E43 Pre Asph Summilux 50mm V E46 Pre Asph Summilux

no

no

all E43s focus to 1m.

E46s focus to 0.7m, and were made until last year or a couple of years ago, at least in special versions like the Millenium Black Paint version with serial #'s in 4M range.

Leica never mentioned a V3, but did acknowledge the VII 5 years after they changed the formula from V1.

The ASPH is not necessarily better. If you read up in the LHSA archives, many prefer the pre-asph for the field curvature, smaller size, better bokeh, etc.

The V3 by some internet folk is synonymous with the E46 0.7 MFD version. But it is not with all sellers and is not a version recognized by Leica.

If buying or selling a pre-asph 50 lux, I'd highly recommend specifying filter size and minimum focus distance, and serial numbers rather than "vX" versions.


Vincent.G said:
Wow, looks like I've got lots of Leica lens history to read up on.

So is my understanding for what I have gathered so far for the summilux 50mm pre-asph below correct?
v1 - E43 (min. focus dist. ~ 1m)
v2 - E43 and E46 (min. focus dist. ~ 0.7m)
v3 - E43 and E46

Some how, a search on ebay shows up chrome and non-chrome versions as well. There seems to be so many variations of this lens.
Click to expand...
 
Summilux preasph II 50mm f/1.4, Leica M3, TriX printed on Ilford MGIV fb.

Erik.

4185805926_1e0dfccf98_o.jpg
 
"My copy has SN: 2 568 xxx and it is black, E43 type. No idea what year."

That would be 1973, apparently.
 
I ended up buying the VII E43 version, I found one with rough cosmetics, but perfect glass for a good price. I'm actually more comfortable on the street with a rough looking camera, so I'm not worried at all! I may try the e46 version at a later date, as I would like the 0.7m focus distance. The focus throw on the e43 is fine, though the shorter throw of the e46 would be nice to try.

E43 Summilux, Arista Premium 400 @ 1200, Diafine.

4116381245_1cb70a86f1.jpg
 
The v.2 is great but has a much longer throw and only focuses down to one meter, both annoying enough to make me want a version 3. But if those things don't bother you it is a great lens as I have discovered...

3614004623_c58f18aa3d_o.jpg
 
35mmdelux said:
pls explain. thks.
Click to expand...

Apochromatic lenses are specially corrected to eliminate color fringing and other chromatic aberrations. The reason the 50 Summilux ASPH isn't Apochromatic is that its not necessary for a 50mm lens; Chromatic aberrations don't generally show up in short focal lengths, they are a problem with telephotos, especially super-telephotos (300mm and longer) and shorter teles that are very fast (like the 180mm f2 Zuiko) so these lenses are almost always made with special low-dispersion glass that makes them APO.
 
Some comparisons between the E43 and E46, both of which I love and shoot on a somewhat regular basis. As of late, I've been shooting the E43 more, but I couldn't put my finger on exactly why. I guess I just like it's compactness, and the consistent results.

Leica M9
Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4 E43


the eyes - color - summilux by slantface, on Flickr


the wall for rest - color - summilux by slantface, on Flickr

Leica M9
Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4 E46


catherine-tiffany-garage by slantface, on Flickr


catherine-doorway by slantface, on Flickr
 
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