dragon64
Newbie
Hi everybody, how do you rate the summilux 50 lens, havent used the one i just bought one today, have been using the 35 summaron with goggles and the 90 elmar on my m3, and am very happy with them, thanks in advance for the replies
summilux 50 1.4
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I have only liked everything I have seen from a summilux. In fact, I really want one. I think you have to get out and enjoy it, you will be happy. If not, shoot me an email. 😉
Flyfisher Tom
Well-known
If you are talking about the pre-asph summilux, it is an excellent portrait lens. Not as sharp as the summicron, but certainly no slouch either. The 43mm filter version and the 46mm pre-asph version are the same optical formula. The former was Erwitt's favorite lens for decades.
Congrats 🙂
Congrats 🙂
N
Nick R.
Guest
If you've been using a summaron with goggles, you shouldn't mind the larger size of a Summilux when compared with a Summicron, for example.
gregg
Well-known
I have the last pre-asph version (46mm w/built-in hood) and it pretty much stays glued to one of my M6s. Sharp and contrasty with great OOF areas. I can't compare it to the ASPH version but after two years I have no complaints. Many of my gallery pics (including the entire Mexico series) were taken with this lens.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
I have the last pre-ASPH model and think it's a great lens. Very resistant to flare, sharp and gorgeous bokeh.
The Type 3 has a very short focus throw, which really does make operation noticeably faster, compared to other lenses I own. Originally the Lux was geared towards reportage photographers and really represents a perfect balance of many desirable features for that type of work.
The latest 2/50 Summicron has a little more bite at f2 and is a little sharper in the corners up to about f5.6, but you'll be hard pressed to notice, unless you start shooting test charts. On the other hand the Lux is noticeably more flare resistant.
There are three different optical formulas of this lens:
50mm F1.4 Summilux 1959-1961 - Type 1 SN#1,645,300-1,844,000
This version was only made for two years and was replaced by Type 2 which featured a new optical computation and increased performance (especially at 1.4).
50mm F1.4 Summilux 1962-1994 - Type 2 SN#1,844,001-N/A
This is the most common version of the Lux. This optical formula was in production for over 40 years until the arrival of the ASPH model and is very, very good. This version with the clip on hood focuses as close as 1 meter (100cm).
50mm F1.4 Summilux-M 1995 - 2005/6 - Type 3 SN# ???
Same optical formula as Type 2, but a built in collapsible hood (which doesn't lock in place!:bang: ) and now focuses to .7 meters (70cm). This is the version I have and I prefer the ability to focus closer. Performance is identical to Type 2.
50mm F1.4 Summilux-M ASPH 2006 - present Type 4 SN# ???
A totally new optical formula with ASPH technology and a floating element for increased close focus performance. Reportedly this is the highest performing 50mm lens ever made for 35mm photography. Cost: circa $2700 dollars.
The Type 3 has a very short focus throw, which really does make operation noticeably faster, compared to other lenses I own. Originally the Lux was geared towards reportage photographers and really represents a perfect balance of many desirable features for that type of work.
The latest 2/50 Summicron has a little more bite at f2 and is a little sharper in the corners up to about f5.6, but you'll be hard pressed to notice, unless you start shooting test charts. On the other hand the Lux is noticeably more flare resistant.
There are three different optical formulas of this lens:
50mm F1.4 Summilux 1959-1961 - Type 1 SN#1,645,300-1,844,000
This version was only made for two years and was replaced by Type 2 which featured a new optical computation and increased performance (especially at 1.4).
50mm F1.4 Summilux 1962-1994 - Type 2 SN#1,844,001-N/A
This is the most common version of the Lux. This optical formula was in production for over 40 years until the arrival of the ASPH model and is very, very good. This version with the clip on hood focuses as close as 1 meter (100cm).
50mm F1.4 Summilux-M 1995 - 2005/6 - Type 3 SN# ???
Same optical formula as Type 2, but a built in collapsible hood (which doesn't lock in place!:bang: ) and now focuses to .7 meters (70cm). This is the version I have and I prefer the ability to focus closer. Performance is identical to Type 2.
50mm F1.4 Summilux-M ASPH 2006 - present Type 4 SN# ???
A totally new optical formula with ASPH technology and a floating element for increased close focus performance. Reportedly this is the highest performing 50mm lens ever made for 35mm photography. Cost: circa $2700 dollars.
Last edited:
furcafe
Veteran
There's also a footnote to your Type 3: the special LTM version produced for Lemon Camera in Japan in 1999 (excess were sold outside of Japan). It's optically identical to the the Type 3 but does not focus as close (only 0.9m).
Harry Lime said:
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
I love mine immensely. It's also the pre-asph E46 version. It's on my M6 95% of the time ever since I got it.
M
Magus
Guest
Post deleted by posters request
peter_n
Veteran
I have the 2nd version 43mm which makes beautiful pictures. But I am very distressed because the lens has been with DAG for a CLA for nearly 8 weeks now. 🙁
Ben Z
Veteran
dragon64 said:
I hope you have a money-back trial period, in the highly unlikely case you don't happen to like it 😱 I like mine and use it for what I bought it: low light, fast film, usually fairly slow shutter speeds, handheld. In that case I didn't see a wink of difference when I shot it against the ASPH. For critical detail, or using slow slide film, tripod etc. I've got the Summicron. The only niggling feature of the Summilux is that it needs specific 43mm filters or else the hood won't fit.
T
Todd.Hanz
Guest
I had a 2nd E43 version, creamy, smooth and oh so delicous bokeh, I need another!
Flyfisher Tom
Well-known
Gabriel,
I hope you realize that a lot of us had childhood clown phobias 😉
I hope you realize that a lot of us had childhood clown phobias 😉
Ronald M
Veteran
DAG will answer e-mail promptly. I never got anything back fsster than 8 weeks except recamed R lense which he would set and do weekly.
Monz
Monz
A late 1970's 50mm 'lux came with my M6. Its a great lens: fast, small, generally sharp (but not as sharp wide open as the summicron, I've been told). Its a good compromise between speed, sharpness and size. Its my most used lens.
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Monz
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Monz
nikon_junkie
Established
I have the '59-'61 version and love it. Just has a special signature to it. Need to find a titanium M6 to match it since I have/am sold/selling my M3 bodies. Looks funky on a black M6.
Nearly lost my mind and bid up to $2300 for a Noct the other day. Would hate to have sold it to pay for a moment of insanity.
Nearly lost my mind and bid up to $2300 for a Noct the other day. Would hate to have sold it to pay for a moment of insanity.
peter_n
Veteran
OT: He has emailed me with the news that my stuff will be back next week. I have three lenses and a body with him so I'm kind of in withdrawal. 😉 And my back-up body has just broken... 🙁Ronald M said:
What are you doing to that stuff Peter?
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
lol -- sorry guys, I guess you're not familiar with the guy. He's not as photogenic as, say, Lex Luthor or Dr. Doom.Flyfisher Tom said:
I've changed it to a slightly more gentle one 😉
peter_n
Veteran
One of the M7s is at DAGs to have a lens matched with it. I sent it just in case there was some calibration required, nothing wrong with the cam.rover said:
The M6TTL backup hasn't been used, simple as that, and the bayonet mount lock isn't working. I'll probably get that fixed locally.
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