LEICA SUMMILUX M 50mm ASPH.
Adopts aspheric lenses and new generation standard lenses
A review and Photo example of the SUMMILUX M 50mm F1.4 ASPH. .
Table of contents
Gallery
- Example photo taken with the
- +KODAK-E100G+NIKON COOLSCAN-V
- LEICA M9
- LEICA M10
Review
1．Overview
The SUMMILUX M 50mm F1.4 ASPH. (order number: 11891-black, silver-11892) is a standard lens that uses aspherical lenses and was released in 2006.
In addition to the model with an integrated hood shown in the photo, a lens with a lens barrel that imitates the first Summilux is also available as a limited edition model (order number: 11628).
The black and silver versions have different lens barrel materials, with the silver version made of brass and weighing 460g, and the black version made of aluminum and weighing 335g, a difference of about 100g.
In the 2023 renewal (order number: 11728-black, silver-11729), the minimum shooting distance was shortened to 0.45m, the number of aperture blades was increased to 11, and the aperture shape was made closer to a perfect circle, among other minor changes to the specifications. However, the sales price has increased further with the renewal. Also, the only difference between the silver and black versions is the paint, and the weight is the same.
2．Usability
The SUMMILUX M 50mm F1.4 ASPH. can be used with both film and digital cameras to achieve satisfying results.
When shooting at full aperture, the image with a clear depiction of the focal plane smoothly blurs, making it seem like the photo has improved. If you use it at a narrow aperture, the depiction of the front becomes uniform and less interesting, so you should actively use full aperture while thinking about how to avoid monotony. However, shooting at full aperture can be disappointing in some situations, as the background blur becomes noisy when shooting close up, and vignetting at full aperture can cause rugby ball blur.
The feel of the focus ring is very smooth in both the black and silver versions, and when I first used it, it felt too light. As a result, I had trouble fine-tuning the focus position. Still, after using it for a while, I was able to operate the focus quickly, so I began to feel that it was better than a helicoid that was too heavy.
As mentioned in the overview, the difference between black and silver is that silver is heavy and black is light.
In my experience using both the silver brass and the black aluminum, the silver was heavy, but the lighter black was easier to carry around.
There is also a theory that heavier lenses are better for preventing camera shake, so the choice between silver and black should be decided based on the photographer’s preference.
This aspherical Summilux lens has a built-in hood, which can be extended and fixed to the lens by pulling out and rotating the hood. The black lens I owned had an issue with the hood fixing part, so I couldn’t fix the hood, so I sent it in for repair. After the repair, the hood was fixed so that it clicked into place and was comfortable to use.
However, if you drop the camera with the hood fixed, the area around the lens hood fixing part will definitely break, so it may be safer to have a looser pull-out type. There are pros and cons to which is better, and while it is certainly best to avoid dropping the lens, you never know what you’ll encounter in the field.
3．Summary
To sum up the SUMMILUX M 50mm F1.4 ASPH., the wide open aperture has a bokeh that you can’t get with the SUMMICRON. Another great thing about it is that the image doesn’t distort as much as the NOCTILUX, so you can use it with confidence even at wide open aperture.
If you’re going to use the NOCTILUX at a narrow aperture, I’d recommend the SUMMILUX.
Specification and Competitor
The Summilux-M 50mm is the second-best lens in Leica’s standard lens lineup; it is darker but lighter than the eldest Noctilux, and brighter than the third Summicron and of a similar weight.
With other manufacturers, it would usually be considered a mediocre lens, but with Leica it has established a unique position, there is constant market demand, and the price is stable.
In terms of performance, Leica released the Apo-Summicron 50mm, a standard lens that breaks down Leica’s lens hierarchy.
The Apo-Summicron 50mm was positioned differently from the regular lens line, and because it was priced the same as the Noctilux 50mm, the Summilux 50mm’s position has been maintained.
| Item | IV ＞New2023 | III | I,II |
| Lens name | SUMMILUX-M 50ASPH. | SUMMILUX-M 50 III型 | SUMMILUX-M 50 I,II型 |
| Focal length(mm) | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Max aperture | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Leaf blade | 9 ＞11(New) | 12 | 16 or 12 |
| Lens Construction | 8elements in 5group | 7elements in 5group | 7elements in 5group |
| Min distance(m) | 0.7 ＞0.45(New) | 0.7 | 1.0 |
| Lens length(mm) | 52.5 ＞59.3(New) | 54.5 | – |
| Lens Max diameter(mm) | 53.5 ＞58.6(New) | 47.7 | – |
| Filter Size(mm) | 46 | 46 | 43 |
| hood | Build in | Build in | XOOIM 12521 12586 |
| Weight(g) | 335(B) ＞337(New) 460(Sv) | 275(B) 380(Sv/Titan) | – |
| Release year | 2006 ＞2023 | 1992 | 1961 |
Reference links
Update history
- 2024.11.3
- 2024.03.02:Update article
- 2023.06.16:First draft
Leave a Reply