50 Summilux soul seaching

I like Todd's too!😉 There's a smoothness to pre-asph that I really like. It's not the 'best of the best', but that's cool....
 
Todd.Hanz said:
...it's a great lens in any formula, I like mine, good luck choosing 😉

Todd
The one of the guy blowing the trumpet is terrific! There are elements in the OOF background that remind of musical notation and such, sorta like Disney's abstract treatment of the Bach Prelude and Fugue in Fantasia.

Richard
 
So ....

The 50/1.4 Summilux (pre-asph) was on my list as greatest portrait lens, best OOF
and 3D signature, from photos that I saw. I wanted to buy it sometime
in the future.

Some recent photo posts taken with the M8 make me wonder, though.
On close up, wide open shots, I see double lines in the background,
much like what you sometimes see with the 40/1.4 Nokton wide open.
Cann't be the camera, really, if anything, the crop factor should
make the DOF thinner and OOF behavior better ...

Is this only me or has somebody else seen this as well ? Here are
two examples from Gabriel; Gabriel, I hope you are OK with me using them.
I am not trying to provoke and Gabriel's photos are excellent (one
of them correctly making it in the RFF pick of the week),
I was just wondering what happened here:

1) http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=57244

2)

405042533_bd1a04195d.jpg


Thanks,

Roland.
 
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hmm, i love the lens too, but for me the lens with greatest oof is the noctilux. for a schmuck like me, though, it is a big dream as it is so costly. may be when i retire and have no kids to feed....
 
ferider said:
So ....

Cann't be the camera, really, if anything, the crop factor should
make the DOF thinner and OOF behavior better ...

I'm not quite understanding your comment above. Why does the crop factor make the DOF thinner? At 50MM and X aperture, your DoF is going to be Y regardless of the size of the image area (FF or 1.3).

Yes, to get the same FoV on a cropped camera you would need use a different focal length (therefore changing DoF), but when you are using a prime lens, DoF is static is it not? Perhaps I am missing something here though, it wouldn't be the first time! 🙂
 
lifevicarious said:
I'm not quite understanding your comment above. Why does the crop factor make the DOF thinner? At 50MM and X aperture, your DoF is going to be Y regardless of the size of the image area (FF or 1.3).

Yes, to get the same FoV on a cropped camera you would need use a different focal length (therefore changing DoF), but when you are using a prime lens, DoF is static is it not? Perhaps I am missing something here though, it wouldn't be the first time! 🙂

Depends on how you look at it: for constant print size and the same lens, when cropping (and therefore enlarging more) the DOF (depending on size of COC in the final print) gets thinner. But please forget this comment (or let's discuss per PM), please, I am wondering about the OOF behavior of the Summilux.

Thanks,

Roland.
 
awilder said:
Other than closer focus, shorter throw and hood difference was there any improvement in optical performance between the E43 and E46 pre-asph. Summilux? I know they are slightly different in formulation, but enough to see any difference on comparison? I bring this up because even though I take Popular Photograpphy's reviews with a big fat grain of salt, there seemed to be a big improvement with E46 black paint version tested in 2003 over the E43 in 1994.


Nope, they share the same optical formula. The coatings may be better on the newer version, but that should be it. The only improvement I can think of could be higher production tolerances on the newer version.
 
OK, guys...ya got me. Gabriel, wonderful pictures. I gave in and ordered a mint minus E43 this afternoon complete with the 12586 shade. With a little luck it'll arrive tomorrow and I can give it a roadtest this weekend. BTW, the picture that really put me over the edge earlier today was in a post by J. Borger, which really is worth clicking on this link to view.
 
Thank you all very much for the opinions. I have decided to go with the pre asph, not because of money, but because of the character. Good enough is good enough for me. Gabriels's photo's were enough to convince me what I want is character not absolute resolution. Thanks again. Im now shopping for a black one.

BTW, the shade pn the e46 is the same built in thing that doesnt lock like the current 50 cron right?
 
Ronald M said:
The 50 Elmar, either version, has no distortion visable to the eye.

You are right, the `Lux is pretty bad.

That's a reassuring piece of info, thanks. I bought the Elmar partially because the summilux distorts noticeably in close up portraits. If the Elmar still doesn't work, perhaps it's because the 50mm perspective is not suitable for this type of shots, or because I just don't know how to use it properly.
 
Avotius said:
Do I get the pre asph, the one that has the image character that I really love, the smooth and sparkling images? Or do I go for the lens that I know is the absolute best resolution that I can possibly get in a fast 50.

I think the choice of how you phrased your question gives a clear indication you already know the answer 😉
 
I am reluctant in adding 75s to my current setup, since it's a totally unexplored focal length for me.

I used to own and use a 75mm Summilux. I loved the lens's perspective, handling, etc. - but the itty bitty corner framelines didn't work for my (weak) brain and eye and in the end I stopped trying to use it. If you can make the framelines work for you, I think you will find it's a great focal length for the 24x36 format.
 
Hm...my canon 50 1.4 ef distorts a lot but it never has been an issue so I dont think im going to mind. Prices for the 50 lux seem to be ok, I just have to be sure I get the right one with the right filter ring that has the closer focus ability. Cant wait to stick that thing on my bessa!
 
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