Summilux 50 PreAsph V2 vs. modern Summicron 50

[awilder]

Thanks to an active interest of 50 mm lenses on RFF classifieds, I've had the opportunity to own every modern and near modern 50 Leica's made at one time or another as well as the ZM C-Sonnar. This includes the a few 50 'crons: both 11817 & 11819 (with and without the tab), a few 50 'lux (pre-asph V2 & V3), one each of the following: 50 ASPH. 'lux, 50/1 (E60) and the 50/2.8 Elmar-M. All have be used for straight shooting as well as tested objectively on USAF resolution test charts for imaging characteristics. The only lens that meets or exceeds the current 'cron is obviously the ASPH 'lux. This lens performs at least one stop better than the 'cron so at f/1.4 it's as good or better than the 'cron wide open. At f/2 through f/4 it's better than the 'cron. Centrally the pre-asph. 'lux is about on par with the both 'crons at f/2 but from mid-field on out it's less sharp until about f/8 due to greater curvature of field and other aberrations. Central performance of the V2 pre-asph. 'lux exceeds both 'crons from f/2.8 and smaller but suffers a little at f/1.4 in comparison. My single V3 was far worse than any V2 but I attribute that to poor quality control as the lens, despite being near new, had some play in the mount and rf accuracy issues that couldn't be easily fixed according to repair expert Sherry Krauter. The C-Sonnar performed nicely from f/2.8 down but spherical aberration at wider openning is quite apparent in softening the image.

 

[JRG]

@ awilder:

"Centrally the pre-asph. 'lux is about on par with the both 'crons at f/2 but ..." Nice detailed report; thank you!

But just to be clear: Did you detect, in these assessments, any difference between the E43 and E46 versions of the pre-Asph 50 'Lux?

 

[awilder]

The V2 is the same lens as the E43 and the V3 is the same as the E46. Please read the comments on the V3 near the end of my response. Others appear to have better luck with their E46 so I would only consider buying one (given it's cost) with a return option.

 

[TJV]

I think that for black and white the C Sonnar seems a perfect second 50mm to use when the new Summicron is a bit "sharp." I like to shoot my B/W Tri-X or HP5+ at pushed speeds, usually 800 or 1250ISO for increased contrast etc and the grain would hide any possible user focus error nicely.
For colour I think the new LuxASPH would suit me best.
Tim

 

[awilder]

Tim what you say sounds correct, but realistically, how may 50's can you afford? I think if you had deep pockets, narrow it down to the 50 ASPH 'lux and the C-Sonnar since the 'cron differs little from the ASPH 'lux except for speed.