PM

douglasf13
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p.1 #13 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Bobu wrote:
Yes the price is very high and I will have to sell some lenses to finance it. But I'm pretty sure it will keep it's value and I really like 50mm focal length for landscape images. I could probably live with just two lenses: 21mm and 50mm.

Anybody interested in a 50mm Summilux Asph.

Boris

I hear ya. I could live with just one lens, 50mm, but I just went the other direction and sold my "regular" 50 Summicron version V because I like my old 50 collapsible so much. The 50/2 ASPH would be a nice compliment to my collapsible, old school vibe vs uber performance, but I think I'll wait a while and let the thought of a $7000 50/2 lens soak in. That ASPH is sharper at f2 than my collapsible at f8.

I look forward to seeing more shots from your new lens.

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:31 PM

Bobu
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p.1 #14 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

hiepphotog wrote:
Boris, curiously enough, the 50 AA seems to have more magenta aberration at wide open than the Lux at f/2 based on your test.

It's too early for me to draw this conlusion. There were some areas in some of the images where I had the same feeling after a quick look. But it could also be the side effect of more moire due to a better resolution.
I will do some more tests tomorrow.

Boris

Jan 25, 2013 at 09:34 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #15 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Thanks Boris! So far this basically confirms what I expected to see based on the MTF curves. I'll be interested in your nearer distance results and background blur quality vs. the Lux.

Jan 25, 2013 at 10:58 PM

zhangyue
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p.1 #16 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

rscheffler wrote:
Thanks Boris! So far this basically confirms what I expected to see based on the MTF curves. I'll be interested in your nearer distance results and background blur quality vs. the Lux.
+1
Though I am sure I will be just a audience.

Jan 25, 2013 at 11:13 PM

joe88
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p.1 #17 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Congrats Boris!! Looking forward to more test shots

Jan 26, 2013 at 04:08 AM

Jonas B
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p.1 #18 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Congratulations. Expensive but fun!
The church tower: The new Cron AA is very much better
The tree: The Lux is better (but you have to look for it)
Hmm. Do we know the lenses are focused the exact same? I understand the problems doing this with no proper viewfinder, I also understand the problems with the changing light and the possible wind.
I think you need to buy the new camera as well before finally deciding which lens is best in what situations. I'll keep an eye on the thread - and thank you for posting!

Jan 26, 2013 at 11:56 AM

edwardkaraa
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p.1 #19 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

Congratulations Boris! It's the best M lens in the world, and you have it

Jan 26, 2013 at 03:31 PM

edwardkaraa
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p.1 #20 · Leica 50 AA vs. 50 Summilux

carstenw wrote:
One might even say an abnormal price for a normal lens.

Jan 26, 2013 at 03:32 PM

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