50mm Lens comparison - Which one do you like?

[Madrigal]

I'm a Leitz rookie too...

I'm not going to serve it raw; take a look at these two photographs:

After looking at both, I am still wondering if there is something I'm missing- you had said it didn't have to do with contrast or OOF area, that important point. My admittedly untrained eye is not seeing anything else.

What am I missing??

Sorry, but I am new to these comparisons. I only know what I like.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Madrigal]

Madrigal, sorry; I am new to Leica optics too, and I didn't intend that in a condescending manner.

I hadn't perceived it as such.

In fact I didn't say it had nothing to do with the OOF rendition, I merely restricted myself, purposefully, to saying it didn't relate to the back wall, and therefore to OOF rendition behind the plane of focus.

Before the plane of focus and in the field, however, is a different matter altogether. If you look at the OOF rendition of the files slightly in front of and to the right of the clock in the Leica Forum comparison, you'll notice that the ASPH renders that in softer fashion than the non-ASPH.

The same is true of the second dog photo when compared to the first.

That was my clue, and the very originator of that comparison got the dog comparison wrong, even though this detail is of paramount importance!

Best,

True enough. Just wanted to make sure there wasn't something else I was missing. Now I have to find out why the pre-ASPH (clock photos) is sharper in that respect...

Am I crazy, or what? I don't even own a Leica... yet!!
I am actually enjoying these comparisons.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[former member]

Just to add: Aspherical lenses can have "sweet Spots" with aperture and position in the frame, and "really bad spots" depending where the image falls in the same frame. If you look at the performance of the Leica 50mm F1.2 Aspheric Nokton and the Canon 50mm (55?) F1.2 it sets both extremes for best performance and worst performance for comparable (ie f1.2) lenses. The Aspheric Nokton had "best center, worst 1/3 out, best 2/3 out, worst edge". Same with a similar test on the Canon aspheric.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Benjamin Marks]

OK - THE ANSWER IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dog #1 (left) and Plant set #1 are from the DR.
Dog #2 (right) and Plant set #2 are from the ASPH.

Hanging my head . . . shows you what I know. Odd, as I own both of the lenses tested. . . .shame shame shame.

 

[raid]

raid amin, sorry, but 'people' can tell the DR 'apart' from the excellent ASPH 'lux, as I did...

The DR was simply the means to an end; we are living in interesting times!

Hi Leica _Magus,
Several individuals bounced back and forth between the original two images. unsure which lens was used. This is what I was referring to.

 

[Madrigal]

Thank you L. Magus and Brian for the help in understanding these results.

I look forward to the day when I can make my own comparisons.

And thank you, Ray.

 

[Ponsoldt]

I like the second one the best.

 

[summilux]

it has become quite fashionable to rubbish ASPH lens, but once you have tried the new lux asph, you will find out it is neither harsh nor clinical. I have done a direct test in relation to bokeh, the asph is much smoother than the pre-asph. I sold my pre asph chrome lux.

but i dont like the new focusing tab of the asph lux, it is set to low, it tends to cut into my finger when focusing, as a result, I sold mine and planning to get a LHSA asph lux. It will make a nice match for my mint chrome 60s Lux.

pictures taken at f1.4 by the asph lux are dreamy and creamy, without the nausating whirl of Noctilux.

 

[StuartR]

I hope this test goes a ways towards dispelling the myth that the 50/1.4 ASPH has horrible bokeh. I keep telling people it is rather nice, but no one listens...

 

[glchua]

Maybe no one listens because it is easier on the wallet. 😛

I would love to have one but I'll probably need to save for another year for it. It has past the US$3100 mark here in Singapore (was quoted S$5100).

I think it is similar when people rubbish the 35 cron ASPH.

 

[StuartR]

3100? That is crazy! It is probably 1000 dollars cheaper in Hong Kong...I believe I paid 2150 or so for mine...

 

[Grober]

Look at the blades of grass.

#1 was taken with a Summicron.

(Good doggie!)

 

[StuartR]

Memphis -- the difference between the summilux asph and the summarit is not measured in speed. The summarit is a very nice lens, but it performs in an utterly different way. Wide open the summarit is very soft, with veiling flare, while wide open the summilux asph is extremely sharp and contrasty. I am not saying one is better than the other, but they are not something that should really be compared. If you want a less expensive lens with closer performance to the summilux asph, you should look to the Voigtlander Nokton 50/1.5 or the f/2 lenses like the summicrons and 50/2 Hexanon and Planars.

 

[summilux]

I sold the Nokton 50/1.5, sharp yes, nice bokeh yes, cheap yes, but no shadow details, i did a test between it and the pre asph lux, the lux shows a windows in the background with details such as window rims etc, the Nokton gives a black hole.

I guess in this world you get what you pay for. I got my lux asph for $US2166 here in Hong Kong, paralle imports of course. With this lens, you can sell your Nokton, Summicron etc. I am only keeping my 50/3.5 Elmar for old time sake, and its nice hood for that matter.

 

[glchua]

3100? That is crazy! It is probably 1000 dollars cheaper in Hong Kong...I believe I paid 2150 or so for mine...

I had the impression that it was the current price even in Hong Kong as the 75 cron (S$3300+) that I bought from the same shop was very close to Hong Kong price. Maybe it was a mistake? Probably he quoted the Noctilux?

Time to go back to get the 50 ASPH!

 

[StuartR]

Wait you are talking Singapore dollars, not US dollars right? I was talking about US dollars. I am not aware of the exchange rate, so perhaps that is a normal price. The US price of the 50/1.4 ASPH should be around 2100 US dollars on the "grey" market -- i.e. Hong Kong prices.

 

[akptc]

I....I got my lux asph for $US2166 here in Hong Kong, paralle imports of course. .....

Hi, I was doing some research on the 50 lux asph (want one) and came across your post. Would you happen to know if those prices are still that low? Thanks!