I vote silver, at least for my camera, for a black M9 or M-E I have to admit the black might be a better fit. The silver one is heavier (335g vs 465g) than the black one but I have no idea if the build is supposed to be better, I think it balances very well.
There is only one ASPH version of the lens and it is from 2003 and later. Torsten Overgaard has a Lens compendium and a bit down on the page you find a table with serial numbers and years listed.
KatieInTexas wrote:
I am actually thinking of keeping the CV 35 1.2 ... I REALLY like that lens! I also need to keep the 21 1.8 for the work I do (real estate photos) around here. It's not much, but I need a wide angle all the time. The Bessa is my friend - it's the newest version of the Voigtlander M mount bodies; and I have no desire to trade it for a film Leica body. I love the wide frame lines, and will keep the teeny tiny 25mm on it most of the time anyway. I could always use the 21, 35 or 50 on it as well. As for making use of all the focal lengths - yeah, I'm like you and am not good at that. I will admit it - I HATE changing lenses on the go. I am really paranoid about getting something on the sensor or messing up the rear element of a lens; so I never change lenses unless I HAVE to; or am in a controlled environment. I, too, have the money sitting around; but like to change things up. I know I don't need all these damn lenses... but this is my fun; and I just got shot down for buying a convertible this week from the hubster. Blah.
So - back to the Summilux ASPH ... BLACK OR SILVER? I have the M-E, by the way... ...Show more →
With the ME I guess you could go either way.. I'd take black as you're likely to get one at a better price.. But whatever comes along first at a good price I suppose.
Yeah, I hate changes lenses so much I own two M240s. Funny thing is, 90% of the time, I have a 50mm lens on each
rirakuma wrote:
I did quite a bit of research before committing to the pre FLE, I don't think the FLE is boring but it is definitely more modern. There's more pop especially at closer focusing distances and less glow. The pre asph has a ton of glow but I find it too soft and I already have lots of classic lenses. The pre FLE was a good compromise for my style of shooting, it still has the Mandler look and performs admirably stopped down.
....
I think I agree with you on all points.. My only issue with the pre-FLE was that the lens wasn't super sharp.. It was sharp, but not as sharp at the FLE. I'll play with the FLE a bit more before I do anything crazy.
Silver has more brass, that's why it's heavier.. So technically it's built "better"
Katie - As mentioned the ASPH version has been around for a while, never replaced though, try to find one that's six bit coded and you should be good. You can look up serial numbers, but I don't think it's really that necessary if the lens is in good condition.
Adam - I'm leaning toward silver. The lens I like for "looks" the best of the one's I've had was a chrome 28mm ... I like the classic look. It might clash a bit with the ME coloring, but it's not bad...
I've sent a PM for a lux on the B&S forum in silver ... we shall see. It's from July 2013 in like new condition.
muc_marlin wrote:
Sad words after spending so much money on a camera body! Even more since they get replaced by the most of us as soon a new generation comes out.
Regarding the M9 generation, in terms of repairs I agree with you. But if they fit your needs as a amateur today and your shooting style/interests aren't changing, they will continue to produce great images with that desirable character. If you are after ISO power, highest possible dynamic range or a pro which works with demanding galleries, you should go forward as you said. But take me for example, I love to have a "back to the roots" body! About 90% of my pictures are made with base ISO and the rest between 650 and 800. Because of that I can't see that the M9 will be obsolete, at least for my own personal profile. ...Show more →
As Rirakuma said, the difference isn't that dramatic. Sometimes it's obvious and sometimes it's not. The M240 has a few undeniable advantages to me, like quieter shutter, better high iso and LCD, live view when needed. However, I am very convinced that in terms of color quality the M240 is a step backwards, and it is entirely due to the CCD vs CMOS difference. This said the M9 has it's own set of problems, especially cracking and delaminating sensor glass. Being in Thailand, I would expect to change the sensor at least once a year, which means 3-4 months a year without a camera, even if Leica does it for free, that is not really acceptable to me and the mainnreason why I switched to the M 240.
Edward, I agree pretty much everything you said about M240 vs M9. Accurate frame is a pain for M9 user if you are into landscape, but other than that and some minus bugs, I don't have much complain about M9 general speaking. I keep thinking replace my M9 with chrome M9P for the looks, guilty
ceder wrote:
While I never tried it myself, just looking at images with the lux 50 asph, I think it is the best reason to shoot with a Leica, so I would do it if you are not happy with your 50-nokton (for now, I am very very pleased with the new version - and I am intrigued of the look of this lens on the Sony A7/r, the curvature of field is very much different, more "classic"). Is yours the old or the new version by the way?
And what about your CV 35 1.2, is it the II version? I may pick one up myself......Show more →
Both are version I, but perform VERY well. The CV 35 1.2 is one I am not sure about selling, so if you want mine, you better grab it before I change my mind!
Thanks again everyone for humoring me and giving me such great advice about my purchase. I would love for everyone to post their 50 lux asph shots now (like zhangyue has) ... give me something to look forward to until I get the lens next week!
Charles - best wishes on your wedding today!
Charlie - love the light in the last one! Great colors in all.
Katie & Gary - congrats on the 50 Lux ASPH! BTW, mine is silver. Yes, it's a bit heavy, but feels solid. I'd actually rather have had black to go with my black cameras, but when I bought it used, it was during a time when it was really hard to find any Leica lenses, new or used, so jumped on the silver one when the opportunity presented itself.
Here are a few shots of my aunt with the 50 Lux ASPH at common working distances. I'm actually somewhat surprised I got her in good focus in the vertical image with loose composition and her that far off center...
All were wide open. Some localized tweaks in LR, though tried to keep it modest. No clarity added to better preserve the Lux's rendering. The web rez images have been given the usual sharpening, fwiw... \
100% screen grab without extra sharpening, just the default LR sharpening. I think it's a pretty fair representation of the Lux's wide open rendering/sharpness at this distance. Not bitingly sharp, rather, pleasingly sharp. These were with the M9
The first two are IMO 'ideal' 50 Lux ASPH camera to subject to background distances. Basically, relatively near to the subject with relatively distant backgrounds, without any gradual transition to defocus, such as along the ground. The ground near the subject is out of the frame, which avoids what can sometimes be somewhat nervous rendering, but this is a problem for most lenses. While lots of lenses are good in situations like these here, the Lux ASPH's smoother blur of specular light sources is what I think separates it from most others and probably lends to what is sometimes described as a medium format look. I guess the Otus is quite similar.
Here's a bonus 28 Cron wide open:
100% crop, as above:
Looks like I might have crushed the blacks a bit too much in the last one... And the file quality/character in the bottom left quarter of the 100% crop is an aspect I don't like so much about the M9, though not entirely sure the M240 is better as I haven't tried to compare it. Could also be a side effect of my LR tweaks, as this file was pushed about a stop in post.
Regarding M9 vs. M240 'look'.... I agree there are differences. And that it's not always easy or possible to get the M240 to look M9ish. Bottom line for me is I don't try to make it look like that.
KatieInTexas wrote:
Uhoh - #4 and #5 are gorgeous!!!!!!!
Adam - I'm leaning toward silver. The lens I like for "looks" the best of the one's I've had was a chrome 28mm ... I like the classic look. It might clash a bit with the ME coloring, but it's not bad...
I've sent a PM for a lux on the B&S forum in silver ... we shall see. It's from July 2013 in like new condition.
You know, you really can't go wrong with either.. I've always bought black Ms and black lenses... But this last round when I bought my second M240 I was seriously considering getting a silver one.. That however, would have tempted me to buy silver lenses, and only certain ones come in silver. To get say a 35FLE or a 28cron or 90APO in silver, you're paying a huge premium. And before anyone says that black lenses look good on a silver body, you're right, they do... Until you decide to toss a coloured skin onto your M, then everything goes out the window. And if I had a Silver M240, the first thing I'd do is replace the skin with a nice british racing green leather. And in my opinion, I'd need silver lenses to rock the look. So to make things far less complicated, I just buy black Henry Ford style.
Good luck with that silver 50ASPH, I'm sure you'll fall in love with the IQ (assuming you get a spot on calibrated copy).
