50mm preasph lux? which one is I and II ?

[proenca]

Cheers people,

Im after a 50mm lux pre asph II, all the photos I-ve seen from it, bokeh and signature wise, made me weep ( well my credit card to be honest )

But on the search for it, I found at least two types, for example >

Leica M 50mm Summilux Serial # 3690199 has 46mm filter size

but this one

Leica M 50 mm Summilux Serial # 3590153 has a 43mm filter size and does look "older" ( although its mint )

So I assume that the 46mm filter sized one is the II and the 43mm is the I ? There is a page to verify the serial number and to see if its a I or a II ? both are good? or any particular things about I or II? pretty much all the photos I-ve seen from the 50'lux pre/asph II are gorgeous

Thank you for the help as usual .)

[nikon_junkie]

I had the version #1 and can email you a few images. Loved it and regret selling it.

Can't speak for the newer glass, but if you choose not to go the version 1 route let me know where to find it.

[Harry Lime]

There are three different optical formulas of this lens:

50mm F1.4 Summilux 1959-1961 - Type 1 SN#1,645,300-1,844,000
This version was only made for two years and was replaced by Type 2, which featured a new optical computation and increased performance (especially at 1.4).

50mm F1.4 Summilux 1962-1994 - Type 2 SN#1,844,001-N/A
This is the most common version of the Lux. This optical formula was in production for over 40 years until the arrival of the ASPH model and is very, very good. This version with the clip on hood focuses as close as 1 meter (100cm).

50mm F1.4 Summilux-M 1995 - 2005/6 - Type 3 SN# ???
Same optical formula as Type 2, but a built in collapsible hood (which doesn't lock in place! ) and now focuses to .7 meters (70cm). This is the version I have and I prefer the ability to focus closer. Performance is identical to Type 2. Same optical formula as Type#2

50mm F1.4 Summilux-M ASPH 2006 - present Type 4 SN# ???
A totally new optical formula with ASPH technology and a floating element for increased close up performance. Reportedly this is the highest performing 50mm lens ever made for 35mm photography. Cost: circa $2700 dollars.

[MikeL]

Harry, I think your post should be a sticky.

[Biggles]

Type 2, 43mm filter thread, chrome, circa 1964:



Wide-open:

[JNewell]

To circle back on a question in the original post, the filter size for the "type 2" below is E43, and the filter size for the "type 3" is E46.

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

There are three different optical formulas of this lens:

50mm F1.4 Summilux 1959-1961 - Type 1 SN#1,645,300-1,844,000
This version was only made for two years and was replaced by Type 2, which featured a new optical computation and increased performance (especially at 1.4).

50mm F1.4 Summilux 1962-1994 - Type 2 SN#1,844,001-N/A
This is the most common version of the Lux. This optical formula was in production for over 40 years until the arrival of the ASPH model and is very, very good. This version with the clip on hood focuses as close as 1 meter (100cm).

50mm F1.4 Summilux-M 1995 - 2005/6 - Type 3 SN# ???
Same optical formula as Type 2, but a built in collapsible hood (which doesn't lock in place! ) and now focuses to .7 meters (70cm). This is the version I have and I prefer the ability to focus closer. Performance is identical to Type 2. Same optical formula as Type#2

50mm F1.4 Summilux-M ASPH 2006 - present Type 4 SN# ???
A totally new optical formula with ASPH technology and a floating element for increased close up performance. Reportedly this is the highest performing 50mm lens ever made for 35mm photography. Cost: circa $2700 dollars.

[Avotius]

my looking very very hard for the so called latest pre asph with the 46mm filter mount, the older ones are said to be the same except the older coatings (which I dont know is it makes a difference or not) and the 1 meter minimum focus. Also I see them on ebay going fro around 700-800 so no problem finding one, but I would be careful since it is an older lens, make sure you get a good one

[pmu]

I just bought version 2 summilux (43mm filter thread). I was wondering:

is there any other clip-on hoods than Leica's own? There is 43mm threaded hoods on ebay, but in that case I couldn't use uv-filter... well, actually I never use uv-filters anyway... What would you do?

[nikon_junkie]

Hope that wasn't your Lux I just swiped... I'll send samples of my earlier lens in awhile.

[peter_n]

Originally Posted by pmu

I just bought version 2 summilux (43mm filter thread). I was wondering:

is there any other clip-on hoods than Leica's own? There is 43mm threaded hoods on ebay, but in that case I couldn't use uv-filter... well, actually I never use uv-filters anyway... What would you do?

I use the eBay non-vented threaded hoods on almost all of my Leica lenses. They are excellent.

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

There are three different optical formulas of this lens:

50mm F1.4 Summilux 1959-1961 - Type 1 SN#1,645,300-1,844,000
This version was only made for two years and was replaced by Type 2, which featured a new optical computation and increased performance (especially at 1.4).

50mm F1.4 Summilux 1962-1994 - Type 2 SN#1,844,001-N/A
This is the most common version of the Lux. This optical formula was in production for over 40 years until the arrival of the ASPH model and is very, very good. This version with the clip on hood focuses as close as 1 meter (100cm).

50mm F1.4 Summilux-M 1995 - 2005/6 - Type 3 SN# ???
Same optical formula as Type 2, but a built in collapsible hood (which doesn't lock in place! ) and now focuses to .7 meters (70cm). This is the version I have and I prefer the ability to focus closer. Performance is identical to Type 2. Same optical formula as Type#2

50mm F1.4 Summilux-M ASPH 2006 - present Type 4 SN# ???
A totally new optical formula with ASPH technology and a floating element for increased close up performance. Reportedly this is the highest performing 50mm lens ever made for 35mm photography. Cost: circa $2700 dollars.

This is what I say (including Zen Shooter), but most people insist on lumping the 1962-1994 and 1995-2005 versions together into "Version II", and this is what confuses the hell out of people. The 1995-2005 version (E46) is very different construction-wise from the Version II lens, although the optical formula is reportedly the same, yet the Version III (yes, Version III, pre-asph) has "improved" coatings and you can close-focus down to 0.7 meters. Physically, and in some practical ways, it's a different version.

This one is the oddball in Leica nomenclature.

[proenca]

Gabriel, thank you .) after all this talk and few dozen's of Flickr's emails ( you got one by the way, gorgeous photos - you use v2 or v3 ? ) I got into that conclusion...

Anyway, i have a problem.. Harry Lime description is fantastic but I found one Summilux 50 1.4 that doesnt fit that description :

Is 46mm filter thread, doesnt have a collapsible hood and it looks like an ASPH.. is certainly not a v2 ( i looked into a v2 and they are different ) and doesnt fit the v3 bill... what is it ?

[proenca]

by the way, should I expect the same "creamy dreamy" bokeh from a v3 than a v2 ?

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by proenca

Is 46mm filter thread, doesnt have a collapsible hood and it looks like an ASPH.. is certainly not a v2 ( i looked into a v2 and they are different ) and doesnt fit the v3 bill... what is it ?

???? Do you have a photo of it? (and yes, although the v2 is a little "softer" in the oof areas, and therefore "creamier", I think this may be due to the coatings, and something desirable for all-B&W work)

[proenca]

well this is it >




is it a v3 or a vwhatever ?

and this i belive is a V2 no ? similar to yours ?



is there any risks ( apart from the obvious ones ) buying a v2 ? is there loads of lemons ? should I be better and buy a v3 (because its newer) or its safe to buy a v2 ? im ordering online, cant see the lens beforehand, both seem mint though

[maddoc]

Now I have a question about the Summilux 50mm vs 3 pre-asph E 46 (Leica number: 11 856): On the box is written "silver chrome finish" but the manual states "the barrel is made from brass and titan finished" I know that there is a special "titan" version (barrel engraving in grey ?) sold as set with the titanium body M6 (or M7 ?) . So are there three different color versions available, black, silver chrome finish, and titan ?

-Gabor

[maddoc]

proenca: The lens in your first photo (E46) looks exactly as mine vs3 Summilux and it has the integrated hood. When it is collapsed, you can't see the hood.

[proenca]

yep. that I can reply myself > there are three versions, black, silver and titan. proof here >

[peter_n]

In the Hove Leica book 7th ed. p. 138 the Leica product number for the titanium is 11869. It began manufacture in 1995.

[proenca]

Mad Doc, cheers mate i thought it had no hood, you really cant see it . thank you !

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by maddoc

proenca: The lens in your first photo (E46) looks exactly as mine vs3 Summilux and it has the integrated hood. When it is collapsed, you can't see the hood.

Yep, that's the one I have, (the pre-asph E46). It further confuses people when they see it, for I had the focusing tab added to it by DAG. I love the tab on this lens (and the 1979 version Summicron).

[maddoc]

Well, here is a not that sharp (mobile-phone camera ...) photo of my 'lux 50mm vs3.

peter_n: thanks for the info about the titan version.

-Gabor

[Gabriel M.A.]

BTW, not sure about what you mean by "lemons" with the Summilux. Only thing to watch out for is fogging, and in some cases fungus. A lot of these lenses are really old (the v2), and many people thought they were taking good care of them by storing them and not taking them out at all to get some fresh air. Also watch out for gear that's been used for a long time in extreme-humidity places; it does a number on any gear, but specially lenses.

[peter_n]

I have an E43 made in 1972 and cheap from eBay. Sent it to DAG for a CLA that cost $100 but the lens came back looking (and working) like it must have done when it was new. The lens hood is a CV hood used on the 35/2.5 P1 that Gandy was selling off when that lens went out of production - a very convenient 43mm! It really is a wonderful lens.

[proenca]

thank you all for your replies. it seems my credit card going to take a hit, 50 summilux it is , v3.

Gabriel : sorry, i was too long in SLR photography just changed over rangefinders over a year go, not even. lemons is an expression that it goes "in a batch of oranges, there are always some lemons". lemons , at least to the SLR crowed, means a bad lens - bad focusing, misaligned, sometimes fixable , sometimes hopeless. I was just wondering since the v2 is quite old, if could be a batch or two of "lemons", since i guess QC was not so tight as it should be now.

fungus and foginess for sure, problem is im buying over the internet, and in a shop, so I will have to take their word on it. thank you for your tips, your photos made me buy it ( as other ppl as well ) but seeing that you had gorgeous photos with it in a M6 and then in a M8 made me assured. seems like a brilliant lens, cant wait to try it ( still have to buy the body though, second M7 seems to be )

cheers to all and thank you again for a very informative thread