best 50mm lens i've used | leica summicron 50mm f2

the leica summicron 50mm f/2 is an exceptional lens. sharp all-round. perfect for many many use-cases and one that will stick with me, potentially for life.
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[@carlosmcse]

100% the best 50mm on earth for every day use. If you’re going to buy a Leica lens, get this one. The focus is so smooth too. What a lens. The crazy thing is that it’s the cheapest new Leica lens you can buy. The magic comes IMO because they never updated the optics since 1979, so it’s not a modern aspherical lens. It still has all that magic old lenses had. The 50 Summicron is Mandler’s greatest creation. So much so that it is the only lens in Leica’s current lineup they make new and they never changed it since 1979. All other lenses have gone ASPH. I don’t need a tab. I prefer it this way. All those details you see I see them too and that’s on the M10R. It’s crazy this lens can show all those details on the 40MP Leica sensor. Same on the M11 I’m sure. I’m never selling this lens. It’s totally worth it to buy it brand new.

[@norwegianoutdoors4437]

Is it version 5? If so I have the same and like it a lot despite missing a focusing tab 😊

[@carlosmcse]

@@norwegianoutdoors4437 Yes. I don’t think it needs a tab. I don’t particularly like them anyway.

[@theraven6836]

I’ve got the 50 Summicron version V manufactured in 2000. I think it’s exactly your version, too. IMHO, this is one of the finest lenses in the world. Sharp, but not clinically so. Wide open it adds a level of softness that just makes portraits very appealing. Re the focus tab, I’d try going without it. I thought like you did once, but eventually came to appreciate the lack of a focus tab. You just get used to focusing w two fingers, one pulls down the other pushes up. Try it.

[@bradlspencer]

so flippin' sexy

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I recently tried a friend’s Leica Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 APO and non-APO lenses. They were excellent, and frankly, I want to get both eventually. I already have the Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.0 (soft and dreamy) and the new Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 (a stunning lens with close-focusing capability). The Summicrons bring something else to the table.

[@BlazejAdamowski]

You took really lovely and calming pictures. I particularly like the layering at 3:44 and the mood of the picture at 3:55. You inspired me, thank you for that. Greetings from Germany.

[@3flyte_3flyte]

I also have the collapsible. The 50 'cron is all you need if you shoot with a rangefinder.

[@HaterHater519]

Would love to see a part ii to this lens. Like an in-depth analysis on the pros and cons. Maybe comparison to some other lens for the m6.

[@bradlspencer]

a long term review sort of thing? yeah for sure :) maybe i could compare it to a 7artisans budget lens?

[@carlosmcse]

Honestly the only con of this lens is that it doesn’t handle flare as well as other lenses. But it comes up only on specific scenarios. I don’t see it 99% of the time.

[@thomascoulombe-morency861]

Thanks for the review Brad. Honestly, I share the same experience with this lens. I bought mine a year ago and I have absolutely no regrets. Definitely the sharpest 50mm I've ever used (I also shoot on the m6). I agree though, it lacks a focus tab. If you ever know how to add one, let me know!

[@bradlspencer]

Let’s goooo. How good, yeah film is really weighing me down lately in honesty. Hard to motivate me to shoot a roll when I know what it’ll cost me later! I’d say its a touch a head at best, on-par with at least, the Canon RF 50mm 1.2 at the moment. But what do I know, I’m just a dingus on KZbin :)

[@crispin8888]

There is the Taab rubberised ring 3:20 with a focus tab. (Spelling may not be correct.)

[@michaelmercier4299]

I have a Taab. Used it a couple months. It would never stay in place. It would slide forward, then backward. I had one for my 50 summicron and 24 elmarit. Wasted my money. If you want a tab for focusing, buy the Leica 50mm with it built on. Honestly, I shot Nikon slr manual focus lenses for so long, I find it unnecessary. Just practice and it will all come to you. The one built in to my 35 summicron is nice though.

[@hugomartinsphoto]

This was great! Thanks for the review! And really cool images here btw!👌

[@owenrodgers8020]

If the gear gets the work done, it's good gear. Lovely images btw

[@JHurrenPhotography]

Man, great review, nice and chill yet full of images. So I have the Summilux 50 asph, and I'm actually thinking about selling it along with two voigtlanders to find 35 and 50mm 'crons. They just balance so much better on the m6. Am I making a terrible mistake? I'm just hoping to take my Leica out more. Great video bro, just subbed

[@bradlspencer]

thanks for subbing and for such positive feedback. i'm with you. those lux lenses might have the f.95 appeal but the weight and size never seemed appealing to me. who can focus at 0.95 anyway! do it, and enjoy your new life of light and speed

[@harveyhester4439]

6 elements of Lak9 Lanthium K9 glass , who could ask for more!

[@alexurusov4596]

Great images and a great review. Well done!

[@HaterHater519]

Really enjoyed this review, I've been looking for more videos on this lens for time as I haven't had a chance to use this lens yet

[@bradlspencer]

appreciate it mate! thanks for watching. yeah i'm finding it hard to find reasons to go out and shoot with it since the cost of actually shooting is skyrocketing. looking to save some dollars by either self developing or at least scanning independently. maybe thats another video!

[@HaterHater519]

@@bradlspencer self developing and scanning is the way to go I've saved a lot of money that way, bit of a learning curve but worth it. The prices on portra film are ridiculous $120+ I remember picking up a 5 pack for $70 lol

[@bradlspencer]

@@HaterHater519 even i remember those days... i think it was more like $85 for me. moving to B+W only this year except for paid work haha. very keen to take this kit to Japan this year :)

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@bradlspencer Do some self scanning. I get mine developed and then scan myself on a DSLR.

[@deilikatt]

Really like you videos! Was the no-tab decision based on price/availability or a feature you wanted? Regret not getting a tab version?

[@bradlspencer]

thanks for watching! Honestly, it was more of an oversight than a choice. Not a major one, but the Summicron doesn’t come with one by default. The next step up is the Summilux which will have one, but instantly double~ the price. I’m looking to get a workaround third party tab from “TAAB” which makes lens tabs for lenses without them :)

[@bisou5339]

@@bradlspencer hey brad, have tried the 'TAAB' standard size and couldnt fit it on this lense. Just wanted to let you know!

[@bradlspencer]

@@bisou5339 No way really? maybe the 'small'? thanks for the heads up!

[@matteovrizzi]

hey man, i have the v4 summicron which is the same as yours as far as i know, but it has the focusing tab, give that one a try!

[@bradlspencer]

havent heard of this! is it the Leitz Canada one?

[@matteovrizzi]

@@bradlspencer i think so initially although my copy is a wetzlar, late 80s? you can see a photo of it on Ken R.'s review

[@doozledumbler5393]

How do you go with focusing with a 50mm? Zone focus is pretty tricky isn't it?

[@bradlspencer]

I use it almost exclusively for portrait and landscape work so I usually critical focus. Less for street work at the moment!

[@taneltinnuri8985]

Its kinda personal thing. Love 50 Cron without TAB.

[@ThomasLatcham123]

Fuji are interesting but Leica are always the best with the cameras and lenses.

[@liam.chandler]

leica - en the pics bro. Pretty standard for you to miss focus tho

[@bradlspencer]

Where did you learn english

[@nexususer1108]

Leica made a bad design decision by omiitting focus tab. This lens could be so much more.... oh well.

[@RANDassociatesinc]

What???? Wait til you try the Leica R 90mm f2.0!!! Okfine. Never mind then.

[@bradlspencer]

90 isn't really one of my preferred focal length, but thanks for watching :)

[@peteperkwisit6213]

❤

[@christianscholz93]

Nice rewiew… But honestly arent you uncomfortable to shot at the Beach? For me this is privat space similar to a changing room… Maybe this is only a german thing because here are the laws a bit different😂

[@bradlspencer]

haha! australias a bit different. beach culture is relaxed here. there's no laws against it! it's just another public space :) thanks for watching!

[@castielvargastv7931]

Ja bei und in Deutschland wird man für alles und überall angeschissen. Das ist weil sich hier alle selbst für zu wichtig halten. Nach oben schön buckeln und nach unten schön treten…🤣🤣🤣

[@leonasj9633]

too hazy at f2

[@bradlspencer]

i disagree but thank you for watching xo

[@Households1234]

Bad compositions !

[@bradlspencer]

thanks for watching