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Leica 50mm f/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

Bokeh (M240)

June 2013 50/2 APO, which suffered from poor flare control.

At f/2, the APO Summicron provides a decisive knife-cut of sharpness across the frame;the Summilux and Noctilux absolutely cannot do this.

Blur qualities (bokeh) of the 50/2 APO ASPH are exceptionally uniform and pleasing across the frame, which means the “effective blur” is higher than the f/2 aperture might suggest: the juxtaposition of high sharpness with consistent blur is unequalled by the Summilux and Noctilux. Choosing a precise point of focus is thus critical: the sharpness “cut” is precise, so misplacement of the focus is problematic.

While there is greater background blue with the Summilux or Noctilux wide open, only the 50/2 APO ASPH offers a consistency of even blur across the frame (even to corners) coupled with a uniformly in or out of focus consistencey. Also, there are no oddball inflections of sharpness to the rear, which is particularly noticeable on the Noctilux, but also present on the Summilux in the far corners and as a mild wave in central zone.

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Diglloyd Guide to LEICA contains in-depth coverage of Leica M system cameras and lenses, with additional coverage of Leica M Monochrom, Leica Q.

Special emphasis is placed on Leica M lenses and certain Zeiss ZM lenses.

  • Make better images by learning how to get the best results right away.
  • Save money by choosing the right lens for your needs the first time, particularly the Summilux/Summicron/Elmarit choice and/or Zeiss ZM.
  • Make better images, a sort of “cheat sheet” saving yourself months or years of ad-hoc learning. Processing parameters are discussed and shown.
  • Jaw-dropping image quality found nowhere else utilizing Retina-grade images up to full camera resolution, plus large crops [past 2 years or so].
  • Real world examples with insights found nowhere else. Make sharper images just by understanding lens behavior you won’t read about elsewhere.
  • Aperture series from wide open through stopped down, showing the full range of lens performance and bokeh.
  • Optical quality analysis of field curvature, focus shift, sharpness, flare, distortion, and performance in the field.

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f/2 @ 1/180 sec handheld, ISO 200
Leica M240 + 50/2 APO-Summicron-M ASPH

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