Greetings: I’m new to Leica. Brand new having just switched from Fujifilm GFX and X system bodies and glass. I was first introduced to your channel when I was exploring an option to purchase the Contax G1/G2. The end result of that decision was that I purchased both bodies and all seven lenses. I enjoy the eloquence and sophistication of your reviews. No hyperbole. No profanity. Nothing but a full and extremely informative review. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am soon to be the proud owner of a Leica M Monochrome and a Leica SL2. Voigtlander VM will dominate my early kit but I did manage to get the M APO 75 & 90 f2. This fifty could happen but many months from now. Thank you again. Continued happiness and success.
Now I knew that this was a sharp lens, but I am genuinely blown away by the bokeh in the pictures with the leaves. How it handles background "noise" is genuinely incredible. The transition from the focus plane in that beer bottle shot... unbelievable (I feel like such a lens nerd saying that). Despite what some very angry internet guys may loudly claim, you're getting a lens like this for more than the red dot and the near-mythical brand name. I don't know what Leica's design philosophy is when drawing up these optics, but they're clearly doing something different. They're trying to achieve _more_ than good center and corner LPM numbers on a specsheet. I can understand the price tag -- though I'll probably never be able to afford let alone justify one.
Price is high because Leica is a company focused on the high end and luxury market fragment, nothing to do with the quality itself, well only in part, of course they make superbs optics, but brands like zeiss can achieve same results as Leica with optics that costs 1/5 those of the red dot. Cause they choosed to be available to a greater market segment, that is. Randon pictures from zeiss, voigtländer and leica mixed up and without any reference, showed to a number of people, nobody would ever be able to claim for sure which one is which
I own the black Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH (together with my M10), and I just love it. It's the lens that's on my camera 99% of the time. Thank you for a great review, I will subscribe to your channel.
I could listen to this bloke reading the numbers from the phone book! What a totally excellent review..I was most appreciative of the flaws also..especially the size factor. Great video..well done and lovely photos!
It’s not often that an individual can replicate the great impressionist painters with a camera, however you pulled off with considerable aplomb. Thanks for your effort and time you put into this.
An excellent review. I bought the 50mm Summilux new about a year ago and a half and yes, the focusing is not entirely uniform. Maybe it is caused by the floating element. In any case an outstanding lens. Peter Karber usually says this is the lens he is prouder from the entire actual M series of lenses.
I like the mood of your reviews. At first I had to get used to your chosen angles, but the shot angles actually match your tone. A very relaxing review that allows the viewer to just watch for minutes without even knowing time has passed because of the zen like feel. Love them, keep it up man. You have a unique style and great taste.
man did Leica made the right decision to send you this lens, the best review of this lens on internet yet. I wish I live a bit closer to you so I can send you my noctilux f1 for a month for a review just to hear what you think haha. Honestly though you really should try getting your hands on one. not the 0.95 but the f1 (had the 0.95 and sold it as it just feels too much like this 50 lux but just with one extra stop). The f1 has a lot of character and make irreplacable images that can't be made by any other lenses.
Yeung Marvin Thanks for your kind feedback. I really appreciate it. And, of course, I would love to get my hands on such a Noctilux but I’m afraid this is out of scope. 😅
Hello Max, Jules, and Greg! Thanks so much for all the awesome videos and beautiful images; You've inspired me to dig out my old film SLR, figure out how to jury-rig a 1.4V hearing aid battery to replace the mercury cell that used to power its light meter, and go shoot some film for the first time in over a decade. Cheers!
Thank you for this excellent review and very nice pictures. I have been fortunate enough to use this lens for several years now, with M3 and MP. Until then, my only 50mm was an older Elmar. The image quality of this Summilux Asph is so good that I found it needed a really top level enlarger lens to make the most of it. I did find the focus a little stiff at first, but the Leica Service Centre (Tokyo, Ginza) cured this. As another contributor commented, this lens works especially well with the M3 and 0.85 viewfinders.
Hello Max how are you? You know this is my second time watching this video and it occurred to me that you mentioned you had a monochrome and I'm very curious seeing as how you shoot a lot of black and white film how you feel about the look of those monochrome images. I'm not telling you what to do but it would really be cool if you did a video on the monochrome from the Viewpoint of an analog photographer.
i have this 465 grams heavy Silver/Brass 50 Summilux, came bundled with my M10-P *white* limited edition, ... yes, focus-ring is sticky, hard to rotate, & it's long causing finder blockage. If given a choice, i would go with 28 or 35 Cron. Thanks for the superb review.
An incredible review as usually! Thanks for that. I own this lens and all I can say is that it is the best lens in my entire lens portfolio and of course the most expensive. I use it when time doesn't matter in shootings or during all vacation trips where time for photos is no subject...again great review!!!
Good presentation! This one appeared in the feed of recommended videos, today, and I have enjoyed viewing it again. I “liked and subscribed” long ago, perhaps soon after this presentation was released. (I had already bought my pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, in April 2018, so, this presentation did not influence my purchase.) I should note that this one will flare and ghost, in some conditions, which can be used creatively. I live at a more-southerly latitude than Western Europe, which may well be why I have experienced more sun-induced flare and ghosts. I have seen others’ images, which confirm that the Summilux-M 50mm AASPH will produce flare and ghosts, so, it is not just my individual lens. Notably, my APO Summicron-M 75mm ASPH, which is well-known to be based upon the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, has produced a similar type of ghost. I hope that this somewhat-wordy comment helps you with the mysterious algorithm. Had I known, earlier, that comments influence the algorithm, I would hve posted sooner.
€4k on Amazon.de. I've heard so many positive things about this lens. New neighborhood? Nymphenburg? Pillarstrasse was my fist apartment in Munich. Great area! Nice job on your reviews Max
The best lens I’ve ever owned. I’ll agree with the focus though, it almost feels like the elements are too heavy and provide too much resistance at times.
Lens sticking is not normal. I would’t give a full review on a Benz sports car based on a rental car which god knows how many people abused on a joy riding. Being a used rental lens, it might need a checkup. My previous silver copy had a similar problem, though not as serious. the newer black one was fine. I heard that this lens is a double helicoid design and it puts more strain on focus ring, especially a silver version which sticks more because it is front heavy. if you hold lens straight up and turn focus ring you notice it is easier to turn. of course this is not a problem with new properly adjusted lens. Love your film camera reviews. I only regret I gave up on film due to a hassle and lack of time.
nice review but I would strongly reccomned you to try the "old" pre ASPH 50mm Summilux! Cheaper and more compact then the new version too and more close to the summicron in size. You described very well the drop off of sharpness for the new summilux, which is quite extrem and only surpassed by few lenses. But this is also exactly where I see a conflict in your chrarcterisation of the lense. A smooth transition from in focus to out of focus areas is faster and objects look like cut out or photo shopped into the background. I have got the black limited edition of the lense and it does NOT have this stickiness when focusing. I love it a lot and I use it frequently. Never the less, you should try the older pre ASPH version in case you didn't. It is more smooth in transiting from in focus to out of focus areas and creates more of a 3 pop even though it does not cut out objects, which might lead to losing connection to the background, like the new ASPH version of the lense. Anyway, I love your videos and also that you don't only expose film but yourself too! Rarely you get the same feeling of honesty on the web...
I'm pretty sure that this lens is a very good performer. Like the most Leica Lenses. Leica Lenses are hard to beat in 35mm. But due to its price I have to use the cheaper, smaller and lighter options that Leica offers me. There were times when I took a lot of photos with a very small depth of field. But to be honest. Bokeh and small depth of field do not make a good picture automatically... So I can live very good with slower lenses now ;-)
Always love your reviews. Would be great if you mentioned or displayed on each portrait pic what was the aperture. You mentioned one was at f2 but we don't know the rest.
noonsound Thanks for your kind feedback. As mentioned in the video, all of the portraits were shot somewhere between f/1.4 and f/2.8. Yet my perfectionism is also drawn to showing the exact aperture per image but that would require that I completely break up my flow during the portrait session and cryptically note down which aperture I used when. This would simply cause too much rupture. Can you understand that? In other words: I totally get your point but it wouldn’t be feasible to implement it.
Loved this review, you are a superb presenter and your ability to present in English is better than many native speakers. I agree with just about all points on the Summilux as having had this very model for two years myself. Only thing I'd like to point out is that I think your experience with focusing is mainly isolated to the particular copy you were working with. My particular copy is just as smooth and consistent with my other Leica lenses, I don't sense anything sticking or inconsistencies in the resistance. I'm sure something like that happens, but would imagine it's a rare thing that would be considered a defect, and considering that this was a "free" loaner, perhaps it's not kept in the best state. Thanks for the review!
Wow, beautiful images and nice review. Amazing image quality, that’s quite a lens. Interesting about the focus ring issues. I think I’ll stick with my Summicron 50. Thanks again, great review.
Great review, Max! Just a quick comment on the viewfinder blockage. I find that the lens actually does not block that much of the area covered by the 50mm framelines, aka what you actually get recorded. Maybe worth mentioning...
Yes, that's true certainly true for the 0.72x, 0.68x and 0.58x viewfinder magnifications but not for the 0.85x and 0.91x (original M3) which I personally prefer. I definitely should have mentioned that to make the point more explicit. Thanks for pointing this out!
Ok, you're obviously right... I should've thought a minute before writing :) I have an M10 with 0.73x magnification (basically because I wear glasses, if not I´d probably also like .85x & .91x better)
You should also have tried the M Monochrom as I'm sure you'd find the results are very close to those of M6 with Tri-X when developed in SilverEfex Pro 2.
Video @ 7:30 "feel a little bit of 'stiction' - This means that the lens requires service. When lubricant ages plus is filled with brass micro-debris (break-in material), the lubricant is contaminated (in failure). The lens has likely never been serviced; who ever heard of changing the oil in your vehicle (for the 1st time) AFTER 15 years ! (These began production in 2004-2005).
Max, greetings from Okinawa, Japan. I rewatched the video because at one time I owned this 50 1.4 and sold it to purchase the APO 50 f2. I love the APO 50 but I sincerely miss the lux 50 1.4. Thinking of buying another 50 1.4. Have you or anyone on your Team ever used the APO 50? Would you recommend keeping both lenses? Thank you Max. Chaps
what a beautiful lens! leica has some of the best lenses outthere! really enjoyed this, hope to see more and thanks for sharing all this super dope content with us
What developer are you using? Your Tri-X shots look wonderful and uncharacteristic, in my experience. Is it Xtol in full strength? Or perceptol? It must be a solvent variety because the grain is quite elegant.
ty so much for this video! i was going to ask if you would chose the lux over thr cron even with the cons you listed but you answered my question at the end. I guess that helps me choose the 35 - cron it is as it's also lighter and no blockage. Btw, what's this 50mm APO is see for $10k? is APO better than ASPH?
I've owned both the black and silver versions of this lens, one of them was 10 years old, and the irregular focus and stickiness you described was never something I experienced. I've also never felt that it blocked the viewfinder.
Hi Max, thank you for yet another great video. It is a little mean that you create so much desire for such a unreachable peace of equipment ... The last time I spend this amount of money, I got three lenses and a camera :-) When do we get another story behind the shoot? I am missing those.
Amazing lens not to mention photographs, our Portrait are superb Max and review like wise, Ive never looked as Leica photographs before, and now that you've lead the way for me. I well have to get that leica 2 from my friend i know, His mother received it from his aunt before he was born. hes 86 years old now. hes never used.
It would be interesting if you were able to compare the leica with your Minolta 58 1.2. To see if its worth paying 10 times more or where the main diferences are. Good video!
Joan Gili Suárez Thanks for this great question. The Minolta 58mm f/1.2 does not live up the Summilux when shot wide open in terms of sharpness, fall-off and vignetting. Once stopped down to f/2 or even f/2.8, all this significantly improves. Yet, the sharpness across the frame doesn’t reach the level of the new high-tech Summilux but is potentially comparable to the earlier Summilux. The Minolta’s bokeh is mostly also very beautiful but tends to get busy much quicker when it is confronted with background noise. And in terms of aberrations, flare and ghosting, the Minolta doesn’t stand a chance against the much more advanced and fine-tuned Summilux. But, it’s a character lens, that gets you a certain look instead of “perfect” photographic representation which is very important to me when shooting portraits. Take a look at my full review for details (which you have probably seen).
Your reviews are great. I just subscribed! But it’s kinda funny how you emphasize the size and weight. Wait till you get your hands on the 75 1.25 Noctilux.
Beautiful images, wow amazing image quality. The Summilux is So expensive.. I know you did a review of the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.5 while ago. But Just wondering if you will be reviewing the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5, any time in the future? I'm thinking about new lens, and always listen to your views intently. Oh that's Summilux....
Nice shots man, and I trust your opinion that the lens is great - with these photos at video resolution though, and the generally soft lighting, I really can't tell the difference between this and the cheap yashica 50mm lenses I've used. Maybe some 100% crops and side-by side comparisons would help demonstrate any differences? :)
Thanks for your kind feedback. Yet, I have to probably disappoint you a little bit. I generally don't believe in "pixep peeping" and particularly not in the case of analog photography where so much depends on additional factors such as the film, developer, scanner, etc. I hope you can understand.
Odd that you find the lens sticks when beginning to focus- I wonder if that is common to all of them, or just the one you were using? Either way, it's nice that it was loaned to you given the problems you were having getting your M3 serviced.
Peter Patenaude Yes, as mentioned it is also possible that these issues come from it being a used lens that got sent around to several people. In comparison to my Leica 50mm Summicron and other Leica lenses I have used, it really didn’t convince me.
I don't think this is common, especially after you use the lenses for a while. I have this lens and there's definitely no "stickiness" when focussing. I should say though, from my personal experience, that some Leica lenses I bought new did need some use ( 1-2 month daily use) to become totally smooth.
@@MarkusPaulPhoto Well, my lens was certainly not new but was rather passed around several times. So it seems like it didn't have anything to do with a "break in period".
Herr Max--freut mich sehr! I am certain that the lens that you describe is extraordinary. I am equally certain that the vast majority of your video followers could take extraordinary photos with older Leitz lenses that cost a fraction of this f1.5. The problem with videos like this is that viewers will assume that your offering is a must. On RUclips the marketers have used this idea to encourage people to spend silly amounts of money for things they don't need. Amateur photographers assume that there is a correlation between the price of their equipment and the quality of their photos. If you can help to dispell this notion you will be doing photography a service.
OMG Max! They gave you a Monochrome and a 50 Lux. Were you craving hard after you gave it back or were you ok without it? FWIW I have the MP with the 50 Lux and I really love them. I love how you directed the part where you were looking and the photos on the couch!
@@AnalogInsights and no verbal stiction either as you critically "range find" your expositions to "falling into creaminess". Excellent review :D I'm following and appreciate your style and explorations closely. I have recently acquired two lenses based on your acute observations and nuanced joyful appreciations of these optics. So thank you indeed sir, muchly
Une critique passionnée et raisonnée comme je les aime; merci car ainsi j'ai pu éviter de me retrouver avec un Summilux dont je n'ai pas besoin alors que leur prestige me l'a fait croire !
Hi Max, I love your videos. Whether it is about cameras, film, models, it all is very compelling Your laid-back style suits the old-school content of analogue photography very well. I was glad to this latest video on the Leica 50mm f1.4 ASPH. I have a few remarks though; when you show the images, there is this over-the-shoulder shot of you sitting on the couch with a lap top. That doesn’t work. It interrupts the flow of images you present, especially the editing and duration between couch shot and photo image is terrible. Then what you point out in your text, for example details of the model’s hair or coat fabric, screams for a close-up. But we don’t get to see that. I don’t know if it is possible to zoom in or out on you images? I see some other RUclips channels on photography do that and it looks great. Plus is creates a huge appeal on the portrait images, which are terrific I must admit. Presenting with a voice-over while showing what you say, gives you the ability to take us viewers even deeper into the realm of your images. Plus a talking head is only interesting for so long, after that we want to see what your are telling. When you say the lens is large, immediately show us how large. When you say the lens is sharp show us a cropped image or zoom in on a detail. Video is a visual medium, therefore telling about something doesn’t work, you have to show it. When I judge my own scanned images I can get all freaky on how sharp a lens is on a face or an eye. Only when I have zoomed in far enough and I start seeing film grain I stop freaking. Maybe that is what I was hoping you would show in your images too. Of course I understand that you make these videos out of passion and not full time professionally. I also appreciate that you got this lens only for a short period, and that planning a model shoot plus producing a video in limited time is already a mean feat. But you do a great job on what you are doing and I only wish your videos may become even better. I hope you take this not as critique but as encouragement. Please keep up your terrific work and interesting and beautiful content. Kind regards, Paul Jansen Nijmegen Netherlands
Paul Jansen Thanks for your valuable feedback, Paul. I can really see your points. The over the shoulder sequence is actually primarily meant as voice over on top of images and I use this scene only to provide some visual variety. But I realize that I have probably switched back and forth between the images and this scene too often. And sure, I can try to zoom in a bit on selected parts of the image in the future using the editing program.
@@AnalogInsights I actually quite like the over-the-shoulder shot! It's slightly quirky and definitely different to the many other photography videos discussing images. It maintains the easy laid-back vibe of these AI videos. I'll simply take Max's word for it that the texture of the material is like he says in the image, after all he's the photographer. I really enjoyed watching another fascinating and expertly assembled video about something I will never buy - nice one Max! Although you are mostly responsible for my acquisition of two Pen F / FT cameras! ;-)
That lens is clearly excellent and above most other lenses. I still find the prices rather ridiculous though. I could never see paying more than $3,000 US dollars for a lens. I am quite wealthy, it is rather the principle for me. I just see no justification for it, with so many great lenses on the market for 1/3 of its price. I do own a 1950s era Summicron and Summarit. As well as a 1949 Elmar. All excellent lenses that suit me well, since I do primarily vintage style photography.
This lens is amazing! I've used it as my everything lens for years and it is a dream, even on digital. If anyone is curious, basically everything on my IG and my website is shot with this lens and I'm happy to answer questions anyone has. @SeanCookWeddings Seancookweddings.com Also, mine is the black chrome LHSA edition which I think solves the focus sticking problem that the standard version has. It's quite long, but is a very smooth focus. Love the review! And to anyone debating buying this lens, I can say I have used it essentially wide open for 5 years and probably shot 150,000 images with it and it has never let me down.
@@azzalos Haha, honestly, on a mirrorless camera, I find it's so easy to focus that I feel more confident doing manual focus than I ever did trying to autofocus at 1.4. When you stop down to f4 or so, manual focus can be super difficult because the difference between focus and out of focus is too vague. But at 1.4 on a good mirrorless, it's super clear and really is a ton of fun to use. :-)
Point is, that zeiss for prices that are 1/4,1/5 of leica can deliver a quality that si almost on pair. It is nonetheless a superb piece of engineering, but here what must be thrown into the equation is the bias given by the brand, which is connected automatically with the best of the best, which is only in part true. Its ok, we all agtee its a marvelous lens, but the price will never be justified. I mean, for Leica itself it is for sure. Said that, price apart, its a gorgeous lens, maybe too big for my tastes, I love rangefinder caude its very compact system and wanna stay absolutely on this line. The summucron and summarit are my targets
I'm sure this lens is very good, but I always wondered what's the point of spending so much money for a lens that goes on a 35mm camera... You can use all the superlatives to talk about this lens, take a basic 1950s Rolleicord and any 400 iso film, and you'll have much better results! Of course 35mm is easier ans faster to use and the lens can be used with less light, but is term of pure quality, medium format will always beat 35mm! :)
One could say that it looks like a digital image...why not just shoot digital?.. My point of view is,... as far as shooting film goes, ,... ..it's the look of the old glass that I enjoy seeing!
i just stumbled into this review but, why in the world does this lens cost so much... Its no better than any 1.4 lens. The Simga looks this good, Rokinon looks this good, they have a 1.2 that is better for 1/5 of the cost. This is crazy! lol
I don't like super creamy, super blown out bokeh. I find it rather boring. I can easily get this effect with 135mm portrait lenses that I own. But other than for certain portrait situations, I tend to avoid this practice. I can make the background look like week old potato soup, but it generally not to my liking. In any case, the main point seems to be- There are many lenses that can replicate Leica lenses, 95% to 98% of the excellence, at 1/10th or less of the price. I do understand that for some, paying ungodly amounts to crank out that remaining 2% or even 1% is important. Does that million dollar Stradivarius violin sound that much better than am $7,000 violin? Now we are talking about small fractions of a percent. Having said that, this lens clearly is beyond excellent, as it bloody well should be for that kind of money.
![Oscar Maydon x Fuerza Regida - Tu Boda [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_ymicn0_GYc/mqdefault.jpg)
An excellent review without hyperbolic commentary that is the hall mark of photographic reviews. I understood everything about this lens!
Om Malik Thanks so much for your comment, Om. I really appreciate your feedback. Glad to hear that you liked it.
Agree , less chatting about shooting brick walls and more about human and clothing fall off ...who shoots brick walls anyway ?
Greetings: I’m new to Leica. Brand new having just switched from Fujifilm GFX and X system bodies and glass. I was first introduced to your channel when I was exploring an option to purchase the Contax G1/G2. The end result of that decision was that I purchased both bodies and all seven lenses. I enjoy the eloquence and sophistication of your reviews. No hyperbole. No profanity. Nothing but a full and extremely informative review. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I am soon to be the proud owner of a Leica M Monochrome and a Leica SL2. Voigtlander VM will dominate my early kit but I did manage to get the M APO 75 & 90 f2. This fifty could happen but many months from now. Thank you again. Continued happiness and success.
So many reviewers could learn from this video. Too work man! I appreciate the depth of the review.
Now I knew that this was a sharp lens, but I am genuinely blown away by the bokeh in the pictures with the leaves. How it handles background "noise" is genuinely incredible. The transition from the focus plane in that beer bottle shot... unbelievable (I feel like such a lens nerd saying that).
Despite what some very angry internet guys may loudly claim, you're getting a lens like this for more than the red dot and the near-mythical brand name. I don't know what Leica's design philosophy is when drawing up these optics, but they're clearly doing something different. They're trying to achieve _more_ than good center and corner LPM numbers on a specsheet. I can understand the price tag -- though I'll probably never be able to afford let alone justify one.
Yes: Shot with leaves and the focus on face and cloth of top , they both are testament to fine lens from Leica.
Price is high because Leica is a company focused on the high end and luxury market fragment, nothing to do with the quality itself, well only in part, of course they make superbs optics, but brands like zeiss can achieve same results as Leica with optics that costs 1/5 those of the red dot. Cause they choosed to be available to a greater market segment, that is. Randon pictures from zeiss, voigtländer and leica mixed up and without any reference, showed to a number of people, nobody would ever be able to claim for sure which one is which
I own the black Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 ASPH (together with my M10), and I just love it. It's the lens that's on my camera 99% of the time.
Thank you for a great review, I will subscribe to your channel.
I could listen to this bloke reading the numbers from the phone book! What a totally excellent review..I was most appreciative of the flaws also..especially the size factor. Great video..well done and lovely photos!
My gear acquisition syndrome just went through the roof! This lens is just complete insanity! I had the pleasure of using it for some times.
Damn, botch your leica M3 repair 3 times and they hook you up with a Leica Monochrom and a Summilux for 2 weeks? Now that is some customer support.
It’s not often that an individual can replicate the great impressionist painters with a camera, however you pulled off with considerable aplomb. Thanks for your effort and time you put into this.
An excellent review. I bought the 50mm Summilux new about a year ago and a half and yes, the focusing is not entirely uniform. Maybe it is caused by the floating element. In any case an outstanding lens. Peter Karber usually says this is the lens he is prouder from the entire actual M series of lenses.
...my default lens for the last 15 years - with good reason. Spot on review. Full marks.
I like the mood of your reviews. At first I had to get used to your chosen angles, but the shot angles actually match your tone. A very relaxing review that allows the viewer to just watch for minutes without even knowing time has passed because of the zen like feel. Love them, keep it up man. You have a unique style and great taste.
man did Leica made the right decision to send you this lens, the best review of this lens on internet yet. I wish I live a bit closer to you so I can send you my noctilux f1 for a month for a review just to hear what you think haha. Honestly though you really should try getting your hands on one. not the 0.95 but the f1 (had the 0.95 and sold it as it just feels too much like this 50 lux but just with one extra stop). The f1 has a lot of character and make irreplacable images that can't be made by any other lenses.
Yeung Marvin Thanks for your kind feedback. I really appreciate it. And, of course, I would love to get my hands on such a Noctilux but I’m afraid this is out of scope. 😅
Hello Max, Jules, and Greg! Thanks so much for all the awesome videos and beautiful images; You've inspired me to dig out my old film SLR, figure out how to jury-rig a 1.4V hearing aid battery to replace the mercury cell that used to power its light meter, and go shoot some film for the first time in over a decade. Cheers!
Enjoyable and informative .Lovely shots . I have a silver V5 summicron but very impressed with what you have shown this is lens capable of .
Thank you for this excellent review and very nice pictures. I have been fortunate enough to use this lens for several years now, with M3 and MP. Until then, my only 50mm was an older Elmar. The image quality of this Summilux Asph is so good that I found it needed a really top level enlarger lens to make the most of it. I did find the focus a little stiff at first, but the Leica Service Centre (Tokyo, Ginza) cured this. As another contributor commented, this lens works especially well with the M3 and 0.85 viewfinders.
Hello Max how are you? You know this is my second time watching this video and it occurred to me that you mentioned you had a monochrome and I'm very curious seeing as how you shoot a lot of black and white film how you feel about the look of those monochrome images. I'm not telling you what to do but it would really be cool if you did a video on the monochrome from the Viewpoint of an analog photographer.
i have this 465 grams heavy Silver/Brass 50 Summilux, came bundled with my M10-P *white* limited edition, ... yes, focus-ring is sticky, hard to rotate, & it's long causing finder blockage. If given a choice, i would go with 28 or 35 Cron. Thanks for the superb review.
I just bought this lens to go with my new M11. I’ve been playing with the new Lux for a week or so and already love it.
One of the best reviews I ever saw. 👍🏻 ... very well done!
Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your kind feedback.
An incredible review as usually! Thanks for that. I own this lens and all I can say is that it is the best lens in my entire lens portfolio and of course the most expensive. I use it when time doesn't matter in shootings or during all vacation trips where time for photos is no subject...again great review!!!
Good presentation! This one appeared in the feed of recommended videos, today, and I have enjoyed viewing it again. I “liked and subscribed” long ago, perhaps soon after this presentation was released. (I had already bought my pre-owned Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, in April 2018, so, this presentation did not influence my purchase.)
I should note that this one will flare and ghost, in some conditions, which can be used creatively. I live at a more-southerly latitude than Western Europe, which may well be why I have experienced more sun-induced flare and ghosts. I have seen others’ images, which confirm that the Summilux-M 50mm AASPH will produce flare and ghosts, so, it is not just my individual lens. Notably, my APO Summicron-M 75mm ASPH, which is well-known to be based upon the Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, has produced a similar type of ghost.
I hope that this somewhat-wordy comment helps you with the mysterious algorithm. Had I known, earlier, that comments influence the algorithm, I would hve posted sooner.
Great stuff, Max, and very well covered and filmed as always..Your new place looks nice, too!
Thanks for your kind feedback. Really appreciate it. :)
€4k on Amazon.de. I've heard so many positive things about this lens.
New neighborhood? Nymphenburg? Pillarstrasse was my fist apartment in Munich. Great area!
Nice job on your reviews Max
The best lens I’ve ever owned. I’ll agree with the focus though, it almost feels like the elements are too heavy and provide too much resistance at times.
By far the longest wait that I’ve ever had for a lens. It took over a year to fulfil when I ordered it.
An actual review, that is rare - wtf :) Danke sehr
Thanks Max, I really enjoy it when you talk through the images.
Thanks, happy to hear that. :)
The best review I have seen(very informative) Thankyou.
Lens sticking is not normal.
I would’t give a full review on a Benz sports car based on a rental car which god knows how many people abused on a joy riding.
Being a used rental lens, it might need a checkup.
My previous silver copy had a similar problem, though not as serious. the newer black one was fine.
I heard that this lens is a double helicoid design and it puts more strain on focus ring, especially a silver version which sticks more because it is front heavy.
if you hold lens straight up and turn focus ring you notice it is easier to turn.
of course this is not a problem with new properly adjusted lens.
Love your film camera reviews. I only regret I gave up on film due to a hassle and lack of time.
nice review but I would strongly reccomned you to try the "old" pre ASPH 50mm Summilux! Cheaper and more compact then the new version too and more close to the summicron in size.
You described very well the drop off of sharpness for the new summilux, which is quite extrem and only surpassed by few lenses. But this is also exactly where I see a conflict in your chrarcterisation of the lense. A smooth transition from in focus to out of focus areas is faster and objects look like cut out or photo shopped into the background. I have got the black limited edition of the lense and it does NOT have this stickiness when focusing. I love it a lot and I use it frequently. Never the less, you should try the older pre ASPH version in case you didn't. It is more smooth in transiting from in focus to out of focus areas and creates more of a 3 pop even though it does not cut out objects, which might lead to losing connection to the background, like the new ASPH version of the lense. Anyway, I love your videos and also that you don't only expose film but yourself too! Rarely you get the same feeling of honesty on the web...
I'm pretty sure that this lens is a very good performer. Like the most Leica Lenses. Leica Lenses are hard to beat in 35mm. But due to its price I have to use the cheaper, smaller and lighter options that Leica offers me. There were times when I took a lot of photos with a very small depth of field. But to be honest. Bokeh and small depth of field do not make a good picture automatically... So I can live very good with slower lenses now ;-)
Always love your reviews. Would be great if you mentioned or displayed on each portrait pic what was the aperture. You mentioned one was at f2 but we don't know the rest.
noonsound Thanks for your kind feedback. As mentioned in the video, all of the portraits were shot somewhere between f/1.4 and f/2.8. Yet my perfectionism is also drawn to showing the exact aperture per image but that would require that I completely break up my flow during the portrait session and cryptically note down which aperture I used when. This would simply cause too much rupture. Can you understand that? In other words: I totally get your point but it wouldn’t be feasible to implement it.
@@AnalogInsights yes yes of course. Sorry, it certainly isn't a very practice request on my part. 😁
Loved this review, you are a superb presenter and your ability to present in English is better than many native speakers. I agree with just about all points on the Summilux as having had this very model for two years myself. Only thing I'd like to point out is that I think your experience with focusing is mainly isolated to the particular copy you were working with. My particular copy is just as smooth and consistent with my other Leica lenses, I don't sense anything sticking or inconsistencies in the resistance. I'm sure something like that happens, but would imagine it's a rare thing that would be considered a defect, and considering that this was a "free" loaner, perhaps it's not kept in the best state. Thanks for the review!
Got the 90mm Summicron , desire this 50mm 1.4 Summilux in brass and bright finish. Just lovely imaging.
Wow, beautiful images and nice review. Amazing image quality, that’s quite a lens. Interesting about the focus ring issues. I think I’ll stick with my Summicron 50. Thanks again, great review.
Pristine review! Do your edit your film or are these photos straight out of the camera? Kind Regards!
Brilliant review; great lens. Well balanced with exceptional photos of a great model. Thanks for posting.
What a gorgeous review !! You convinced me !!!
Great review, Max! Just a quick comment on the viewfinder blockage. I find that the lens actually does not block that much of the area covered by the 50mm framelines, aka what you actually get recorded. Maybe worth mentioning...
Yes, that's true certainly true for the 0.72x, 0.68x and 0.58x viewfinder magnifications but not for the 0.85x and 0.91x (original M3) which I personally prefer. I definitely should have mentioned that to make the point more explicit. Thanks for pointing this out!
Ok, you're obviously right... I should've thought a minute before writing :) I have an M10 with 0.73x magnification (basically because I wear glasses, if not I´d probably also like .85x & .91x better)
I love this lens. My go to glass for razor sharp portraits with the smoothest background at the same time.
You should also have tried the M Monochrom as I'm sure you'd find the results are very close to those of M6 with Tri-X when developed in SilverEfex Pro 2.
Video @ 7:30 "feel a little bit of 'stiction' - This means that the lens requires service. When lubricant ages plus is filled with brass micro-debris (break-in material), the lubricant is contaminated (in failure). The lens has likely never been serviced; who ever heard of changing the oil in your vehicle (for the 1st time) AFTER 15 years ! (These began production in 2004-2005).
Max, greetings from Okinawa, Japan. I rewatched the video because at one time I owned this 50 1.4 and sold it to purchase the APO 50 f2. I love the APO 50 but I sincerely miss the lux 50 1.4. Thinking of buying another 50 1.4. Have you or anyone on your Team ever used the APO 50? Would you recommend keeping both lenses? Thank you Max. Chaps
what a beautiful lens! leica has some of the best lenses outthere!
really enjoyed this, hope to see more and thanks for sharing all this super dope content with us
What developer are you using? Your Tri-X shots look wonderful and uncharacteristic, in my experience. Is it Xtol in full strength? Or perceptol? It must be a solvent variety because the grain is quite elegant.
My favorite Leica lens! The true bokeh master!
Super informative review!
My fav lens, which the only lens I will take if I had to choose.
Could you review the “poor mans Summilux” which is the Canon 50mm f1.4 LTM? It is a lens that many (e.g Jonas Rask et al) believe is exceptional.
ty so much for this video! i was going to ask if you would chose the lux over thr cron even with the cons you listed but you answered my question at the end. I guess that helps me choose the 35 - cron it is as it's also lighter and no blockage. Btw, what's this 50mm APO is see for $10k? is APO better than ASPH?
Silver lens is heavier and expensive than back, do you think it is better to use silver version?
It‘s also my preferred lens, if I need a smaller lighter one, I use my Summarit 50. If possible, I wear my Summilux 50 with me.
I've owned both the black and silver versions of this lens, one of them was 10 years old, and the irregular focus and stickiness you described was never something I experienced.
I've also never felt that it blocked the viewfinder.
Hi Max, thank you for yet another great video. It is a little mean that you create so much desire for such a unreachable peace of equipment ... The last time I spend this amount of money, I got three lenses and a camera :-)
When do we get another story behind the shoot? I am missing those.
Hi is the NOCTILUX-M 50 F/1.2 ASPH is better than the SUMMILUX-M 50MM F/1.4 ASPH ? Any advantages of the Summilux ?
The beer shot reminded me of Zeiss Ultron 50 1.8 I had for a while.
Vedad Interesting, thanks for pout this out. I might take a look at some of these M42 lenses as well st some point.
Analog Insights vvv
How does it compare to the Fujinon XF 56 1.2 (ADP)
Amazing lens not to mention photographs, our Portrait are superb Max and review like wise, Ive never looked as Leica photographs before, and now that you've lead the way for me. I well have to get that leica 2 from my friend i know, His mother received it from his aunt before he was born. hes 86 years old now. hes never used.
It would be interesting if you were able to compare the leica with your Minolta 58 1.2. To see if its worth paying 10 times more or where the main diferences are. Good video!
Joan Gili Suárez Thanks for this great question. The Minolta 58mm f/1.2 does not live up the Summilux when shot wide open in terms of sharpness, fall-off and vignetting. Once stopped down to f/2 or even f/2.8, all this significantly improves. Yet, the sharpness across the frame doesn’t reach the level of the new high-tech Summilux but is potentially comparable to the earlier Summilux. The Minolta’s bokeh is mostly also very beautiful but tends to get busy much quicker when it is confronted with background noise. And in terms of aberrations, flare and ghosting, the Minolta doesn’t stand a chance against the much more advanced and fine-tuned Summilux. But, it’s a character lens, that gets you a certain look instead of “perfect” photographic representation which is very important to me when shooting portraits. Take a look at my full review for details (which you have probably seen).
Your reviews are great. I just subscribed! But it’s kinda funny how you emphasize the size and weight. Wait till you get your hands on the 75 1.25 Noctilux.
Beautiful images, wow amazing image quality. The Summilux is So expensive..
I know you did a review of the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1.5 while ago. But Just wondering if you will be reviewing the Carl Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5, any time in the future? I'm thinking about new lens, and always listen to your views intently. Oh that's Summilux....
Nice shots man, and I trust your opinion that the lens is great - with these photos at video resolution though, and the generally soft lighting, I really can't tell the difference between this and the cheap yashica 50mm lenses I've used. Maybe some 100% crops and side-by side comparisons would help demonstrate any differences? :)
Thanks for your kind feedback. Yet, I have to probably disappoint you a little bit. I generally don't believe in "pixep peeping" and particularly not in the case of analog photography where so much depends on additional factors such as the film, developer, scanner, etc. I hope you can understand.
I do understand, I guess I was just hoping to see what you were seeing :) Thanks for the excellent video nonetheless
Outstanding review, very informative. Thank you!
Odd that you find the lens sticks when beginning to focus- I wonder if that is common to all of them, or just the one you were using? Either way, it's nice that it was loaned to you given the problems you were having getting your M3 serviced.
Peter Patenaude Yes, as mentioned it is also possible that these issues come from it being a used lens that got sent around to several people. In comparison to my Leica 50mm Summicron and other Leica lenses I have used, it really didn’t convince me.
@@AnalogInsights It's hard to beat a Summicron
I don't think this is common, especially after you use the lenses for a while. I have this lens and there's definitely no "stickiness" when focussing. I should say though, from my personal experience, that some Leica lenses I bought new did need some use ( 1-2 month daily use) to become totally smooth.
That makes sense- a break in period
@@MarkusPaulPhoto Well, my lens was certainly not new but was rather passed around several times. So it seems like it didn't have anything to do with a "break in period".
How is this lens compared to Zeiss Otus 55?
Herr Max--freut mich sehr! I am certain that the lens that you describe is extraordinary. I am equally certain that the vast majority of your video followers could take extraordinary photos with older Leitz lenses that cost a fraction of this f1.5. The problem with videos like this is that viewers will assume that your offering is a must. On RUclips the marketers have used this idea to encourage people to spend silly amounts of money for things they don't need. Amateur photographers assume that there is a correlation between the price of their equipment and the quality of their photos. If you can help to dispell this notion you will be doing photography a service.
OMG Max! They gave you a Monochrome and a 50 Lux. Were you craving hard after you gave it back or were you ok without it? FWIW I have the MP with the 50 Lux and I really love them.
I love how you directed the part where you were looking and the photos on the couch!
which lab are you using Max ?
Marc H MeinFilmLab (www.meinfilmlab.de). Hope this helps.
As good as always ... silky smooth delivery... keep clicking, keep inspiring be well x ta
Thanks for your kind feedback. Glad you like it. :)
@@AnalogInsights and no verbal stiction either as you critically "range find" your expositions to "falling into creaminess". Excellent review :D
I'm following and appreciate your style and explorations closely. I have recently acquired two lenses based on your acute observations and nuanced joyful appreciations of these optics. So thank you indeed sir, muchly
black and white shots look fantastic. do you do a lot of editing in post?
Une critique passionnée et raisonnée comme je les aime; merci car ainsi j'ai pu éviter de me retrouver avec un Summilux dont je n'ai pas besoin alors que leur prestige me l'a fait croire !
I have this lens and love it !!!
dude Im so tempted to buy this lens...
Great review and great lens.
Hi Max,
I love your videos. Whether it is about cameras, film, models, it all is very compelling Your laid-back style suits the old-school content of analogue photography very well.
I was glad to this latest video on the Leica 50mm f1.4 ASPH. I have a few remarks though; when you show the images, there is this over-the-shoulder shot of you sitting on the couch with a lap top. That doesn’t work. It interrupts the flow of images you present, especially the editing and duration between couch shot and photo image is terrible. Then what you point out in your text, for example details of the model’s hair or coat fabric, screams for a close-up. But we don’t get to see that. I don’t know if it is possible to zoom in or out on you images? I see some other RUclips channels on photography do that and it looks great. Plus is creates a huge appeal on the portrait images, which are terrific I must admit.
Presenting with a voice-over while showing what you say, gives you the ability to take us viewers even deeper into the realm of your images. Plus a talking head is only interesting for so long, after that we want to see what your are telling. When you say the lens is large, immediately show us how large. When you say the lens is sharp show us a cropped image or zoom in on a detail. Video is a visual medium, therefore telling about something doesn’t work, you have to show it. When I judge my own scanned images I can get all freaky on how sharp a lens is on a face or an eye. Only when I have zoomed in far enough and I start seeing film grain I stop freaking. Maybe that is what I was hoping you would show in your images too.
Of course I understand that you make these videos out of passion and not full time professionally. I also appreciate that you got this lens only for a short period, and that planning a model shoot plus producing a video in limited time is already a mean feat. But you do a great job on what you are doing and I only wish your videos may become even better. I hope you take this not as critique but as encouragement. Please keep up your terrific work and interesting and beautiful content.
Kind regards,
Paul Jansen
Nijmegen
Netherlands
Paul Jansen Thanks for your valuable feedback, Paul. I can really see your points. The over the shoulder sequence is actually primarily meant as voice over on top of images and I use this scene only to provide some visual variety. But I realize that I have probably switched back and forth between the images and this scene too often. And sure, I can try to zoom in a bit on selected parts of the image in the future using the editing program.
@@AnalogInsights I actually quite like the over-the-shoulder shot! It's slightly quirky and definitely different to the many other photography videos discussing images. It maintains the easy laid-back vibe of these AI videos. I'll simply take Max's word for it that the texture of the material is like he says in the image, after all he's the photographer.
I really enjoyed watching another fascinating and expertly assembled video about something I will never buy - nice one Max! Although you are mostly responsible for my acquisition of two Pen F / FT cameras! ;-)
@@alanpods______8260 yeah Max has his own beautiful content absorbable style.
That lens is clearly excellent and above most other lenses. I still find the prices rather ridiculous though. I could never see paying more than $3,000 US dollars for a lens. I am quite wealthy, it is rather the principle for me. I just see no justification for it, with so many great lenses on the market for 1/3 of its price. I do own a 1950s era Summicron and Summarit. As well as a 1949 Elmar. All excellent lenses that suit me well, since I do primarily vintage style photography.
This lens is amazing! I've used it as my everything lens for years and it is a dream, even on digital. If anyone is curious, basically everything on my IG and my website is shot with this lens and I'm happy to answer questions anyone has.
@SeanCookWeddings
Seancookweddings.com
Also, mine is the black chrome LHSA edition which I think solves the focus sticking problem that the standard version has. It's quite long, but is a very smooth focus.
Love the review! And to anyone debating buying this lens, I can say I have used it essentially wide open for 5 years and probably shot 150,000 images with it and it has never let me down.
wow what body are you using in most of those shots?
norwaytosingapore Almost all are with the A7II using the voigtlander VME adapter.
All shots on your website are with the 50 Lux? That’s crazy. How can you get away with shooting a full wedding only on 50?
@@azzalos Haha, honestly, on a mirrorless camera, I find it's so easy to focus that I feel more confident doing manual focus than I ever did trying to autofocus at 1.4. When you stop down to f4 or so, manual focus can be super difficult because the difference between focus and out of focus is too vague. But at 1.4 on a good mirrorless, it's super clear and really is a ton of fun to use. :-)
its 89 degrees fahrenheit in LA right now and your turtleneck is making me sweat hahahaha
Haha. Good one. Sorry about that. Please return in the fall. :)
@@AnalogInsights hahaha thanks for an awesome video!
Does it have focus shift when stopping down?
Ok, it is no focus shift because it has a floating focus element.
Very helpful.
Point is, that zeiss for prices that are 1/4,1/5 of leica can deliver a quality that si almost on pair. It is nonetheless a superb piece of engineering, but here what must be thrown into the equation is the bias given by the brand, which is connected automatically with the best of the best, which is only in part true. Its ok, we all agtee its a marvelous lens, but the price will never be justified. I mean, for Leica itself it is for sure. Said that, price apart, its a gorgeous lens, maybe too big for my tastes, I love rangefinder caude its very compact system and wanna stay absolutely on this line. The summucron and summarit are my targets
fascinating, thanks!
like your videos, high class
Thanks so much!
Max, I have the black version and I love it. Bought it used and it was beautiful. Thanks for your great review as always.
I like that steve jobs outfit
Gavin Gynert Haha. Thanks. But the turtle neck is generally a great fashion piece. I can only recommend it. ;)
@@AnalogInsights It suits you well! what a shame my neck is too long for those kinda pieces.
Top review and indeed very nice girl and picture
I'm sure this lens is very good, but I always wondered what's the point of spending so much money for a lens that goes on a 35mm camera... You can use all the superlatives to talk about this lens, take a basic 1950s Rolleicord and any 400 iso film, and you'll have much better results! Of course 35mm is easier ans faster to use and the lens can be used with less light, but is term of pure quality, medium format will always beat 35mm! :)
Luc B Thanks for your comment. Well, on this channel, this is certainly not news. ;)
@@AnalogInsights y es I see that! I discover the channel... Great channel! 👍
Yes. A fabulous optic. But I think the Zeiss Otus 55/1.4 is better. But that is subjective.
Wenn ich das Geld hätte... 🤪Als Schüler gebe ich mich aber gerne mit dem wunderbaren Olympus 50 1.4 zufrieden.
Nicer in black and white. Not sure how I feel about the color.
One could say that it looks like a digital image...why not just shoot digital?.. My point of view is,... as far as shooting film goes, ,... ..it's the look of the old glass that I enjoy seeing!
Nymphenburg Kanal 😀
micro contrast? thanks and enjoy life🙏🏻
i just stumbled into this review but, why in the world does this lens cost so much... Its no better than any 1.4 lens. The Simga looks this good, Rokinon looks this good, they have a 1.2 that is better for 1/5 of the cost. This is crazy! lol
I'm prefer Nikkor 50, 1,8 .
I don't like super creamy, super blown out bokeh. I find it rather boring. I can easily get this effect with 135mm portrait lenses that I own. But other than for certain portrait situations, I tend to avoid this practice. I can make the background look like week old potato soup, but it generally not to my liking. In any case, the main point seems to be- There are many lenses that can replicate Leica lenses, 95% to 98% of the excellence, at 1/10th or less of the price. I do understand that for some, paying ungodly amounts to crank out that remaining 2% or even 1% is important. Does that million dollar Stradivarius violin sound that much better than am $7,000 violin? Now we are talking about small fractions of a percent. Having said that, this lens clearly is beyond excellent, as it bloody well should be for that kind of money.
is it sharp? yes. is it worth the money? hell no.
Your model is more alluring than the lens. Who pays that much money for a normal lens? No pro that I know. Just rich guys who can't take pictures.
Clearly you know nothing about Leica shooters and the Leica experience- kenrockwell.com/leica/leica-man.htm
James Mason I do.
Maybe you don't know the good pros ...
Silly comment
don't try too hard to talk with a dark whispering voice, just tell the story.
M JP That’s just my regular voice...
All I do is trying very hard to tell the story. ;)