50mm Summilux ASPH -- My take

[Livesteamer]

It's not really a problem. When my 50 ASPH arrived in 2005 it was stiff to focus but smoothed out after about 50 rolls. Speaking as a retired machinist, this stiffness is a good thing because it indicates that the screw threads in the focusing helicoid are made with great precision. Not easy to do. An slr lens can be much looser because the eye or the sensor just moves the lens around till focus is right. With a rangefinder camera, both camera and lens must be very precise and focus to a calculated standard. Looseness in a rangefinder lens will kill accuracy of focus. If desired, I think DAG or Sherry can replace the lube in the lens with something that might help. Hang in there, it's a great lens. Joe

 

[sleepyhead]

The focusing action of my lens does not feel dry or jerky, but I can notice a small change in focusing ring turning resistance when entering the closer focusing distances - presumably that's the floating element movement kicking in - this is not enough to matter in use.

 

[SteveRD1]

The 50 ASPH is pretty much perfect

The 50 ASPH is pretty much perfect

It really is a "perfect" 50 with no flaws I can see. I have been dying to give the PRE-ASPH a try though and even thought of selling or trading my ASPH out to obtain one. Every time I do, I end up changing my mind!

Great lens.

 

[b.espahbod]

I was going to buy that lens but seems i have to hurry 😀

 

[J J Kapsberger]

It's not really a problem. When my 50 ASPH arrived in 2005 it was stiff to focus but smoothed out after about 50 rolls. Speaking as a retired machinist, this stiffness is a good thing because it indicates that the screw threads in the focusing helicoid are made with great precision. Not easy to do.

I remember a similar post by you in the thread I started regarding the 50 'lux Asph's focusing.

It's not stiffness I complain about, it's the dryness or stickiness (as it were) of the feel. It takes more pressure to get the lens turning than to keep it turning. It feels like the focusing ring must not only be turned but unstuck from its position as well.

Often when making fine adjustments I overshoot the mark and have to correct the other way.

Is that how your lens felt before it smoothened out?

If desired, I think DAG or Sherry can replace the lube in the lens with something that might help.

When I sent my lens in to be re-lubed it was forwarded to Leica NJ. Only Leicas NJ, UK and Solms have the machine capable of columnating that lens properly.

Hang in there, it's a great lens. Joe

Thanks for the assurance. I intend to. I'd keep it simply for its incomparable signature.

 

[KM-25]

Nicepic!

I didn't realise that Kodachrome 25 was still available or that you could get it processed. Sounds like an interesting combo with the Summilux ASPH. I guess you won't have much exposure latitude.

Kodachrome 25 has not been made since 2002, I have a large stock of it frozen that I use. You can get Kodachrome film processed at Dwayne's Photo in the U.S. the one remaining lab and they do a great job, turn it around fast. Not having much exposure latitude lends to more powerful results in shooting slide film, I prefer it that way.

For more information, click on the link in my signature...

 

[Nando]

In my opinion, the 50mm Summilux ASPH is the last 50 anyone should ever need to get. Since getting it, I bought two more 50's just to confirm this! It is just a stellar lens, just perfect in almost every way but I must admit that it isn't my favourite. The 24mm Elmarit-ASPH is the lens that really does it for me even though I don't use it as much as the 50mm Summilux ASPH.

My 50 Summilux ASPH is a very recent one. I have no mechanical issues with it yet. I never ran into any stickiness or stiffness in the focusing ring.

 

[Livesteamer]

The stickiness is annoying but it should fade away. My 50 ASPH is 4 years old now and has smoothed out. Originally it was stiff especially at close focus. It has probably done about 300 rolls. What I don't understand is that my Summilux 35 ASPH was never stiff and my my 28 Summicron very smooth. If it doesn't smooth out before the warranty expires send it back. For the price paid, such a lens should have NO issues. Joe

 

[Slumgullion]

It's fun digging through the basement and finding old threads on topics that I'm interested in. When Leica introduced the 50mm Summilux-ASPH in 2004 it was probably the best performing fast 50 in the photographic world (how many other 50's existed with a floating element, asph element, etc at that time, regardless of system?). I think that sentiment is reflected in most of the posts in this thread. Now, 16 years later (from the last post in this thread), as lens size constraints have become more relaxed, there are a number of lenses that perform "better" - especially on any of the major mirrorless systems.

I was able to snag an early serial number Summilux-ASPH 11891 a few months back for a great price. It had been recently CLA'd by DAG. I am struck by how much I like the lens. It's mostly sharp/contrasty and the bokeh is smooth. That being said, the field curvature is somewhat strong. The flare resistance is bad (but is also kind of beautiful). The focus feel is...not amazing. Off-center sharpness is certainly not head of the class (amongst today's lenses). BUT...all things considered, the way the lens balances its strengths and weaknesses is really compelling...at least for me.

Dad by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891

Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M7, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891, Eastman-5222, Xtol 1:1.

Hank by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891

 

[Ray Vonn 2023]

It's fun digging through the basement and finding old threads on topics that I'm interested in. When Leica introduced the 50mm Summilux-ASPH in 2004 it was probably the best performing fast 50 in the photographic world (how many other 50's existed with a floating element, asph element, etc at that time, regardless of system?). I think that sentiment is reflected in most of the posts in this thread. Now, 16 years later (from the last post in this thread), as lens size constraints have become more relaxed, there are a number of lenses that perform "better" - especially on any of the major mirrorless systems.

I was able to snag an early serial number Summilux-ASPH 11891 a few months back for a great price. It had been recently CLA'd by DAG. I am struck by how much I like the lens. It's mostly sharp/contrasty and the bokeh is smooth. That being said, the field curvature is somewhat strong. The flare resistance is bad (but is also kind of beautiful). The focus feel is...not amazing. Off-center sharpness is certainly not head of the class (amongst today's lenses). BUT...all things considered, the way the lens balances its strengths and weaknesses is really compelling...at least for me.

Dad by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891

Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M7, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891, Eastman-5222, Xtol 1:1.

Hank by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891

I love that honest review, it's appreciated and very useful for someone considering the lens amongst the high quality fast 50s currently available on all systems now which weren't available when the Summilux ASPH was first released. I still can't decide which I desire more, the V2 or ASPH.

 

[Freakscene]

It's fun digging through the basement and finding old threads on topics that I'm interested in. When Leica introduced the 50mm Summilux-ASPH in 2004 it was probably the best performing fast 50 in the photographic world (how many other 50's existed with a floating element, asph element, etc at that time, regardless of system?). I think that sentiment is reflected in most of the posts in this thread. Now, 16 years later (from the last post in this thread), as lens size constraints have become more relaxed, there are a number of lenses that perform "better" - especially on any of the major mirrorless systems.

I was able to snag an early serial number Summilux-ASPH 11891 a few months back for a great price. It had been recently CLA'd by DAG. I am struck by how much I like the lens. It's mostly sharp/contrasty and the bokeh is smooth. That being said, the field curvature is somewhat strong. The flare resistance is bad (but is also kind of beautiful). The focus feel is...not amazing. Off-center sharpness is certainly not head of the class (amongst today's lenses). BUT...all things considered, the way the lens balances its strengths and weaknesses is really compelling...at least for me.

Dad by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891

Jenny by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Leica M7, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891, Eastman-5222, Xtol 1:1.

Hank by Jim Fischer, on Flickr
Nikon Zf, Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH 11891

Your analysis matches mine after over 20 years of using this lens. Anything better is slower or a lot bigger, so I stick with it.

 

[Richard G]

There’s a 50 Summilux ASPH thread here of 100 pages I scrolled through some years ago. Some astonishing work. I’ve contented myself with the Zeiss C Sonnar 50. Character aplenty. Cured me of the greater outlay for the Leica equivalent