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 p.2 #7 · p.2 #7 · Super-fast 50mm M-mount comparison by Bastian K at phillipreeve | |
BastianK wrote:
I know that some people see the Leica 50mm 1.4 Asph as some kind of reference, but after having reviewed it, I have to disagree here.
Off center sharpness at f/1.4 and flare resistance are simply lacking too much for that.
I would never pick it over one of the two Voigtländers included in the comparison, heck,
I would hardly pick it over the Voigtländer VM 50mm 1.5 MK II - regardless of price.
I do think I saw some comparisons here according to which the updated 2023 version of the Leica does in fact show some improvements with regards to off center sharpness and flare resistance, but I cannot quantify them at this point.
If I had access to the older Leicas (50mm 1.0 and 50mm 1.2) I would have included them.
But to be honest here, from everything I have seen so far they are only interesting to those that are looking for some special/obscure rendering.
And to be even more honest here: the latest Leica 50mm 0.95 was already so lackluster, I don't expect anything amazing from the older ones.
I really like my old 90mm 2.0 pre Asph for its rendering, but all the "highly regarded" later, modern Leica lenses I tried (35mm 1.4 FLE, 50mm 1.4 Asph, 50mm 0.95, 16-18-21mm 4.0) have been more of a disappointment.
PS: I also really dislike those aperture rings that turn past the mark on one end.
This is maybe somewhat acceptable in the Mr. Ding lens for 400 bucks, but not in a premium Leica lens for several thousands of dollars.
I have no idea why the buyers are willing to accept such sloppy engineering work....Show more →
I don't really think it would matter to include the older 50/1 or 50/1.2 Noct--those lenses don't make any "sense to own." Perhaps just for a reference, but I personally don't make expensive lenses choices based on comparison crops--though they might help inform my decision and others surely will. I might buy the lens from testing, but I'll just sell if I don't like the images as much.
If you have money, just fork it over cause you're getting unique images. That's not just Leica--that's lots of old glass or character glass. If you don't like the rendering, why bother? Some of us like images and photography not for the optical performance, or bang for buck. The ultimate metric is simply--do I like the images the lens produces more than images another lens produces? If so, why would I not pay more for the images I like more?
That principle applies to housing, vacations, food choices, etc. That's how people work. There's almost always a more "reasonable" choice not taken.
I think that answers your question too (I am taking it as a sincere question). People begrudgingly accept that type of engineering cause they can't get the 35 Lux FLE with a better aperture ring. Sure, could switched to a CV 35/1.5 or ZM 35/1.4, but some of don't like those lenses as much, so a pretty unattractive option. For a current 35mm btw, I landed on a CV 35/2 Ultron. The 35 FLE I like more, I just am not paying that price.
I have a set budget for photography--I am not a rich guy. So I am price sensitive. The 50/1 and 35 Pre-ASPH are about half my total photography budget. They often produce my favorite images. So, to me, it's doable, though I am always looking for cheaper character lenses I like as much to save cash. I thought maybe I could replace my 35 Lux pre-asph with the 36/1.3 Apollon, but that's not working out.
At this point, I have only have a 50/1 Noct, 35 Lux Pre-ASPH (not a Leica fanboy). After that, I own no other Leica glass or body. Most of my other lenses are more "reasonable" with AF and decent to very good correction (GM 24, Sigma 35i, Contax 90, Sypotic 50/1.1, CV 35/2 Ultron, Contax G21, 73 Sonnetar, CV 75/1.9). So, maybe it's not so unreasonable to own a couple lenses that you really enjoy within your budget, even if they aren't optically great.
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If a lens has a forward balance, I will intentionally let the camera hang with the lens pointing downward, with the base plate resting against my left side. (The strap is normally oriented cross-body, over my right shoulder.)
