50mm Summilux ASPH or Pre-ASPH ver.3

[Chirath]

I have A7-ii with 55mm 1.8 FE to cover the portrait focal range. I'm looking to purchase my first Leica lens to complement it. From what I've researched, there are pros and cons for the 2 versions of 50 Summilux. The ASPH provides the best modern tech and superb sharpness, while the Pre-ASPH ver.3 provides the soft portrait look and "sweeter" color/bokeh. Price difference isn't much of a factor in my country where 95% condition ver.3 costs only a bit less than new ASPH. From the photos, they both look great. The ASPH version gives me bigger wow factor due to the newer tech but I'm not sure if it will be able to hold that wow as long as the pre-ASPH version had in the past.

Given that I already have the Zeiss 55mm 1.8 look, which Summilux do you think will be a better complement? Thanks in advance for your responses

 

[Daedalus2000]

I have A7-ii with 55mm 1.8 FE to cover the portrait focal range. I'm looking to purchase my first Leica lens to complement it. From what I've researched, there are pros and cons for the 2 versions of 50 Summilux. The ASPH provides the best modern tech and superb sharpness, while the Pre-ASPH ver.3 provides the soft portrait look and "sweeter" color/bokeh. Price difference isn't much of a factor in my country where 95% condition ver.3 costs only a bit less than new ASPH. From the photos, they both look great. The ASPH version gives me bigger wow factor due to the newer tech but I'm not sure if it will be able to hold that wow as long as the pre-ASPH version had in the past.

Given that I already have the Zeiss 55mm 1.8 look, which Summilux do you think will be a better complement? Thanks in advance for your responses

To me this is a difficult question, because the 55/1.8 has a very modern clinical look with minimal character. So ideally, you want something that gives you a different look. Personally I find the 50lux/asph a great lens that I want to buy one day, because although it also has a modern look, it does have an interesting character as well. I have not seen many images from the pre-asph but I do not think I would spend that much money on it, because there are also cheaper alternatives. For example, if you want another 50 with character try the Zeiss 50/1.5. That has tons of character and it will not cost as much as a 50lux.

You should also think about getting a longer lens, like a 75 or 90 leica. That will complement your 55 better and you will get a different focal length. The image stabilisation of the A7-ii and the focus peaking means that you should be able to get great images from them.

Best, D

 

[Irakly Shanidze]

First of all, 50mm is too short for portraits. Secondly, there is not much focal length difference between 50 and 55mm. Is there a specific reason why you want 50 instead of 75?
--
Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en

 

[Chirath]

Thank you, D. I decided to buy ver3 for the film look after testing both with my friends. The Zeiss 50/1.5 looks good and perhaps one day I will get it try it.

First of all, 50mm is too short for portraits. Secondly, there is not much focal length difference between 50 and 55mm. Is there a specific reason why you want 50 instead of 75?
--
Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en

I only like 28-35 and 50-55 focal length. I do not mind having multiple lenses in each range as long as they have different looks or different "roles" (e.g. af, portability).

 

[Toccata47]

35 lux.

I have A7-ii with 55mm 1.8 FE to cover the portrait focal range. I'm looking to purchase my first Leica lens to complement it. From what I've researched, there are pros and cons for the 2 versions of 50 Summilux. The ASPH provides the best modern tech and superb sharpness, while the Pre-ASPH ver.3 provides the soft portrait look and "sweeter" color/bokeh. Price difference isn't much of a factor in my country where 95% condition ver.3 costs only a bit less than new ASPH. From the photos, they both look great. The ASPH version gives me bigger wow factor due to the newer tech but I'm not sure if it will be able to hold that wow as long as the pre-ASPH version had in the past.

Given that I already have the Zeiss 55mm 1.8 look, which Summilux do you think will be a better complement? Thanks in advance for your responses

 

[Daedalus2000]

Thank you, D. I decided to buy ver3 for the film look after testing both with my friends. The Zeiss 50/1.5 looks good and perhaps one day I will get it try it.

Congratulations, I hope you enjoy your new lens. Please show us some images, I have not seen many images from this lens.

 

[DigiPixelPop]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with spending the extra money to put Leica glass on a Sony body. The glass cover of Sony's sensors are considerably thicker than the ones on Leica's cameras, and the design of the lens doesn't accommodate the thicker glass well. You'll never get the same "crispness" you get with an M8, M9, or M240 and you'll get more artifacts and corners will be noticeably softer (actually, the center too).

It's because of this that many will erroneously claim that Fuji or Zeiss/Sony glass is superior to Leica's lenses.

That being said, if you have your heart on doing this, I'll give you a thoughts on the lenses.

50mm Summilux pre-ASPH will have "smoother bokeh" (not sure why people obsess over that), less contrast and will be softer at large apertures with more spherical aberrations and color fringing. "Bokeh balls" at f/1.4 will be more round. Colors are a little warmer.

The ASPH version is better corrected overall (it's not ASPH, but APO), so you'll see less color fringing and less spherical aberrations. A bit more contrasty than previous versions. Center sharpness wide open is very, very good. The ASPH version has floating lens elements to combat focus shift with a rangefinder camera, which will not come into play with your Sony. "Bokeh balls" will be more oval at f/1.4. Focus fall-off is much more sudden with the ASPH, making subjects "pop" out of the background a little more.

Pre-ASPH versions also tend to have a smoother focus throw than the ASPH versions. They both have a slide-out hood. They both have at least a stop of vignetting wide open. They are both equally sharp when stopped down to f/4.

D€Z

 

[DigiPixelPop]

First of all, 50mm is too short for portraits. Secondly, there is not much focal length difference between 50 and 55mm. Is there a specific reason why you want 50 instead of 75?
--
Irakly Shanidze
www.shanidze.com/en

I wouldn't say 50mm is too short for portraits. Maybe not appropriate for filling a frame with a face, but it's fine for anything looser than head & shoulders.

D€Z.

 

[Chirath]

Personally, I wouldn't bother with spending the extra money to put Leica glass on a Sony body. The glass cover of Sony's sensors are considerably thicker than the ones on Leica's cameras, and the design of the lens doesn't accommodate the thicker glass well. You'll never get the same "crispness" you get with an M8, M9, or M240 and you'll get more artifacts and corners will be noticeably softer (actually, the center too).

It's because of this that many will erroneously claim that Fuji or Zeiss/Sony glass is superior to Leica's lenses.

That being said, if you have your heart on doing this, I'll give you a thoughts on the lenses.

50mm Summilux pre-ASPH will have "smoother bokeh" (not sure why people obsess over that), less contrast and will be softer at large apertures with more spherical aberrations and color fringing. "Bokeh balls" at f/1.4 will be more round. Colors are a little warmer.

The ASPH version is better corrected overall (it's not ASPH, but APO), so you'll see less color fringing and less spherical aberrations. A bit more contrasty than previous versions. Center sharpness wide open is very, very good. The ASPH version has floating lens elements to combat focus shift with a rangefinder camera, which will not come into play with your Sony. "Bokeh balls" will be more oval at f/1.4. Focus fall-off is much more sudden with the ASPH, making subjects "pop" out of the background a little more.

Pre-ASPH versions also tend to have a smoother focus throw than the ASPH versions. They both have a slide-out hood. They both have at least a stop of vignetting wide open. They are both equally sharp when stopped down to f/4.

D€Z