James R
Member
Coming back to Leica after many years. I'm wondering how big a difference there is between the old Lux and the ASPH version? Other than price!
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Yes. I think the 80's Summiluxes only focus down to 1m compared to .7 for the ASPH and the last pre-ASPH version. The ASPH is also better close in due to it's floating element. It's also sharper wide open. Bigger too.
Some people seem to like the pre-ASPH for portraits. I'd rather have the ASPH - it's great at all distances and apertures. It's not the best at all distances and apertures, but it's close. I think the Elmar-M might be better at .7m. 😀 But not enough to matter.
Yes the late 70s early 80s v2 pre-asph is a sweet little compact lens whose only draw back is the 1m close focus. I prefer the ASPH version, but any pre-asph is a sweet lens....and they cost way less than the newer ASPH version. The pre-asph is very impressionistic in its rendering, almost like a sonnar. The ASPH has a painterly rendering too, but the backgrounds are not quite as tonally washed out as they are with a pre-asph. Check the M-mount group on flickr for image samples of these lenses.
I'm new to the Leica rangefinder sytem. I currently own the e46 version III. (1995-96) production which I bought used from B&H for $1495 which was listed in 9+ Condition. I don't know if I overpaid, but I'm very happy with my copy. It's by far, the sharpest and most contrasty 50mm lens I've ever used. I can't imagine anything sharper, but apparently the newer aspherical version is. 🙂