Nick YR wrote:
Agreed with Rus. I have the lux ASPH BC, and from all my research and reading reviews, the summilux reissue's rendering is very close to ASPH wide open, so in the end I actually opted for Pre ASPH V3 to add to my Lux ASPH.
Yes, but in whole truth, there are not many reviews on this lens. I've seen about 2 YT videos and 3 written reviews so far.
But from the pictures I've seen, to my eyes, this Classic lens seems to render that sort of "rounded sharpness" as described by Zeiss, for their Sonnar APO Batis 135/2.8 lens. So the difference vs the Lux ASPH might be similar to the difference between the said Batis and the Sony GM 135/1.8 lens.
1bwana1 wrote:
Until recently I had 3 50mm M lenses. The Summicron v5 for small size, the Lux ASPH for classic Leica handling and optics, the Thypoch Simera f/1.4 for 14 aperture blades and round bokeh balls and cinematic rendering. Each had its purpose.
About 2 Months ago while in Bologna, Italy the Leica store there made me an attractive offer so I traded for this new 50mm Summilux ASP FLE Close Focus. It is just about the perfect 50mm. Optically excellent, fantastic wide open rendering while superbly sharp to the edges stopped down, much improved rounded bokeh, classic Leica build and handling. I like it so much that since getting it I haven't used the Cron and recently sold it. I am thinking of selling the Simera too because the 12 blades of this lens render so much nicer than the old Lux that I can use it when I used to use the Simera.
So, yes, it makes sense to have three 50mm M mount lenses for different uses. But this lens is so darn good at so many things that for me it became a replacement for all three, not an addition. It is the best all around 50mm M lens available and I find it to be better that the 50mm ASPH in important ways worth the upgrade. But like Rusty says, too close in use cases to own both. This and a super character rich vintage lens makes more sense. If I sell that Simera that is the direction I will go....Show more →
Thanks for this reply, though I am not sure I got it right (English is not my strong point): are you saying you have traded your Lux ASPH CF (a.k.a.the v2) for this new Lux Classic? And that the Classic became your "all around" 50mm lens?
If so, I might just go this route and sell my Lux ASPH v1 (even though I like it very much) and get this Classic and the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar, then these two lenses would be much more differentiated in their rendition. I would still want a sharp/well corrected 50mm lens for my M3 (the reasoning for the APO). And, I guess, my 50/1.5 Sonnar would be different enough from these two.
catacore wrote:
Thanks for this reply, though I am not sure I got it right (English is not my strong point): are you saying you have traded your Lux ASPH CF (a.k.a.the v2) for this new Lux Classic? And that the Classic became your "all around" 50mm lens?
If so, I might just go this route and sell my Lux ASPH v1 (even though I like it very much) and get this Classic and the Voigtlander APO-Lanthar, then these two lenses would be much more differentiated in their rendition. I would still want a sharp/well corrected 50mm lens for my M3 (the reasoning for the APO). And, I guess, my 50/1.5 Sonnar would be different enough from these two....Show more →
No, I traded my 50mm Summilux ASPH v1 for the latest version 50mm Summilux ASPH CF vII 11728 with 11 blades. This is my most used 50mm. Character wide open and close, near APO stopped down. The most flexible and usefull 50mm Leica currently offers in my opinion. Never dissapoints.
I pair this with a more character full vintage/cinematic rendering 50mm for times when I want that.
You asked whether having multiple 50mm M lenses makes sense. In my opinion 50mm is such a usefull focal length that it does make sense as long as the lenses provide unique rendering separating from each other.
1bwana1 wrote:
No, I traded my 50mm Summilux ASPH v1 for the latest version 50mm Summilux ASPH CF vII 11728 with 11 blades. This is my most used 50mm. Character wide open and close, near APO stopped down. The most flexible and usefull 50mm Leica currently offers in my opinion. Never dissapoints.
I pair this with a more character full vintage/cinematic rendering 50mm for times when I want that.
You asked whether having multiple 50mm M lenses makes sense. In my opinion 50mm is such a usefull focal length that it does make sense as long as the lenses provide unique rendering separating from each other. ...Show more →
I do have now four 50mm lenses. But I want to cull the herd, and still buying a new one. Not much sense, I think.
Plan to sell my Canon Dream Lens and the LLL Elcan. And replace them with the Lux Classic. And maybe replacing the Lux ASPH v1 with a Voigtlander APO. I am thinking the Lux Classic and the APO-Lanthar would be quite different below f/4.
As far as I read and researched, there should be not that much of a difference between the ASPH Lux-es v1 vs v2. Probably the v2 is even farther apart from the Classic than the v1 (due to improved coatings/slighter better contrast). Nevertheless, the Lux ASPH is said to be an APO lens without the APO label.
catacore wrote:
I do have now four 50mm lenses. But I want to cull the herd, and still buying a new one. Not much sense, I think.
Plan to sell my Canon Dream Lens and the LLL Elcan. And replace them with the Lux Classic. And maybe replacing the Lux ASPH v1 with a Voigtlander APO. I am thinking the Lux Classic and the APO-Lanthar would be quite different below f/4.
As far as I read and researched, there should be not that much of a difference between the ASPH Lux-es v1 vs v2. Probably the v2 is even farther apart from the Classic than the v1 (due to improved coatings/slighter better contrast). Nevertheless, the Lux ASPH is said to be an APO lens without the APO label. ...Show more →
The differences between the 50mm Lux v1 and v2 are as follows:
11 aperture blades gives smoother rounder bokeh
Close Focus enables not just the ability to get close and fill the frame but also to get creamier smoother bokeh and more character in some circumstances.
Yes, better coatings with flare and color advantages.
Both version approach APO when stopped down.
One of the biggest reasons for upgrading was that I didn't like the polygonal bokeh shapes that having only 9 aperture blades produced in the V1.much improved in V2.
The V2 being on sale, the VAT refund, and the good trade in value offered made the upgrade cost very reasonable for me.
I'm considering buying the new black-painted Summilux Classic to match my M10R. I currently have the V4 11892 and I love it! Unfortunately, I cannot keep both. I take 50% portraits and 50% street photography. How much sharpness and contrast would I lose if I switched to the Classic? Is it justifiable to keep both, or are they too similar? Best regard
1bwana1 wrote:
The differences between the 50mm Lux v1 and v2 are as follows:
11 aperture blades gives smoother rounder bokeh
Close Focus enables not just the ability to get close and fill the frame but also to get creamier smoother bokeh and more character in some circumstances.
Yes, better coatings with flare and color advantages.
Both version approach APO when stopped down.
One of the biggest reasons for upgrading was that I didn't like the polygonal bokeh shapes that having only 9 aperture blades produced in the V1.much improved in V2.
The V2 being on sale, the VAT refund, and the good trade in value offered made the upgrade cost very reasonable for me....Show more →
There are a few downsides to the v2 as well. It is noticeably larger in both length and diameter than the original, and it comes with a higher price. In my opinion, the best value is still a used Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH v1. The same goes for the 28 Cron and 35 Lux lenses.
Fred Miranda wrote:
There are a few downsides to the v2 as well. It is noticeably larger in both length and diameter than the original, and it comes with a higher price. In my opinion, the best value is still a used Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH v1. The same goes for the 28 Cron and 35 Lux lenses.
I don't find the size difference to be so much. I prioritze IQ over that and price. But agree the older lenses offer great value and great build and IQ. No bad choice between these lenses.
