Zero comparisons online of these three lenses. And can’t rent these anywhere, so bought a copy of each. Yes, I have a sickness. But, will only keep one of them. The v1 is 1960, v2 is 1961 and v3 is 2000. I no longer have the asph version or I would’ve included that too.
Planning to do a some comparison shots with my m10r and will share a few of them here.
All with the same settings on a tripod. Daylight WB in camera. Adobe Standard, with possible exposure tweaks to balance them.
Disclaimer: These image comparisons will probably be useless to most everyone. The v2 has had a recent CLA. The v1 and v3 as far as I know haven’t had a CLA, at least recently. Hopefully however it sheds a light on the rendering differences (notably the out of focus areas) of each lens.
Based on the terrible examples I'll post, let me know your favorite version!
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v1 lens50mmf/1.41/500s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v2 lens50mmf/1.41/500s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v3 lens50mmf/1.41/500s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v1 lens50mmf/1.41/1000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v2 lens50mmf/1.41/1000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v3 lens50mmf/1.41/1000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v1 lens50mmf/1.41/180s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v2 lens50mmf/1.41/180s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v3 lens50mmf/1.41/180s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v1 lens50mmf/1.41/2000s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v2 lens50mmf/1.41/1500s100 ISO0.0 EV
LEICA M10-RSummilux 50mm f/1.4 Pre Asph v3 lens50mmf/1.41/1500s100 ISO0.0 EV
Another quick distortion test, the super exciting brick wall.
Horiztonal lines added to help illustrate the differences since I rushed through it and didn’t make it perfectly level. Probably it for the day, have to go refinish the floor in part of my house
Quite fun to glance at these images and I must say that though I find the outline of the bokeh balls slightly more defined on the v1 compared to the v2, I am not sure I could tell you which one is which. v2 and v3 are very similar to my eyes. Which one do you like best Shawn?
mulberry2006 wrote:
Quite fun to glance at these images and I must say that though I find the outline of the bokeh balls slightly more defined on the v1 compared to the v2, I am not sure I could tell you which one is which. v2 and v3 are very similar to my eyes. Which one do you like best Shawn?
I waiver back and forth! I like something about all of them. I think the true comparison would be if all of them had a recent CLA. That would level the playing field.
But so far:
Handling:
I like the feeling in hand of the V1 and V2. It just simply reminds me that it’s an old vintage lens with some charm. The V3 feels exactly like any other modern Leica lens in the way that it handles - which is not a bad thing at all.
The shorter focus throw of the v3 is nice for quickly acquiring focus. The longer focus throw of the v1 and v2 is nice for more precision. Hard to pick a favorite on focus throw since I like something about both.
The closer minimum focus distance of the v3 (same as asph versions) is nice. I’ll do a few more comparisons at MFD tomorrow.
The aperture ring on V1 and V2 offers only full stops. The aperture ring on the V3 offers half stops. I actually prefer the former, as that way I know each click is a stop. But since many of my other lenses also offer half stops it can get confusing.
Rendering/Out of Focus Areas:
I like the v1 the best here. It’s the most “vintage-y”, is that a word?
Distortion:
The v1 would win this category. V2 has noticeable barrel distortion, followed slightly by v3.
Vignetting:
Not too concerning for me, as I often add in vignetting anyway. But basically V1 has the most vignetting, followed by v2 and then v3.
Final verdict of which one I plan to keep at the end
lifeandmylens wrote:
I waiver back and forth! I like something about all of them. I think the true comparison would be if all of them had a recent CLA. That would level the playing field.
But so far:
Handling:
I like the feeling in hand of the V1 and V2. It just simply reminds me that it’s an old vintage lens with some charm. The V3 feels exactly like any other modern Leica lens in the way that it handles - which is not a bad thing at all.
The shorter focus throw of the v3 is nice for quickly acquiring focus. The longer focus throw of the v1 and v2 is nice for more precision. Hard to pick a favorite on focus throw since I like something about both.
The closer minimum focus distance of the v3 (same as asph versions) is nice. I’ll do a few more comparisons at MFD tomorrow.
The aperture ring on V1 and V2 offers only full stops. The aperture ring on the V3 offers half stops. I actually prefer the former, as that way I know each click is a stop. But since many of my other lenses also offer half stops it can get confusing.
Rendering/Out of Focus Areas:
I like the v1 the best here. It’s the most “vintage-y”, is that a word?
Distortion:
The v1 would win this category. V2 has noticeable barrel distortion, followed slightly by v3.
Vignetting:
Not too concerning for me, as I often add in vignetting anyway. But basically V1 has the most vignetting, followed by v2 and then v3.
Final verdict of which one I plan to keep at the end ...Show more →
If you can point out zones in the images I would love to read your interpretation.
lifeandmylens wrote:
I waiver back and forth! I like something about all of them. I think the true comparison would be if all of them had a recent CLA. That would level the playing field.
But so far:
... Distortion:
The v1 would win this category. V2 has noticeable barrel distortion, followed slightly by v3.
Thanks for testing, particularly distortion (I agree with your assessment). Even for digital-era lens backed by in-camera correction, I prefer the optics to be linear by design. In that sense, I bought the wrong version. Everyone has their own criteria but I prefer Old World build, long throw, and the classic font. Leica fanatics are weird.
