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Leica m 50mm summicron11/5/2022 ![]() Thanks to the consistent advancement of optical technologies, processes have since been refined and perfected to achieve the best possible imaging qualities. The use of such glasses requires great effort and many years of experience. The specially formulated glass types employed are based on original developments from the former Leitz glass laboratory. Three of these are made from glass types with high anomalous partial dispersion for apochromatic correction and two of the others have a particularly high refractive index. A total of eight lens elements is employed to achieve its exceptional optical performance. The utilization of a floating element in its design ensures that this is also maintained to a great extent at close shooting distances. It is characterised in particular by exceptional imaging performance, extremely sharp reproduction of even the finest details and high contrast rendition from corner to corner of the image frame at maximum aperture. is considered to be the reference lens amongst standard focal lengths. The Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH. If you're curious about alternatives to this lens, I will have a video review and written review comparing the following popular 50mm f/2 lenses: Zeiss Planar 50, Leica Summicron 50, and Konica M-Hexanon 50.Leica APO-Summicron-M 50 mm f/2 ASPH., red anodised version, and Leica M Monochrom camera So you’re saving a significant amount of money for a lens that has image quality near the level of Leica glass. Larger than comparable 50mm f/2 M mount lensesĪt $999 USD, the Voigtlander isn’t cheap but the Leica Summicron costs ~$2800 USD and the APO-Summicron costs ~$9000 USD. Slightly hard-to-read distance indicators If you've come down to any of these lenses while deliberating on your next 50mm prime lens, then the difference in build quality is probably your main factor to consider. From my experience with the Voigtlander, it outperformed the Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron, Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2, and my Konica M-Hexanon 50mm f/2 in every aspect asides from the moderate vignetting. The differences in optical quality become so minute that a ~$8000 price difference is hard to justify unless if you're a purist who prefers Leica glass on Leica camera bodies. Unfortunately I didn't have the Leica 50mm f/2 APO version to compare this lens to, but comparing a $9000 lens to a $1000 lens doesn't make much sense to me, personally. Minimal color fringing, excellent sharpness, amazing bokeh quality, and solid build quality are all obvious signs that this lens is a must-have for any photographer looking for a Leica M mount standard prime lens. This is quite simply one of the most sophisticated Leica M mount lenses that has been released. This isn’t enough to be cumbersome but it is something to keep in mind if you consider weight a priority when carrying your equipment around. In the following photos you’ll see that the Voigtlander is larger than the Leica Summicron and Zeiss Planar and the weight difference is noticeable. It's a small complaint but it becomes quite noticeable how pleasant the distance indicators on the Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2 and Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron are in comparison to the Voigtlander. The text is rather thin and the crimson font color they chose for the feet distance indicator is a bit too dark and might blend in with the black color of the lens barrel at times. The markings and text on the lens barrel are a little difficult to read at times. The aperture has defined clicks and adjusts in half stops from f/2 to f/16. Purchasing a lens hood ( Voigtlander LH-13) will cost another $109 USD. ![]() Another thing to note is that this lens does not come with a lens hood. There is no focusing tab on this lens but personally I prefer a standard focusing ring on lenses of this length. The focusing ring is incredibly smooth and it creates a pleasant experience when obtaining focus on portraits. Modern Voigtlander lenses have a great build quality to them and the 50mm APO-LANTHAR is no different in this regard. ![]()
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