Aside from the changes in focus tabs, exterior finish, hoods, & such, have there been any substantive optical improvements in the 50/1.4 Summilux-M in the past 30 years or so? The reason why I ask is that according to Stephen Gandy's guide to Leica M lenses (http://cameraquest.com/mlenses.htm), the Summilux has had the same optical formula since '68. Thanks in advance, Chris

-- Christopher Chen (furcafe@cris.com), July 08, 2001

Answers

The current 50mm Summilux-M (the one with the built-in shade) focuses to .7 meters. All previous versions focused to 1 meter. Undoubtedly the optical coatings have improved as the technology advanced. Other than that, I believe that "the same optical formula since '68" is correct. It's a fine lens if you want/need f/1.4. I sold a 50 Summicron to help buy a 50 Summilux. I don't regret it. I like the speed, I love the look.

-- Robert Schneider (rolopix@yahoo.com), July 08, 2001.

Same optical formula since 1961 (#1844001).

Lucien

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), July 08, 2001.

Lucien: You are correct, of course. I think I was confused because I read somewhere that Leitz didn't publicly acknowledge improving the Summilux formula until '65 or '66.

-- Christopher Chen (furcafe@cris.com), July 09, 2001.

re the earlier answer, would you mind elaborating on why you like the 1.4 more than the 2. I have the summicron and i saw a guy the day at the lab with the summilux and it looked so cool with the extra glass. the guy's pictures just popped, but i'm sure he's just a good photographer. have you noticed a difference in picture quality between the two lenses? people say the f2 is sharper, but i am not quite as concerned with sharpness as i am with contrast and the "pop."

-- Carlos Goodman (cgoodman@lgna.com), July 14, 2001.

I have a 50 summicron, latest one, does any one have compare this two at f 2, I would like the extra stop if at f2 they are similar.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), July 15, 2001.

Why the Summilux over the Summicron? As the saying goes, the Summilux is much better at f/1.4 than the Summicron. Generally I want/use the fastest glass I can get (I say "generally" because I'm happy with a lens like the 28 Elmarit and I don't like the Noctilux). The Summilux is not much bigger or heavier than the 50 Summicron, it's a full stop faster and I like the look of the images it produces. The 50 Summicron is, without doubt, superb. If you don't need f/1.4, save the money and buy film.

-- Robert Schneider (rolopix@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.