Decent price for a Summilux 50mm V1?

[theotse]

Hey guys,

Someone is offering me a Leica Summilux 50mm Version 1 lens in good condition with acceptable glass for $850. Do you guys think its a good deal?

Thanks!

 

[Erik van Straten]

Depends on how acceptable is "acceptable".

Erik.

 

[x-ray]

You can buy a very clean v2 summicron or DR cheaper from a dealer. It's a much better lens too. I'd you don't shoot at 1.4 often then there's you're better off with the summicron. Also you can buy a used Planar which is better then both for even less. A new one is cheaper too.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Or if you are desperate for 1.4, 850$ is the price of Nokton 50 1.5 VM ASPH, which gives a ride to Lux 50 ASPH (they say 🙂 ). And if still desperate for Leica label, original Summarit is fine wide open, if lens is not trashed. But if only Lux, then price is good. Too good...

 

[x-ray]

I had the first version Nokton and it was excellent. Very close to the asph summilux I had. Of all the 50's I've owned the Planar is King in my book. I had the asph summilux and no question it great and have had the v1, 2, 3, 4 summicrons and V1 Niokton as well as the vintage f2 5 cm Nikkor LTM and V 1 Elmar f2.8. Oops forgot a fine Summitar. All are quite good. I now own a mint v2 summicron and Planar. These two I'm keeping. There were no dogs in the bunch but my favorite is the Planar. It's better resistant to flare, deadly sharp wide open without being artificial looking and nicely constructed. The Summicrons that I owned all had flare issues with backlighting and light sources on the edge of the frame. The Nokton was a good second choice. Excellent in every way. For vintage I compared my 5cm f2 Nikkor against the v2 Summicron and it was every bit as good. Great performer, sharp and smooth tones.

I've had 2 asph summilux. The first had a problem from the factory and would t focus to infinity. So much for Leica QC. The second was excellent. In all honesty I think it's way over prices when comparing other lenses to it.

Forgot one, the classic Noctilux f1.2 50. Ok but not great. Best performance from wide open to f4 but nothing special by today's standards. I owned it in the mid 70's and looking back it was a big price to pay for 1/3 stop over f1.4.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I very much like the Summilux 50mm f/1 v1, I prefer it to the v2 because the v1 does not distort wile the v2 does. (barrel distortion)

Leica M5, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

 

[Daryl J.]

Erik, et. al.,
Have you an opinion on the V.1 Lux vs 1.5/50 Summarit? For all the words online, there is precious little user opinion and even fewer facts.

My Summarit goes to mush at F1.5. Does the V.1 Lux?

Thanks in advance,
Daryl

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, et. al.,
Have you an opinion on the V.1 Lux vs 1.5/50 Summarit? For all the words online, there is precious little user opinion and even fewer facts.

My Summarit goes to mush at F1.5. Does the V.1 Lux?

Thanks in advance,
Daryl

I don't know what "to mush" is. The Summarit 50mm f/1.5 is the favorite lens of Junku Nishimura, my favorite photographer of today. I never tried it. Many people say it is close to the Summilux v1.

Some of the pictures above (3 and 4) are at f/1.4. I think the performance at f/1.4 is very good.

I also like the Nokton-M 50mm f/1.5, but that is a very modern aspherical lens with a "cleaner" image.

Erik.

 

[Daryl J.]

Thanks, Erik.

To mush=the softest focus I have ever seen in any format with any lens. Simultaneously both annoying yet enchanting. The whole image at first glance looks out of focus. Except it's not.

If I had the ability to uplink an image, I'd do so. And my words mean little more than a flapping about of random speakage as I'm an enthusiastic amateur. Key word: amateur.

I'd love a lens with the same character as my Summarit but somewhat more crisp/contrasty wide open. Thus the interest in the V.1 Lux. Such a lens would rapidly become a favorite. Knowing that a couple images above were made at F1,4 pretty much answers that question as an affirmative. The V.1 I have my eye on is solidly above $1,000 but is in pretty good shape. And I would like to have it or a similar one relatively soon. The rainy season is here.

Edit: Some of Junku's work on his Flickr page show similar degrees of softness. So it's not just my lens. Disclaimer: for some odd reason I've never used the Summarit below F2.0.

 

[Matthew Runkel]

I have an extremely early one. It can have a dreamy look wide open but mush is not the word for it.. Sherry Krauter told me that when she was being trained at Leica (in the 60s sometime, I suppose), the common understanding there was that the V.1 summilux was a considerable improvement over the summarit.

 

[Daryl J.]

Thanks, Matthew.

That is what I was looking for.
The V.1 is ordered.
And I'm really excited.

Daryl

 

[AlwaysOnAuto]

Thanks for reviving this old thread. I have a V1 and haven't used it at all. Now that I'm a little more familiar with my A7ii, I'll get it out and give it a go.