50mm Summilux opinions

[ocean7]

No to hijack this thread but do you guys have an idea how much a clean type 2 would go for? I have one in sight locally and the seller is asking $900. Sorry I haven't done my homework yet! Thanks.

 

[pfoto]

Good price! I paid $950 (I think) a year ago.

 

[maddoc]

No to hijack this thread but do you guys have an idea how much a clean type 2 would go for? I have one in sight locally and the seller is asking $900. Sorry I haven't done my homework yet! Thanks.

If it is in very good condition with box, leather pouch, caps etc. I think it is a good price. My E46 vs 3 in very good condition , complete with everything, went for 1200$ if I remember correctly.

 

[ocean7]

Thanks for the quick reply. It comes with hood, leather pouch, B+W UV and B+W polarizing filters. Sounds like a good deal then. Boy I should stop browing those threads with pictures, gives me GAS!

Maddoc the M4 is around here btw - Ontario last time I checked - I should receive it tomorrow. Can't wait!

 

[vrgard]

ocean7, that's a great price. Grab it quick!

 

[maddoc]

Thanks for the quick reply. It comes with hood, leather pouch, B+W UV and B+W polarizing filters. Sounds like a good deal then. Boy I should stop browing those threads with pictures, gives me GAS!

Maddoc the M4 is around here btw - Ontario last time I checked - I should receive it tomorrow. Can't wait!

I just checked EMS tracking too ! Japan Post says it has left the customs and Canada Post says in the Canadian mail to you !! Hopefully you will get the M4 tomorrow !!

 

[grainhound]

namelast, you should check out two resources for sample photos. ferider's ultimate bokeh thread (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50489) and flickr's m-mount gallery for the Lux 50 II, which includes the versions with & without the built in hood (link below). You will find quite a few of Gabriel's shots on both, then you will no doubt do what you can to get one. http://www.flickr.com/groups/86731438@N00/pool/tags/LeicaSummilux50mmf1.4I
I was going to link to one of my shots in the bokeh thread, but kept seeing all the cool shots Gabriel has made with the lens. Look at his; mine will come off fairly soon.

Guess I'm too late; you've been looking already. You'll love the lens if you get it.

 

[namelast]

Thanks everyone for the replies!
Very instructive thread, both on the tech side (great sum up by Harry!) and on the photo side.
All of this was kicked in by a 500euro v1 summilux I have seen. From this discussion I guess the best summilux (considering also the price and my limited budget) is the type 3. By the way, how does the hood handle, since it does not lock in place? Wil it "fell off" when pointing the lens downward? Do you need to keep it extended with a finger when pointing the lens upwards?

So, I have to pick between a summilux type 3, a ZM Sonnar 1.5 (same price as a used summilux v3, but new!) and ZM Planar f2 (cheaper!!!). Or... a Summarit 1.5 + LTM to M adapter (cheapest solution!). Uhm....

 

[rich815]

The ol' Summarit is a very cool lens and I get some fantastic results, however, due to it's flare propensity and lower contrast it would likely not be good as an all-around user. I got a very early one (1939 I believe) for pretty cheap ($175) and like it enough for it's uniqueness to keep it around (sorry, more of my favorite subject, my little boy Benjamin):

BTW, just double-checked the hood on my ver 3 Summilux and it neither drops in or out by itself when pointed up or down, nor needs a finger to keep it extended when pointed up. It is very nicely damped.

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

Great lens! I have it almost all the time on my M7.

Here is an example:

http://www.krasotkin.com/portfolio/?photo=398

 

[toyfel]

Sorry for an OT question. The pics from the pre asph lux are really nice. Quite like the pics I have seen from the Zeiss C-Sonnar, too. Trying to decide between the two but can´t make up my mind. A big plus (for me) about the Sonnar is it´s small size. How does the pre asph compare in terms of size, especially length? Then again, the focus shift of the Sonnar is a clear drawback (at least when using it on an M8). Does the pre-asph suffer from a similar level of focus shift?

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I had the second version E43 with the clip on hood and 1m focus, last year i changed to the later ASPH the LHSA version with the same 43mm thread, clip on hood but 0.7 m focus. I prefer the look and performance of the ASPH for the work i do.

50/1.4 Pre ASPH @f4.0

50/1.4 ASPH @f4.0

50/1.4 ASPH @f1.4

 

[northpole]

Simon

Your shots have a lovely 'glow' radiating from them - very pleasing to the eye on my mac's screen.

Peter

 

[kevin m]

Looks like the Asph Summilux has the same, somewhat harsh bokeh many other aspherical lenses have. The 40 Nokton gets slammed for it, but the Asph 'Lux gets only praise. As we used to say in the military: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Thanks Peter
By mid Year i should have an entire archive set up on Photo Shelter and will set up tags re the lens types for future reference for threads like these. If correctly tagged the work spanning some 20 years should cover examples of Noctilux, pre and ASPH's, 35/2 V4, 35/1.2 Nokton, 35/1.4 pre ASPH, 50/1.4 Nikkor Millennium lens, Xpan, Plaubel Makina 67 & 670, Mamyia 6 and 7ii, Fuji's 690 Mark 1, GSW690 II and GSW 690III......

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Looks like the Asph Summilux has the same, somewhat harsh bokeh many other aspherical lenses have. The 40 Nokton gets slammed for it, but the Asph 'Lux gets only praise. As we used to say in the military: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

I don't find it harsh for my tastes however the overriding factor for me, was the ASPH's ability to handle harsh back lighting, something i find my self up against many times in SE Asia.

 

[kevin m]

Seems a fair trade off, Simon. I just wonder why the VC lens gets grief for displaying a similar trait.

 

[psychokiller]

50mm F1.4 Summilux-M 1995 - 2005/6 - Type 3 SN# ???
Same optical formula as Type #2, but with a built in collapsible hood (which doesn't lock in place!). This version will focuses as close as .7 meters (70cm). Performance is identical to Type 2. Same optical formula as Type#2, identical performance. Uses E46 filters.

Ok, after seeing the photos in this thread, I don't just want a Type 3, I NEED one. This is exactly the sort of contrast (or lack thereof) that I am seeking!.

Any ideas on serial no's? How big is this lens? Would it block the framelines on a .85 viewfinder?

...anybody selling theirs? .....c'mon you know you want to.

 

[johannielscom]

...

50mm F1.4 Summilux 1962-1994 - Type 2 SN#1,844,001-N/A
This is the most common version of the Lux. This optical formula was in production for over 40 years until the arrival of the ASPH model and is very, very good. This version with the clip on hood focuses as close as 1 meter (100cm). Uses E43 filters.

...

Thanks Harry, just what I was looking for in this post. Mine is a type 2, I now know, serial 3033xxx.

Any chance on dating it closer? Just because I like to know, I got it for two weeks now and have still to receive my first prints back from the shop (isn't that exciting!?)

Quality of build is somewhat dissapointing, I own three M-Hexanon lenses, which have a much nicer aperture ring movement, better 'geared'... Or are the gears in my Summilux just too new?


Cheers, Johan

 

[rich815]

Quality of build is somewhat dissapointing, I own three M-Hexanon lenses, which have a much nicer aperture ring movement, better 'geared'... Or are the gears in my Summilux just too new?


Cheers, Johan

It could just be ready for a CLA. I sent Sherry my ver 3 50'lux and it came back smooth as silk, perfectly damped and tighted up just right (aperture ring was a little loose prior, and mine is "newer" than yours). It's money well spent....