Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black USA

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

I have this lens as well as the 50 Summicron, and I'm not parting with either. The Cron is a much older design, and it brings a sort of charm to images that is very nice and instantly appreciated. This Summilux just extremely accurately transmits the image - the colors, the shape, the geometry, the whole "gestalt." Reviewing the images later is like looking through an open window at a moment in the past, even more so than some other Leica lenses. It is also obviously much easier to use in low light than the Cron, and may be the single best lens to carry around on the M9, with the possible exception of the 35 Lux FE (still looking for one of those).

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

I was recently luck enough to obtain this 50 summilux from B&H (the only place that I now consider purchasing any photographic equipment). I also own the newest version of the 50 summircon. In comparing the two lenses, the Summilux has outstanding bokeh. Extra stop in low-light performance means amazing photos before sunrise and after sunset. The main purpose to get this lens is for the 1.4 aperture and bokeh. I am not sure any other lens can compare. Summircon is a sharper lens (if one zooms in 100% and is counting pixels). I am not going to mention the price difference between the two lenses because, if you have purchased an M9 for $7000, it would be ridiculous to even consider making a decision on which lens to get based on this.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

With f 0.95, f1.4, f2 and f2.5 50mm's in the Leica line, each of us has to decide where dreams meet budget.

It's a wonderful lens, easy to use with the rangefinder system, and the M9 viewinder lets you see roughly double the actual frame, which is a joy for quick composition.

The lens is also a solid chunk of glass--you do not want to drop it on your foot.

It does, however, require a little bit of good judgement--I love the narrow depth of field with the lens wide open. The reality of my shooting is that only a fraction of my shots really need--or profit from--the full f1.4 aperature. At mid-range focusing distances, the lens still delivers very nice separation and background blur when stopped down to f5.6--f8.

In open-sky situations, a screw-in circular polarizer works--the exposure meter is sensitive enough to pick up the optimum polarizer setting.

Otherwise, the image quality is so good that you wonder why all cameras don't have lenses like this one.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

The lens build quality is great, except for the built in hood, which felt a tad flimsy to me. The lens is well balanced on the M9. The focus throw is longer than some of my other lenses, but I adapted to this quickly. Getting in focus shots wide open is challenging at first, so this lens will probably take some practice before you start nailing focus. Overall, I'm very satisfied with the quality of the images I'm getting with this lens.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

I had one, loved it, then needed money. I'm a professional aerial and architectural photographer, I have a large collection of Nikon lenses that I use for my pro work and keep the Leica for my personal camera. In these tough times I needed to sel loff some equipment to fund a project so I sold the 50mm - thinking that I could to the same with my Nikon 50mm f.1.4...not even close. If you compare images side-by-side you'll see why Leica is the world's best. When I get some bill paid off I'm going to buy another 50mm.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

After checking out eight 50mm lenses in the last year from Zeiss, Canon, Nikon, Voigtlander and Leica as well as testing many other lenses, this is as close to perfection as I have seen.

It is difficult to find fault with this lens. At f1.4 it is sharp from corner to corner. Resistant to flare and has the creamy bokeh I prefer. It is only a little larger than the f2.0 Summicron.

If there is a fault, it would be that pin points of light at night do not make nice star patterns when the lens is stopped down. The Nokton is much more interesting.

As with most Leica lenses, use it without reservation at any f-stop.

Perhaps price is a con, but I know my search for a 50mm for my Leica is at an end.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

Everything about the lense is great...

I have been checking B&H website for over a month and finally was lucky enough to get one today.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

In my opinion, the "new" version of the 50 1:1.4 Summilux-M ASPH lens is one of the two best lenses for all-around general photography, including street photos, low light photos, and selective focus photos (which is where I think the Leica M system is at its best). The lens is fantastic at 1:4. You can easily keep shooting at dusk, or even later with careful use of the Leica folding tripod and ball head. I have used that setup by resting the tripod against walls, and even just resting it against my chest. Sure, the Noctilux is intoxicating, but it is also large and heavy, by M standards, and has an incredibly shallow DOF when used wide open. I think it is more of a specialty lens than an everyday, general use lens. My other candidate for best all-around use is the 35 1:1.4 Summilux M ASPH, which has virtually the same performance as the 50 'Lux with of course a different angle of view.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

Tremendous IQ & Bokeh!

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

This lens is a state of the art masterpiece of optical engineering.
An excellent choice for portraits and general low light photography with the M8.
It excels at all apertures and distances including wide open.
It is a joy to use and finally a 50/1.4 lens that can be used in any situation without worry about contrast or quality loss wide open and at all apertures.
I have been using it extensively for 2 years now and along with the 35/1.4 ASPH that makes a perfect set for almost any situation. For shooters who need wide angle you could also add the 28/2 ASPH, but I don't like to change lenses on the M8 because of dust.

Comments about Leica Normal 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical Manual Focus Lens (6-Bit, Updated for Digital) - Black:

This is not the cultish Marilyn Monroe-Noctilux. Rather, this is the ultra accessible Robert de Nero of lenses. It is sharp (f/2-f/5.6) for portraiture!