rscheffler wrote:
BTW, when I used Andrews's Noct f/1 back a few months ago, it was definitely glowy at near distances, especially vs. the Lux ASPH (which also softens a touch wide open at nearer distances) but I was surprised at how useable it was centrally at infinity.
I agree, the f/1.0 performs really well at further distances and I was surprised when I looked at my first batch of pics. The 50Lux pre-ASPH seems opposite, good at closer distances and supposingly weak further out unless stopped down?
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Nocti f/1.0 wide open. This lens is made for the night owl, Batman would love it
I'm still of the thinking that ultimately, it's the 50AA for everything that requires great sharpness plus other 50s for specific w/o character. I'm already kind of doing this with the 21s... the Lux for speed and subject/background separation and the SEM for 'perfection.' Yes, I actually walk around most times with both. But there is so much more variety of 50s, it would be easy to bring along several just for each's look.
If you're willing to spend the $$$ on the 0.95 Nocti, then for the same money you could get the 50 AA and a bunch of vintage 50s to give you much greater variety of rendering options:
Joe, that's interesting about the pre-ASPH, but also probably how I would use it mostly - portraits, etc. For far distances the Lux ASPH is great, though almost certainly topped by the AA.
Gary, I have contacted seller, thanks for the link. Your M240 should be on the way home? Can you share some shots with the Canon 50 1.4 & M240? I think Gary can do the 50 pre-ASPH and Canon 50 1.4 shootout for us sice he has both
Ron, agreed, 50AA can be a do all lens with a few others you suggested. I would have considered the 50AA if it was closer to $4k but at $7k I am not as excited and will give it a pass for now. Contrary to what some of you may think, I do not have unlimited funds
At the moment, for 50s I am smitten by two lenses, the 50/1.0 and the Nikkor 5cm. Both are really fun to use.
joe88 wrote:
Gary, I have contacted seller, thanks for the link. Your M240 should be on the way home? Can you share some shots with the Canon 50 1.4 & M240? I think Gary can do the 50 pre-ASPH and Canon 50 1.4 shootout for us sice he has both
Yep - just got my M240 back last night. Everything appears to be in order and they included that Leica self portrait book as well. Too bad it is pouring rain here and it won't stop until Sunday... I would happily post some M240 + Canon shots but I have loaned my lens out to an esteemed member of this forum. Not mentioning names or anything! Besides, I have many other 50s I can use in the meantime. I could make an attempt to do the Canon/Pre-ASPH shootout, but don't have high expectations. I am not as technically proficient as you and many others on this forum.
edwardkaraa wrote:
Thank you Zhangyue. If I decide on the cron it will be the AA.
Can't go wrong with the 90Cron AA. I never really liked the 90FL on the M but made a mistake when I decided to borrow a new one to try and I could not part with it. Personally, the 90Cron AA is probably one of the most impressive lens I have tried in the Leica line up in terms of sheer performance but that was before the 50AA. The 90AA used to be difficult to find, and now used ones are popping up at attractive prices, I think its a good time to get one.
Very nice Joe - 90AA is also on my radar, but the Summarit has been very capable for when I need 90. I seem to recall Charles and others mentioning many 90AAs requiring readjustment for correct RF focusing, which was a bit off-putting. Agreed that there seem to be more available used...
The 'new' Nokton looks cool. Of course the chrome is priced higher (not sure if it's a Gandy thing, like his high 35/1.2 v.2 pricing)... But, as far as 50s go, I'm not interested in its optical qualities. I have the old version, which apparently is optically identical, and find it to be rather uninteresting. Sharp enough centrally, but not superb across the frame and nothing special for character.
Ron, my 90Cron AA did not need adjustments but it was a newer serial starting 4xxx. I tried an older 90Cron pre-ASPH and focus on that copy was all over the place. Also agree, 90Summarit is no slouch.
jojomon11 wrote:
Wow I feel normal now Joe
Phil
Oops, I forgot Phil, who probably has a secret stash of 50s in a vault somewhere? So how many 50s do you have now?
joe88 wrote:
Can't go wrong with the 90Cron AA. I never really liked the 90FL on the M but made a mistake when I decided to borrow a new one to try and I could not part with it. Personally, the 90Cron AA is probably one of the most impressive lens I have tried in the Leica line up in terms of sheer performance but that was before the 50AA. The 90AA used to be difficult to find, and now used ones are popping up at attractive prices, I think its a good time to get one.
Thanks Edward, actually I have not tested it on this copy nor really noticed it. Biggest problem was to actually nail focus at f/2, so I normally cheat and shoot at f/2.8 or f/4. I'll run some test when I have some time but I know that earlier copies had focusing issues, so probably best to check carefully if you are buying used.
Edward, I sense something here, are you prepare your M240 now ? Even for Elmarit, I many time opt for shooting at f4 to avoid surprise back home once zoom at 100%. However, the biggest hang up is frame accuracy, especially for city and landscape stuff.
AH! BTW, I will laugh hiddenly for Edward start choosing Leica lens now
Joe, that is a nice illustration for 90AA. Like the geometry in Bokeh and isolation.
Nocton $899, they wish. That is just too much increase unless there is change in formula.
Sorry to disappoint you guys, especially Zhangyue, but I just found a mint copy of the Sonnar 2/85 and ordered it I remember Ron tested it a while back and I really liked the results despite the purple fringing in overexposed high contrast areas. He also said it is much easier to nail the focus due to the special helicoid that has to be hand-assembled in Germany.
Very nice shots above, Zhangyue. Colors in the top shot are fantastic.
edwardkaraa wrote:
Sorry to disappoint you guys, especially Zhangyue, but I just found a mint copy of the Sonnar 2/85 and ordered it I remember Ron tested it a while back and I really liked the results despite the purple fringing in overexposed high contrast areas. He also said it is much easier to nail the focus due to the special helicoid that has to be hand-assembled in Germany.
Very nice shots above, Zhangyue. Colors in the top shot are fantastic.
Joe - check this out, great seller too.
I would happily post some M240 + Canon shots but I have loaned my lens out to an esteemed member of this forum. Not mentioning names or anything! 
Besides, I have many other 50s I can use in the meantime. 
