Japanese Summilux??

[Pioneer]

I have run across at least two lens reviews that refer to the Canon 50/1.4 LTM lens as a Japanese Summilux.

I'm not sure I understand this as it seems to be a misleading reference to me. I do understand that the Leica Summilux refers to a series of f1.4 lenses, and the Canon in question has that same aperture, but the Canon is actually a Planar lens in design.

Is the Leica Summilux also a Planar lens by design?

 

[Shac]

As far as I know "Summilux" is used by Leica simply to fer to the maximum aperture not to the optical design. Just as "Summicron" refers to F2 lenses - the Asph Summicron 50 is clearly a distinctly different optical design from the earlier versions.

 

[Bingley]

The Canon 35mm f2.0 is similarly referred to as the "Japanese Summicron". I think these comparisons are intended to suggest that the Canon lenses are "just as good as" the referenced Leica lenses. I have no idea whether that's true or how'd go about proving the comparison. The Canon 35/2.0 is a really outstanding lens on its own terms, IMO.

 

[ptpdprinter]

Sounds like marketing fluff. The marketing department in this case is the owners of the Canon lens. Maybe Leica lens owners are more secure with their choices. I've never heard of them referring to their lenses as "German Nikkors".

 

[raid]

The Canon 35mm f2.0 is similarly referred to as the "Japanese Summicron". I think these comparisons are intended to suggest that the Canon lenses are "just as good as" the referenced Leica lenses. I have no idea whether that's true or how'd go about proving the comparison. The Canon 35/2.0 is a really outstanding lens on its own terms, IMO.

I also understand such naming to be in this context.

 

[dourbalistar]

I'm no lens design expert, but I wouldn't be surprised if the similarities end with the focal length and maximum aperture. There's a very nice image thread here on RFF for the Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM.

Some folks also refer to the Canon 35mm f/2 as the "Japanese Summicron". There's also a nice image thread here on RFF for the 35mm f/2.

 

[peterm1]

The reference to the "Japanese Summilux" meaning the Canon 50mm f1.4 in black and chorme, is often found on the internet. Google it and you will see it comes up a lot in reference to that lens. EBay sellers like it for obvious reasons. Not sure about the respective designs of this and the Leica glass but it does perform beautifully and this is what most reviewers are referring to more than the lens design. Quite apart from design specifics, it has also often been said that the 1950's Canon LTM lenses generally perform as well or nearly as well as the relevant Leica glass. In general I believe it to be true at least in my experience. I do not know that Canon ever referred to their lenses as "Japanese Summilux" or the "Japanese Summicron" though.

The first reference I ever saw to this term was in the 2013 article linked below, although it is clear when you read this article, that the term had been around for a while before - the author says as much. However this specific article seems to have caught people's attention and hence has been influential in spreading the use of that term. It seems to have taken off from there as most but not all references to that term are post 2013.

http://aperturepriority.co.nz/2013/05/28/the-japanese-summilux-canon-50mm-f1-4-ltm/

 

[raid]

The Canon 50/1.4 is an excellent lens overall and a low cost. It may have a harsher OOF rendering than a Summilux (which I have only tried out years ago).

 

[snot]

Is the Leica Summilux also a Planar lens by design?

Yes. ASPH models are redesigned with aspherical elements, however pre-asph's are basic Planar, Double-Gauss tweaked designs. This applies for 50mm Summicron's, Summilux's, and Nocti's.

I think that the names are all marketing. When dabbling in the world of LTM glass (or rangefinder glass in general), everyone is going to compare it to Leica.

 

[Fixcinater]

The 50/1.4 Canon is a super piece of glass. I had one, bought it cheap as it had misplaced aperture blades and was able to repair, then sold on when I needed some cash and my friend was looking for one.

It's "better" than the 50/1.2 in basically every way but I kept the 50/1.2 as I like the defects of the older, faster optic and I effectively got it for free as I sold the camera it came on for more than I paid for the pair.

I would buy one of the 50/1.4 lenses again today if I were starting fresh and needed a good first 50mm and wasn't going to hoard nearly all the Canon options like I have done already.

 

[Pioneer]

The 50/1.4 Canon is a super piece of glass...

I agree. I like mine and use it from time to time. In fact I suspect it gets more use than my actual Summilux, though I like that lens as well.

So many nice lenses, so little time...