🔴 WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!? | Leica Summilux 50mm f1.4 v2 (Pre-ASPH)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

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[@cembalaro]

Another heart-warming video - Thank you so much - again!! The Summilux 50 (- version 2) is a truly wonderful lens indeed - no wonder that this optical design soldiered on for a good forty-three years! Also, your respectful & loving mentioning of Dr. Mandler was highly appropriate (!!!) - without his incredible sense of 'Bildqualität', Leica would have been ....different!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thank you! Yes we have a lot to thank Dr Mandler for!

[@stevehoffman9735]

My main Leica lens for 20 years, the old non-ASPH Summilux-M 50mm IS the best lens Leica (or for that matter anyone) ever made. In addition to its two main attributes of near absolute freedom from flare and a signature bokeh (blur) of subtle beauty, it is characterized by an artistic balance of high resolution and realistic contrast -- even wide open. It is perfectly balanced on the M body. Just the best. I have the E46 version, NO finder blockage..

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Steve, yes I can't believe I only just discovered it! Glad you love your copy too.

[@shaunphaneuf5018]

Thank you Richard! I'm selling my 50mm and buying my very first summilux V2 because of you!!!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

I'm tempted to do the same!

[@shaunphaneuf5018]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thank you for all your amazing videos! Been a long time subscriber and lover of all your videos!

[@daoxinzhishui]

after I bought the e46 pre-a (v3, the 0.7m close focus one), I sold my asph version. Really like its classic rendering of bokeh while still keep it sharp within the focus area.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, yes I considered that one too as "happy middle ground", thanks!

[@calumdavey3260]

Hey Matt. Finally! I’ve been using this lens for years, and could never work out why it was missing from your lineup… great video as ever

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Calum, sorry to be late to the party! I never was the smartest!

[@67tagada]

Hello Matt. This test is timely. I'm in the middle of choosing a 50mm to shoot portraits, my current option is the Voigtlander 1.0/50mm, but your test calls everything into question!. Nice video as usual!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, yes the f1 lenses "nuke" the background. If you want more going on I loved this Lux!

[@shawnj8765]

F1 is super sharp even wide open in the corners, sharper than ASPH lux in the corners. It has huge chromatic aberrations from f1.0 to f1.8, mostly gone at f2. The pre-a lux 1.4 also has huge purple fringing at 1.4, gone by 2.8 ish. f1 bokeh is pretty modern too. lux's bokeh is a bit busier, but with more character.

[@zenjitsuman]

Matt I just ordered the Leica Q3. I don't know when it will arrive but the EVF frame lines remind me of the rangefinder. I wanted a walk around camera that simulates having many lense and can serve hybrid and low light. I think it will be fun to use. I hope you plan on getting one to test out and share your own experience with us subscribers

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi Congrats on your Q3! Yes ofc. If I get one to test i'll be sure to share my thoughts.

[@yorkshiremike5083]

50mm Summilux 28mm Summicron 90mm macro Elmar The perfect three lens kit and superb as a slimmed down travel kit. If I had to pick just one, it'd be the 50mm summilux 👌

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks Mike! I now use the 28mm Elmarit over the 28 Cron (or 28 f2 Ultron) and VC 90 APO instead of the Macro Elmar but yes all great lenses! ..and perfect size.

[@euroyank860]

I tested it and agree, nice, very nice. But as a Vintage addict I went for the version 1, a bit rare and hard to get but a beast on film ;-)

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for confirming.. and I'd expect nothing else from you! ;) Nice!

[@joellinker9899]

¡Gran episodio! Gracias por todo el trabajo duro que pones en estos videos. El contenido informativo y entretenido es la razón principal por la que veo y disfruto de KZbin. 📸

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thank you!

[@davidselby8115]

Another Mandler classic is the 180mm Leitz Canada f3.4 Tely-T R 3 cam which can be had for less than £500 and with an adapter works on an SL. Not on the same level in terms of bokeh but an extremely sharp lens for the money.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks David! I got the 80-200 R otherwise i'd be tempted.

[@markorchard2272]

Today I had two 8x10s printed. Both portraits of similar style. One taken on a Leica M9 with a 50mm f1.4 Summicron, and one with a £40 used Lumix GX1 and a Lumix 20mm f1.7 (less than £80 total) and NOBODY could tell the difference.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha yes I can imagine, I have the cheap Lumix cameras for video. I did a video showing photos vs Leica. I use Leica as they are more fun. I don't value my Lumix photos so I dont use them for pictures. (I prefer film whenever possible)

[@markorchard2272]

I agree. I did a shoot recreating a ‘62 nyc fashion shoot using a vintage SLR and Trix. I used a GX85 Lumix and a Leica lens for some BTS shots. But they were just awesome

[@wilfredshum3703]

Thanks for the informative video that had resulted in my recent purchase of the chrome version this vintage lens. I will compare its performance against the modern ASPH lens on my M8.2 for portraits. I like the traditional look of the chrome version especially on a silver M.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great Wilfred! Yes I will likely try to get one too at some point.

[@bvaccaro2959]

Love it! I have this lens paired on my M3 and M9. For me, on film this lens is amazing with incredible color. Then yes on my M9 the dreamy look it can produce while still having great contrast is awesome. I don’t like the 1m minimum focus and the lens hood is huge with the reverse mounting when th cap is on makes it slow when pulling the camera up or out to shoot. For the focus throw, sometimes I really like the long throw sometimes I really don’t, Lol The build quality on this lens is Way beyond that of my 35mm ASPH pre-FLE, a lens I really love as well. Well it’s also my only other Leica lens…. Lol

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Nice! The SL cameras are great for getting closer either lenses like this. For Ms we have to stick with 1m.

[@bvaccaro2959]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom no longer shoot professionally(do VFX now), so strictly M cameras for the time being. Also I just dropped said 35mm this morning... :(

[@OdO_Gee]

☺️We thought you knew. After all you are Mr. Leica!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha fair point! "MrLeica in training" :)

[@davidpuglia4813]

I use a 7artisans M to L adapter that has a built in helicoid variable extender that allows closer focus with M lenses. It doesn’t have the opening that would allow the reading of 6 bit encoded lenses for SL cameras but I’d rather have the closer focus option.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi David, yes me too for close up. Love the adapter!

[@sunny16portraits]

Saw some of your pics pop up made with this lens, was looking forward to the video. I think I told you once that I wanted this lens :) Still looking for a nice one at a decent price.... This and the 90mm Summicron on an M3 and SL all you need probably...

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hey Thomas! Yes if you watch my Flickr you can normal predict what videos are coming soon! Yes that would be one kick ass setup!

[@jls2975]

Mandler's pre asph lenses have the best rendering 😊

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

yes I love them!

[@longboarddancingworld6861]

Hi Matt, I just got my SL yesterday and also want to adapt M, R, and Nikon F lenses to it. Curious, if I'm focusing mostly on vintage lenses that don't have 6-Bit capabilities, is there really any "need" to use the original Leica Adapters? They're obviously not cheap, but I don't want to risk a lesser adapter possibly hurting the camera body. Any recommendations for brands or anything else in this regard?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi, congrats! Go to the blog MrLeica.com and sign up to the club to get you SL welcome pack. I think I list the adapter I use there. Cheaper than Leica. Yes don’t get Leica one. (I only did as didn’t know better)

[@malthus101]

So... this is a 50mm FF lens. If I used it with an M-mount on my Fuji Xpro2 APS-C, it would be using more of the centre only of the lens right? And it would be more like a 76mm lens? That sounds great to me for nice portraits but I feel I'm not understanding something correctly...! It all becomes rather confusing!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes the 2 issues with APS-C is 1) becomes 75 but mostly 2) you lose the nice edge softness and vignette. (Becomes a clean sharper image)

[@malthus101]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Hmm... would you go as far as to say that makes it not worth getting for an APS-C? Obviously it will still take nice pictures but if it loses the character, that's really the whole point of buying an old expensive lens like this! I can get sharpness from many modern lenses. Thanks.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@malthus101 correct, more my taste anyway

[@davide88rn]

Would you buy now a sl2s in mid 2023 or wait the new one? I want to upgrade from my xpro3 but can't afford a M and I prefer autofocus and wr

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Depends what you want. If want 24MP then get it. If want probably 60MP? then wait for the SL3. If want a great deal but slower AF get the old SL like I use.

[@davide88rn]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thanks, 24 is enough form me, but the AF is important with kids. So I look around for a used sl2s or if I can wait for the 3. My xpro3 make good pictures anyway 🙂

[@sebastiang7183]

I have the R equivalent of this lens. It's not exactly the same, but it shares many of the same characteristics. I have a love/hate relationship with this lens. In certain areas it is absolutely brilliant and exceptional even by modern standards and in other areas the age is clearly showing. The bokeh behaves how you describe with cats' eye toward the edges. I am less pleased with the bokeh. I think it can be a bit nasty or busy in certain situations. Curvature is present in ample amounts, and you will not get the corner performance of other lenses until f/8 - f/11, but this is both a non-issue and can be an advantage for portraits. The lens was designed for night photography and there it is exceptional for its age. It has excellent coma correction and lack of ghosting from point sources of light. CA are also very well controlled in night scenes. They are no absent, but very minimal and clean up quickly. I think your assessment that you are better off with the pre-ASPH version for portraits is spot on.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks for sharing that great info. I do love R glass too.. I was using the 50/2R v1 yesterday for some similar imperfections. You'll see it as part of a video to come.

[@sebastiang7183]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I am stuck with R glass as I use on mirrorless bodies that are not made by Leica. The M lens performance is often negatively affected over a rangefinder. My all time favorite is the Summicron-R 90 pre-asph which is smaller in size but performance is very similar to the M version that you have. My copy has a unique color signature and the clarity, sharpness, and falloff are breath taking starting from f/4. Lots of spherical aberrations at f/2 that largely clean up by f/2.8

[@thedondeluxe6941]

I DID TELL YOU!😄😄😄 I'm sure I've mentioned this lens in your comments before, since I pretty much mention it to everyone all the time😂

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha thanks Don! Sorry I must have missed it. Love it!

[@thedondeluxe6941]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Haha😄 It's a gem of a lens!😃👍

[@ahmeddaghriri4180]

How about Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm f/2.0 ASPH. Did you Recommend it? Is it worth it price? How sharp is it? Thank you.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

It’s very nice yes. I have the cheaper Voigtlander but the Leica is great too

[@ahmeddaghriri4180]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom me too , I have the Voigtlander also. But still dreaming of Leica APO 😄

[@lugentaubner6853]

Loved the video, although for me it's Bertele over Mandler any day of the week.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

The Summitar is nice.. and the Elmar is a design masterpiece

[@lugentaubner6853]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom That true, too. But Bertele = Sonnar = king (imho)

[@vinylisland6386]

Wait till you try Version 1. I'll lend it to you if we ever meet!

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks yes I thinks all these older ones are very nice!

[@Johnny-te4rv]

Is the version 1 any good in comparison?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Sorry I’ve not tried the v1 yet. I would expect it to be similar

[@drekberg9414]

So is the V2 pre-a that much better than the V3 pre-a?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Some say yes but on paper they are the same optics and v3 is better as can focus closer.

[@jlwilliams]

Okay, so I'm a bokeh philistine: at 01:49, which example pic is the "good" bokeh? Granted this is KZbin, but the only difference I notice is that the lens on the right has a central flare spot that's lowering the contrast of the print pattern on the young lady's dress.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Hi James, don't worry you're not going crazy.. both photos were with the same lens! (Sorry that is was not clear). I didn't know I would test the lens so I didn't have the ASPH with me.

[@jlwilliams]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom 😹That probably proves something (besides the fact that I don't always read very carefully!)

[@datadinkusmc001]

I got this lens, and yeah its awesome

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes I loved it!

[@0action847]

If you do pick it up,a comparison with the Canon 50 1.4 LTM would be nice.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Canon is probably a little softer, dreamer, more vintage/ less perfect wide open but sharpens up a lot from f2.

[@danielfeatherstone674]

Just picked up a Konica Hexanon 57mm f1.2 for my SL. Ever tried it?

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Very nice! No I don't know that one but it sounds very promising!

[@danielfeatherstone674]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Cult lens mate. Only from Japan. Radioactive af though

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@danielfeatherstone674 haha my Aero Ektar LF lens ‘glows’ so I’m used to that ☢️

[@danielfeatherstone674]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have one also. It’s adapters to my Pentax 645Z. I believe there’s an adapter from 645 to L Mount too

[@peaceandseclusion4424]

Mr.ライカ だから知ってると思ってました😂

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha. Mr Leica is always learning!

[@cyrilchapelle5455]

I got the v3 pre Asph and find it much better the the 50 Asph I also own....I like the rendering and the bokeh of Dr Mandler design....

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Great! Yes I prefer the rendering of these older designs too

[@malfunction8165]

Nobody tell me anything either.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Haha.. well i'm glad I found out eventually so I could tell you.

[@chumleyk]

Stop apologizing for things in your videos, it draws far more attention to it.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks I'm not sure what I said.. oh maybe the alarm noise in the background. It was already day 2 take 2 so I just had to keep recording regardless of more noises outside.

[@Old-School-Liberal]

You should have found a better time to record audio that alarm is annoying. Not going to watch.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Thanks, it was already day 2, take ..many, i've moved closer to London so there are more noises now sadly.

[@rrasch8125]

How can you say the bokeh is better than the Asph? Its much more busy especially on foliage. It also suffers from some focus shift if used on rangefinder.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

Yes I know bokeh is very much personal preference so i'm sure not everyone will agree. The FS is very minor from what I saw in reviews so it wouldn't stop me getting it.

[@ofeykalakar1]

@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom FS is a given with a non ASPH lens on a digital body. Not that much of a concern with film, when stopping down.

[@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom]

@@ofeykalakar1 thanks, I didn’t know that for digital