Leica M 50mm APO SUMMICRON - BUY or NOT? Practical TEST of the PERFECT LENS!

[@rexgigout1472]

Well-done! Thanks! I have several 50mm M lenses. My favorite is the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, with which I started using the Leica M system, almsot six years ago. I had just retired from a career in public service, which had included more than seven years, at the end, of evidentiary/forensic/crime scene photography. I was ready for a lens that made beautiful images, rather than technically and scientifically perfect images; beautiful in the in-focus to out-of-focus transition areas, and beautiful background blur when shot wide-open. This Summilux can be seen as my “therapy” lens, the lens that compelled me to re-learn how to want to photograph people. (The crime victims I had photographed were, mostly, living and breathing. That had often been a sad duty, performed with what was, at the time, arguably the technically best 100mm macro lens in the world.) I later added a Summicron-M, with current-version optical elements, for a slightly different “look,” and to use at apertures that the Summilux would render out-of-focus highlights with jagged edges, plus a less-intimidating size of the outer element. Later, I tried, and then bought, a collapsible Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, the final version, originally because I was simply curious about the collapsibility, and liked the way that it handled. I bought all of these 50mm Leica lenses pre-owned. But, that is not all! In 2022, the Cosina Voigtlander Nokon 50mm f/1.0 Aspherical caught my attention. I bought a new one. This is a fun lens, but, a niche lens, for special occasions and circumstances. Then, in 2023, I added a new Cosina Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar, because, sometimes, nearly-perfectly-corrected optics are important, and, in addition, this one is known for being very flare-resistant. Some reviews and sample photos, that I have seen, indicate that the Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar resists flare better than the Leica 50 APO. It is not unusual for me to shoot family gatherings in very harsh low-angle sunlight, sometimes in the partial shade of trees. Will I eventually add a Leica APO Summicron-M 50mm ASPH? Well, while it would certain be a nice addition, I doubt that I can ever justify the cost, and, I think that I would continue to favor the Summilux ASPH, regardless of cost. Interestingly, before I added the Leica M system, I was not much of a 50mm shooter. I had generally favored 35mm, followed by 60mm, and the 100mm to 135mm range, when using DSLRs. I shoot with 35mm M-mount lenses, and think of myself as, largely, a “35mm shooter,” in general, but, when shooting with a Leica M camera, I favor 50mm.

[@Adventure8]

Thanks for watching and commenting. You journey is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@rudigerwolf9626]

Have the APO 50. Love it. No other 50s for the M. Also love the 35 for that wider look. I think my favorite is 90. Getting a bit closer shows off the subject that much more.

[@Adventure8]

Thanks for sharing. Yes I love my APO 35 and 90 also. I need to do more with the 90.

[@colinosullivan]

Enjoyed this one Peter. This will be an unusual one for you! Well I have used my Zeiss planar f2 50mm for 14 years and its been stellar so I have not moved far from it! Sounds crazy I know but I’ve always loved it. Thanks for the video mate. Cheers

[@Adventure8]

Thanks, glad you liked the video.

[@wilfredshum3703]

I have six 50 mm M lenses - Xenon, Summarit, Summilux v.2, v.3, ASPH, and Noctilux. I use them both on M and SL . The one I use most is the black chrome ASPH which I like a lot. Personally I would spend my money on those limited edition 50 mm Summilux lenses than on the APO Summicron (eg. v.1 with reverse scalloped ring, or black-painted ones etc.)😂

[@Adventure8]

I think I've come to the same conclusion. Save the money and buy the limited edition ones.

[@paulow1624]

I have the opportunity to get mint Apo 50 Cron but the front elements have a user marks ( minor scratch ) > do u think it’s ok to buy it now ? 😊 pls advice

[@Adventure8]

Good question, everything is relative to price and your perception of value. Having said that, if you can take some test shots with the lens at f16, is there any impact to the image compared to f2 at difference focus points, high contrast lighting (flaring, ghosting, haze). Anything unusual usually shows up when stopping down to f16 (live dust on the lens and/or sensor as well). If images are still perfect from your perspective, buy the lens.

[@ronaldmoravec2692]

I own 50 Summicron, v2 dull chrome last, not used early v3 , and APO and 1.4 not current. We will not count the screw mounts. The maligned V3 is not not too much contrast. I used them all in trials same time same place to see. Quality improves as versions get newer. Anxious to try with new Viso 020 that gives killer focus in any conditions with 75 2.0 APO.

[@Adventure8]

👏 Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@joebrown479]

50APO “not current” - could you elaborate? I’m sincerely curious what details you have in mind. I wondered about this too before I bought it. Am I missing something in particular that the 2023 50mm has? I know they are different in many respects, but is there a new coating or formula that’s lacking in the 50apo?

[@dumralp]

I am tempted by the APO, but I am obsessed with lenses that do not enter in viewfinder (this excludes the summilux). What about APO? Does it enter in viewfinder 50mm frameline when focussed midrange? Many thanks

[@Adventure8]

Not sure, I had to return the APO 50 to the owner. From memory, yes there was a little, not enough to bother me or for me to notice. But that's me.

[@joebrown479]

Not on my M11, that I have noticed in my year of shooting with it. With the hood extended the 50apo does not obstruct the viewfinder.

[@slothsarecool]

The newish 50mm voigtlander 1.0 is crazy, especially for the money, it’s much sharper than the nocti and well controlled wide open. I’d say it’s almost too clinical though but still very impressive

[@Adventure8]

Good to know, thanks.

[@oshanefa]

its awful soft as dirt after rain . I tried it twice at 1.0 can NEVER say where the focus was ( it's a smudge same as not 1.2 . not to mention CA and ugly and huge size of it that drags 1/2.5 VF blockage

[@crispin8888]

Buy. It's perfect (on film). XP2.

[@Adventure8]

Thanks

[@gurugamer8632]

Please tell me is the 50mm APO more superior that 35mm APO? Perhaps could this be next clip

[@Adventure8]

Could you please clarify your question?

[@gurugamer8632]

@@Adventure8 Kind request if you can do a thorough examination review of these two lens Leica 35mm APO and 50 mm APO with the M11 and let us know your thoughts.