Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/10/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thank you so much, Feli. This really helped me. > From: feli <feli2@earthlink.net> > Reply-To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> > Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 10:59:01 -0700 > To: Leica Users Group <lug@leica-users.org> > Subject: Re: [Leica] Lux Q > > > On Oct 12, 2004, at 6:41 AM, Philippe Orlent wrote: >> >> Should I go for the 1st version or the last one of this beauty? >> Merci, >> Philippe > > There are four versions of the 1.4/50 Summilux: > > Version #1 (1959-61) > CODE: SOOME/11114 chrome / 11113 black. > Serial numbers range from circa 1,645,300-1,844,000 > I would skip the very first version of the Lux. It was only made for > about two > years (1959-61) and supposedly is not very good, below 5.6. > It's mostly a collectors item. > > Version #2 (1962-1994) > CODE: 11114 Chrome - 11114 black > Serial: 1,844,001-??? > NEW optical formula, which was used until the arrival of the ASPH > version this year. > This version has a clip on hood and focuses down to 1 meter. > > Version #3 (1995-2004) > CODE: 11868 black, 11856 chrome > Serial numbers: ??? > SAME optical formula as version #2, except now it focuses down to .7 > meters. > Newer coatings. I have one of these and it has the dreaded collapsible > hood. > I ended up getting a screw-in metal hood from the Contax G series. > > Version #4 (1.4/50 Summilux ASPH - 2004) > CODE: ?? > SERIAL: ?? > Introduced this year (2004). The best 50 on the planet? > New optical design that utilizes ASPH surfaces and a floating element > for > improved close-focus performance. > > This is the lens that people love to bash. It's been in the Leica > lineup for 40 years, but still delivers the goods. > I have the 3rd version and really like it. It's sharper than my > Summicron DR, but at f2 not as sharp as the current > 2/50 Summicron-M (in the field and corners). Puts describes it as a > Summicron 2/50 version 3 opened up one stop and based on my experience > shooting with it and the Crons I agree. But I also believe that > absolute sharpness isn't everything. This lens is a real bokeh machine > and displays a perfect balance between contrast and sharpness. It may > be the apex of the old school of lens design that dictated high > resolution and moderate contrast. It's superb for black and white work. > > > Feli > > > > _______________________________________________________ > feli2@earthlink.net www.elanphotos.com > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >