50mm — summilux v1, v2 or summicron rigid?

[hrryxgg]

curious now about the thoughts on these three...

which one would you choose if you could only have one.

 

[AZPhotog]

Either one is a superb lens.

If you are referring specifically to lenses from the 1950's-60's, you should go to the Ken Rockwell site and research the articles for SUMMILUX 50 1.4. Apparently there is a serial number range where the SUMMILUX had "inferior optics" -- whatever that means.

 

[Daryl J.]

I adore my Lux V1.
But a razor sharp and contrasty lens it is not. It is an emotion-evoking lens more than anything in my opinion. Think "modernized 1.5/50 Summarit".


It never leaves my M3.

 

[Lux Optima]

A Summicron 2.0/50 Dual Range could be very fine, too.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Lux v2. Works fine from wide open on film and digital. And have more pleasing rendering.
And costs twice as rigid 🙂

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Noctilux v1 in my opinion (based on results I have seen on the internet) is a nice lens. I think it is also handier than the f/1 and the f/0.95.

A nice substitute for the Noctilux 50mm f/1.2 is the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1, a far better lens than the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v2. The v2 was designed to be free of coma (the "butterflies" around the highlights) but this resulted in a quite spectacular barrel vault distortion.

However, the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 is a very fine lens, is without distortion and is an obvious improvement over the Summarit 50mm f/1.5. (the same optical lay-out, but with newer glasses). The Nokton 50mm f/1.1 has the same optical lay-out.

The Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid is a very fine lens, if you can find one in good condition (no scratches, no haze, no problem with the blades). The lens is sharp on all apertures, contrasty and has no distortion.

I have all those lenses (except the Noctilux v1) and I've used them for many years.

Erik.

 

[agfa100]

Having owned a Lux v2 that i picked up used in 1971 I would say you have to go far to beat it. Yes I would like the newer model that focused closer, but it has been used on a m-3, m-5,m4-2,hexar rf, a GXR with the M-module and now a Sony A7s. And as long as I can focus I will keep on using it.
wbill

 

[x-ray]

The Noctilux v1 in my opinion (based on results I have seen on the internet) is a nice lens. I think it is also handier than the f/1 and the f/0.95.

In another thread I gave my personal assesment of the Noctilux 1.2 from personal experience of having owned one for a couple of years in the 70's and having shot thousands of images with it.

I found it to be not nearly as good as the V2 Summicron and especially the V3 Summicron for daily shooting. Where it excelled was night photography where light sources were in the frame. It suppressed flare and reduced the glow around light common with other lenses. The V3 Summicron was a big improvement in that regard vs the V2 Rigid and DR. I know because I owned and shot all three lenses.

The Noctilux 1.2 performed its best from around f2 to f4 and declined in performance down from f4. Resolution was ok but not in the class of the Summicrons. Really the V3 was the best compromise if you didn't need 1.2.

The Noctilux, imo, was all about bragging rights as it incorporated two hand ground aspheric elements. It was a "look at us and see what we can do" lens.

As to the summilux, I've only owned the asph version and can say it totally kicks the v1 Noctilux in the butt. It outperforms the Noctilux in every respect and is o my 1/3 stop slower, yes 1/3 not 1/2 stop slower.

I was doing a documentary / journalistic series for a series of articles on the KKK and felt this was the lens that would excell in the dark of night with extreme contrasts of burning crosses in the scene. I'll say it performed very well under those extremes. Daily shooting, not so great.

 

[stupid leica]

I haven't owned a Lux, but I did stay at Holiday Inn.

IMO, if you're fine with the 1m min focus on the older lenses, you should give the Canon 50/1.4 LTM "Japanese Summilux" a look. Wonderful lens that can be had for 2-300 bucks. It's small and awesome.

 

[Beemermark]

So many 50s, so little time. I think I've owned about everything and still have at least a half dozen. I want to sell 5 but can't make up my mind which five. If pure optical excellence is what you want then the newer 50/1.4 ASPH blows everything else away IMHO. Sold mine due to the fact I needed some cash and didn;t need the 1.4. The 50 Summicron (V5??) with the pull out hood is a close second. Fantastic lens but the results maybe a little too sharp and distortion free. The newer Voigtlander 1.5 is high on my list. I always loved the look of my DR 50 Summicron. The Nikon 50/2 is a cheap sleeper, while the faster versions, along with one of the Canon 50/1.5 or 1.4 are also neat lenses. Oh, and then there is the Zeiss 50/1.5.

This is not a solicitation but if your interest in something specific drop me an email. Help me decide.

Hope that helps in making a decision-🙂

 

[Ccoppola82]

I love my summicron rigid. Never shot a lux, but the rigid is fantastic in my eyes. I also use a collapsible every so,often to change things up. I don't think you can really go wrong. It just depends what you need it for.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 is a great lens in my opinion, it rivals the Summicron rigid at the smaller f-stops and, the most important, it is distortion free. However, it is quite big, so for street shots the Summicron is handier. At full aperture it is very nice.

Leica M5, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 at full aperture.

Erik.

 

[raid]

Summicron or Summilux 50mm lenses are not inexpensive, so I carefully chose my 50mm lenses. My first one was a rigid Summicron. I liked it so much that it closed all appetite for other 50mm lenses for many years. I also got a Summicron DR at some time, and for many years I was content with this wonderful lens. Then, someone contacted me about having a Summilux 35/1.4 for sale, and this is now my only (ever) Summilux lens. For additional 50mm lenses I bought the CV 50/1.5 and 50/1.1. I also got several Zeiss lenses 5cm/1.5 and Canon 50/1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8. I have too many 50mm lenses (that I enjoy using) to make me now want a Summilux 50/1.4.

 

[agfa100]

I know what you mean about having too many 50's.
Fed 3.5 post and pre war, Fed 2.0 pre war, Hexar 2.0, Summilux V2, Jupiter 8 (4), Jupiter 3, Macro Switar 1.9.

They are all fun, which is what it is all about any way.

wbill

 

[AlejandroI]

Either one is a superb lens.

If you are referring specifically to lenses from the 1950's-60's, you should go to the Ken Rockwell site and research the articles for SUMMILUX 50 1.4. Apparently there is a serial number range where the SUMMILUX had "inferior optics" -- whatever that means.

I wouldnt take anything from Ken seriously...

 

[AlejandroI]

I only had the v2 summilux, is a great lens, quite sharp in the middle, (on the sides not really that much even if closing down). Bokeh is nice even thou it can get nervous sometimes, the real downside for me is the close up focusing distance only 1m... some examples below, wide open or below 2.0:

L1002099 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

L1004406 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

20171224-Portra400-153 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

L1003586 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

L1003320 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

L1000511 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

L1002315 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

L1002190 by Alejandro Ilukewitsch, on Flickr

 

[brennanphotoguy]

I spent a month or two with a V2 Summilux and it was fantastic. I really like my 50DR but if I had the option I'd probably take the V2 Summilux even with the 1m min focus.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid.

Erik.

 

[raid]

The 50mm 1.4 Summilux may be my last Leica lens on my buying list. I may not need it, but I want to try it out one day.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid.

Erik.