How many versions of the 50mm f/1.4?

[SteveRD1]

Joe

Joe

Thanks for the kind comments on my gallery. I have started to continue with the M8, BUT I prefer the feel of the film shots in that series. Anyway, I do have a noct and a 50 ASPH. I had a Noct, sold it to fund a 50 ASPH. Missed the Noct, got another used one, and am now selling the Noct again as that 50 Lux ASPH is just too good to take off my camera. I have problems 🙂

Good luck choosing a 50. Cant go wrong with any of them. BTW, I saw your film shots at DPreview. Good stuff! How do you like scanning? Slow huh? Anyway, keep on shooting!

 

[nikon_junkie]

Is the Noct still available?

Had the first version 50 Lux and found it had a special look all its own. It was a real bargain for $800.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Peter55]

Hello Joe BT

Hello Joe BT

I see you over at dpreview. You and I and some others were just talking about B&W film and Leica's two day's ago. That and I think scanning our neg's. As I recall you pay @ $1.45 or was it $1.85 while I have to pay $1.99 for each roll to be developed.

I have the 1959-1961 version of the Summilux 50mm f/1.4. It's very nice, and so is my M5.

Imagine we post about film over there. I think that's a good thing as some others are interested in shooting film at that digital forum. Especially on Phills Leica Talk Forum. It's getting a reputation as being a good group.

--
Artist Eyes

 

[joebt]

Hey Peter,

I remember the discussion we had concerning the film. I actually got a 50mm Lux today--the E43, which I think is the 4th version (358####) pre-asaph?

I picked it up from KEH, but I swear it has never been used before. I have noticed that it's not as easy to focus as the Cron, but I can make an adjustment by keeping both eyes open when focusing. I also ordered 50 rolls of the Ilford ASA400 XP2, and 2 all black leica labeled soft releases for my M6.

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to push a roll of the ilford through the lux this weekend. I will definitely share my results.

 

[JNewell]

Here's a bit of trivia on this question. If you look back through pre-E46 Leica literature, there seems to have been a change in the weight of the E43 version. Until some time in the 1980s it's listed at 360g. Later in the 80s it is listed as 320g. Seems like a change in the mount, since the optics didn't change. Any takers?

 

[Innerimager]

and am now selling the Noct again as that 50 Lux ASPH is just too good to take off my camera. I have problems 🙂

Steve- I just received my new 50 ,lux asph today, and like you, can see selling the noct. It is absolutely stunning, and wonderful to carry and focus. Also like you, I originally ordered a chrome version but switched it to black like all my others. (Chrome M8 and now M7). Just a fantastic lens.....Peter

 

[awilder]

Like Steve, I had a Noct. and sold it to finance the 50/1.4 asph. but I can't see getting another Noct. because the 50/1.4 asph. is so damned good. Steve touched on an intersting point regarding Noctilux vs. Summilux asph. now that the M8 is here. I would think the Noctilux would be a better performer on the M8 than on film bodies with the crop factor removing much of it's fall-off at f/1 (of course you can also crop film). Also compaints of excessive noise at higher ISO's on the M8 makes f/1 more desirable for hand held shots than f/1.4. Maybe Steve could post some comparisions of the 2 lenses before selling his Noctilux. His comments about prefering film to digital makes me feel better about waiting on the M8 as I love my MP and can't justify the funds for a digital body until processing E6 becomes much more problematic in a few years. Two of three local labs have now stopped E6 processing in Baltimore.

 

[MikeL]

It's too bad noct prices have gone through the roof, since I'd still like to get one. To me it's performace is the unique look at f1-f1.4. I haven't seen one at a garage sale yet though.......

I'd also like to see a pre-asph vs. asph summilux print comparison (not on screen) under normal conditions to see the differences between the two. Anybody out there have both?

 

[HenningW]

I've had the first version (1960) and the second version (1969). Optically they were only slightly different and the mount was essentially the same. Sometime in the 80's (?) the mount changed and the knurling went from the scalloped to the little square ridges. I think that's when the weight went down. Still E43, still the same optics, still 1m close focussing. Then the whole mount redesign with integral hood, 0.7m close focussing and E46 but no optical change. Never got that one as I was shooting with the Nocts from the 70's on. Got the ASPH now but am keeping the Noct. Completely different lenses, but the ASPH is outstanding. Like pretty much all of the other ASPH lenses, you dial in the aperture to change dof and for the light conditions; not for the performance. Except in critical testing, f/1.4 gives you the same performance as f/5.6.

The LHSA ASPH has the same optics as the regular ASPH, but it is huge, and it only focusses to 1m. Not for me.

Henning

 

[awilder]

The LHSA Asph. version focuses down to 0.7m, not 1m as seen on pictures at Popflash.photo.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I had the 43mm version and it had the clip on hood and was limited to 1m focus. Beautiful lens but 1m focus limit eventually forced me to upgrade to the BP LHSA ASPH which is still 43mm separate lenshood and 0.7 focus.

examples of the 43mm 50/1.4 and the 35/1.4 pre ASPH can be seen at this link
which details several bodies of work inc some 120 RF images as well.

http://www.anarchyimages.com/featured-simon.php

can't post anything with the BP 50 ASPH yet but i will.....