I love these 50mm lenses for Leica
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- In this video I talk about three 50mm lenses for Leica M: Leica 50mm Summicron V1 Dual Range, TTArtisans 50mm f1.4 ASPH, and the Leica 50mm f1.4 ASPH Summilux. I wanted to make this video to explore some of the different routes you could take when deciding on which 50mm Leica lens to get. I discuss the differences between both film and digital shooters, as well as dive deep into my roundabout experiences with all of these lenses.
Get the TTArtisan 50mm f1.4 ASPH here: amzn.to/3HH5Mla
Find me nowhere here: linktr.ee/frankdavalos
Timecodes
00:00 - Intro
00:56 - The 3 Lenses
01:17 - The charm of the Leica 50mm f2 Summicron Dual Range
04:52 - The TTArtisans 50mm f1.4 ASPH underdog
10:20 - The celebrity of the Leica 50mm f1.4 Summilux
11:58 - A handful of things to think about with these 50mm lenses
17:07 - WTF am I even doing?
17:44 - Conclusion: Don't be a fanboy like me, unless you want to - Zábava
DR Summicron is the most accurate lens that Leica did. It's all 52.0mm in focal length. All are well calibrated than any other Leica lenses. I did bother having it converted to use it on my M10P and Monochrom, despite some people blame me have it converted. I am very happy to shoot a lot of nice photos instead of leaving it in the cabinet as collection.
I have Chrome Summilux ASPH 50mm too, I feel it is to heavy for me to carry and I seldom use it for daily shooting.
I did get the Summilux 50mm V2 too, it is a very balance lens with some characters that I like. I think this isa good lens worth a try, amazing color and sharpness.
Actually that summicron is the second version of summicron 50/2 that Leica made, which is called rigid. Whilst the first version is the collapsible one.
Enjoy 50~
The rigid and dual range were made at the same time, but yes you’re right, the collapsible came first! Will definitely make mention of that if I ever dive deeper into just this lens.
Hey this is awesome, thanks for sharing your journey through all the lenses. Nicely done!
Your videos are always very honest and to the point of what maters to someone like me; also a fellow Canuck here (Edm AB). I'm an SLR shooter with pretty decent glass, but I love quality and idea of owning a Leica. I've been GAS'ing for a Leica anything for years now. If I go rangefinder (over a Q2 or Q3 when that drops, which could be how I scratch this itch) it'll likely be an M10R with a 35 1.4 II FLE or 50 Lux. then a complimentary 2nd lens would likely be something from TT, as my budget would be pretty tapped at that point. (too many other pricy hobbies). Anyways, keep the content coming, your photos are killer, and you're realistic in your reasoning which is super relatable. I look forward to the day I finally get to pull the trigger.
All good choices man! You gotta experience a rangefinder before getting the Q2/Q3! Doesn’t need to be as gnarly as the M10-R though. You need all that resolution?
Thanks for watching man! I appreciate your kind comment and time. Cheers from Saskatchewan!
@@FrankDavalos No problem!
And you’re right, M10 would be plenty for me. I just keep waffling on future proofing etc. And I know I can always upgrade later on, but I have this idea in my head that I want the body to age over time through my use and be a long term thing I own.
@@alexsorokin1896 then get a film M camera! It will out live you. Anyways, don’t listen to me… I’m the guy that opted for the M9 instead of the M10 haha
I bought the TTartisan the other day for $150. I'm looking forward to using it when it arrives.
It’s great man!
Great video!! I have a TTArtisan 50/1.5 on order and can't wait. Love the channel just subbed
Thanks so much! Enjoy that lens, it’s awesome!
Watching this video for the second time as it was so helpful. I had issues before with the TTArtisan & 7Artisans lenses registering on my Leica M4 but this the issue has been corrected with the newer releases. I tried a different example a year later and had good results. Every other lens I have owned, Leica, Voigtlander and Zeiss registered perfectly including the newer TT and 7 Artisans so it was the lens and not the camera that was the issue.
Thanks so much for watching Anthony. I’m glad it could help!
Thanks for your thoughts on these lenses, man. I enjoyed it and your photos.
Thanks for tuning in brother!
I loved the DR Summicron but since I mainly shoot an M9 and an M9 Monochrome now it was pointless to keep a $1400 lens I rarely used. I have the TTArtisan as well but it really is bulky and heavy. I did get the Light Lens Lab 50mm Elcan and could not be happier. Very small lens, quite sharp but still a bit of character. It is my go to lens now.
I’ve heard great things! The LLL seem a bit steep in price for being replicas, but lots of people have told me they’re awesome, so I’ll have to give it a try!
Most of my shooting is around f/4-f/8. Therefore, I went with a used Summarit f/2.4 lens for around $1000 USD and love it on my M11.
Great lens!!!
Frank I miss your videos!!! Please make some more vids. I am also a Leica fanboy, and I have a Ricoh GR3. Hahaha
Thanks man! I really should as I miss it quite a lot. I’ve spent the last 9 months moving to a new city and it’s been a lot, but maybe my New Year’s resolution could be “make more than 5 videos a year” hahaha. Appreciate the love my friend and sending it back your way 🫶
On the 50mm DR, some additions you forgot to mention/highlight/clarify:
1. While the lens fits on every film Leica M, the goggles don't. The googles won't fit on the M5, M6 TTL and I am not sure about the M7. It works perfectly on the M-A and MP, no idea about the new "M6" MP.
2. The DR is not as flare resistant as other lenses, so using a hood for images with better clarity is a really good idea.
3. The lens is sharp, if you have a clean copy the lens is as sharp as other Summicron versions.
4. You forgot to mention and show one of the best things about this lens: the distance scale on the lens. This DR is the only Leica 50mm lens with a usable distance scale for meaningful zone focus and hyperfocal distance focusing, as both the focus throw and markings allow for PRECISE zone focus settings. The DR is the BEST Leica M 50mm lens for street photography on a body that can mount it.
5. A minor annoyance is the haptics and positioning of the aperture setting on the lens barrel. With a hood on the lens, it's difficult to operate quickly.
Overall I'd rather sell my 50mm Summilux before I part with my DR. Finding a good, clean copy of a DR is really, really difficult now.
All good points! This was definitely not a review on the dual range, but rather just some quick thoughts. I’m not sure I fully agree on it being as sharp as all the versions of the Summicrons but it’s definitely a sharp lens, and as I mentioned, sharp enough! If I ever do a Summicron DR review, I’ll hopefully cover some more details on it in particular. The goggles point I just learned about a month or two ago! And the zone focusing scale I did not know, so thank you! Definitely going to test this out this weekend since I’m a big zone focuser! Also find it a bit annoying about the aperture ring, but my love for the lens quickly washes it all away! Thanks for your comment and knowledge sharing man, appreciate your time! 🙏
Also, I am quite sure the goggles worked on my M6 TTL 0.85… I think I read that there were two versions of the goggles.. one has a black rubber piece that extended out a bit more, could that be the culprit?
@@FrankDavalos Looking at my DR goggles, there are two black plastic frames on the backside of the viewfinder window and the rangefinder window, as well as the plastic pin sticking out next to the rangefinder window on the goggles. I am not aware of different versions - it would make little sense. The lens was not in production anymore even when the M4 arrived which required no different version of the goggles. My guess is, someone might have modified goggles to make them fit with the different body of the M6 TTL. I am no Leica scholar though, so take it with a grain of salt.
On sharpness, it really depends on how clean your DR copy is. Mine has minty mint, razor sharp glass, the glass looks like it's new. The lens body itself looks well used, so I always marvel at how previous owners managed to keep the glass this clean while the lens itself looks as if it was used by some Magnum war photographer in Vietnam and Korea. For perceived sharpness, a lens hood is essential. Without the hood, minor amounts of stray light influence micro-contrast/clarity which can be perceived as a lack of sharpness. I've shot the lens on slide film side by side with both another, modern Summicron and my Summilux at f2 and I cannot tell the difference when looking at the slides. When you stop it down, it certainly is as sharp, no doubt.
@@weisserth mine is the cleanest copy I’ve ever seen. No bright marks at all. But yeah, stopped down it could perhaps be as sharp stopped down, I believe that, especially on film. I was referencing wide open as that’s typically how lenses can be more easily differentiated. Thanks again for your points man!!
I've been using the TTArtisan for a couple of years now and, while I am very happy with the images I have taken with it, I have never really fallen in love with the feel of the lens. The build quality is nice but the 400g weight is just too much for a walkaround lens for me and the camera feels so front heavy during extended walks. I have been debating whether the 75g saving and smaller size of the Summilux would alliviate this problem or if a Summicron is really what I need. Do you notice the weight difference when switching between these two ASPH 50s? I love the 1.4 magic and tabbed experience but maybe it's not worth the weight (and price) for me.
Yeah I had the same thought… the chrome version of the Lux is actually heavier than the TTArtisans if I’m not mistaken. The black Lux has been a lot better for me as a walk around lens than the chrome version. Why not get a summicron? Esp if it’s for extended walks outside… you’re probably not shooting at f1.4 anyways
What did you have to modify to use on the m10?
Shaved down the cam that extends when you focus, so that it doesn’t extend and hit the sensor
Awesome man! We need more videos from you lol! Would love to know your favorite lenses and focal lengths for the m system?
Thanks man I appreciate that! Favourite lenses, it would be easier for me to name lenses I don’t like. Top 3 I’ve used are 50mm Summicron DR, 35mm Summicron V5, 50mm Summilux. Honourable mention the 28mm Voigtlander Ultron II, so amazing. Those are also all my fav focal lengths too haha
@@FrankDavalos that’s awesome man! I need to get my hands on a 50mm. I’m glad to see another high praise for the 28mm ultron v2. People will call me crazy, but I’ve owned both the ultron v2 and 28mm summicron v1 asph. Ended up selling my summicron because the ultron is just that good! On film at least
@@reyrey5250 on film and digital man. I really love that lens, and that’s coming from someone with a 28mm summilux (Q2M) - It’s as good as Leica and half the price.
@@FrankDavalos I hear ya! I had the original Q!
@@FrankDavalos let me know when you release the ultron video LOL
what film do you prefer when using the 50mm DR? Developer?
I always use the same process - Ilford DDX (1+4) - favourite film is Tri-X, then Delta 400 and HP5!
Keep the wife *uhuk* the rigid cron i mean, coz simply a keeper.. and the lux, dont let go frank.. 😅
Hahaha I am keeping both don’t worry
Waiiiiit a sec… Leica M6? Thought you had an M-A? Did you sell it and went for the M6 now? Anyways, great video, awesome lineup of lenses right there 🫶🏻
Yup! The M-A was too new and something about that just didn’t allow me to connect with it. I traded it for the M6 Panda upgraded with MP parts, plus cash and a 28mm Leica finder. Long story haha
@@FrankDavalos MP incoming, then realise the MP is not necessary and buy an M2 or M4 and come back around to the M6
@@perfectly_boring opposite. Should have never sold my MP! Also love the M2
@@FrankDavalos it's the normal leica progression. They are all the same camera, but we are constantly lusting for the ones we don't have, even if we owned them before
@@perfectly_boring the only solution is to own them all I guess
Dissing the Voigtlander 50 APO while praising the TTArtisan as "extremely sharp" is just mind-boggling to me.
I don’t think I dissed it. I just am not into it. Big difference in my mind anyways
@FrankDavalos 14:00 "...far too clinical...so sharp it lacks...character...it lacked 'magic' of this other lenses." compare that with your description of the TTArtisan as "extremely sharp" when even other reviews online says this has lots of CA at wide apertures...it's your prerogative to describe any lens however you want but there has to be a level of consistency of what actually you are looking for and how you judge its contemporaries...otherwise it's a disservice to whoever potentially takes the information.
@@bubuli I completely stand by my statement. You’re welcome to not watch, but I appreciate you watching anyways! Cheers man!
this guy looks like he has no clue what's going on.... good review