Leica M Summilux 1.4/50mm - Pre ASPH. vs. ASPH. V1 vs. The NEW ASPH. V2 - Lens Comparison - Christian Doffing
The last two Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 (Pre ASPH. & ASPH.) compared with the NEW 50mm f/1.4 Aspherical Summilux with extended close focusing distance. If I had to choose between the two ASPH versions today, I would definitely go for the new Summilux.
The comparison I'm writing today is one I've wanted to make for a long time: Summilux Pre ASPH versus ASPH and, in the light of recent events, even compared with the new 50 mm ASPH with extended close focusing distance released last week. In the appendix to the article, you will find 2 different test situations. One was to test the sharpness of the lens and how it exposes an object. The focus is on the pillar in the foreground and the apertures 1.4 to 5.6 are shown.
Pre ASPH. F1.4 ASPH. V1 F1.4 ASPH. V2 F1.4
> click to enlarge > click to enlarge > click to enlarge
Pre ASPH. F2 ASPH. V1 F2 ASPH. V2 F2
Pre ASPH. F2.8 ASPH. V1 F2.8 ASPH. V2 F2.8
Pre ASPH. F4 ASPH. V1 F4 ASPH. V2 F4
Pre ASPH. F5.6 ASPH. V1 F5.6 ASPH. V2 F5.6
In the second test series, the behaviour of the bokeh was to be specifically illustrated. In my opinion, the problem with the ASPH version 1 when stopped down was that the bokeh appeared very restless and distracting due to the star shape. The new ASPH has 11 instead of 9 aperture blades, which may alleviate the problem. And to create a comparison with a "vintage" lens, there is also the comparison with the Summilux pre ASPH, which already had a closest focusing distance of less than one meter. All Pictures are shot with an M10-R.
Pre ASPH. F1.4 ASPH. V1 F1.4 ASPH. V2 F1.4
Pre ASPH. F2 ASPH. V1 F2 ASPH. V2 F2
Pre ASPH. F2.8 ASPH. V1 F2.8 ASPH. V2 F2.8
Pre ASPH. F4 ASPH. V1 F4 ASPH. V2 F4
Pre ASPH. F5.6 ASPH. V1 F5.6 ASPH. V2 F5.6
Looking at the results, the difference between the two ASPH versions is relatively small. Yes, the circular saw-like bokeh rings at stopped down aperture are clearly attenuated, but they are still striking.
By the way, I find the bokeh ring most beautiful in the pre ASPH version, but that is always a matter of taste. Otherwise, the difference is so small that I could not tell which image belongs to which ASPH lens. In my opinion, the pre ASPH doesn't have to hide at all, but plays right at the top.
Personally, I really like the way this lens handles blur and it is my daily companion and for a long time it was the only lens I owned for my M. Yes, the sharpness performance at a wide open aperture decreases towards the edges of the image in relation to the ASPH, but not to such an extent that it restricts my image composition. In my opinion, the overall rendering outweighs this.
But let's return to the main comparison. If the differences between the two ASPH models are so small, why to buy the new one? The previous ASPH is now about 20 years old and for some people it no longer seemed modern enough, but that is always a matter of taste. But much more important than the design overhaul is the possibility of extending the closest focusing distance to 45 cm. In times of live view, this is a long-desired option that can no longer be rejected from a technical point of view, in order to keep the M's buyer base happy.
It's not unusual for me to surprise myself when I think, oh, now I'd like to get a little closer to the subject than I can. The transition from the previous focus range to the close-up range is signalled to the user by a crisp, metallic click, which just feels great. Unlike its predecessor, the lens hood can also be fixed in the retracted position by turning it, which prevents it from constantly slipping. The feel is quite leicalike, even if it is unfortunately not available in a heavy brass version.
If I had to choose between the two ASPH versions today, I would definitely go for the new Summilux. But since I don't have to, I'm happy to stick with my pre-ASPH version, which always blows me away and convinces me with its extraordinary image look.
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