Summilux asph f1.4/50mm or Hexanon Limited f1.2/50mm

[f16sunshine]

Not a dilemma as much as a strange and unexpected privilege...

After posting last week that I sold my last DRF.
Yesterday I got a call from my dealer that the 50mm Summilux asph that was ordered as part of an insurance settlement had arrived.
It's sort of an odd windfall as this lens replaces a user V3 50mm Lux that was stolen a nice lens but not a new Lux.

I still shoot film, in fact.. two rolls of 35mm in the last week (only one in the M5 though).
The Hexanon limited has been in my set for a few years yet it's rarely called upon.
At this point it's worth double what I paid and 3/4 the price of the new Leica asph so, a swap is justifiable.
I'm hanging on to this lens for the occasions I need it and the possibility (probability) of a future Leica Digital M. Not, for collector value or anything like that.
I can't keep both so now must decide. Should I go for the asph and sell the Hex limited?
The asph seems to be The 50mm as well it is a bit smaller than the Hex.
The Hex has a nice smooth focus feedback while I have read the Lux is a bit heavy.
I returned the 35 lux FLE as it felt quite heavy in the focus and was really not worth the added expense over other 35's I own.

Has anyone used both or compared both the asph 50mm and Hexanon limited 50mm?
There is one thread from "Hacker" here on the forum but little else in terms of analysis.
His thread has images and some analysis but, focusses mostly on the 60mm Hex.
Plenty of images from both to view online and both lenses perform beautifully. It makes it difficult to choose.
Please share experiences or opinions. I'm interested in others views of how to make a choice.
Maybe I should just sell them both and be done with these over fancy bits. 😕

 

[johannielscom]

Hi Andy,

I had the Hex at one time as well, with me it replaced a 50mm Lux that I found dissapointing in build quality.

Yet, the Hex was too big and I shot it rarely because of that.

Maybe you will shoot the Lux more because it's smaller? No harm in trying that for a few weeks, right? Suppose you can easily sell it for nearly the purchase price if it doesn't work out?

 

[f16sunshine]

Thanks Johan
I may just go pick it up and do a side by side comparison. I doubt the IQ or rather character will be as musc a deciding factor as ergonomics. I really did not like the feel of the double helicoid in the Summilux 35mm FLE when I had it. Especially in close where focus smooth focus ring is so much more critical. I hope the 50mm does not have so heavy of a focus action.

 

[johannielscom]

Can't say that I recall the M-Hex 50/1.2 as a heavy focuser, but it was a beast to haul around. I had it on an M5 to balance, but the combo was as big as an SLR.

Defeated the purpose of RF's a bit for me.

Sometimes I look at the M-Hexes online but prices have gone up since I sold mine and my wallet has gone empty at the same time so it's futile in fact. That, and they haven't shrunk either 😛