htimsdj
Established
I have two film MPs, and they each have their own ZM 50 F2.
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
I soon replaced my copy of the ZM Planar 50/2.0 with a vs4 Summicron and my 50mm Summilux pre-ASPH (E46) with a Noctilux 50/1.0 and never looked back.![]()
And I ditched the v. IV Summicron that I'd had and used extensively for over a decade, after realizing that at no point had I ever really liked the way it rendered. The ZM Planar is more to my liking. I also prefer the v. III Summicron to the IV/V.
Toccata
Member
Own all three and have used them on an m9 as per the usage you've specified. Have the least milage on the 'lux, as it is recently acquired. The pre asph 'lux would be my rec with one caveat; it's big! I have a preference for it's rendering, but it's a personal call between it and a summicron.
Side note-I disagree that the summicron is overpriced for what it is. If the M is a stretch, there is certainly an argument to be made in favor of nearly every previous iteration. I don't love the collapsible, but do love the v3...personal taste. Anywho, it certainly has a size advantage relative to the others you've listed.
Side note-I disagree that the summicron is overpriced for what it is. If the M is a stretch, there is certainly an argument to be made in favor of nearly every previous iteration. I don't love the collapsible, but do love the v3...personal taste. Anywho, it certainly has a size advantage relative to the others you've listed.
mafoofan
Established
Note, the OP is asking about the new $7,200 APO-Summicron 50mm ASPH, not any old Summicron. It is the only aspherical Summicron.
Toccata
Member
oops!
oops!
that makes a lot more sense! Yes, indeed overkill for film. Or at least that's what my dealer told me
oops!
Note, the OP is asking about the new $7,200 APO-Summicron 50mm ASPH, not any old Summicron. It is the only aspherical Summicron.
that makes a lot more sense! Yes, indeed overkill for film. Or at least that's what my dealer told me
Erik van Straten
Veteran
philipus
ʎɐpɹəʇɥƃı&
That's a nice photo Erik.
I've never used a Nokton but imho what Leica did in launching the 50 APO is to make the 50 Asph the cheapest and best-performing 50 in the history of this planet
I've never used a Nokton but imho what Leica did in launching the 50 APO is to make the 50 Asph the cheapest and best-performing 50 in the history of this planet
The best all around fast 50mm is the f/1.1 Nokton.
hteasley
Pupil
Another vote for the v5 Summicron. It handles beautifully, has a built-in hood, and is as sharp as you could ever want. Out of focus areas are appealing, and it's not too large.
I'm pretty sure it's my favorite lens. It changes a bit, from time to time, and I rediscover a lens I haven't used in a while, but I think it's my favorite.
I'm pretty sure it's my favorite lens. It changes a bit, from time to time, and I rediscover a lens I haven't used in a while, but I think it's my favorite.
Dralowid
Michael
Folks,
I am in a Summicromuddle now.
Is the one with the built in hood V4? Coded or uncoded?
By V5 do you mean asph?
Michael
(who is more of an Elmar person)
I am in a Summicromuddle now.
Is the one with the built in hood V4? Coded or uncoded?
By V5 do you mean asph?
Michael
(who is more of an Elmar person)
seakayaker1
Well-known
Lots of good 50's with a film rangefinder.
M6 TTL with Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm f1.5 / Ilford HP5
Leica MP with 50mm Summilux
Leica MP with Voigtlander Nokton Asph 50mm f1.5


M6 TTL with Zeiss C Sonnar T* 50mm f1.5 / Ilford HP5


Leica MP with 50mm Summilux


Leica MP with Voigtlander Nokton Asph 50mm f1.5
moreammo
Established
Unless you just need the speed of the lux or the down right zippy'ness of the nocti i would go with the v5 Cron 50 (i guess now this is called the pre-asph), i don't see a benefit to dropping an extra $5k for APO and an asphere (neither did you it seems)... for use on film anyway... for the M9 i would go with the cron asph... provided i won a small lottery first
any way in my opinion the 50 cron fits all my needs, over all look, feel, signature and price... a "like new" used copy can be had for $1500 US if you look hard enough. I am certain however that you can not go wrong with any of the lenses you posted or the pre-asph cron
redisburning
Well-known
several people in this thread have propagated the idea that the 50 AA cron is wasted on film.
I wonder, are you all just ignoring the fact that the lens way out-resolves any digital sensor and v. slow b&w is the ONLY medium where you could actually see it's power?
hp5+, ok well yes you wont see the difference in resolution on that. fine. but tech pan, cms 20, etc will.
anyway, I don't think the 50 AA is too expensive in a vacuum, but it's going to be too expensive for most people. if you're going to shoot 400 speed b&w film, buy the summilux ASPH. see, f1.4 isn't so slow that you're beyond the easily discernible differences in lenses, and the ASPH is the best 50/1.4 wide open. It is also sharper than the v5 cron or 50/2 planar stopped down.
all 3 are fine, but I wouldn't be too thrilled to have the 50/.95 nocti as my ONLY 50, although if I was more of a 35mm shooter maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
I wonder, are you all just ignoring the fact that the lens way out-resolves any digital sensor and v. slow b&w is the ONLY medium where you could actually see it's power?
hp5+, ok well yes you wont see the difference in resolution on that. fine. but tech pan, cms 20, etc will.
anyway, I don't think the 50 AA is too expensive in a vacuum, but it's going to be too expensive for most people. if you're going to shoot 400 speed b&w film, buy the summilux ASPH. see, f1.4 isn't so slow that you're beyond the easily discernible differences in lenses, and the ASPH is the best 50/1.4 wide open. It is also sharper than the v5 cron or 50/2 planar stopped down.
all 3 are fine, but I wouldn't be too thrilled to have the 50/.95 nocti as my ONLY 50, although if I was more of a 35mm shooter maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
filmfan
Well-known
several people in this thread have propagated the idea that the 50 AA cron is wasted on film.
I wonder, are you all just ignoring the fact that the lens way out-resolves any digital sensor and v. slow b&w is the ONLY medium where you could actually see it's power?
hp5+, ok well yes you wont see the difference in resolution on that. fine. but tech pan, cms 20, etc will.
anyway, I don't think the 50 AA is too expensive in a vacuum, but it's going to be too expensive for most people. if you're going to shoot 400 speed b&w film, buy the summilux ASPH. see, f1.4 isn't so slow that you're beyond the easily discernible differences in lenses, and the ASPH is the best 50/1.4 wide open. It is also sharper than the v5 cron or 50/2 planar stopped down.
all 3 are fine, but I wouldn't be too thrilled to have the 50/.95 nocti as my ONLY 50, although if I was more of a 35mm shooter maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
What he said.
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
Hello,
I have to make a decision, as I intend to stay minimalist, I will get only one 50mm from these:
- Summilux 50/1.4 asph
- Noctilux 50/0.95 asph
- Summicron 50/2 asph
I own a Summilux 35/1.4, a great lens, now I need a "normal" lens, mostly for portraiture, which is something I really like.
Am I getting it right or should I reconsider my choice?
50 are great all around lenses, I've had both the E43 and E46 versions of the Summilux and liked them both but I really liked the E46 better.
Leica MP, Acros, 50/1.4 E46 version

For portraiture I might look at a bit longer lens though, 75mm or slightly longer would give you more of a compressed look. Here is one with the Voigtlander 75/2.5. Hardly a Leica lens but still a good performer!
Leica MP, Voigtlander 75/2.5, Ilford XP2


YMMV
Todd
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Love those 75 Shots Todd...Yummy !
mafoofan
Established
I wonder, are you all just ignoring the fact that the lens way out-resolves any digital sensor and v. slow b&w is the ONLY medium where you could actually see it's power?
Understood, but the OP is looking for a single all-around performer. I think the extra f-stop offered by the Summilux is more valuable for general purpose shooting than increased resolution on super slow film. Anyway, you can still shoot that film with a Summilux, but the Summicron will never be able to shoot with as little light as the Summilux. Plus, it's cheaper!
jplomley
Established
Great shots Todd. Thanks for posting. I have the option to purchase a LNIB 50 Lux E46 for $2,200. I think that's a pretty good deal based upon the images I've seen here and on FLIKR.
philipus
ʎɐpɹəʇɥƃı&
Am I getting it right (...)?
The short answer is one single solid YES.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I think that's a pretty good deal based upon the images I've seen here and on FLIKR.
I would never base an opinion on images I've seen online. Such opinions can only be based on well made gelatin-silver prints.
Erik.
tightsqueez
Well-known
I would never base an opinion on images I've see online. Such opinions can only be based on well made gelatin-silver prints.
Erik.
Agreed, if the OP is planning on printing in such manner. And wouldn't that make your recommendation for the 50/1.1 null?
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