One lens to rule them all? -LEICA 50mm f/2 APO-SUMMICRON-M Review

My friends at www.camtecphot... hooked me up with this crazy lens, make sure to check them out! (Don't forget to type in the word GENERIC in the notes section at checkout for a free gift! )
Arguably the best lens I've ever used, the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2 ASPH. Do you think this lens is worth its asking price?

[@guyloughridge4628]

I've used my 50mm APO now for about a year. Your comments fully reinforce my experiences from the last year. Photographing people... this is the lens that I know will create a wonderful shot every time. I am also a landscape photographer, often using medium format. I have felt that this lens produces such outstanding results that I will often reach for my Leica instead of my medium format camera for landscapes. The results that I get from this lens are always remarkable. Yes, if I could have only one camera and one lens it would be my Leica M11 and the 50mm APO. PS: Just found your channel and I am enjoying all of your videos. Thanks for all of the detailed information regarding various lenses

[@Pablosan7]

This is great to hear as well, I love shooting landscape and just got a used sl2. I'm having a hard time deciding between the 50mm apo for m-mount or the one for sl-mount...

[@joebrown479]

I have the same combo as my only setup : M11+50APO. Love it. Had it since April2023. Can you comment on your experiences at F2 and F8? Sometimes I wonder if it’s as sharp as it’s supposed to be. I recently got it back from CLA and I’m loving the improvements. I think my initial out of the box copy was off by a lot. It’s fixed, it’s better, and I’m happy (especially for the price). But I’m wondering how I should think of F2…. Only close to medium distances? I understand how aperture works but I’m wondering what your experience is with sharpness at F2 and under what conditions. Do you stop down further than F8? Just a few comments, not asking for full review. Nobody online talks about this. They usually just rave about APO, which I agree with. I just want to hear more nuance so I can improve my results. Maybe I’m pixel peeping too much and I should just relax and shoot! But $9K. Ha! Thnx.

[@Jaywestend]

I'm from Toronto but i gotta say the crew at CamTec are great!!! both online and in person! but youre in Toronto, there's nowhere like Downtown Camera!

[@StillWinding]

Bought my APO a few weeks ago and I agree with your thoughts 100%. Really enjoying your content. Keep it up!

[@GenericPhotographer]

Glad to hear that it resonates with the owners! Thanks for the feedback 🙏

[@prettiestflacko]

ANDREW THE 🐐 Been waiting for you to review this one ever since your video on the 50 lux and noctilux. Watching now. Please never stop making these videos!!!

[@GenericPhotographer]

Haha I don’t plan on stopping! Thanks for the support, it’s really appreciated!!

[@HartponderJr]

I’m going to wait ten years and get the lens when it’s $250 off list price.

[@ElecBrane]

Leica just increased the prices 😮

[@RumoHasIt]

😂😂😂

[@GamachePhoto]

Great review, knocked it out. I wanted to keep my kidneys so got the Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO-Lanthar from Jean instead. Great pics. Looking forward to seeing your comparison with the Lux.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Haha, the voigtlander seems to be a very good alternative. Thank you so much, see you in the next video!

[@carlosmcse]

I had the APO-Lanthar. It’s great. I sold it though. Too big. Too heavy (for an M), and too perfect all the time. It’s boring.

[@jamiea8318]

I would suggest people also look at the Voigtlander 50 APO. I say this as a long-time Leica user with a basically open budget. I've owned a good number of Leica's high end M and L glass. I think it's very *very* hard to justify the Leica APO over the Voigtlander in this case, other than that the M lens physically looks nicer.

[@standardh_]

Enjoyed this video. Love that you attended the car events as I attend a lot my self. Just ordered an APO and can’t wait to use it. Excited for the close range capability as well for watch photography.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Right on! time to rock that apo at your local meets too in that case, enjoy!

[@lensman5762]

The optical quality of Leica lenses, or most other modern makes has never been in doubt. More than I could say for the creature on two legs who uses them. This is where a $7000 lens could be made to perform like a dog and with end results not so far removed from junk, which covers about 95% of the photographic content on the social media. As Ansel Adams once remarked, " there is nothing worse than a sharp photo of a fuzzy concept. " Worth thinking about.

[@mariowanagat1412]

All the gear no idea

[@ccanales.b]

Sorry, but you miss the ** ACKCHYUALLY ** at the beginning of your comment.

[@allena3430]

The 35 apo even makes things more exciting with such performance in a small lens and with 0.3m mfd. crazy to see 90% performance of the 35 apo SL in a small lens

[@GenericPhotographer]

Been dying to try one!

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I have the latest Summilux-50 (which can focus to 0.45 m) and am quite impressed with it. I also have the Summilux-M 35 FLE I and APO-Summicron-M 35 (closest focus 0.3 m). Based on the Leica 35 mm lenses, a test I did with a friend’s APO-Summicron-M 50 and your review of the latter, I’m even more tempted to get the APO 50.

[@mohsiny2638]

I’ve just bought the summilux-m 50mm ASPH V2 yesterday, I’m enjoying the bokeh it gives so far and the close focusing distance plus the background separation, I’ve had the apo 50mm Summicron-m as my first lens with the m11 and I have tried multiple 50mm lenses since (Summilux-m 50mm pre-asph, noctilux-m 50mm f0.95 asph), so far, the apo summicron 50mm is still my favorite, it replicates the colors more accurately and the subject is sharper compared to the others mentioned especially between the subject and the background, it clearly defines the borderline between the subject and the background (which is not as present in the others) and captures details on the subject very clearly (note: the summilux colors are more saturated compared to the apo summicron which gives more of a realistic or cinematic look I’d say), the apo summicron basically captures the scene that your eyes see In front of you as it is into a photo which was exactly what I was looking for when I got it, it would be awesome if leica upgrades it to a focusing distance of 0.45m like the new summilux. The faster ones like the summilux and noctilux give more background separation and gives an artistic/dreamy look and the benefit of using them to capture more light in low light situations. The downside of the apo summicron is that if you’ll use it in low light situations on film cameras, you struggle to capture photos without creating motion blur. Using a film like Kodak Portra 400 or gold 200 is out of question (for me) in low light situations like these with the apo summicron, maybe the Portra 800 was close but still struggled to get the right shutter speed not to create blur and was just enough if I recall correctly. All I’m saying is that if you want to use it on film camera, do your research, you have to think carefully if it’s going to be your only lens especially for low light situations. But it’s perfect for digital cameras and I don’t regret it one bit, maybe I’d regret it a bit if they release the close focusing one very soon because if I waited then I wouldn’t have to upgrade but I don’t regret the memories I captured on it especially since it was the first lens. It would be even more awesome if Leica could pull off an apo on a summilux f1.4 or a noctilux f1.0 but I guess it goes against what they’re meant for which is that dreamy look.

[@oshanefa]

wow ! thank you for detailed review of your own !! I've had top lenses of m myself but they all trash compared to top glass of other systems that cost 1/4 of price , few day ago bought apo35 and that is the first good lens , after few days I saw my pictures from lux 50 and realized (again) how sh**y they are - the CA, the flares , the bed sharpness . now I know that I can have only two lenses - apos 35 and 50 . thanks to video and you - know it for sure . I need perfect - as you said - pictures as I see world no flavors - I want truth not sauces . thank you . @georges_angeles

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

@@oshanefaWhich top M lenses did you buy that didn’t perform well? It’d be good to know precisely what you found and whether you got the lenses new (if they were used, perhaps they were banged around, etc.). I bought the Summilux-M 35 FLE v1 and Summilux-M 50 v2 (close focusing) and found that they perform better than off-brand equivalents. My SL lenses have better optical performance than their M equivalents, but that’s not surprising, given that the SL lenses are much bigger (even accounting fir the AF motors). I have a Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.0 and will soon receive a Noctilux-M 50 mm f/1.2. These will never provide tack sharp details and high contrast across the field of view, but I like both of their vintage characters.

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

@@oshanefaI’ve had a different experience with the latest Summilux-M 50 mm f/1.4 on an M11.

[@lennoxagard4774]

You weren't kidding when you said it had medium format qualities wow😅

[@GenericPhotographer]

It’s incredible

[@belgiboing]

Agree with you. Thanks for the thoughts. I had the 50 Lux asph and this one. Sold the Lux. This 50 apo is slightly longer in reality. If the 50 lux is a true 50, then the 50 apo cron should be about 52 or 53mm. Which to me is a good thing because the extra length gives it more compression and less depth of field for a 50 f2. Hence the 3D pop. What will be interesting is to compare the 50 apo to the voigtlander 50 apolanthar.

[@joe2snj]

Steve Huff did a comparison between the 2 on his channel a while back.

[@norbertsteinkamp9380]

The 50 Lux asph is a 51.4mm, not sure about the 50 apo. As to the lux, have a close look @13:59: to the right of the letter "m" indicating the metric scale you see a little "14", meaning the focal length is 50mm + 1.4mm.

[@richardsimms251]

Great video. Thank you. Downtown Camera in Toronto is a very very good store.

[@patrikfager7796]

Great video, beautiful images and superb review! Thanks for your personal thoughts and sharing it! 🙏🏻

[@GenericPhotographer]

Thank you for the support! Appreciate the kind words 🤝

[@iphoie]

It’s been my favorite lens since it’s inception. So much so in fact, I started collecting multiples of these lol. So far, I’ve got 8 different 50 apos!

[@crispin8888]

Agreed. Sadly I only have 3. But it's a beautiful lens and produces images of medium format quality.

[@GenericPhotographer]

I can definitely the appeal, nice collection! Every APO I’ve tried has been spectacular. Leica truly knows how to make them 👌

[@tamilhoward9708]

My motto is "a girl can never have too many 50s" but you have me beat!

[@oshanefa]

no way - how come 8 ?? silver black x lhs = 4 oh and lacquered

[@iphoie]

@@oshanefa yes, plus the black paint one that is 5. Then I have 2 titanium ones, from the M240P titan set, and the recently released titanum M-A set. Finally, I have the Red APO! That's 8 in total, but still missing the 1 of 1 Jonny Ives edition...2 mill bucks tho...lol

[@richardsimms251]

Beautiful photography

[@dhaug]

Thought I had next level 50 prime in my Summilux ASPH, as I am quite satisfied in the IQ. Looking forward to the comparison video! Also kind of neat to see Jean featured in the video - I've had many exchanges with him over the years, he's like an old friend!

[@opotopo1]

Great review as ever Andrew. Thank you. All the best Simon (hello from the UK)

[@blotafton]

That APO is the best car lens I've seen. I also agree that it does portraits well, the sharpness and contrast combo is good for faces. And F/2 is great for the wide open look while having more DOF then faster alternatives. Stopping down a f/1.4 is not the same.

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

I tried the Noctilux-M 75 mm f/1.25 at a car show. The isolation and pop were pretty impressive. Got mine used.

[@ronwolfept]

looking forward to the 50 apo vs lux review. have the lux but have lusted for the apo

[@ronwolfept]

Upgraded to new 50lux Close focus. Amazing lens. Still woukd love to see you compare lux to cron apo

[@DeeRosa]

FINALLY I REFIND YOUR CHANNEL! Great work btw!

[@GenericPhotographer]

Haha welcome back! Thanks for watching!

[@p_adam19]

Hard to believe that this lens has been out for more than a decade now, I'm sure they will update it with closer focusing, then this version might get cheaper.

[@mwales2112]

It better be great for 9k... Kept both kidneys and went with a Zeiss 50/2 Planar a couple years ago and love it...

[@johnkasianowicz6536]

They are available used for ~ $7.2 K from time to time (still expensive, but a bit less of a kick in the teeth).

[@crispin8888]

It. Is. Perfect.

[@GenericPhotographer]

🥹

[@richarddenise3886]

Really well done. Bravo!

[@GenericPhotographer]

Thank you for watching!

[@sharonleibel]

The best title ever 😆 I have a 50 Lux, And loved the 50 Cron in the past as well. What would interest me in the comparison, Is: No doubt this is the "gold standard of lenses" at least for a 50. Granted. But, Is it a $8000-9000 Lens?

[@GenericPhotographer]

Exactly, I’ll go over that in the next video! Stopping all these lenses down levels the playing field, you’re forking out the money for that wide open performance. The V5 cron is eerily close stoped down as is the lux.

[@sharonleibel]

@@GenericPhotographer Exactly. And the 50 Cron versus APO - Doesn't have an aperture difference so it's even harder to explain. That aperture observation is also very interesting thing to think about. Lux vs. Cron in general: is the "marginal" difference worth it. And the 50 APO - in comparison. In percentage, They are all twice to 3 times more expensive. But 3 times in $4000K... Is another story (I also need to remind myself that even the CRON is "you're crazy! Selling a kidney! for the non Leica shooters, So it's all relative. But anyway.)

[@rnningmn]

I am still considering selling my kidney for a 35mm apo. Ever tried one of those? Btw, really appreciate your channel. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍

[@stephaneclaveau9736]

I'm shooting Nikon, Z6 and Z9 with some great Nikon glass, but i'm wanting a grab and shoot every day camera with a different experience, something to slow down, looking at the Q3 to start, the Leica lenses are sooooo expensive, but that 50 looks amazing !

[@user-tf2me9vj7s]

It's my favorite lens

[@marlon.iraheta]

Zooming at 300 % that is crazy !!! Nice video :)

[@GenericPhotographer]

It’s like unlocking your Leica, crazy stuff

[@RS-Amsterdam]

Great review ..... however, since the small recession the price is a kidney and a lung !

[@GenericPhotographer]

Thankfully we’ve got two of each!

[@tamilhoward9708]

Have you used the Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar VM? Comparison?

[@geekch96]

May I kindly ask, where did you get that black strap? Thanks

[@paullewis6314]

Interesting, as always. Thanks for this. I am not sure I will fall for this one, even if I understand the interest...

[@ChicoreeChidori]

That screams for a video testing the 35 mm APO-Summicron.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Trust me, I’m ready!

[@ChicoreeChidori]

@@GenericPhotographer Looking forward to it!

[@jsshayes1]

Fantastic review. The images look awesome. I think my pocketbook is good with my 50 Summicron rigid though. HA HA

[@shawnthale]

The 50 APO didn't work for me. In some situations the out of focus looks ugly. Not that ugly but boring. Before the APO I had the pre art sigma 1.4. So missing the 1.4 didn't help having the APO too. So I sold the APO and got the Summilux.

[@mauricerijnders3507]

I love the summilux and noktiluxes on my M11 and M11 monochrom. Compare this APO to the Voiglander APO… that will save you 6K 😁 Actually… the Voighlander 50mm f1.0… I use VL lenses more and more 🤔

[@Schulz1392]

Agreed, would love to see a comparison with the Voigtländer APO-Lanthar 50mm F2

[@mauricerijnders3507]

@@Schulz1392 Steve Huff did an online comparison ones and I agree kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ_SZoCbjpeNabc

[@emilnematics6124]

Hi Andrew! I'm Elizabet from Hungary!

[@dgoullet1]

Should try one, thanks

[@Zimh91]

Hi Andrew, many thanks for this review, a great one , as always :) Do you have any thought about the voigtlander 50 APO lanthar VM in comparison to the Leica ? I did try both in the same time, but for only a few days, and it was really hard to notice a difference... but maybe I am not experienced enough to see it :) I'd also love to see you compare these 2 APO 50mm to the lux, or at least to have your opinion ! Anyway, can't wait to see your next videos !

[@kamek02]

Great video! Where is your soft shutter button from? Thanks so much

[@volnwer1]

Is it good for M11 sensor?

[@leemjfreeman9856]

Or just save yourself a tonne of money and get yourself the Voigtlander 50mm f2 Apo-Lanthar - which is every bit as good IMO. Just because it is a lot cheaper, doesn't mean it's a downgrade.

[@GenericPhotographer]

Im a big believer in voigtlander, eager to test one of those apos

[@leemjfreeman9856]

@@GenericPhotographer optically it is flawless IMO. A little larger than I would like, but otherwise, magic!

[@JHurrenPhotography]

I prefer larger and optical mastery, than containing compromises. If there must be a compromise, I'd sacrifice lens speed every time. I have the 50 Summicron ASPH but I'd like a great performing f/2. Been eyeing the Voigtlander

[@ofeykalakar1]

Voigtlander had APOchromatic lenses well before Leica, as far back in the early 50’s. They also had achromatic lenses at the turn of the 20th century with their Heliar lenses. Their current APO lens designs are far more complex and exotic than the current Leica 35 and 50 designs. Although Leica’s variants are a lot smaller/ compact. Can’t go wrong with either.

[@swcblad]

would the SL equivalent, for 50 and 35mm, make more financial sense?😊

[@ahmeddaghriri4180]

Dear brother. If you had to choose between the Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 ASPH or the New LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH, which would you prefer? Or do you recommend it?

[@fededuran2523]

In a recent video you praised the CV 50mm f1 Nokton and it looked that you were about to get one for yourself. Did this 50 APO change your mind about how to complement your Summilux? Very nice video, btw.

[@contemporaryartist6542]

My only lens. Really.

[@pioni2]

This is the only lens I don't have and want, but don't need. I have the 50mm Voigtlander APO which is better in all other aspects except size, and the fact that it isn't a Leica. :) The 50mm focal length is optimal for Leica M cameras as the 35mm is too wide to see properly via the viewfinder when wearing eyeglasses. Otherwise I'd be interested in the 35mm APO as well.

[@pioni2]

Replying to myself but the best thing about the Voigtländer is that the aperture blades form a perfect circle at least at f/2.8 and f/5.6, and when fully open which is to be expected. It does not have a focusing tab, so it has another flaw compared to the Leica one. Apart from all that, it's excellent and I could not be more happy with the photos. I just wish it was smaller.

[@Ranger629]

Were all the shots shown in the video shot with a M10 and APO 50mm cron?

[@GenericPhotographer]

Unless otherwise specified, yes

[@twoblink]

Is the Voigtlander 50mm F2 better?

[@Phantom_gtx]

Great!

[@sebastiang7183]

Where can I get the best price when selling a kidney?

[@prettiestflacko]

Any plans to review the Q3?

[@GenericPhotographer]

I just dropped a video on it ;)

[@wayman1108]

No worry, yours is not defect. The aperture ring click is really worst in M lenses line.

[@marcusnz232]

I am still stuck trying to decide between this and the APO 35.... Would using the Summilux at f2 not make it similar from a focus hit rate pov?

[@density.coffee]

Man I had this problem too. I had the 35 APO on order, the close focus had me. But then a 2nd hand 50 APO came up, and I grabbed it. So glad I did. I'm just going to use a 50 apo more than a 35 apo, even if I had both. I have the 90 apo and now of course I want a 28 apo-M which does not exist. I haven't used the 35 apo, and I'm sure it is amazeballs. But I just dont want to be having to use 35mm 90% of the time. YMMV.

[@oshanefa]

I have 50lux and had 35lux . hate both because of they trashy - CA ,flares ,lack of tack sharpness - bought 35apo- everything the guy said in the vid goes to 35apo . i am finally not frustrated zooming 400%( which I always do) - pictures are finally precise ( as with any prime glass of other systems that cost 1/4 price .) I prefer my photos to be honest 35apo honest - it sees world as it is unlike every s**y lica lens except app lineup . if that's your case go for it if not - don't cheers @geores_angeles

[@marcusnz232]

@@oshanefa I bought the 35 APO. Found it sitting on a shelf in a local dealer. It’s fabulous. Just fabulous.

[@bradl2636]

The Nikkor 50mm f2 AI spanks it.

[@GenericPhotographer]

debatable

[@bradl2636]

@@GenericPhotographer Ok ok… it’s a toss-up between the near-APO Nikkor 50mm f2 AI and the Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO Lanthar ASPH. The Voigtlander has a more modern rendering IMHO stopped down if that’s your thing.

[@carlosmcse]

Good but. It’s like a one note samba. I prefer the v5 Mandler Summicron. The APO version doesn’t have that Leica glow soft goodness at f2 and f2.8. That v5 50 Summicron is just the perfect every day lens that everyone with a Leica should own as their first 50. You’ll own it forever. Flawless isn’t good for me. I prefer character. I can express myself better. No APO no ASPH no anything. Just good ole classic Mandler design.

[@jabobeat44]

アポズミクロンが超精細でもX2DやGFXには敵わないと思いますよ

[@aaronlee2227]

Wait till you try the Leica Q3….

[@GenericPhotographer]

Trying one soon!

[@aaronlee2227]

Nice review of the q3.

[@mr_cramberry]

Great for reproduction work!

[@GenericPhotographer]

🙏

[@zkramez]

Seems like it’s a boring lens based on what your thoughts were. With that said… how about that E39 M5… 😏

[@arkon6084]

Try to explain (i.e., define) "the 'Leica look" before using the term. Let's see if you can (compared to others).

[@jacovanlith5082]

Too much blabla. Make some 50 x 60 cm B7W pronts.

[@epipen22]

A slightly used kidney for sale