@brick33308
I'm glad you finally got your hands on a Leica 50/1.4 pre-asph! It's like using the latest ASPH version but with a bit more character in the rendering (and unfortunately more CA). As you can see, the lens delivers high performance with solid contrast while still giving that gorgeous classic look. The 50/1.4 pre-asph v3 produces the same exact look....the main benefits of the black aluminum version 3 are its lighter weight, slightly closer 0.7m minimum focusing distance, 46mm filter thread, and built-in hood.
The 50 pre v2 has become my favorite lens (followed closely by the 35 SRR). Yes I wish it was v3 with min focus distance of .7M instead of my 1M, but it is what it is. Here are a few I shot yesterday at f1.4
I've read all the answers here and all the reviews I could find. I'm very interested in this lens, but I can't decide between the 50 reissue and the 50 Asph V1 (silver). Any thoughts on that? I have an M11 Safari, an M11 Mono, and an MP. My 50 Lux Asph V2 CF is always attached to my mono. I like to have another 50mm, mainly for the Safari, and here and there for the MP. Are there any side-by-side reviews between V1 and Reissue? Didn't find any.
Fred would know much more about your question. However I believe I've read that the reissue is nothing like the original 50 v1, as compared with the 35 SRR being fairly faithful to the original 35 steel rim. My 50 v2 pre asph is a perfect copy, am thrilled with it.
The Steel Rim Reissue was my "first" plan, but over the last weeks I tend more and more to 50mm. It's the most interesting and versatile focal length for me. I have a 28/35 Ultron here, and I like it, but most of the time, it feels too wide. And I crop a lot with 35mm. So 50mm is a better fit. I tend more to the Reissue at the moment. And to be honest. I'm "new" in the Leica Game, so I don't have any comparisons to the older lenses. I think the current ones are fine for me. For now, I'm not super nostalgic about that topic. But I understand why people are.
davidhellmann wrote:
I've read all the answers here and all the reviews I could find. I'm very interested in this lens, but I can't decide between the 50 reissue and the 50 Asph V1 (silver). Any thoughts on that? I have an M11 Safari, an M11 Mono, and an MP. My 50 Lux Asph V2 CF is always attached to my mono. I like to have another 50mm, mainly for the Safari, and here and there for the MP. Are there any side-by-side reviews between V1 and Reissue? Didn't find any.
The V1 is the same as the CF in optical formula-
Difference is CF ability and more aperture blades in the CF version. So if you like the look of the CF, it will be identical in the V1 for the most part-
As far as the rendering goes between the CF and the RE-Issue they are very close as well. Close enough that I found it not worth owning both.
They are very different in aesthetics though and its a very beautiful lens. The hood is worthless but thats my personal opinion
I think the Leica 50 pre-asph V3 is the best bet if you want something unique and different to what you already own. You can still find like new copies of them floating around since they where produced until around 2000
RustyRus wrote:
I think the Leica 50 pre-asph V3 is the best bet if you want something unique and different to what you already own. You can still find like new copies of them floating around since they where produced until around 2000
agreed, BUT be very careful because many of the V3 are suffering lens separation due to bad optical glue used in that version but not V2. I know several people who thought they were getting a great condition V3 (myself included) only to find out that there was lens separation in progress. The V2 is identical to V3 except that V2 min focus distance is 1M while V3 is .7M. As much as I'd like V3 for that reason, I wasn't willing to roll the dice. I also know 2 people who sent their defective V3s to Leica for repair (to NJ who sent them to Wetzlar) and got them repaired for about $650. If you can do that, it's the best of all worlds.
OK, interesting, but I think that's too "hot" for me, trying that out. It's not super important to have something different at all. I really like the aesthetics of the Reissue. I would say it's a perfect match with the Safari and also looks good on the silver MP. And it's a bit lighter than the V1.
davidhellmann wrote:
OK, interesting, but I think that's too "hot" for me, trying that out. It's not super important to have something different at all. I really like the aesthetics of the Reissue. I would say it's a perfect match with the Safari and also looks good on the silver MP. And it's a bit lighter than the V1.
I have shot the "re-issue" (Classic 11714) lens to compare it against the ASPH v1 and V2 and I can say there is very little difference, it any (technically speaking). Still, I find the Classic 11714 lens to have "something" special in its rendering (non-technical, of course).
I had two copies of the Classic 11714 lens and have sent both back to the dealer due to a (too) loose aperture ring (at least for my taste - it just feels wrong, or broken, or ready to die-off). Curious if other users have found/felt the same wrt aperture ring.
But still....I want that lens quite badly even if I already have the ASPH v2. Beautiful looking lens, heavy, long focus throw, but some "magic" in its rendering (or, maybe, its just me).
catacore wrote:
I have shot the "re-issue" (Classic 11714) lens to compare it against the ASPH v1 and V2 and I can say there is very little difference, it any (technically speaking). Still, I find the Classic 11714 lens to have "something" special in its rendering (non-technical, of course).
I had two copies of the Classic 11714 lens and have sent both back to the dealer due to a (too) loose aperture ring (at least for my taste - it just feels wrong, or broken, or ready to die-off). Curious if other users have found/felt the same wrt aperture ring.
But still....I want that lens quite badly even if I already have the ASPH v2. Beautiful looking lens, heavy, long focus throw, but some "magic" in its rendering (or, maybe, its just me). ...Show more →
I've heard that before, with the loose aperture ring. Are there any details about whether that was an early production item, or is it still more on the loose side? Maybe someone had a newer copy in his hands. And thanks for the comparison. Sounds like: same same, but different in a good way. But that topic is also holding me back a bit from buying it used.
My second copy just went back the other day, IIRC that lens was produced in August.
To me, as well, it makes little sense to have both, the ASPH and the Classic. But still...I will, eventually, re-buy it (I have the ASPH v2...and v1 for sale). We all know owning/using Leica makes little sense, after all...
I don't remember whose reviews I read, but at least 2 of them opined that while the Classic has lovely rendering, it's not the same as shooting the 50 pre asph v2,v3 wide open.
The moment I saw the 50 pre asph v2, v3 wide open on the Leica forum (https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/318444-the-50mm-summilux-pre-asph-image-thread/#comments) I was hooked and knew that I wouldn't be satisfied until I got one. Yes the Classic has .7M min focus distance which would be nice, but for me not a prerequisite, so I held out until I got mine - a perfect copy. Wide open it's bokehlicious. Stopped down a bit it's tack sharp. And it's so small and light, unlike the Classic. I use it all the time. Shot these yesterday.
The main problem with this thread is that, if someone happens to land here and has no patience to read what it is written, will think all these pictures were taken with the Summilux Classic 50mm lens, which is not the case. Probably 90% of the pictures in this thread do not belong here. Just my 2c.
davidhellmann wrote:
I bought a Lux 11892 yesterday. Offer was too good. Cheaper as a used Classic and full warranty from a Leica Store. But thanks for the conversation.
Enjoy it! But that's the chrome over brass version, which is quite heavy. The 11891 (black) is much lighter.
If I was to choose only one Summilux, it will be the Classic (given it does not have the aperture ring looseness problem). Then a Voigtlander 50mm APO for when one needs extreme sharpness - just hope Voigtlander will release an updated (and smaller) 50mm f2 APO lens any time soon.
A updated 50mm Apo Lanthar: lighter, more compact and with better close focus would be awesome 🙌
But whole different world to a Summilux 🙂
I have to say though, I’d be much more interested in a new version of the APO-Summicron with better close focus — just not in the likely price tag of course 😅
But the Leica APO has something… character, a certain look, a way it renders… I can’t even put it into words, but I prefer it over the APO-Lanthar.
'the Leica APO has something… character, a certain look, a way it renders'
Yes, it does. The company would be well aware of that too. I used to think they were just being lazy in not revising the 50/2 APO but now I see their ways and means here, and see why this 2012 lens remains. It's special.
Aperture ring haptic variation - here is a YT video examining the differences between an APO-Summicron and its equivalent Summilux (35mm lenses).
At 5:10 we see the differences in what he euphemistically calls 'headroom' in the detents at each aperture setting. Headroom is better described in mechanical engineering terms as 'play' or looseness. (the Summilux was the more exact one, no slop)
