Used Leica 50mm/f1.4 or new Zeiss Sonnar 50mm/f1.5

[gshybrid]

I've had both and neither lens is great on the M8 because of the crop factor. Maybe the Zeiss wins as a portrait lens wide open but if you see an M9 in your future... get the lux, it's a better all around performer.

 

[Peter S]

Please also consider the Nokton 50/1.5. I love mine on my M9. Some say it is actually better than the pre asph (http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/lenses/page57.html). Here is actually a nice comparison between summilux and Nokton that I stumbled upon www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/02/04/voigtlander-nokton-50-1-5-lens-review-by-james-klotz/

If you like the Sonnar look then you have no option but to buy it. If the reason for considering it is because you prefer your equipment minty I would shop around till you have found a nice Nokton or summilux. All a matter of taste/preferences.

 

[umcelinho]

a bit OT, but since it has been mentioned already, get more info on the Nokton. I really dig the 50/1.5, it's a lens I will probably never sell because it's quite a good all around lens and I like it's quite sharp wide open. I've taken shots with it that I like very much.

However, i haven't been shooting much with it as I have been favouring lenses with a stronger personality, like the Canon 50/1.8. And I've been using 35mm lenses way more.

 

[Tim Gray]

If it's the E46 Summilux that focuses down to .7m, and it's in good shape, I'd go with that in a heart beat.

 

[awilder]

Although many like the E46 Pre-ASPH 'lux, I once tried a mint condition titanium finish used one and found build it's quality unimpressive with slight play in the focus mount and rangefinder focus opimized for f/5.6 instead of f/1.4. Sherry Krauter looked at it and said it's not atypical of the decline in quality control from Leica Inc. compared to Leitz of 20 or 30 years ago. The E43 versions are more solidly built if you can live 1 meter minimum focus and a 0.5 mm pitch filter mount requiring use of Leitz slim mount filters for proper mounting and use with Leica hoods. Since many have reported favorably on the E46 version lens, I would assume my version was a outlier, but the point is that if you buy one, make sure it can be returned if unsatisfactory considering the over-inflated price they go for these days. Erwin Puts reviewed the 50/1.5 Nokton and said it performs at least as good or better than the Pre-ASPH E43 or E46 Summilux.

 

[aleksanderpolo]

Get a used Sonnar and Nokton, you get a one of a kind portrait lens and a good general purpose lens. 🙂

 

[sojournerphoto]

I've got a C-Sonnar and wouldn't change it for anything. However, I've considered getting a less characterful 50 as an additional lens, not least because taming the focus shift at f2 to 2.8 (1.5 optimised) and close focus can be non-trivial. If I do get another it will likely be a 50 Planar (matching m,y 35 for look I think), though I'd be open to other lenses. There may be a month old summi asph available nearby soon, but I suspect it will be too expensive!

Don't forget, iirc the older pre-asph summiluxces also focus shift very perceptibly.

Mike

 

[silverbullet]

Be careful with the Lux!
When I remember well, there is no way to add a 6-bit coding later because the flange is different (without screws) compare to other Leica lenses.
(Could be wrong......)

 

[jsrockit]

If I do get another it will likely be a 50 Planar (matching m,y 35 for look I think)...

This is what I did... and I'm happy.

 

[bertterp]

Very imported advices

Very imported advices

Thanks for all your advices, I think one off the most imported advice is the last one, "there is no way to add a 6-bit coding later". Is it possible at the last pre APSH the E46?
For me it is no issue that the Zeiss will loose more value then the Lux, it's more important how the lens feels how it works en last but no least the quality and results.
Thanks again for all great posts
Bert

 

[jljohn]

I don't know for sure, because I don't have a digital leica, but I thought there was no real need to code leica 50mm lenses.

If so, that may be a factor. Can anyone with knowledge comment on that one?

 

[nasdak]

coding is always useful on the m8 because you need to use a IR filter - and if you want the body to correct the color fringe it causes, it needs to now the focal length.

 

[silverbullet]

Hi Bert,

the last Summilux which I had in my hands at a Ddorfer dealer had no screws at the backside. But generally speaking, the 35 and 50mm Leica lenses got a terrible price increase due to the introduction of the M9.
In Dusseldorf that old Lux with a round and closed metal sunshade stood on the shelf for approx. 550€.
Two weeks later this lens (with an easy to remember serial-number) stood in the bay for direct buy of € 1.099,00.......with some slightly oiled blades.....

Next weekend I'll visit NL near Enschede together with my friends and could bring a very nice Summicron 50mm f2 (latest version with separate sunshade..... ;-))

Tot ziens!
Bernd