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My Journey into Leica...

A path not to be taken lightly, not without reservations, and not without dedication, but the results can be sweet, OH SO SWEET!  This is a documentation of my trials and tribulations into the world of Leica Rangefinder Photography, and I hope you'll enjoy coming along with me.

If You Only Want To See Images

Leica 50mm Summilux ASPH

8/24/2012

3 Comments

 
Picture
Just about 3 months ago, I posted the unboxing video of this lens that I've bought used from an internet forum.  I was so excited, because of the endless praises it had received, with some even touted it to be the "best 50mm lens ever made".  Now that I've had ample time to use it almost everyday, I feel that I can finally make a judgement and share some of my thoughts on this lens.

There's an old saying: "Good, fast, or cheap -- pick any two."  While it may hold true for most things, I believe the 50'Lux could well be the exception to that rule.  Although it isn't exactly cheap, it is certainly affordable, or obtainable, if you really think you want it and willing to save for it.  With a max aperture of f/1.4, it definitely fulfills the name that it was given ("summi" = maximum, "lux" = light), and it's only bested by the Noctilux ("nocti" = night) in the Leica line of 50mm lenses.  Just how good is it?

Picture
It's so good, that it makes its price tag seem cheap.  There are plenty of technical reviews out on the internet about this lens, so I won't attempt to regurgitate the same truths.  Since 50mm is my favorite focal length, I have tried quite a few other 50mm lenses before.  With each previous lens, there's always something more that I desired from the lens.  However, I'm truly 100% satisfied with the 50'Lux that I no longer have any desire to even look at another 50mm lens.  It's got plenty of speed to allow me to take shots in a low-light situation, and still maintain the sharpness shooting at the maximum aperture (which I do all the time).  I have noticed some CA (chromatic aberration) when shooting wide-open, but it's not as bad as some other lenses that I've seen.  If you look through my gallery pictures, then you'll know that this 50'Lux is practically glued to my M9.  The bokeh is creamy and pleasing.
Picture
Ergonomically, the black version I own is made of lightweight aluminum (instead of brass in the chrome version), it's light and balance well on the M9.  The focus throw is about 1/3 of the circle, as you can see from the image above, from 0.7m to infinity.  When using the concave focus tab with my index finger, I can easily reach both end of the focus range.  Perhaps the built-in pull out hood will leave something to be desired, but I find it convenient and have not noticed any problems with flares.

Other Leica lenses have been marked as APO (apochromat, like the latest 50mm APO Summicron), and FLE (floating element, like the 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE), because that's the only way to distinguish the lenses from their predecessors.  You will be happy to know that this 50'Lux is both of the APO and FLE design.  Many will say that they prefer the old lens rendering from the designs of Dr. Walter Mandler, instead of the more clinically modern designs by Peter Karbe, current leader of the Leica Optical Design Team.  However, you'll find the 50'Lux still retain some of the old-world look while producing amazing sharpness, and that's probably why it's crowned the "best 50mm lens ever made".  It's a lens to own for a lifetime, for sure.

Final note: if you wish to shoot wide-open during day time, consider buying a ND-filter, which I have already documented [HERE].
3 Comments
Mark link
4/18/2017 12:38:32 pm

Hello David,

Just wanted to send a reminder that the Gaviota Coast Photo Contest is running through May 1st.

This contest has a $1000 best of show prize and a $20 entry fee for up to 10 images. You can enter online or send me the photos and I will post them for you. You can post photos any time during the contest period.

Information about the contest is posted here: http://sbtrails.org/photography

Proceeds from the contest will be used to complete the Baron Ranch Trail spanning 7 miles from the entrance to the ranch, just north of Hwy 101, to the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains in the Los Padres National Forest — an area historically inaccessible to the public.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,


Mark Wilkinson
Executive Director

Santa Barbara County Trails Council

805.708.6173

Reply
Boris link
10/17/2017 08:09:03 am

Hi David, I was watching your (fairly old) used M9 unboxing video, and back then you had a Zeiss 50mm Sonnar. I'm thinking about buying my first Leica M (used), whilst I'm almost certain I'll get a 35mm Cron/Summarit at some point, wondering if I should bite the bullet and get a 50mm Lux/Cron, or just buy the Sonnar for some old school rendering.

Reply
David Young
10/17/2017 09:59:13 am

Hi Boris, thanks for visiting and congrats on your decision to go for an used Leica. It's been 5 years, but the 50Lux remains my favorite lens, as it is the only lens I would keep if I had to sell all my lenses. While I liked the rendering of the Sonnar, it did have a well documented focus shift on Leica digital sensors. I think purchasing used 35Cron and 50Lux will be a great start... make sure they have the 6-bit coding and let the camera do its own adjustment in camera before you import the raw.

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    David Young
    Photography has been such a life changing revelation to me at late 30s.  I'm hooked, and yearns for more!

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