Jorge Torralba wrote:
I believe the old silver were made of brass but not the new ones. Same as black.
True. The 2004 11891, with its anodized aluminum construction, is, indeed, lighter in weight than its silver-tone chrome-over-solid-brass brother, the 11892. The Close Focus, version II, are anodized aluminum, whether black or sliver in exterior finish.
Personally, I liked the 50 lux (owned the close focus one for a while), but ultimately didn't see enough over the Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 for my use to justify the price, so I moved it on. I am, admittedly, a bit of a CV addict...
I think it's reasonably popular, but it does have competition. And in general, higher priced gear (and Leica gear) moves a bit more slowly on B&S than one may be used to from other brands.
My favorite 50 ever I was curious about the voigt 50 mm f1 but after seeing your test no longer. But then my first and only try with a voigt was that terible 50 f1.5 with purple fringing from hell. Not had one since.
davidsee wrote:
My favorite 50 ever I was curious about the voigt 50 mm f1 but after seeing your test no longer. But then my first and only try with a voigt was that terible 50 f1.5 with purple fringing from hell. Not had one since.
If axial CA really bothers you, nothing beats the Leica 50/1.4 Lux Asph. None of the fast 50mm Cosina lenses come close in color error correction. Definitely avoid the 50/1.4 pre-Asph version too!
Fred yes I had that before digital and came across one after digital and then didnt like it. Before dgital moslty shot black and white on trix and occasionally plus x usually with strobes though. Never shot Leicas with chrome.
The 50 Lux APSH is one of my sharpest lenses with absolutely perfect bokeh-aji. It's nearly as sharp and color rich as my Otus 85, but at 1/4 the size and weight. A dream lens.
I bought the previous version of this lens thirteen years ago for around $2700 in like new condition (retail was around $3900 I think), and still have it. I expect if I were looking for a 50mm 'lux today, I'd be in the same budget range or less, and there are a few recent sales of the previous ASPH version of the lens minus close focus that sold for $2400. So that may competition (and the general tendency of FM B&S participants to seek out a bargain) may be impacting the relatively low level of interest you're seeing?
I think it's more likely due to the fact that people nowadays occasionally opt for the numerous, comparatively inexpensive alternatives from Voigtländer & Co. And lower demand drives prices down. But that's just a guess, of course.
