View Full Version : 50 summilux black paint
Flyfisher Tom
12-02-2006, 14:19
Anyone have one? What do you think of the ergonomics of the scalloped focus ring? Any regrets?
Thanks
dreamsandart
12-02-2006, 15:32
Hi Tom,
I had one here in the classifieds for awhile without any takers. So, kind of thought I'd just keep it as I like the dense feeling of the brass mount, and the scalloped focus ring does give a different tactile feel. I bought it 'on impulse', as I was leaving a friend's camera shop after picking it up just to check it out, he mentioned a price and I just went for it.
Being the most recent pre-ASPH mount it has the shorter focus throw, and a built-in hood. Although a long time older (43 filter thread) 50 Summilux user this version for these couple reasons may be faster to use. Along with the closer .7m focus and best lens coatings on a pre-ASPH it is different than the older version even if its the same glass.
The black paint finish was an after thought for me, although it does look nice on my BP M4.
I really have enough 50s, if you are interested in the lens drop an email my way.
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Magus:
Let us see your excellent work. Let your work tell the story.
For those of us who really know photography it's obvious who the BS artists are. I'm not trying to be harsh with anyone but some people make some rediculous statements. It's not hard to see who knows and who likes to talk the talk.
Let's see your work.
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Opinions are like certain unnamed parts of the anatomy, everyone has one. It's very difficult to respect opinions from those that can't make a decent image. One in particular is Erwin Puts. Im not here to attack anyone but how can anyone judge anything other than by numbers if that person can't even use the equipment to some level of competence. A lens or camera can't be judged unless it's used to some level close to it's full potential. To simply make broad statements based on extractions from sometning that someone read is not thoughtfull writing.
I mean no disrespect for anyone here but it's crystal clear who knows what. If any of us want respect we better be prepared to back up our words with more than just words.
Flyfisher Tom
12-04-2006, 14:14
The MTF for the lux 50 seems quite good at photodo, weighted 4.2 versus 4.6 of the summicron.
MCTuomey
12-04-2006, 16:46
Tom, I haven't had my 50/1.4 pre-asph very long, but it's a keeper for me. It's well balanced in every way - sharpness, contrast, bokeh. Handling, too. The focus ring works well for me. Nice width. Combined with the scalloping and the throw, it seems to snap into focus very nicely.
Re: the dumb built-in hood. I fit an elastic hair band around it to discourage unwanted retraction. Works well. Pink or yellow is stunning on black, btw.
Have the latest version of this lens and I love to use it. I would definitely recommend either the old brass BP version or the newest ASPH 50 Summilux BP over any black anodized version.
I might have to change my handle to "Born Again BP"
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I stand by my statements, if you can't drive a car or take a decent picture you can't make a honest critical evaluation. Puting ones work where ones mouth is applies to all of us. Talk is cheap and anyone can be an internet expert if they have a loud enough voice. No experience required on the internet.
Put your work out there so everyone can see it.
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Gentlemen, thank you for your comments, but it is time for us all to take a deep breath and get back on topic.
No more pointing fingers, no more talking about each other, this is just leading to some flaming.
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Magus one thing you need to consider and I hope I am being impartial here, is that however sincerely you hold an opinion if it is contrary to that of another then the credentials’ of both parties are the only thing an observer has to asses their relative values, if you don’t allow that it is simply contradiction.
To that end x-ray’s point had merit even if the tone was harsh and rover’s comments seem legitimate to me in light of that.
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There simply needs to be line where an agreement to disagree is made and furthering the conversation along the line of confrontation needs to be avoided. I am not saying who is right or wrong, I am simply asking that the conversation be directed back on topic.
I’m not denying you logic and you are correct in the letter of what you claim, however you hold strong opinions and regularly state them so assertively that the spirit is easily misunderstood, it is that I am pointing out.
I for one along with, I think, the majority here would not make a value judgment of a photo posted to illustrate a technical point or the characteristics of a lens, I was not proposing a competition with x-ray on a creative level.
There simply needs to be line where an agreement to disagree is made and furthering the conversation along the line of confrontation needs to be avoided. I am not saying who is right or wrong, I am simply asking that the conversation be directed back on topic.
Sorry missed that; I’ll shut up now
This is all happening LIVE Sparrow, no problem.
And may I add, I am very close to starting my motions to purchase a 50 Lux. I know I will be happy with the pre asph version, and I think if prices look good I will go for a more recent 46mm threaded lens. Cosmeticly the black paint version is a beauty, but depending how much funds I raise I may go with the standard version.
Well, back on topic, 50mm lenses are evil! Now turns off thread subscription and runs for the photo gallery. :)
Well, back on topic, 50mm lenses are evil! Now turns off thread subscription and runs for the photo gallery. :)
They are evil, but oh so wonderfully evil. I have to sell a couple to get this one, and I have made my choice based on all of the images I have seen in the galleries here and elsewhere. So, yes, off to the gallery, and avoid the classifieds as best you can.
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Joe used to have a shoe box full of 35mm lenses.
35's are evil as well. I have serious lust for the BP 35 Summicron. As soon as the toy fund is rebuilt there is one on my future. :Angel:
get your funds fast, I may have your 35 summicron for sale soon.
Gabriel M.A.
12-05-2006, 09:26
Joe used to have a shoe box full of 35mm lenses.
I thought he hadn't warmed up (heh) to the 50mm; last thing I heard, he tried, but wasn't convinced. He likes his 25mm far better now, doesn't he?
I love my 50's, and that CZJ 85mm f/2 ::drool:: I think only the Canon 85 f/1.5, if as light and compact as the 135 f/3.5, would be ... ::wiping drool::
But fast 50mm lenses are my catnip ;)
[snip] I am very close to starting my motions to purchase a 50 Lux. I know I will be happy with the pre asph version, and I think if prices look good I will go for a more recent 46mm threaded lens.You're OK with the attached hood? :eek:
Better than the focusing tab on the beloved 35 summicron.
Flyfisher Tom
12-05-2006, 13:15
Evil is spreading from my 50 lux to 35mm.
I've developed a bad GAS to trade my 35 'cron for a 35 'lux (any version), simply because of my perceived Need for Speed - probably a wrong perception.
I am fighting this GAS by thinking about all the good things my 35 'cron had done for me... and there is no way I can get rid of the old companion 'cron.:D
Don't trade it Jackson ... I looked at your gallery, and you've done some excellent work with that lens in low-light conditions :) I particularly like the lamp post in winter shot.
whats being going on here? I normally cause trouble and all this happened without me being involved? How unfair!
Magus and Xray both have a point and there is room for both.
As for the cold question of which lens is 'better' optically, it is a truth that exists independent of any opinion when it somes to resoulution and contrast at least. Whether an individual can extract that extra performance is a different issue. To be able to comment on the comparative aspects of lenses you do not need to be a master photographer, but to be able to comment on whether it matters to a person considering such a choice, you do need to be credible. These are two quite seperate issues which tend to blend together in most discussions.
A person who is a poor photographer may be able to say, er, yes lens X is sharper than lens Y but if the images are poor that improvement is not going to help them. That improvement in performance may be exploitable by a better shooter but the original comments by the 'poor phototgrapher' were still correct. I say this not because I know anything about Magus's image making ability, but simply because a 'non-'master's' comments cannot be dismissed simply because they are not living off their art. The key issue is whether the prson making the comment is credible and that to me means objectivity not artistic merit.
Xray is quite right in that these differences in lens performance are often rendered irrelevant by the photographers role in all of this, but the thing with lenses 'assessment' is that it is an 'all things being equal (incl the user) the better lens produces technically better results regardless of what you think of the final image!
I find it amusing that so many obsessive Leicaphiles are terrible photographers but that does not mean that they are not genuinely using the best gear - different issues!
I may get a 50 lux asph eventually with another body as part of the LHSA MP3 kit as it is cheaper (buying grey) to do this than buying a MP, Leicavit and the same lens. I also look fwd to handing it to my sons along with my other 'enduring' kit. I fully expect it to be better at f1.4 than my current f2 planar ;) I know apart from the extra stop it will not be significantly better in practical terms if at all. I however will be buying it for that extra stop and because I want one cos they look nice. I will then proceed to use the hell out of it.
I quite like my images. I like the sharper ones better too even when it is imaginary!
exploiting....extracting...yada yada yada. what happened to plain old, honest ENJOYing? after a certain, fairly accessible point, it's just icing on the cake.
Yes I agree Ghost, but for some the camera part is as much a pleasure as the photography part. I have heard the horror stories from those whon have gone to camera clubs thinking they were concerned with photography! Some just love the lens testing and analysing microcontrast X degree off centre under flourescent versus moon light and there is nothing wrong with this. Their findings may not matter to us but that is our call. I dont get p1ssed that 'weird' people look into the dull stuff for me as occassionally i just happen to need their help on something. Its a community and it takes all sorts. Often they help make my decisions all the easier as at least objective testing aims to remove variables so you can rely on something. We all have different interests.
Our not feeling that differences are important does not change whether these differences exist or not. I largely agree with you, but that does not change the answer to the question, only our inclinaion to give a toss. The two very different things. This was not a thread about whether optical performance matters to photographic art fopr petes sake. It was a question about whether the 50 1.4 is a good performer at wide apertures only some seem to be intent on telling the asker (indirectly) that they should not care. They have every right to ask the question and expect direct helpful answers (whether we think he should care or not), not smoke.
Changing the subject a wee bit, what does a black 50 Summilux ASPH weigh? The Leica site has the black chrome at over 300 grams (it does not stipulate but I assume this weight is for the balck aluminium one)...does that mean the BP brass version is over 400!!?? Crickey. Thats another issue
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My argument comes down to whether the persom shooting can make an true judgement of a lens if that shooter can't make photographs that reflect the true quality of a lens. If the shooter isn't a good technician then it might be that persons lack of technique rather than a failing of the lens. If you can't technically execute a photograph well then you can't evauate a lens. I too often see images that show the problem with the lens is not the lens but the photographer. This is what I'm getting at. I particularly remember one illustrating the virtues of the 35 summilux pre asph. It was a photo looking across the side of an old brick castle or building looking into a valley on a very flat overcast day. The contrast of the image was very low and the image wasn't particularly sharp especially at the corner. That person raved about the summilux which immediately told me they didn't know a fine quality image from a poor one. If you can't produce a fine image whether a master piece or not you can't truly evaluate the quality of a lens. It's not creativity it's technique and the ability to know the quality of an image when one sees it. You can't evaluate anythign based on flawed data, the photograph.
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I still want one as I have heard the 50 ASPH has significantly better sychronous polychromatic micromodulation than the ZM Planar I currently own. My images could definitely benefit from an improvement in this regard;) I am still convinced of imminent photographic greatness so I will clearly be able to retrospectively justify my ridiculous excesses.
35mmdelux
12-12-2006, 09:22
Evil is spreading from my 50 lux to 35mm.
I've developed a bad GAS to trade my 35 'cron for a 35 'lux (any version), simply because of my perceived Need for Speed - probably a wrong perception.
I am fighting this GAS by thinking about all the good things my 35 'cron had done for me... and there is no way I can get rid of the old companion 'cron.:D
The 35mm Summicron is one of the best lenses ever - the epitimy of Leica - AND if traded should only be traded for a 35mm Lux Aspherical.
turtle, i was responding to x-ray's comments. who's imagining things, now?
while we're on the subject, isn't it odd to be concerned about the optical quality of a lens from the premier camera lens manufacturer? if it's not good enough for you, you're out of luck! if the lens in question was...$20, i would understand.
MCTuomey
12-13-2006, 18:09
You're OK with the attached hood? :eek:
i borrowed a hair band from my son's girl friend that keeps that darn hood from retracting all the time ...
but i love mine otherwise :D
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