Fred Miranda wrote:
Although the 50/1.4 pre-asph has a more appealing rendering (to me), the ASPH's better color error correction is why I continue to use it.
The Lux ASPH's LoCA handling is a very strong reason why I keep coming back to it despite other downsides, such as propensity for veiling flare, mid zone sharpness dip, ninja star bokeh (I have the original version)... I'm very close to getting the Thypoch Simera while it's on sale because I like the Lux ASPH's overall character, which the Simera closely mimics without the mid zone dip. But the LoCA performance has me hesitating (and its overall size/design). Considering my preferences (I like the 'modern' rendering of the Lux ASPH) maybe the VM 50/2 APO is the better choice at a reasonable price. I'll push it off for now and wait for the LLL 50 APO.
The Mandler is certainly a great bang for the buck value with its own set of characteristics, good and bad.
I want them to make a lightish 75/1.4 Summilux, with the same approach as they have used on the 35mm and 50mm. The v1 of that long-time favourite was 490g but with a long MFD of 1.0m, the others were prohibitively heavy at 600 grams or so, with 0.6m.
With modern aerospace aluminium (7075) the target could be 400 grams, to put it in the ballpark of the other M lenses from Voigtlander, retaining the 0.6m MFD and with a detachable hood. If possible, a 58mm filter thread. It would give them a solid set of 35-50-75mm lenses.
That focal length would dovetail with the Mandler philosophy, with the renewed emphasis on strong centers with good skin treatment, the essence of portraiture:
'Gentle Sharpness with Natural Transitions, rather than extreme edge-to-edge sharpness:
Sharpness is often strong in the center, rolling off naturally toward the edges.
Transitions from in-focus to out-of-focus areas are smooth and organic, not abrupt.
Subjects appear to sit within the frame rather than being cut out and pasted on top of it.'
No asph please, spherical elements only. None of Walter Mandler's (more than) 45 lenses used that technology.
