Summilux 50: Asph or not?

closer distance

closer distance

The closer min f.d. is why I went to the v3 as well. And probably 1/3rd or so of shots, especially indoors, are probably within the .7 to 1m range.

However, I've been able to live with ~1m with the 35 lux, even though there are many other lenses going to .7m, and also my most used 28 is one that only focuses to 1m, not one I have that goes down to .7m.

And, I don't crop, so somehow I think with a 1m distance, you learn to adjust your style. I know when I'm shooting the cat, in a tubular position, I re-adjust my angles and bracket DOF to get the least amount of external clutter around the edges, and still come out with great photos without cropping at 1m.

With the tighter faster focus of the v3, you have to be much more careful with focus wide open and up close, you can't twitch at all. If I change any settings or move my eye away, I always go back and re-focus. The long throw of the v2 is especially nice if you're going back and forth with a 75/1.4 lux which also has the long throw.

Damaso said:
Thanks for the kind words. I have the v2 and desperately want the v3. For me the closer focusing distance is really important, I've also heard the throw on the v3 is shorter and I like the idea of a built in hood, even if it is not quite as good as the detachable one on my v2. IN reality both lenses are great but when you shoot as much as I do the little details become increasingly important...

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I shoot a lot of indoors and the 0.7m is a real advantage.
I find myself many times "focusing" with my feet/neck while the lens is at its closest focusing distance.
The shorter focus throw is something I can live with as long as it is smooth and stiff.
So... v3 then.
But, now I hear there is a v4 as well.
I'm confused.
Is there a good reference to all the 50/1.4 Summiluxes versions out there?
 
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ampguy said:
With the tighter faster focus of the v3, you have to be much more careful with focus wide open and up close, you can't twitch at all. If I change any settings or move my eye away, I always go back and re-focus. The long throw of the v2 is especially nice if you're going back and forth with a 75/1.4 lux which also has the long throw.
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Interesting. I tend to nearly always adjust between shots so I think I can live with that, for me it is much more frustrating the amount of "time" it takes to get from one end of the focusing scale to the other. If and when i ever get a version 3 I will have to note the differences in shooting!

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i'd go with the asph for the smooth bokeh. just try different films, developers, or papers to find a "look" you like.
 
There were only three versions the last two apparently have the same optical "formula" but of course has the built in hood and focuses down to .7m

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This is an interesting thread and I hadn't really thought about this yet.

I have to kind of agree with Tim, the 50mm Lux ASPH and the 21mm Biogon ZM T* are the only 2 lenses that haven't let me down. I really like both of these lenses! And contrary to another users comment, my focusing tab does not feel gritty.

In describing the 50mm Lux ASPH 3 things come to mind:

1.) Low flare
2.) Great color
3.) Very sharp

A lot of my other glass has flared often on me. A lot of it also Leica glass... Another point is that the area of sharpness is often times not very good on the other 50mm. I have to admit that I have not used another version of the 50mm Lux, but I have used a lot of other 50s.

JP
 
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