Wow thank you!! I literally was not able to get the 50mm cron r out of my mind since it’s popped into my head about a month ago. And out of no where too!!! Thank you again for this, I just ordered one and am super excited to shoot with it on the SL.
Hi again, Matt. I watched a second time to enjoy the unexpected results of the 50mm f/2 Nikkor, which I own. Regarding your comment at 22:35 about the lens having a greater depth of field, leading to your speculation that the lens has a shorter focal length, I'd like to offer my thoughts. As you never noticed any significant change in image size among these lenses, I suspect they are all very close to the 50mm specification. As for the Nikkor f/2 having shown a greater apparent depth of focus, I think what we are seeing is really a more flat, or 'planar', *sphere* of focus *at that distance of focus*. I speculate that other lenses may perform similarly at different focus distances, but I'm not so interested to duplicate your tests. All modern lenses are good enough for me to take snapshots of my family members at gatherings and I'm happy with all my lenses. But the engineer in me is still fascinated by the technology so I study what information is available. One conclusion I'm coming to is that it seems that Nikkor lenses seem to be at their sharpest when focused somewhat close, rather than at infinity. What 'somewhat close' means precisely is not yet surmised, but I'm thinking that distances of 1 to 3 meters seems to be a sweet spot for both rangefinder and SLR lenses from Nikon, as a general rule. I invite your thoughts.
Hi Chris, thanks for your engineer input! Many thanks. I think the flatter plane of focus makes sense for wider scenes not being in focus but less so for a small portion in the centre. I think the likely "issue" is my focus point being slightly further forward or back with different lenses. The middle part is generally in focus but before and aft can look more less in focus. You will see this more if you've seen more of these shoot out vids, 28,35,40,50s,90. I also agree that some lenses perform better or worse close. The recent Voigtlander 28mm f2 was very poor (for me) up close but amazing after say 2m (approx). Thanks for your thoughts!
While there are differences between these lenses, the differences are subtle. I would suspect that Pentax, Zeiss, Olympus, Canon and other manufacturers all have a 50mm in their line up that would provide similar results. I'm sure there are some stinkers out there, but probably not many. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it's relatively easy to manufacture a good quality 50mm lens and even vintage ones provide IQ that is about as good as anything made today.
The Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 Multicoated lenses are 6 elements in 4 groups like the Sumicron R 50mm. It's 90% of the performance to the Leica , a poor man's (or frugal) Summicron R that's slightly faster. You can get Leitax F mounts for both with the option to AIp them with a chip.
Thanks for the video. Years ago, I performed a similar comparison test on the following vintage 50mm lenses: 1. Nikon f/1.4 2 Nikon f/2 3. Pentax f/1.4 8-element 4. Pentax f/1.4 7-element 5. Fuji f/1.4 ECB 6. Fuji f/1.4 non-ECB All lenses performed well. My personal favorite was the 8-element Pentax.
I have a 1959 Summicron 50mm. Rigid, but not the dual focus model. The early ones also came in Collapsible like the old Elmars. Great lens really. I think I paid about $650 US dollars for it. As you mention, low contrast, but very sharp.
Thanks Matt. Of these I have only the Summicron R v II, and the Voigtlander Nokton (but v1) VM mount . I like them a lot. Other good 50mm I have: Canon NFD 50mm F/1.4 (very cheap and a great lens), Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f2.8 and Pancolar f1.8, both great, and the Asahi Super Takumar f1.4. My photography life took a new direction when I got the Z6 and a handfull of adapters 😀
I knew the Nikkor 50mm/2 was going to be a hard one to beat, I use that lens on my Nikkor PB4 bellows to do my DSLR scanning of my film. And I love my Dual Range, I sold my Zeiss 50/2 planar ZM, which was a much contrastier lens, but the DR was a LOT sharper of a lens. Overall, the results were about as I expected. Great video my friend, have a great day.
Wonderful test. Thank you for such a thorough analysis. I use a Pentax K 35mm from the 70s which I love, and a Leica 50mm V1 which I prefer to the newer Leicas. It comes down to the feeling I have about lenses. I couldn't care less about how sharp they are because I think they are all more or less sharp. Cheers.
Funny, I also have the Pentax K 35mm f2 lens, and Leica 50mm V1 which I got adapted for my Pentax camera. Totally agree, it's not about sharpness, it's about how we feel about the gear we use.
I use the 50mm Collapsible Summicron (2nd version). It is pristine, always a filter. Nikon Nikkor AI 50mm f2.0 .Truthfully my Takumar lenses better flare fighters.. Sharpness of Leica best but Nikkor and Takumar are more grainy! Test yourself with a roll of film. Minolta lenses are seriously same as Leitz/Leica. On laptop and media sites there are so lil differences. Enjoy photography. Price is not guarantee of best! Enjoyable.
One of my favorite lenses on my Nikon D700 is my Nikkor H Auto 50mm f2. I have the silver nose, pre ai version with the single blue coating that I converted. It's beautiful for b&w especially. My favorite part is the knurled focus ring. It's so friggin smooth.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom nice! Yeah definitely try the earlier pre ai version. They did away with the silver nose because of reflection issues when they went to "Ai". They don't call it the Japanese summicron for no reason lol. Thanks for the reply sir
Of note, that lens was in a James Bond movie. Product placement! I have that one as well, very nice. Also, a lens from that line has been used in recently in The Mandalorian, as 24mm I think.
I use the 55mm 2.8 Micro Nikkor on my Nikon FE and my Nikon D300s. This lens is the lens others are compared to. No hood needed as the lens is recessed into the barrel of the lens. See Ken Rockwell's review
Thanks Neil, actually the 55mm was also in the test but I cut it out as the video was waay to long. It was sharp and higher contrast than the f2. Amazing lens, I love mine (I have 2x 2.8s)
I'm a big fan of vintage 50mm lenses. On my A7RM3 i prefer these lenses in this order: 1. Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 55mm/f1.7 2. Minolta MD 50mm/f2 3. Leica R Summicron 50mm/f2 v2 (like in your test) 4. Nikkor Ai 50mm/f1.4 But, and that's important, all of these have a special rendering which make them great tools in every situation. The Rokkor-PF is great for portrait while the MD is fine for architecture. When it comes to the most vintage look, the Nikkor makes a good job with perfect blurred areas and smooth sharpness. The Summicron is fine for anything, because it has a „luxury“ rendering. When it comes to sharpness, none of them beat the Zeiss 55/1.8 or the cheap (but slow AF) Sony 50/1.8. But there aren't vintage right now … :-)
Thanks Thomas! You might like the Nikkor 55 2.8 for sharpness / buildings. I find it too much for portraits. See it in my previous 50mm vid linked at the end of this video. I have a fast 50 video to follow too (lenses more suited to portraits etc)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I think the Nikkor 55mm was primarily designed for copy work. Back in the day every good graphics studio had at least one pin registerd Nikon body mounted on a copy stand with this lens permanently attached for copying flat artwork and making slides. Similarly it was also used by graphics studios and good film labs for copying slides. (There was a huge demand for this in the days before Power Point, when presentations were given with slides). Aside from super sharpness, one feature of this lens is also its very flat field of focus - both things necessary for that sort of work.
The Nikkor 1.8 looks like it was giving you sensor reflections causing a hot spot in the middle. Common for all 50mm 1.8 up to the D lenses. Thankfully later versions corrected the rear lens coating to eliminate this problem.
Thanks Ryan, ah that makes sense, I wondered what the bright mark was as it wasn't flare. I guess it will only affect digital so not to worried as I bought for film. Thanks!
Advantage of R-lenses was and still is the much more affordable price for the very similar quality of a M lens manufactured the same time. Other SLR lenses are even more affordable for excellent quality, too. I have a few 50 mm lenses, and each of them has its pros and cons. Most unique bokeh: Canon 50/1.2 EF L lens (con is low sharpness wide open) and Leitz 50/1.5 Summarit LTM lens (con is lower contrast wide open). Best vintage look: Canon 50/1.4 LTM (Japanese Summilux), con: long focus thread. Sharpest lens: Leica 50/2.0 Summicron-M version V, con: often flimsy lens hood. Best overall price/quality value: Minolta 50/1.4 MD SLR lens, con: cat-eye bokeh (can be also a plus depending on the scene).
Thanks MB, from the lenses you list I think you'd like the Summitar f2. For bokeh Contax RF 50s and Nikkor 5014 SC S mount have some of the most interesting bokeh, different to Leica and LTM lenses. See the video to come.
I have a 50mm summicron f2, a Elmarit 90mm f2.8, and a summaron 35mm f2.8 all Leica lenses. They are all good lenses and I have taken good photos with them. I understand that your talking about using these lenses in multiple cameras with adapter's. I guess that back in the 1970's we did not have all these adapters and thought of Leica lenses with a Leica camera and a Nikon camera with Nikon lens, well at least I did. I guess with the abundance of camera equipment in that era, you did not have to think using different brand lenses with your Leica. Purchased the Leica M3 for 125 dollars with a Summicron 50mm, the Elmarit 90mm for 95 dollars, and the 35mm summaron for 75 dollars. At that time that was lots of money especially for a student.
Thanks Chiva, yes for film I use Leica on Leica and Nikon on Nikon. They are good FB lenses you mention. You’ll see those in future videos so stay tuned!
A bit long, but not a moment wasted, as there is on too many "informative" videos. Fast paced; I had to really focus on which lens you were speaking of at each quick-change, but well worth the mental effort on my part. In a perfect world, I'd have loved to see how Voigtlander lenses fared, perhaps in a future video you'd consider that, Matt. When I say Voigtlander, I mean the M-mount ones AND the 58mm f/1.4 Nikon-mount (which I have, along with the same 50mm f/2 in this video). It would also be interesting to see how your old Canon ltm lenses fare against the best of this batch (or any of them, really). I'd love to see an old Nikppon Kogaku 50mm f/2 Sonnar ltm thrown in the mix as well, as I have one of those. I'm sure you'd never consider testing something like my Yashica 50 f/2.8 ltm though. I bought it in hopes that it's a simple Tessar. Still am not sure. Not bragging, because I have not a single Leica lens. I like to be the guy with 'something *else*'. Thanks so much Matt. Your videos are among the best!
Until recently I had not considered shooting a lens at 'wide open' and set the aperture to about 2 or so stops down... Last month picked up a 50 Summilux and will spend the next few months at f/ 1.4 just to get the 'feel' of the lens.
My type(s) of images have always required a bit more depth of field... Back when I started, Kodachrome was ASA (ISO) 10 and Agfa IFF BW film was 15.. f4 or f/5.6 gave marvelous illusion of 3D depth in pictures. Now lowest ISO is 100 or 200 and shutter speed has to astronomical to get f/1.4 shots outdoors. Interested to try new look.
Hey Matt! I think a 50 1.4 lens comparison would also be very Interesting. Many manufacturers used to struggle with those. I would be very interested to see the Summilux-R 50 next to the Summilux-m Asph and other lenses from say minolta or Nikon.
Hi Matt Goes to show how the dispersion of cost between second hand lens prices was 60X, but the difference in image output was only a marginal matter of taste at best As discussed in your just prior video last week, that you don’t have to spend all your money on expensive gear to get great images Great review as always
For me, the winner is always the Summilux M, just for one reason. I can use it wide open at f1.4 with super nice results. That's what it's made for! I had other 50mm f1.4 Lenses for Canon, and no lens was such a great performer at f1.4. But I can totally understand that a Summicron M does not make much sense if you already have a Summilux M. 50 mm is the shortest focal length you can build on a classic SLR camera without needing a retro focus lens construction. Comparing 35mm Lenses should be a totally different game, at least in theory.
Apples to apples, oranges to oranges comparison would be more objective. Lux vs Cron is the same as the dessert spoon vs tea spoon. More light = more weight, bigger filter & hood. Less light = less wight, smaller filter & hood. Don't forget the budget, not everybody is a Rotscheild' relative or a Swiss dweller. It was really interesting to see how different brands perform against their rivals. Cron 50/2 vs Nik 50/2, or Lux 50/1.4 vs Nik 50/1.4, and Noct 50/1.2 vs Nik 50/2/1.2. For me, nothing gets closer to a Leitz Elmar 50/3.5 sitting on a Leica IIIf in terms of speed, size, weight and lens' optical quality combined. Great job, Matt, really appreciate your efforts!
Guess what: I made a final comparison test today of some 9 lenses (coming after a previous test of some 30 lenses...) that included a leica 50mm R2 Canada and a Summicron M 50mm f2 collapsible. I excluded both because of, respectively chromatic abberation ( purple fringing) and unsufficient sharpness, both lenses at f2. The winners? Two manual minolta lenses (one 50, one 58mm) one Zeiss pancolar 50mm f1.8 ( later version) and the totally overlooked Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f1.9. My test also included one Nikon AIS Nikkor 50mm 1.8 . Things are not quite the same than those widely shared and over-echoed beliefs. That's why I prefer to perform my on tests.
Thanks Harry, yes I agree this is a good exercise to do for any photographer with multiple lenses so to decide the right tool for each job. I have more 50s coming in another video. I just need to edit it. Thanks regarding your finding, its great to find the rare gems isn't it! :)
Hi Matt, As you may know, I've been shooting with the TL2 and am totally in on APS-C shooting right now, so for me a 35mm is actually more a 50. In my film days, the 50mm Summicron DR was my favorite lens but when Leica digital first came out, they made it a point to say that the DR would not work on digital. (Not sure if this is totally the case right now and I may still want to pick one up as they are a bit more affordable than other Leica 50s) Along with more issues they said I'd encounter with my other Leica lenses made me enter digital on other systems. My set up right now includes the 18mm Elmarit TL and Summicron TL 23mm. I also have a 30mm Sigma, 40mm Voigtlander Nokton I use with a generic adapter and the TT Artisans 50mm f1.2 in Leica L mount. I still have a 35mm f3.5 Summaron but want a faster 35 for APS-C. Personally, as much as I'd like the Summilux-TL 35mm( I used to shoot the 35mm Summilux M pre-ASPH Canada and loved it), it just seems like it would be too big on the TL. I've got the focal length pretty much covered between the 30mm Sigma and 40mm Nokton, but still I wonder whether an autofocus 35mm would be useful considering how "normal" (50mm) has always been my go to lens. Do you have any experience with the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN lens? To me it seems like a better alternative to the Summilux given it's smaller profile on my TL2. Any thoughts considering size and your experience with the CL?
Thanks yes I liked 35s on the CL. I don’t have experience with AF lenses but perhaps a small voigtlander, 35/1.4. Canon 1.8 Ltm is great size but less sharp so I sold mine.
I owned and passed on the R series in favor of M cameras having tested a number of lenses and bodies too. The R3, R4, R6 & R8 all eventually failed, from electronic issues. I'd push them through brutal Canadian cold but they were so cheap at the time, I did not mind. The Leicaflex Sl2 was the best of the series by far but it was a bit too heavy. I sure loved those R lenses though. Had a Summilux 50, elmarit 24, summicron 90 and elmarit 135 and bought them when they were all a fraction of their current cost. The difference for me arose in the accuracy of the leica rangefinder in conjuction with the sharp m Optics. No other focusing system gave me a confidence like a high magnification rangefinder. Focusing the summilux R and summilux m 50s for example was a completely different experience on both systems. The slr split prisms were great but too distracting and often offered just 98% coverage. This review is really good Matt, comprehensive and honest. Those nikkors are truly beautiful and it's amazing to see just how subtle the differences are.
Thank you Diego, sorry about your R bodies. Did the R6 die? That is manual so should be better. With the diopter on these I can see but agree before I loved Ms for the RF. The R glass did well in the test though, happy, and a Nikon ofc! Thanks for the feedback. I’ll do more videos like this.
Nice test and review. If one used Japanese lenses well, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Minolta, Fuji, Konica they are very good. Nikon and Canon are rightly used by working professionals and organisations. Of course Leica and Contax are among the best of the best with Leica M being at the very top but not user friendly to use but with much better wide-angle lenses than any SLR's. We saw how close the lenses are where film choice and technique will make a bigger difference than the lenses or cameras.
Have you ever tried the Leica-R 50mm Summilux f/1.4 version 2 ? I found one in excellent condition for about 1000$, I'm wondering if it's got a similar output to the M mount Summilux apart from having fewer aperture blades.
Hey Matt, for adapting Nikkor to M directly, is there anything to be aware of with a rangefinder body? Like will using an adapter somehow affect / break the mechanism that sets the rangefinder lines in the viewfinder automatically? I’ve never adapted anything to my M11 and I’m terrified of breaking something due to using a cheap adapter lol. If you’ve a recommendation that’d be grand :-)
Hi, don't worry you can't break anything. SLR leases only fit on the outside of the camera so nothing can break. Be aware SLR lenses are not RF lenses so to focus you need to use LiveView. RF won't work.
Super Elmar 18mm F3.8 ASPH Super Elmar 21mm F3.4 ASPH Elmar 24mm F3.8 ASPH Summicron 28mm F2 ASPH If you can pick only one for wide, I have 35mm. I need help to decide on only 1 lens, which would you pick?
Why do you want an extra wide angle lens and how wide are the scenes you are photographing? Most lenses you are looking at are slower aperture speed, will you be using this on a tripod or bright sunny conditions? Lastly also look at Zeiss 25mm or Voigtlander wides.
@@allena3430 check out Matt’s review on the Zeiss 25mm. Or another possibility is the Voigtlander 21mm 1.4 Nokton. Both lenses play nicely with M bodies without the color shifting in corners.
HI Allen, it's hard to answer that as a lot is personal preference. 18mm & 21mm can often be too wide but then you might find 28mm too narrow. I have my Summicron 28mm ASPH for sale as I don't really use it if you live in the UK. I like 21mm for walkabout but I use my Zeiss Biogon as I don't have the Leica ones. I don't use 18mm. I have 25mm Biogon too.
There are only few videos with Leica R 50mm summilux. I wonder why it is not that popular, they are not even that expensive. Is 50mm summicron better performer? I am interested in Leica R because I want to adapt them with speedbooster to Fuji x.
Hi! Good timing, I’ve just dived into Fuji x to help the community (vs Leica). R glass wouldn’t be my first recommendation due to size unless you have a bigger heavier camera. The glass is great, prices vary. Yes the Summicron is great, the Lux R are a little soft for film so if stopping down, people get Cron instead. They will help soften up a digital looking sensor. You’ll see me talk about this soon
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I am looking forward to that video! Size is not problem for me. I even like bigger lenses. I think reviewers often think that most people like smaller lenses but that is not always the case. It is for travel and personal use but not for professional work. I have some really nice Fuji lenses but many times clients made comment like that is really small camera, is that "professional" camera. Most videographers use cinema rigs anyways, with cages, v mount batteries, follow focus, and bigger lens suits better. I personally believe most people would use Leica lenses for video due to manual focus and character that is missing on Fuji lenses. I am really interested in performance of 50mm R Summilux and 24mm Elmarit 2.8 as they make perfect starter combo. Especially if used with speed booster and adapter, you get like 4 lenses (35mm and 85mmm added using adapter). Also 90mm f2 and 135mm 2.8 as they have amazing price.
The winner is the DR because it have high resolution and low contrast. High contrast for me looks bad. Also the distortion, all other lenses except Summilux got visible distortion because they are sir lenses. DR beats Summilux because is smaller and not blocking the finder and like I said is lower contrast lens and of course can focus closer than 0.7m and is more well build. Now the classic version of the Summilux asph can compete with the DR but that high contrast and modern look just isn't my thing so the DR still wins. The Summilux from the same era can beat the DR because of the 1.4 but focus only to 1m so for me the DR is the greatest lens ever made. :) Thanks for the video.
Hey matt, thanks for the insightful video. Do you reckon its worth me upgrading my Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Ai lens to a Leica R 50mm V1 Summicron? Is the difference worth the price point?
Thanks, if your adapting to digital Leica will give a different look but ‘better’ is different for everyone. Perhaps watch my FE2 vs R6 video for a rough idea.
Beauty Matt - how about Vs the Nikon S RF lens, now you've got the adapter ..! I have an S3 and find the 1.4 a bit soft but that could just be because, as you have noted before, it's a right pain to focus ! 😊
Thanks! It is like you have predicted a future video! (already shot the photos, I just need to put the video together) ;) I will explain my solution with the Nikkor SC 5014 in the video. (You need a different film body ideally to get the best from the lens, I have found). Stay tuned!
Of the 3 Nikon 50mm pancake lenses, 1.Series E Black .6 focus, 2. Series E with Silver Ring .6, Nikkor .45 many have claimed the Series E Silver Ring to be the sharpest of the 3. you should test that one against the F2
Thanks Sergio. I did a Nikon 50 test video showing all. Voigtlander 58 is better, v3 pancake next (mine was a bad copy stuck wide open in that video so didn’t show the true performance).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom The Voightlander for sure, but I am only referring to the 3 Nikon pancakes, (Nikon Series E Black vs Nikon Silver vs The Nikkor) I have also shot the Silver vs the Nikkor as I have them and find the Silver sharper, the Nikkor could be a bad copy, but others seem to come to the same conclusion.
The result from nikon 50/2 make me shock how sharp nikon compare with leica. I think if want to shoot with wide dynamic range i will use summicron DR. But if i must choose one lens, i will choose summicron R v1. Thats make me crazy
Thanks, yes Leica often don’t aim for only sharpness in their design so it gives a smoother rendering. Yes that Nikkor is super sharp. Many are not. I bought that because it’s a good one 👍🏻
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom too bad we live so far apart in the world, I'd totally loan you my 35 cron for a video 👍🏾 regardless, looking forward to the 35 video!
I agree with your assessment, but do think overall the v2 Cron R would be the one I’d choose, and one of my favorite 50’s. But I do think I’d choose my Konica AR 50 f/1.7 for sharpness over any of these. Color rendering is more neutral, but it’s definitely not as smooth as my Cron in the hand.
That's an interesting comparison, as far is it goes. "Sharpness" is a soft term. It may mean resolution, or MTF, or a combination of these with contrast. I am in sympathy with your approach, judging the overall impression of sharpness. In that rough sense very old lenses (e.g. the old Summicrons or even the old Summarit) can be vvvery sharp indeed in the centre -- but not over the whole field, not against the light, not at wide apertures, and so on. You pay for optimising a whole range of parameters (including also distortion), not for centre sharpness at f5.6. For a portrait photographers most of these parameters are irrelevant. So here the 3000-vs-50-observation is very much to the point -- well done!
Thank you, yes great point, i'm only considering the centre, which for portraits is the important bit (for me). I will do a follow up video for fast 50s too when I get chance. Thanks for your thoughts.
ive heard that summicron is *supposed* to be sharper (better, really) than summilux, and that the wider aperture lenses are more expensive since theyre meant to be specialty lenses rather than being better ones. no idea if thats true lol but itd explain why you keep getting that sort of result
I had the v5 Cron and Lux and sold the Cron as the Lux was better for me. The Lux is amazing at 1.4 and beat I think every lens i've tested wide open but by f2 there are better options.
Top video as usual. But you should have add the weigth of the adaptors for both Nikor and R versions to be fair :-) My choice will be the Lux for sharpness contrast and sturation ... Good I already have one and love it .. :-)
Hi Justin, I think the size is roughly similar but different optically. People don’t rave about the 1.8, it’s the f2 everyone seems to this is the best. (I was late to the party!)
Very interesting comparison and weird results. I do think that the summilux f1.4 would have blow them all. I remember tested it from a (lucky :))friend of mine and the pictures taken with it really seems to go out of the screen. Perhaps the fact that you ( I guess) take pictures ata a quite short distance doesn t advantages it. In my preference the summicron dual is the best : very well built, very clever conception with additional glass for m cameras and soft contrast adequate for B&W. As a mainly Nikon shooter I also got the 50mm f2 AI and I knew that it was good but not as good ( I read other tests where it seems less sharp than minolta or canon equivalent) and I definitely don’t like the pancake one too small and vey expensive for its quality. I will also try to make some pictures with the Leica R v1 that I got with my Leica flex and I think that with the Nikon Zf it can produce some subtile images in B&W. Thx again pin Matt for this old but interesting test very well presented.
Summicron V1 is best bang for buck for leica 50 cron,the Nikkor f2 is best bang for buck overall,any of the big name popular vintage 50's when stopped down to at least f4 .
Nikkors are very very good lenses. They render differently to a Leica so horses for courses. The problem for me, being the owner of both Leica M and Nikon systems is how to justify paying so much more for a Leica lens, the again it is a Leica.
@@lensman5762 yes I hear you. For me I feel like I need to shoot some Leica now after calling myself MrLeica lol. I only consider digital Leica but for film I enjoy many. M lenses are a nice size but if you see my other mass lens vids Voigtlander make great and small Nikon F lenses.
Your identification of series 2 Summicron-R lenses is not quite right. They began at 2,777,651. The Hove guide claims that "for all intents and purposes" the 1 and 2 are "on the same level" of performance. For R users it is the cams that count, of course. Those built-in sliding hoods have a tendency to work loose.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have secured mine with insulating tape which has about the right texture. Not a very Leica solution, though. A Leica expert told me you need to strip the lens right down and still may not be able to fix it.
Hi, The test would be the same so you can use these videos and just review the images to decide which one looks more 3D to you (even if I didn’t comment on it in the video)
When a £50 lens is not only in the same ball park but actually pushing a £3,000 lens for optical quality, it makes you wonder... I think the determining factor could be the tactile feel and the 'pleasure' derived from using these lenses? To most people, small and heavy says quality while large and light infers cheap, and at the end of the day optical quality is not the real reason people choose to use Leica glass. They might say it is, they might even think it is, but optically is the Leica 60 times better than the Nikon? Or 6 times? Or twice as good even? I'm not taking a swipe at Leica users (I've used Leica too) but I'm just saying that it's not really to do with optical quality. A Toyota will get you from A to B in comfort, whereas a Rolls or a Jag will also get you there, with a little more comfort. The purpose is to get you from A to B (or capture an image?) which both will achieve more or less equally. So in reality you're not paying the (rather hefty) premium for the end result, you're paying it for the pleasure you derive from the journey (of using the lens). Just my two cents, and obviously it's your money to spend any way you choose, but as Matt pointed out in a previous video you could do a hell of a lot of travelling on the difference between a Leica plus lens and a Nikon plus lens?
Thanks WG, it was quite a surprise seeing all the results! The DR is the nicest made lens by far and M lenses are RF so they let you shoot differently to an SLR so all that to be considered too, if for people using mirrorless the Nikkor will do a fine job for next to nothing.
I have the DR, and I am sticking with it unless you could advise on the Zeiss ZM F2. In the final analysis, they are all good lenses. Just use them and enjoy photography.
Yes! You only need 1 good 50 really. I don’t live by it as I use different systems, test a lot but it’s true. Sorry I sold my planar zm f2 when I got the Cron v5 which I sold when I got the Summilux. Planar is cheap and sharp but I didn’t like for portraits. There are better 50s. (See the fast 50 video)
Ok watching now Mr. Osborne. My money is on the Nikkor 50mm F2 this lens for some reason I can't get enough of and mines not even perfect. I bought mine for $25 and it outperforms every lens I've used. It's a weird little bugger
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom lol bro they sold millions for a reason. If I'm not mistaken most journalist always kept the Nikkor 50mm f2 in their bag especially the 70s
Many people have made a good living with Nikon Glass over the years The more you post about Leica cameras and lenses the more I think they are a waste of money, at least compared to other cameras out there. Don't take this the wrong way but you are one of the few people I have seen take a decent photograph with one, most images on Flickr are just snap shots ,often out of focus and of very dull random subjects.
There’s validity to saying Leica’s are (now) overhyped fashionable cameras that are overpriced. But that also ignores the past 100 years of photographic history. Leica cameras are not only smaller than most other cameras, they are also better built. Their lenses are also small, again, better built, and have exceptionally high optical quality.
@@davidm5790 So what? I still have my fathers Kodak camera that is over 60 years old. It still works too. The images he took with it are priceless to me. The camera does not make the photographer, it's what you point that camera at that matters. No one is ignoring history, just put some perspective on it. People used what was available at the time. Optically they are now no better than anything else. Don't get sucked into the gravy train called marketing.
@@davidm5790 Leica lost the Pro market in the 1970's and have been in their own niche ever since. Leica sold 25,000 SL2's before discontinuing while Nikon went on to sell 800,000 F2's.
Thanks SS, yes agreed I think because of the RF focusing there do seem to be more bad photos floating around online. I think a good photographer can use any camera so it is personal preference in the end.
I think the Nikon does a good job, but when compared with the Leicas you have to look at the fringing at the edges, that's where I believe most of the difference is.
Are you trying to impress pros or the average person? Because the average person is never going to care about the edges of a photograph where your eye is specifically drawn to the center or near center. Edge sharpness is overrated, at least at this focal length .
Hi I would Iike to have an 50mm to my TL2 = 35mm. Can't afford the 35mm f1,4 L. So What are your suggestion for my "50mm" Thanks for a briljant chanel, keep pos ting Per
I will do a 35mm video when I get time but if you want sharp, the 35 Ultron, if very small the Skopar, if small and fast the 1.4 Nokton, if bokeh the big 1.2...Voigtlanders
Hi, I have another similar video coming for fast 50s. 3D pop is subjective but you can check the results and see which lens you like the best for that look. Coming soon! :)
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Wow thank you!! I literally was not able to get the 50mm cron r out of my mind since it’s popped into my head about a month ago. And out of no where too!!! Thank you again for this, I just ordered one and am super excited to shoot with it on the SL.
Nice lens! No problem :)
where were you a few days ago,i needed this video 😂, finally a video we all needed..no one has something like this this thorough.thanks.
Sorry Jude haha probably sat in the garden doing the test or locked in my bedroom all day editing it haha, thanks for the feedback, more to come!
Hi again, Matt. I watched a second time to enjoy the unexpected results of the 50mm f/2 Nikkor, which I own. Regarding your comment at 22:35 about the lens having a greater depth of field, leading to your speculation that the lens has a shorter focal length, I'd like to offer my thoughts. As you never noticed any significant change in image size among these lenses, I suspect they are all very close to the 50mm specification. As for the Nikkor f/2 having shown a greater apparent depth of focus, I think what we are seeing is really a more flat, or 'planar', *sphere* of focus *at that distance of focus*. I speculate that other lenses may perform similarly at different focus distances, but I'm not so interested to duplicate your tests. All modern lenses are good enough for me to take snapshots of my family members at gatherings and I'm happy with all my lenses. But the engineer in me is still fascinated by the technology so I study what information is available. One conclusion I'm coming to is that it seems that Nikkor lenses seem to be at their sharpest when focused somewhat close, rather than at infinity. What 'somewhat close' means precisely is not yet surmised, but I'm thinking that distances of 1 to 3 meters seems to be a sweet spot for both rangefinder and SLR lenses from Nikon, as a general rule. I invite your thoughts.
Hi Chris, thanks for your engineer input! Many thanks. I think the flatter plane of focus makes sense for wider scenes not being in focus but less so for a small portion in the centre. I think the likely "issue" is my focus point being slightly further forward or back with different lenses. The middle part is generally in focus but before and aft can look more less in focus. You will see this more if you've seen more of these shoot out vids, 28,35,40,50s,90. I also agree that some lenses perform better or worse close. The recent Voigtlander 28mm f2 was very poor (for me) up close but amazing after say 2m (approx). Thanks for your thoughts!
While there are differences between these lenses, the differences are subtle. I would suspect that Pentax, Zeiss, Olympus, Canon and other manufacturers all have a 50mm in their line up that would provide similar results. I'm sure there are some stinkers out there, but probably not many. Perhaps this is due to the fact that it's relatively easy to manufacture a good quality 50mm lens and even vintage ones provide IQ that is about as good as anything made today.
Thanks Mark! I’m lucky I love 50s..I’ll do a fast 50s vid to follow.
Agreed! That pretty much sums up the truth of the matter...
Thank goodness for choices. There’s something about the summilux asph though.
The Zuiko 50mm f/1.8 Multicoated lenses are 6 elements in 4 groups like the Sumicron R 50mm. It's 90% of the performance to the Leica , a poor man's (or frugal) Summicron R that's slightly faster. You can get Leitax F mounts for both with the option to AIp them with a chip.
Lol sounds like something a Leica fan would say to downplay the quality of Nikkors. Weird.
Thanks for the video.
Years ago, I performed a similar comparison test on the following vintage 50mm lenses:
1. Nikon f/1.4
2 Nikon f/2
3. Pentax f/1.4 8-element
4. Pentax f/1.4 7-element
5. Fuji f/1.4 ECB
6. Fuji f/1.4 non-ECB
All lenses performed well. My personal favorite was the 8-element Pentax.
Thanks for sharing!
I have a 1959 Summicron 50mm. Rigid, but not the dual focus model. The early ones also came in Collapsible like the old Elmars. Great lens really. I think I paid about $650 US dollars for it. As you mention, low contrast, but very sharp.
Thanks Allistair, yes many say the Rigid is excellent. Worth keeping!
Thanks Matt. Of these I have only the Summicron R v II, and the Voigtlander Nokton (but v1) VM mount . I like them a lot.
Other good 50mm I have: Canon NFD 50mm F/1.4 (very cheap and a great lens), Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f2.8 and Pancolar f1.8, both great, and the Asahi Super Takumar f1.4.
My photography life took a new direction when I got the Z6 and a handfull of adapters 😀
Thanks Kim! Yes mirrorless is dangerous! Nice lenses!
After watching some of your videos, I bought my first Leica lens yesterday for my M2... The Summitar 5cm f2.
Thanks CM, congrats! Great lens, so much character!
I knew the Nikkor 50mm/2 was going to be a hard one to beat, I use that lens on my Nikkor PB4 bellows to do my DSLR scanning of my film. And I love my Dual Range, I sold my Zeiss 50/2 planar ZM, which was a much contrastier lens, but the DR was a LOT sharper of a lens. Overall, the results were about as I expected. Great video my friend, have a great day.
Thank you John! You knew more than me haha :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have been in camera retail for 30+ years now, it’s literally my job to know things.
@@highlander200107 ah nice! Thanks
Wonderful test. Thank you for such a thorough analysis. I use a Pentax K 35mm from the 70s which I love, and a Leica 50mm V1 which I prefer to the newer Leicas. It comes down to the feeling I have about lenses. I couldn't care less about how sharp they are because I think they are all more or less sharp. Cheers.
Thanks! Yes the v1 50 Cron has nice character for sure. I did one of the videos for each FL if you want to see more.
Funny, I also have the Pentax K 35mm f2 lens, and Leica 50mm V1 which I got adapted for my Pentax camera. Totally agree, it's not about sharpness, it's about how we feel about the gear we use.
I use the 50mm Collapsible Summicron (2nd version). It is pristine, always a filter. Nikon Nikkor AI 50mm f2.0 .Truthfully my Takumar lenses better flare fighters.. Sharpness of Leica best but Nikkor and Takumar are more grainy! Test yourself with a roll of film. Minolta lenses are seriously same as Leitz/Leica. On laptop and media sites there are so lil differences. Enjoy photography. Price is not guarantee of best! Enjoyable.
Thanks Jason!
One of my favorite lenses on my Nikon D700 is my Nikkor H Auto 50mm f2. I have the silver nose, pre ai version with the single blue coating that I converted. It's beautiful for b&w especially. My favorite part is the knurled focus ring. It's so friggin smooth.
Hi Chris, thanks. I used to use a D700+D800 for weddings in the past. I have the 50/2 AI but not the one you have. Noted thanks!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom nice! Yeah definitely try the earlier pre ai version. They did away with the silver nose because of reflection issues when they went to "Ai". They don't call it the Japanese summicron for no reason lol. Thanks for the reply sir
Of note, that lens was in a James Bond movie. Product placement! I have that one as well, very nice.
Also, a lens from that line has been used in recently in The Mandalorian, as 24mm I think.
@@musa7606 it has such a classic look and feel. Absolutely beautiful mechanics.
I use the 55mm 2.8 Micro Nikkor on my Nikon FE and my Nikon D300s.
This lens is the lens others are compared to. No hood needed as the lens is recessed into the barrel of the lens. See Ken Rockwell's review
Thanks Neil, actually the 55mm was also in the test but I cut it out as the video was waay to long. It was sharp and higher contrast than the f2. Amazing lens, I love mine (I have 2x 2.8s)
I'm a big fan of vintage 50mm lenses. On my A7RM3 i prefer these lenses in this order:
1. Minolta MC Rokkor-PF 55mm/f1.7
2. Minolta MD 50mm/f2
3. Leica R Summicron 50mm/f2 v2 (like in your test)
4. Nikkor Ai 50mm/f1.4
But, and that's important, all of these have a special rendering which make them great tools in every situation. The Rokkor-PF is great for portrait while the MD is fine for architecture. When it comes to the most vintage look, the Nikkor makes a good job with perfect blurred areas and smooth sharpness. The Summicron is fine for anything, because it has a „luxury“ rendering.
When it comes to sharpness, none of them beat the Zeiss 55/1.8 or the cheap (but slow AF) Sony 50/1.8. But there aren't vintage right now … :-)
Thanks Thomas! You might like the Nikkor 55 2.8 for sharpness / buildings. I find it too much for portraits. See it in my previous 50mm vid linked at the end of this video. I have a fast 50 video to follow too (lenses more suited to portraits etc)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I think the Nikkor 55mm was primarily designed for copy work. Back in the day every good graphics studio had at least one pin registerd Nikon body mounted on a copy stand with this lens permanently attached for copying flat artwork and making slides. Similarly it was also used by graphics studios and good film labs for copying slides. (There was a huge demand for this in the days before Power Point, when presentations were given with slides). Aside from super sharpness, one feature of this lens is also its very flat field of focus - both things necessary for that sort of work.
@@ChristopherFynn001 thanks yes a great performer for the low price. Thanks for the info about how it used to be used.
The Nikkor 1.8 looks like it was giving you sensor reflections causing a hot spot in the middle. Common for all 50mm 1.8 up to the D lenses. Thankfully later versions corrected the rear lens coating to eliminate this problem.
Thanks Ryan, ah that makes sense, I wondered what the bright mark was as it wasn't flare. I guess it will only affect digital so not to worried as I bought for film. Thanks!
Excellent comparisons, very helpful, thanks.
Thanks Leonard, more to come! Stay tuned :)
For me it's the Nikkor 50mm F2ai
Mines is a Non-Ai lens but I just cut out a notch and made it read digitally.
Thanks, yes amazing performer at a low price!
Advantage of R-lenses was and still is the much more affordable price for the very similar quality of a M lens manufactured the same time. Other SLR lenses are even more affordable for excellent quality, too. I have a few 50 mm lenses, and each of them has its pros and cons. Most unique bokeh: Canon 50/1.2 EF L lens (con is low sharpness wide open) and Leitz 50/1.5 Summarit LTM lens (con is lower contrast wide open). Best vintage look: Canon 50/1.4 LTM (Japanese Summilux), con: long focus thread. Sharpest lens: Leica 50/2.0 Summicron-M version V, con: often flimsy lens hood. Best overall price/quality value: Minolta 50/1.4 MD SLR lens, con: cat-eye bokeh (can be also a plus depending on the scene).
Thanks MB, from the lenses you list I think you'd like the Summitar f2. For bokeh Contax RF 50s and Nikkor 5014 SC S mount have some of the most interesting bokeh, different to Leica and LTM lenses. See the video to come.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom actually i have it but forgot to mention! Best circular bokeh!
@@MB-or8js yes quite a painterly look 👍🏻
I have a 50mm summicron f2, a Elmarit 90mm f2.8, and a summaron 35mm f2.8 all Leica lenses. They are all good lenses and I have taken good photos with them. I understand that your talking about using these lenses in multiple cameras with adapter's. I guess that back in the 1970's we did not have all these adapters and thought of Leica lenses with a Leica camera and a Nikon camera with Nikon lens, well at least I did. I guess with the abundance of camera equipment in that era, you did not have to think using different brand lenses with your Leica. Purchased the Leica M3 for 125 dollars with a Summicron 50mm, the Elmarit 90mm for 95 dollars, and the 35mm summaron for 75 dollars. At that time that was lots of money especially for a student.
Thanks Chiva, yes for film I use Leica on Leica and Nikon on Nikon. They are good FB lenses you mention. You’ll see those in future videos so stay tuned!
A bit long, but not a moment wasted, as there is on too many "informative" videos. Fast paced; I had to really focus on which lens you were speaking of at each quick-change, but well worth the mental effort on my part. In a perfect world, I'd have loved to see how Voigtlander lenses fared, perhaps in a future video you'd consider that, Matt. When I say Voigtlander, I mean the M-mount ones AND the 58mm f/1.4 Nikon-mount (which I have, along with the same 50mm f/2 in this video). It would also be interesting to see how your old Canon ltm lenses fare against the best of this batch (or any of them, really). I'd love to see an old Nikppon Kogaku 50mm f/2 Sonnar ltm thrown in the mix as well, as I have one of those. I'm sure you'd never consider testing something like my Yashica 50 f/2.8 ltm though. I bought it in hopes that it's a simple Tessar. Still am not sure. Not bragging, because I have not a single Leica lens. I like to be the guy with 'something *else*'. Thanks so much Matt. Your videos are among the best!
Thank you Chris! Yes I will do a follow up with fast 50s ..and 58 ;)
Until recently I had not considered shooting a lens at 'wide open' and set the aperture to about 2 or so stops down... Last month picked up a 50 Summilux and will spend the next few months at f/ 1.4 just to get the 'feel' of the lens.
Congrats Stuart, Leica lenses are designed to be good wide open where as most cheap lenses need stopping down usually.
My type(s) of images have always required a bit more depth of field... Back when I started, Kodachrome was ASA (ISO) 10 and Agfa IFF BW film was 15.. f4 or f/5.6 gave marvelous illusion of 3D depth in pictures. Now lowest ISO is 100 or 200 and shutter speed has to astronomical to get f/1.4 shots outdoors. Interested to try new look.
@@stuartmeador8993 yes a different world now, same for old vs new digital and high iso
Just love the Summicron 50mm Rigid on the MD262...!
Nice! Did you see last night’s video? If not you might like it!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom
I`ll definitely watch it...!
Hey Matt! I think a 50 1.4 lens comparison would also be very Interesting. Many manufacturers used to struggle with those. I would be very interested to see the Summilux-R 50 next to the Summilux-m Asph and other lenses from say minolta or Nikon.
Hi Marc, thanks. See my fast 50s video. It doesn’t include all mentioned lenses but quite a few
Hi Matt
Goes to show how the dispersion of cost between second hand lens prices was 60X, but the difference in image output was only a marginal matter of taste at best
As discussed in your just prior video last week, that you don’t have to spend all your money on expensive gear to get great images
Great review as always
Thanks Ronald, yes it’s quite crazy isn’t it. Obviously the build quality is different but optically similar.
For me, the winner is always the Summilux M, just for one reason. I can use it wide open at f1.4 with super nice results. That's what it's made for! I had other 50mm f1.4 Lenses for Canon, and no lens was such a great performer at f1.4. But I can totally understand that a Summicron M does not make much sense if you already have a Summilux M. 50 mm is the shortest focal length you can build on a classic SLR camera without needing a retro focus lens construction. Comparing 35mm Lenses should be a totally different game, at least in theory.
Thanks Alexander, yes i've only really used my Lux wide open, I will do a fast 50s follow up vid.
Apples to apples, oranges to oranges comparison would be more objective. Lux vs Cron is the same as the dessert spoon vs tea spoon. More light = more weight, bigger filter & hood. Less light = less wight, smaller filter & hood. Don't forget the budget, not everybody is a Rotscheild' relative or a Swiss dweller. It was really interesting to see how different brands perform against their rivals. Cron 50/2 vs Nik 50/2, or Lux 50/1.4 vs Nik 50/1.4, and Noct 50/1.2 vs Nik 50/2/1.2. For me, nothing gets closer to a Leitz Elmar 50/3.5 sitting on a Leica IIIf in terms of speed, size, weight and lens' optical quality combined. Great job, Matt, really appreciate your efforts!
Leica DR, R v1 favorites for video at f/2, 6K resolution. Summilux shines wide open.
Thanks John! I will do a follow up video for fast 50s :) Stay tuned!
Guess what: I made a final comparison test today of some 9 lenses (coming after a previous test of some 30 lenses...) that included a leica 50mm R2 Canada and a Summicron M 50mm f2 collapsible. I excluded both because of, respectively chromatic abberation ( purple fringing) and unsufficient sharpness, both lenses at f2. The winners? Two manual minolta lenses (one 50, one 58mm) one Zeiss pancolar 50mm f1.8 ( later version) and the totally overlooked Schneider-Kreuznach Xenon 50mm f1.9. My test also included one Nikon AIS Nikkor 50mm 1.8 . Things are not quite the same than those widely shared and over-echoed beliefs. That's why I prefer to perform my on tests.
Thanks Harry, yes I agree this is a good exercise to do for any photographer with multiple lenses so to decide the right tool for each job. I have more 50s coming in another video. I just need to edit it. Thanks regarding your finding, its great to find the rare gems isn't it! :)
Hi Matt, As you may know, I've been shooting with the TL2 and am totally in on APS-C shooting right now, so for me a 35mm is actually more a 50. In my film days, the 50mm Summicron DR was my favorite lens but when Leica digital first came out, they made it a point to say that the DR would not work on digital. (Not sure if this is totally the case right now and I may still want to pick one up as they are a bit more affordable than other Leica 50s) Along with more issues they said I'd encounter with my other Leica lenses made me enter digital on other systems. My set up right now includes the 18mm Elmarit TL and Summicron TL 23mm. I also have a 30mm Sigma, 40mm Voigtlander Nokton I use with a generic adapter and the TT Artisans 50mm f1.2 in Leica L mount. I still have a 35mm f3.5 Summaron but want a faster 35 for APS-C. Personally, as much as I'd like the Summilux-TL 35mm( I used to shoot the 35mm Summilux M pre-ASPH Canada and loved it), it just seems like it would be too big on the TL. I've got the focal length pretty much covered between the 30mm Sigma and 40mm Nokton, but still I wonder whether an autofocus 35mm would be useful considering how "normal" (50mm) has always been my go to lens. Do you have any experience with the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN lens? To me it seems like a better alternative to the Summilux given it's smaller profile on my TL2. Any thoughts considering size and your experience with the CL?
Thanks yes I liked 35s on the CL. I don’t have experience with AF lenses but perhaps a small voigtlander, 35/1.4. Canon 1.8 Ltm is great size but less sharp so I sold mine.
I owned and passed on the R series in favor of M cameras having tested a number of lenses and bodies too. The R3, R4, R6 & R8 all eventually failed, from electronic issues. I'd push them through brutal Canadian cold but they were so cheap at the time, I did not mind. The Leicaflex Sl2 was the best of the series by far but it was a bit too heavy. I sure loved those R lenses though. Had a Summilux 50, elmarit 24, summicron 90 and elmarit 135 and bought them when they were all a fraction of their current cost. The difference for me arose in the accuracy of the leica rangefinder in conjuction with the sharp m Optics. No other focusing system gave me a confidence like a high magnification rangefinder. Focusing the summilux R and summilux m 50s for example was a completely different experience on both systems. The slr split prisms were great but too distracting and often offered just 98% coverage.
This review is really good Matt, comprehensive and honest. Those nikkors are truly beautiful and it's amazing to see just how subtle the differences are.
Thank you Diego, sorry about your R bodies. Did the R6 die? That is manual so should be better. With the diopter on these I can see but agree before I loved Ms for the RF. The R glass did well in the test though, happy, and a Nikon ofc! Thanks for the feedback. I’ll do more videos like this.
Nice test and review. If one used Japanese lenses well, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Minolta, Fuji, Konica they are very good. Nikon and Canon are rightly used by working professionals and organisations. Of course Leica and Contax are among the best of the best with Leica M being at the very top but not user friendly to use but with much better wide-angle lenses than any SLR's. We saw how close the lenses are where film choice and technique will make a bigger difference than the lenses or cameras.
Thanks Mubeen!
Have you ever tried the Leica-R 50mm Summilux f/1.4 version 2 ? I found one in excellent condition for about 1000$, I'm wondering if it's got a similar output to the M mount Summilux apart from having fewer aperture blades.
I've not but yes I think it's the same optics as the awesome Summilux v2 M lens that I raved about in a recent video "Why didn't you tell me"
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks! Maybe you could make a video comparison between the two some day? 😉
@@matthiasaronjonsson3066 if you send both lenses I can! 👍🏻
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Hmm... this is starting to sound expensive... since I currently have neither of them :')
Great video, nice work Matt!
Thanks!
Nice video! What’s the best compact adaptor for R to L mount that registers focus peaking? Thanks for your hard work!
Thanks.. hmm tough question. I think it's purely the contrast of the lens so any adapter is OK. Novaflex offer great performance-value
Hey Matt, for adapting Nikkor to M directly, is there anything to be aware of with a rangefinder body? Like will using an adapter somehow affect / break the mechanism that sets the rangefinder lines in the viewfinder automatically? I’ve never adapted anything to my M11 and I’m terrified of breaking something due to using a cheap adapter lol. If you’ve a recommendation that’d be grand :-)
Hi, don't worry you can't break anything. SLR leases only fit on the outside of the camera so nothing can break. Be aware SLR lenses are not RF lenses so to focus you need to use LiveView. RF won't work.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom thx!
Super Elmar 18mm F3.8 ASPH
Super Elmar 21mm F3.4 ASPH
Elmar 24mm F3.8 ASPH
Summicron 28mm F2 ASPH
If you can pick only one for wide, I have 35mm. I need help to decide on only 1 lens, which would you pick?
Why do you want an extra wide angle lens and how wide are the scenes you are photographing? Most lenses you are looking at are slower aperture speed, will you be using this on a tripod or bright sunny conditions? Lastly also look at Zeiss 25mm or Voigtlander wides.
@@GrainyByNature I'm looking at interior and upclose street photography. Mostly sunny days, sunset and motion blurs. Thanks for the help
@@allena3430 check out Matt’s review on the Zeiss 25mm.
Or another possibility is the Voigtlander 21mm 1.4 Nokton.
Both lenses play nicely with M bodies without the color shifting in corners.
HI Allen, it's hard to answer that as a lot is personal preference. 18mm & 21mm can often be too wide but then you might find 28mm too narrow. I have my Summicron 28mm ASPH for sale as I don't really use it if you live in the UK. I like 21mm for walkabout but I use my Zeiss Biogon as I don't have the Leica ones. I don't use 18mm. I have 25mm Biogon too.
Thanks Ryan!
Considering buying for my Nikon Df between Leica Summicron-R 50mm f2 v.2 Canada vs Voigtlander 55mm f1.2 SLIIS. What do you think? Thanks!
Cron is smoother, I like it. 55mm is not quite as good as the 58mm Nokton. Good lens
Oh yeah, I love the 58 1.4 SL-II-N
Cron 50 vs 58 Nokton then..?
I agree the Nikkor 50mm f/2 is a very sharp lens...!
Yes! Great lens and cheap too
Thanks for your lovely video I have the 50 mm summicron R lens I need to buy a front lens cap can u please help me with the size
Thanks Samer, I need a cap for mine too, I currently use a not perfectly fitting cap. A 44-45mm cheap pinch cap from ebay should fit.
There are only few videos with Leica R 50mm summilux. I wonder why it is not that popular, they are not even that expensive. Is 50mm summicron better performer? I am interested in Leica R because I want to adapt them with speedbooster to Fuji x.
Hi! Good timing, I’ve just dived into Fuji x to help the community (vs Leica). R glass wouldn’t be my first recommendation due to size unless you have a bigger heavier camera. The glass is great, prices vary. Yes the Summicron is great, the Lux R are a little soft for film so if stopping down, people get Cron instead. They will help soften up a digital looking sensor. You’ll see me talk about this soon
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I am looking forward to that video! Size is not problem for me. I even like bigger lenses. I think reviewers often think that most people like smaller lenses but that is not always the case. It is for travel and personal use but not for professional work. I have some really nice Fuji lenses but many times clients made comment like that is really small camera, is that "professional" camera. Most videographers use cinema rigs anyways, with cages, v mount batteries, follow focus, and bigger lens suits better. I personally believe most people would use Leica lenses for video due to manual focus and character that is missing on Fuji lenses. I am really interested in performance of 50mm R Summilux and 24mm Elmarit 2.8 as they make perfect starter combo. Especially if used with speed booster and adapter, you get like 4 lenses (35mm and 85mmm added using adapter). Also 90mm f2 and 135mm 2.8 as they have amazing price.
The winner is the DR because it have high resolution and low contrast. High contrast for me looks bad. Also the distortion, all other lenses except Summilux got visible distortion because they are sir lenses. DR beats Summilux because is smaller and not blocking the finder and like I said is lower contrast lens and of course can focus closer than 0.7m and is more well build. Now the classic version of the Summilux asph can compete with the DR but that high contrast and modern look just isn't my thing so the DR still wins. The Summilux from the same era can beat the DR because of the 1.4 but focus only to 1m so for me the DR is the greatest lens ever made. :) Thanks for the video.
Thanks! The DR is a great lens for sure :)
Hey matt, thanks for the insightful video. Do you reckon its worth me upgrading my Nikkor 50mm f1.4 Ai lens to a Leica R 50mm V1 Summicron? Is the difference worth the price point?
Thanks, if your adapting to digital Leica will give a different look but ‘better’ is different for everyone. Perhaps watch my FE2 vs R6 video for a rough idea.
Beauty Matt - how about Vs the Nikon S RF lens, now you've got the adapter ..! I have an S3 and find the 1.4 a bit soft but that could just be because, as you have noted before, it's a right pain to focus ! 😊
Thanks! It is like you have predicted a future video! (already shot the photos, I just need to put the video together) ;) I will explain my solution with the Nikkor SC 5014 in the video. (You need a different film body ideally to get the best from the lens, I have found). Stay tuned!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom what a legend! Thanks !
@@tjunglec 👍🏻🙏🏻
Of the 3 Nikon 50mm pancake lenses, 1.Series E Black .6 focus, 2. Series E with Silver Ring .6, Nikkor .45 many have claimed the Series E Silver Ring to be the sharpest of the 3. you should test that one against the F2
Thanks Sergio. I did a Nikon 50 test video showing all. Voigtlander 58 is better, v3 pancake next (mine was a bad copy stuck wide open in that video so didn’t show the true performance).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom The Voightlander for sure, but I am only referring to the 3 Nikon pancakes, (Nikon Series E Black vs Nikon Silver vs The Nikkor) I have also shot the Silver vs the Nikkor as I have them and find the Silver sharper, the Nikkor could be a bad copy, but others seem to come to the same conclusion.
@@sergiodematostube thanks, there’s probably a lot of sample variation in these old lenses too.
The result from nikon 50/2 make me shock how sharp nikon compare with leica.
I think if want to shoot with wide dynamic range i will use summicron DR.
But if i must choose one lens, i will choose summicron R v1. Thats make me crazy
Thanks, yes Leica often don’t aim for only sharpness in their design so it gives a smoother rendering. Yes that Nikkor is super sharp. Many are not. I bought that because it’s a good one 👍🏻
Hey Matt, great video as always! I was wondering if you had a 35 Summicron M mount V2/V3, and if you could do 35mm lens comparisons!
Hey Jacob, I don't have the M version no sorry but I will be doing a 35mm vid including the Cron 35 R
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom too bad we live so far apart in the world, I'd totally loan you my 35 cron for a video 👍🏾 regardless, looking forward to the 35 video!
@@godscola thanks very kind
I agree with your assessment, but do think overall the v2 Cron R would be the one I’d choose, and one of my favorite 50’s.
But I do think I’d choose my Konica AR 50 f/1.7 for sharpness over any of these. Color rendering is more neutral, but it’s definitely not as smooth as my Cron in the hand.
Thanks Patrick and about the Konica! Noted :)
That's an interesting comparison, as far is it goes. "Sharpness" is a soft term. It may mean resolution, or MTF, or a combination of these with contrast. I am in sympathy with your approach, judging the overall impression of sharpness. In that rough sense very old lenses (e.g. the old Summicrons or even the old Summarit) can be vvvery sharp indeed in the centre -- but not over the whole field, not against the light, not at wide apertures, and so on. You pay for optimising a whole range of parameters (including also distortion), not for centre sharpness at f5.6. For a portrait photographers most of these parameters are irrelevant. So here the 3000-vs-50-observation is very much to the point -- well done!
Thank you, yes great point, i'm only considering the centre, which for portraits is the important bit (for me). I will do a follow up video for fast 50s too when I get chance. Thanks for your thoughts.
Is it possible to use screw on filters on the Leica R lenses (v1 and v2)?
Hello, yes of course, no issues (on the lenses I use)
Thanks! So a filter for V2 would be bigger in diameter than a filter for V1?
@@Karlabacken correct. Look at full name of lenses and you see it
ive heard that summicron is *supposed* to be sharper (better, really) than summilux, and that the wider aperture lenses are more expensive since theyre meant to be specialty lenses rather than being better ones. no idea if thats true lol but itd explain why you keep getting that sort of result
I had the v5 Cron and Lux and sold the Cron as the Lux was better for me. The Lux is amazing at 1.4 and beat I think every lens i've tested wide open but by f2 there are better options.
Top video as usual. But you should have add the weigth of the adaptors for both Nikor and R versions to be fair :-)
My choice will be the Lux for sharpness contrast and sturation ... Good I already have one and love it .. :-)
Ah yes, great thought Jerome, agreed! The R adapter especially is not light. Yes I was happy to see the Lux shine in this one too :)
Hi Matt, have you the 50mm f1. 8 nikkor ai non-pancake lens? I wonder if it is similar/same as the f2 one
Hi Justin, I think the size is roughly similar but different optically. People don’t rave about the 1.8, it’s the f2 everyone seems to this is the best. (I was late to the party!)
Very interesting comparison and weird results. I do think that the summilux f1.4 would have blow them all. I remember tested it from a (lucky :))friend of mine and the pictures taken with it really seems to go out of the screen. Perhaps the fact that you ( I guess) take pictures ata a quite short distance doesn t advantages it. In my preference the summicron dual is the best : very well built, very clever conception with additional glass for m cameras and soft contrast adequate for B&W. As a mainly Nikon shooter I also got the 50mm f2 AI and I knew that it was good but not as good ( I read other tests where it seems less sharp than minolta or canon equivalent) and I definitely don’t like the pancake one too small and vey expensive for its quality. I will also try to make some pictures with the Leica R v1 that I got with my Leica flex and I think that with the Nikon Zf it can produce some subtile images in B&W. Thx again pin Matt for this old but interesting test very well presented.
Thanks Phil, at f1.4 the Lux ASPH is still king for M mount. M lenses tend to be sharper than R lenses but both can take nice images ofc.
Summicron V1 is best bang for buck for leica 50 cron,the Nikkor f2 is best bang for buck overall,any of the big name popular vintage 50's when stopped down to at least f4 .
Thanks Jude! Yes I didn't test beyond f4 as everything is sharp at f5.6 :)
Hi,
Can I use Summicron R lens for canon M50 Mark ii ?
I think yes but check with Canon users to be 100%
Brilliant review!
Thanks Lucy, I think i've found my video format! :)
BK transition between Lux & NIK 2.0... 14:10 then 14:20.
Help yourself.
Thanks. The Lux isn't great at f2, I try to only use it wide open, then use the Voigtlander 50mm f2 APO for everything f2 onwards
The Nikkor 55mm F2.8 ais micro lens is one of the sharpest manual focus Nikkors.
Thanks John. Agreed! See my sharpest Nikkor 50 vid
Makes me smile that the Nikon f2 held it's ground. That said I really liked the Rv1.
Thanks Ryan, I know right! :) I've already shot the images for a follow up! :) ..I want to know myself
Nikkors are very very good lenses. They render differently to a Leica so horses for courses. The problem for me, being the owner of both Leica M and Nikon systems is how to justify paying so much more for a Leica lens, the again it is a Leica.
@@lensman5762 yes I hear you. For me I feel like I need to shoot some Leica now after calling myself MrLeica lol. I only consider digital Leica but for film I enjoy many. M lenses are a nice size but if you see my other mass lens vids Voigtlander make great and small Nikon F lenses.
Your identification of series 2 Summicron-R lenses is not quite right. They began at 2,777,651. The Hove guide claims that "for all intents and purposes" the 1 and 2 are "on the same level" of performance. For R users it is the cams that count, of course. Those built-in sliding hoods have a tendency to work loose.
Ah thank you JM, apologies, I had read it somewhere regarding the numbers, sorry. Yes my hood is loose on the v2 in the video as you saw.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have secured mine with insulating tape which has about the right texture. Not a very Leica solution, though. A Leica expert told me you need to strip the lens right down and still may not be able to fix it.
@@jmtubbs1639 thanks mine doesn’t bother me too much but noted thanks
the Nikon 50mm f1.8 Japan is also reputed to have the least distortion than other Nikon 50mm lenses
Ah thank you. Good info. Yes there seems a lack of clear detail about that lens but I bought it for the 0.45m
Would you make one more video to compare 3D pop result for that lens??
Hi, The test would be the same so you can use these videos and just review the images to decide which one looks more 3D to you (even if I didn’t comment on it in the video)
When a £50 lens is not only in the same ball park but actually pushing a £3,000 lens for optical quality, it makes you wonder...
I think the determining factor could be the tactile feel and the 'pleasure' derived from using these lenses?
To most people, small and heavy says quality while large and light infers cheap, and at the end of the day optical quality is not the real reason people choose to use Leica glass. They might say it is, they might even think it is, but optically is the Leica 60 times better than the Nikon? Or 6 times? Or twice as good even?
I'm not taking a swipe at Leica users (I've used Leica too) but I'm just saying that it's not really to do with optical quality.
A Toyota will get you from A to B in comfort, whereas a Rolls or a Jag will also get you there, with a little more comfort. The purpose is to get you from A to B (or capture an image?) which both will achieve more or less equally. So in reality you're not paying the (rather hefty) premium for the end result, you're paying it for the pleasure you derive from the journey (of using the lens).
Just my two cents, and obviously it's your money to spend any way you choose, but as Matt pointed out in a previous video you could do a hell of a lot of travelling on the difference between a Leica plus lens and a Nikon plus lens?
Thanks WG, it was quite a surprise seeing all the results! The DR is the nicest made lens by far and M lenses are RF so they let you shoot differently to an SLR so all that to be considered too, if for people using mirrorless the Nikkor will do a fine job for next to nothing.
I have the DR, and I am sticking with it unless you could advise on the Zeiss ZM F2. In the final analysis, they are all good lenses. Just use them and enjoy photography.
Yes! You only need 1 good 50 really. I don’t live by it as I use different systems, test a lot but it’s true. Sorry I sold my planar zm f2 when I got the Cron v5 which I sold when I got the Summilux. Planar is cheap and sharp but I didn’t like for portraits. There are better 50s. (See the fast 50 video)
What black and white film would you say gives the most ''1930s'' look?
Thanks
Nice question, I would have to study 1930s images to make a view but I would say any classic grain structure film, maybe TriX or HP5
Ok watching now Mr. Osborne. My money is on the Nikkor 50mm F2 this lens for some reason I can't get enough of and mines not even perfect.
I bought mine for $25 and it outperforms every lens I've used. It's a weird little bugger
You are smarter than me! I only included it for fun, it wasn't supposed to be that good :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom lol bro they sold millions for a reason. If I'm not mistaken most journalist always kept the Nikkor 50mm f2 in their bag especially the 70s
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom or they used the 50mm 1.4, mostly for speed
Nikkor 50mm f2 and I can carry it into any shady part of the city without worrying about the replacement cost if I get mugged 😅
Thanks Brad, so true! Excellent value for money
The cheap and small nikon 50mm 1.8 is really fan to use .
Thanks yes I love the small size!
Many people have made a good living with Nikon Glass over the years The more you post about Leica cameras and lenses the more I think they are a waste of money, at least compared to other cameras out there. Don't take this the wrong way but you are one of the few people I have seen take a decent photograph with one, most images on Flickr are just snap shots ,often out of focus and of very dull random subjects.
There’s validity to saying Leica’s are (now) overhyped fashionable cameras that are overpriced. But that also ignores the past 100 years of photographic history. Leica cameras are not only smaller than most other cameras, they are also better built. Their lenses are also small, again, better built, and have exceptionally high optical quality.
@@davidm5790 So what? I still have my fathers Kodak camera that is over 60 years old. It still works too. The images he took with it are priceless to me. The camera does not make the photographer, it's what you point that camera at that matters. No one is ignoring history, just put some perspective on it. People used what was available at the time. Optically they are now no better than anything else. Don't get sucked into the gravy train called marketing.
@@davidm5790 Leica lost the Pro market in the 1970's and have been in their own niche ever since. Leica sold 25,000 SL2's before discontinuing while Nikon went on to sell 800,000 F2's.
Thanks SS, yes agreed I think because of the RF focusing there do seem to be more bad photos floating around online. I think a good photographer can use any camera so it is personal preference in the end.
Agreed photography still has a lot to thank the early Leica engineers for. Think how many Leica clones were made.. by Canon, Nikon and everyone else.
I think the Nikon does a good job, but when compared with the Leicas you have to look at the fringing at the edges, that's where I believe most of the difference is.
Thanks, yes this limited test supports cheaper lenses (that can be sharp in the centre). Agree you normally pay more for edge sharpness.
Are you trying to impress pros or the average person? Because the average person is never going to care about the edges of a photograph where your eye is specifically drawn to the center or near center. Edge sharpness is overrated, at least at this focal length .
@@goo-o8g you’re right at most focal lengths, but it makes a huge difference when doing macro closeup photography, which is what I like to do. ;-)
Hi
I would Iike to have an 50mm to my TL2 = 35mm.
Can't afford the 35mm f1,4 L.
So What are your suggestion for my "50mm"
Thanks for a briljant chanel, keep pos ting
Per
I will do a 35mm video when I get time but if you want sharp, the 35 Ultron, if very small the Skopar, if small and fast the 1.4 Nokton, if bokeh the big 1.2...Voigtlanders
Fascinating, just goes to show that money and expense does not decide what is best for a given application.
Thanks and absolutely!
Try the Pentax M 50/2 if you want (edit: unexpectedly) sharp.
Thanks, noted!
DR is the best for me
Thanks Pirapat, yes a great performer and the best made of those shown
It seems that Summicron R50/f2 V2 are the winner here.
Thanks, the v2 Cron is nice for sure!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have one and I love it!
But youre Leica Noctilux 50mm f 1.0 would rule them all 😁
It has the most character for sure. I will do a fast 50 follow up vid and we can see what the Nocti can do :)
Can you make a 3d pop comparision for Leica-m 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hi, I have another similar video coming for fast 50s. 3D pop is subjective but you can check the results and see which lens you like the best for that look. Coming soon! :)
Summilux pre asph on M 😅
Nice!! I've I win the lottery I'd like the pre-ash v2 :)
I call my Nikon FM with 50 f2 , poor mans Leica.
I have the same setup :) but I use the FM2 or FE2 more.. and like the smaller 1.8 pancake lens for size
Sharpness is same. Its all micro angles.
And contrast :)
great vid..... ; )
thanks Rocky!
You can't test lenses like for like in natural light I know it all too well haha
Thanks!
Save 2950 quid and go travelling.
Yes! I made a video titled very similar to this, you can’t make the best images sat at home regardless of what lens you have.
Nikkor SPANKS Leica… AGAIN
Haha. Both have their look. I use both frequently side by side.
Sumicron m 5cm f2 microcontrast not hi contrast but nikkor and Summilux very hi contrast you test with t max film🥹
Yes more contrast often looks sharper and more punchy