50mm Summilux (pre aspherical) vs current

[Richard Marks]

Hi
Just wondering if any one has any thoughts regarding the last incarnation of the 50mm lux prior to the current aspherical version.
I have borrowed one of the pre aspherical versions for the weekend. Not that impressed so far, but sometimes these things take a bit of time.
Best wishes
Richard

 

[Meleica]

The pre-asph lux is mostly well regarded for its "fingerprint," not necessarily its absolute technical abilities. Many claim it renders images with a 3-D like quality in addition to nice bokeh. Wide open it is quite low in contrast and resolution - but stopped down - contrast and resolution become quite high in the center..gradually tailing off in the corners..... It was designed in 1962, so it an old design in Leica land... The ASPH is a completely different animal with tremendous technical performance.

Dan

 

[Monz]

Dear Richard,
The 50mm pre-asph summilux came with my second-hand M6. It is a great lens, being a nice compromise between size, speed and sharpness. As mentioned above, the contrast falls when used wide open and it is not quite as sharp as the summicron at wide apertures either. I find the extra stop over the summicron very beneficial, particularly for indoor shots and weddings. I haven't compared it with the current asph summilux. Here are some examples of photos taken with my pre-asph lens...

Siblings
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=65609

The Couple
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=50013

Prisoner of Azkaban
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=55550&ppuser=1882

Diamond Cluster
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=60779&ppuser=1882

Umbrella Tree
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=61450&ppuser=1882

Double Triptych
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=58818&cat=500&ppuser=1882

Extreme Bokeh
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=58240&ppuser=1882

Hani 3
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=46743&ppuser=1882

Hide and Seek
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=44526&ppuser=1882

Kind regards.
--
Monz