Leica Summarit 50 2.5 or a 50 1.4 Summilux v2?

[Captain Kidd]

Regarding the summilux, some of you have mentioned distortion and curved image, what is that exactly? Any examples to get an idea?

Thanks

 

[Erik van Straten]

Regarding the summilux, some of you have mentioned distortion and curved image, what is that exactly? Any examples to get an idea?

Here you see an example of barrel distortion from the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v2. Just look at the pavement edge.

Leica M3, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v2, Tmax100.

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Go to lens browsing here
select - SUMMILUX 50mm f/1.4 PRE ASPH (E46).
At very first page you'll see it in three portraits. The Swirl of bokeh. Some like it and call it Pertzval lens and asking $$$ for this lens. Some, including me, thinks it is the flaw. I could get this swirl with dirt cheap Helios FSU lens, I was getting it with older and cheaper Leitz made (Leica) 50mm lenses, but it is not something to be in the 1500$+ lens. IMO.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I was getting it with older and cheaper Leitz made (Leica) 50mm lenses, but it is not something to be in the 1500$+ lens.

It is the consequence of a complete correction of coma in a non-asperical lens.

However, I prefer a bit of coma instead of this distortion. The Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 (1959-1961) was distortion free.

Erik.

 

[Captain Kidd]

Thanks for that, I see the issue now, not sure it was something I would have ever noticed, mind you now I may find it hard not to.

 

[dof]

Hi Kevin,

There's lot's of solid advice here. I'll add that the more modern lens coatings of the Summarit bring an advantage in flare resistance over those in the Summilux V2.

I had a DR Summicron and sold it due to its high propensity to flare.

-J.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks for that, I see the issue now, not sure it was something I would have ever noticed, mind you now I may find it hard not to.

I find this issue for some reason more disturbing on a computer screen then on an analogue print.

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It is the consequence of a complete correction of coma in a non-asperical lens.

However, I prefer a bit of coma instead of this distortion. The Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1 (1959-1961) was distortion free.

Erik.

I checked HCB "Inner Silence" portraits this morning for background swirl and barrel distortions.
Coco Chanel portrait has very visible barrel distortion of interior trim in OOF background, but it is analog print 😉 and it is not something disturbing at all (to me). Also, here is absolutely none of the portraits in this book with swirl in bokeh. Is this defect most present if lens is wide open? It doesn't looks like HCB took portraits on maximum aperture.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I checked HCB "Inner Silence" portraits this morning for background swirl and barrel distortions.
Coco Chanel portrait has very visible barrel distortion of interior trim in OOF background, but it is analog print 😉 and it is not something disturbing at all (to me). Also, here is absolutely none of the portraits in this book with swirl in bokeh. Is this defect most present if lens is wide open? It doesn't looks like HCB took portraits on maximum aperture.

The only 50mm lenses I am sure about that Henri used them are: Elmar 50mm f/3.5, Summar 50mm f/2, Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 LTM, Summarit 50mm f/1.5, Summicron collapsible 50mm f/2 and Noctilux 50mm f/1.2.

I think he used for this particular portrait a Summicron 50mm f/2 collapsible. Many of his portraits were taken with this lens (and a lot of them wide open).

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

The only 50mm lenses I am sure about that Henri used them are: Elmar 50mm f/3.5, Summar 50mm f/2, Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 LTM, Summarit 50mm f/1.5, Summicron collapsible 50mm f/2 and Noctilux 50mm f/1.2.

I think he used for this particular portrait a Summicron 50mm f/2 collapsible. Many of his portraits were taken with this lens (and a lot of them wide open).

Erik.

How about Nikkor 50 1.4? He used it as well.
Some of the portraits in this book are soft, if not OOF. But I don't mind.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Personally I don't think he used a Nikkor, but of course it is not impossible that he did. He used Zeiss lenses in LTM in the years after WW2.

Erik.

 

[agoglanian]

I am using the 50 Summarit 2.4 currently and I quite like it to be honest. It’s a great size and the rendering is quite nice paired with my 28mm Elmarit ASPH.

 

[Ronald M]

Summilux has lots of barrel distortion and not that sharp to 5.6 or 8. I rate it a dog.
The big advantage is little to no coma in pics with light sources. I kept my 1.5 Summarit until I found a current `lux.

Since it is not that great wide open and has barrel distortion that does not go away,
but the 2.5 Summarit

 

[huntjump]

to add further confusion, have you considered the zeiss sonnar ? If you can deal with the focus shift, its a really fast, compact 50 with a signature look. Price isn't too bad either