50mm Summilux f1.4 version 1

N

Nick De Marco

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Just bought my first Summilux. I have had Lux Lust for some time and had been thinking of getting one for film use for a while, but as I have a Summicron and use digital so much I could not justify the expense.

But I saw such a vintage beauty today I was taken with it. An early version I in great condition. Had a nice hat too.

I tried it on in the shop on one of their demo M8.2s (must admit since I sold my M8 I had forgotten how slow those can be lol). Compared it (most unscientifically) to the new Nokton f1.1 and the Zeiss f1.5. For my money, at f1.4, the Zeiss was by for the sharpest (and pretty too), the Nokton was sharper than the old Lux, but I preferred the feel of the Lux to the Nokton, and just about to the Zeiss. Plus it was a few hundred pounds less.
 
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That was Classic Camera near Great Russell Street (London). Usually I don't shop there (I am a bit of an Aperture Camera cafe regular, and CC can be rather expensive). But I sometimes walk in to gaze at their pristine condition lenses, and it just happened this one was at what I thought was a very good price. The condition of the lens, and hood, is very good
 
very nice! It's possible it's the latest pre-asph optical formula, what year or first couple of digits is the s/n?
 
Thanks, but I believe it is the first (often slightly slated version) S/N 168xxxx (making it one of the first 1959 ones I believe). That's why it was not too expensive. But it's optics are fine and it gives good cream :)

It was apparently owned by a collecter who didn't use it but kept it in immaculate condition. Apparently the fact it came with original hood was a bonus. Certainly looks nice but I bought it to use not look at - although I must admit I had to stop myself buying a chrome M6 (have a black one0 to adorn it
 
yes, nice early version!

yes, nice early version!

Yes, you're correct, it is an early v1. Look forward to seeing some photos from it!

Nick De Marco said:
Thanks, but I believe it is the first (often slightly slated version) S/N 168xxxx (making it one of the first 1959 ones I believe). That's why it was not too expensive. But it's optics are fine and it gives good cream :)

It was apparently owned by a collecter who didn't use it but kept it in immaculate condition. Apparently the fact it came with original hood was a bonus. Certainly looks nice but I bought it to use not look at - although I must admit I had to stop myself buying a chrome M6 (have a black one0 to adorn it
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The version I is arguably the prettiest lens Leica ever made. I especially like the knurled machine work near the base of the lens. Looks great on your M2! Congratulations!
 
Yes it is the early version, with two thin singlets at the rear. Later version uses a cemented doublet. Interestingly, they went back to the two singlet configuration with the Noctilux f/1.
 
I have been through a bunch of differnet Leica lenses over the years. I have kept three: a 75mm Summilux, a 35mm Summilux ASPH and a v.1 50mm Summilux, SN 164xxxx. This model does get slagged on here and there, but I love it: draws cleaner and with less coma than the old Summarit, and IMO performs better on average across all apertures than my other fast 50's.
 
Rob-F said:
The version I is arguably the prettiest lens Leica ever made. I especially like the knurled machine work near the base of the lens. Looks great on your M2! Congratulations!
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The LHSA version of the 50 ASPH is very slightly larger (I think) and identical in design.
 
Nick De Marco said:
That was Classic Camera near Great Russell Street (London). Usually I don't shop there (I am a bit of an Aperture Camera cafe regular, and CC can be rather expensive). But I sometimes walk in to gaze at their pristine condition lenses, and it just happened this one was at what I thought was a very good price. The condition of the lens, and hood, is very good
Click to expand...

I've been there once, I almost bought a M6, great place and great staff!
R.
 
Hi Peter

Hi Peter

I'm confused, is the E43 LHSA 50 lux optically like the V1, V2, or ASPH lux?

I realize the E43 and scalloped focus ring is like a pre-asph.

peter_n said:
The LHSA version of the 50 ASPH is very slightly larger (I think) and identical in design.
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Oh sorry, I meant the dimensions and the mechanics. :eek: I read somewhere that the barrel/rings came off the same die as the v.1 pre-ASPH, whether that's true or not I don't know. The optics are as per the regular E46 Summilux 50 ASPH, sized to fit the smaller barrel of the E43 LHSA lens.
 
got it

got it

thanks for the clarification.

peter_n said:
Oh sorry, I meant the dimensions and the mechanics. :eek: I read somewhere that the barrel/rings came off the same die as the v.1 pre-ASPH, whether that's true or not I don't know. The optics are as per the regular E46 Summilux 50 ASPH, sized to fit the smaller barrel of the E43 LHSA lens.
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Update - Loving the Lux

Update - Loving the Lux

Fast becoming one of my favourite lenses. It may be old, and I have read the 1st version Lux lacks sharpness wide open, but I am very impressed with the performance of this lens.

Wide open the sharpness matches any of the other lenses I won (such as 50 Summicrons) in the in focus areas and the bokeh is very pleasing to me. I think the lens has that quality/feel that some people describe as a 'Leica glow' or three dimensional effect. Italso performs superbly stopped down.

Leitz 50mm Summilux f1.4 (v1) Photo Gallery by Nick De Marco at pbase.com

For those interested there is a kind of comparison, by looking at the other galleries this is within, with the Canon 50mm f1.2 - another fast old 50 some people criticize for being soft. I have not done a scientific comparison but looking the the various photos taken in these sub-galleries I draw the following conclusions:

1. The Canon 50/1.2 is without doubt a little soft wide open. I still quite like the lens, but the overall image is not only less sharp than the Lux 1.4, it also lacks that 3 dimensional feel

2. The Canon 50/1.4 is sharper than the 1.2, but I find the results rather mediocre

3. The 50 Lux is the most beautiful and the best performer. Looks great too but just a shame it's so big (nothing compared to the new Nokton 1.1 or Noctilux of course)

Before now my favourite RF lens was the 35 Summicron f2 pre-asph 4th version. It will probably remain my favourite lns in part as 35mm is my favourite range. This old Lux is the closest lens I have come across for creating he same unique feel as the 35/2. It's been a while since I used my 50 Summicrons, and I had no complaints about them, but I do prefer this Lux.

I'd like to know what other people think, in part as I am a bit of a lens whore. Whilst looking at recent results of experiments with new and old lenses I got all lusty over my new CV 35mm Color-Skopar f2.5 II - a lens I bought on a whim because it is small and took to taly without a clue how it would do. It was so sharp wide open, had good bokeh that it nearly (only nearly) actually competes with my favourite lens in my impressionaistic opinion - so deserving a separate thread to this one dedicated to the lovely Lux
 
I really like the look of this lens, your first picture is a classic. I recently traded a v.2 for a v.3 and I do like it but I'd be open to getting one of these v.1 lenses. The problem is I have way too many 50's already...
 
Rob-F said:
Yes it is the early version, with two thin singlets at the rear. Later version uses a cemented doublet. Interestingly, they went back to the two singlet configuration with the Noctilux f/1.
Click to expand...

But - they kept the doublet design for the 75/1.4 :)
 
WOW Nick, LOVE it !!
Great Shots showing the many Faces of a Lux....
I actually just got a 1st ver but returned it...Mine was not as Crsip 5.6 -on
but the oof was Delicious
 
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