50mm Summilux ASPH or 50mm Summilux pre-asph black paint?

35mmdelux

35mmdelux

Veni, vidi, vici
Local time
3:34 PM
Joined
May 17, 2005
Messages
4,211
Picked up one of each from a buddy here on RFF and trying to decide which one to keep -- the 50 Summilux ASPH or the 50 Summilux black paint? Whichever one I decide to keep has to chill because I mainly (90%) shoot with a 35mm Lux.

My buddy in England says these are different enough signature to keep them both.

What say ye?

PS: dont flame me. this is a legit question. Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Fashion aside...

The Asph is incredibly sharp, it's one of those "perfect" lenses. Some people love it and crave it, other's think it's clinical. Depends which kind of person you are.

The Pre-Asph, in my opinion, is a timeless lens. It reminds me of my sonnar because they both have they're own unique signature. Some people wan't sharp and perfect though.

If you can afford it keep them both for a while. compare your negatives and decide which ones you prefer.
 
With most modern Leica lenses you'd end up with an aluminumed lens for yor brass body.
I'm surprised that nobody makes custom fitted leather lens sleeves to match their protective half cases.
 
Strange question - as you already have both lenses - test them, see which gives you best results and best handling and sell the other. Pretty simple, really.
 
Sounds like to me you are drawn by the black paint but prefer the quality of the asph. Sell both and get a black paint 50mm Summilux asph.
 
Rayt said:
Sounds like to me you are drawn by the black paint but prefer the quality of the asph. Sell both and get a black paint 50mm Summilux asph.
Click to expand...


Sounds like a plan, Problem is the 50 LUx ASPH-black-paint trades thinly and one ends up buying other things while monitoring the classifieds for the lens!

I think what I need to do is park the 35 Summilux and shoot more with the 50s for awhile.

Thanks for your responses to my question.
 
This is just a personal thing, but I wouldn't use the BP pre-ASPH because it has a slide-out hood - can't stand em. I would agree with a few of the posters above though, they are very different lenses and it is worth keeping both. I use a v2 pre-ASPH and a BP ASPH and really like both. The pre- only focuses to 1M so that is another difference between my two.
 
Im hoping sooner or later a E43 LHSA BP ASPH will cross my path. This one has the detachable hood. However, my understanding is that they were only sold in MP kits and only 2000 were mfg.
 
Some were sold separately from the kit. I bought a used MP3 but the owner decided to keep the lens, so I bought the lens separately and it came in it's own presentation box and all. I don't know the numbers, but I have a box here that was made to hold just the lens. You see silver lenses on sale, but not too many black ones. It is probably worthwhile keeping an eye on the classifieds at the German LUF, I bought my lens from a guy in California who was selling all his M8 stuff including the lenses.
 
for the value, the ASPH might fetch more money later on (modern tech,better coating, better design?) . Personally I prefer all the pre-asph lenses instead of newer asph. Black paint? heck yeah, that adds extra 100 points IMO...
 
Congratulations on your acquisitions. I had a Silver 43 LHSA Summilux and ultimately sold it and purchased the 46 Pre Asph (lataest production). Personally, I prefer the out of focus rendition of the Per Asph to the ASPH and as I use Summilux opened up 90% of the time, this was a deciding factor. The BP Summilux is simply gorgeous and to me a significant factor. Leica did sell a number of LHSA Summilux lenses outside the kits but personally, and from what I have seen, the BP Pre build quality and design along with the sliding hood would be my choice of lens over the LHSA

Howard
 
"Some were sold separately from the kit. ...You see silver lenses on sale, but not too many black ones."

Good point, thanks. Never seen a BP LHSA for sale that I recall but I have seen the silver ones, albeit quite pricey.

"BP Pre build quality and design along with the sliding hood would be my choice of lens over the LHSA."

My connundrum probably has more to do with not shooting the 50mm enough since I switched to the 35mm a decade ago. I appreciate the suggestions. Thanks.
 
Some of the best photographers in history have chosen 2-3 lenses to work with and find one their favorite. For many Leica shooters, it was either a 35 Summicron or Lux.

I have a LHSA 50 asph in black paint. I got it with the BP MP 3 kit I bought used. It is smoother than the other 50 asph I had, not as stiff in the focus.

I am not at all tempted by any other Leica glass, a 28 Summicron, 35 & 50 lux asph are all I will ever need.

My photos need to get better, not the glass...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom