Classic Look (pre-asph) or Modern Sharp (asph) look?

[artspraken]

pre-ASPH lenses give the blur classic Leica look, whereas the latest lenses ASPH tend to be razor sharp.

I have often wondered whether pre-ASPH lenses are better choice since the future in the lens production line is clearly going to be ASPH.

Which do you prefer and why?

 

[nordleadx]

if u shoot color , asph will look great.

 

[Recoil3d]

Always seems to me that ultra sharp lenses create good B&W pictures

 

[nelson-tan]

I must be Goldilocks... I prefer the middle ground of sharpness combined with nice bokeh.

I have the pre-asph 35mm lux, which gives off that "glow" when I shoot wide-open. But everytime I go shooting, inevitably I'd pick up the much larger 35mm lux ASPH. Other than the fact that I can't find a IR filter that'll fit my pre-asph (for my M8.2), the ASPH delivers very sharp images wide open while delivering a very nice bokeh.

 

[ZoomP]

I've moved from E46 Japanese edition M39 50 Summilux pre-asph to 50 Lux ASPH to now finally back to Lux ver 3. Frankly, I much prefers the classic rendering of the pre-asph. If I buy asph again, it will likely be the 35 lux asph instead.

I do feel that the pre-asph works best on film. The colors and tone are fantastic!

E46 or E43, frankly to me is not much of a difference. I got a good deal on the E46, that's why I bought it over the ver.2. Will be just as happy with the ver.2 and 1m focusing distance. Afterall, most of my lenses are 50 LTM Jap lenses with 1m fd anyway.

Either way, you've got one of the best Leica glasses made in history.

 

[artspraken]

yea if you can accept the 1m min focus, the E43 is alot cheaper than E46 and is not only a good buy but easier to find on used market.

I have a 50mm lux pre-ASPH, but I never tried a 50mm ASPH so cannot compare. I've been looking through flickr recently, and I can see the razor sharpness of 50mm ASPH. I am just not sure whether razor sharpness is good for every type of shot. I think the pre-ASPH's softer wide open look makes it slightly more flexible. Another option I consider was Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f.1.5 which is known to give soft classic look, and yet be razor sharp at smaller aperture. But in the end I chose the pre-asph because one was available and because I read that Zeiss Sonnar got focus shift (and I am rangefinder newbie i am not sure i can learn how to overcome the focus shift a la "aim for the ears to focus on the eyes" method).

Based on my reading of 35mm new ASPH II FLE, it seems that new ASPHs are all sharp at every aperture. I've often wondered whether a lens can be too perfect.

 

[glorybox]

How is the e46 working out for you? I loved it so much, just that it wasn't my cup on tea on the M8 with the silly crop factor

For portraiture, I certainly prefer a pre-ASPH, especially if it's of the GF/wife or kids. For general street I love razor sharpness, especially on B&W.

I hope you're enjoying the lens

 

[artspraken]

I am thoroughly enjoying the e46. It gives a combination of (i) crazy swirling bokeh and the (ii) classic soft look when wide open. The combination of these 2 elements is particularly good for portraits.

I am just curious about ASPH sharpness and interested to compare the characteristics of each. I noticed that ASPH sharpness has more "punch" due to the harsh sharpness so it is very good for pictures intended to make striking impact on viewer. By contrast, pre-ASPH is good for the "dreamy glamour", Wong Kar Wai or magical type of look.

It might just depend on what type of look is needed.

 

[eamesboy]

I would say it's personal liking on lenses. Any lenses vintage classic or modern ASPH on digital RF all will turn out just as good with some light adjustment. For film RF color film is 50/50 if you use old vintage classic lenses. But pictures will turn out better if you step down to f2.8-f4 and below for most classic lenses! (just my 2 cent) Lot of post process work. I hate PP! For black and white photography lenses has never been a big problem for me.


,,,

 

[scandezz]

Just keep both

Your mood will determine the lens you use

 

[ZoomP]

I am thoroughly enjoying the e46. It gives a combination of (i) crazy swirling bokeh and the (ii) classic soft look when wide open. The combination of these 2 elements is particularly good for portraits.

I am just curious about ASPH sharpness and interested to compare the characteristics of each. I noticed that ASPH sharpness has more "punch" due to the harsh sharpness so it is very good for pictures intended to make striking impact on viewer. By contrast, pre-ASPH is good for the "dreamy glamour", Wong Kar Wai or magical type of look.

It might just depend on what type of look is needed.

The ASPH is so sharp, I can see the baby hairs standing on my baby daughter's head. Bokeh? Frankly, no bokeh to talk about on my ASPH. Everything is just so clinically sharp. it's a very safe lens to take out if you can't afford for your shots to go wrong cos' everything sharp sharp!

 

[sinned79]

i prefer lens with classic look.

still dreaming of my M9 :heart:

 

[hookonclassic]

Whether is pre-ASPH or ASPH....all works fine....there is no "perfect lens", some like it "glows" some don't... it really depends on the image result you are going after...and the image looks will vary case by case, really depending on the type of shoots you performed and image results you sought after...

Sometime, I may pick older version lens with older M bodies (M2, M3, M4)...like the mood and feels of the B&W vintage image look of the picture...another time I may choose "latest-is-the-greatest" :bsmilie: modern ASPH on digital M (M8 or M9)...or Vice Versa...play with different combination and get different feels and results...until now I still have not discovered a "bad" M-lens...

 

[eamesboy]

Whether is pre-ASPH or ASPH....all works fine....there is no "perfect lens", some like it "glows" some don't... it really depends on the image result you are going after...and the image looks will vary case by case, really depending on the type of shoots you performed and image results you sought after...

Sometime, I may pick older version lens with older M bodies (M2, M3, M4)...like the mood and feels of the B&W vintage image look of the picture...another time I may choose "latest-is-the-greatest" :bsmilie: modern ASPH on digital M (M8 or M9)...or Vice Versa...play with different combination and get different feels and results...until now I still have not discovered a "bad" M-lens...

How ur M9 bro? :heart:
Need to interview about your M9 if I meet up with your bro. :bsmilie:
The problem with me is the more RF camera. I have problem going shooting with which when I go out..
I hate the feeling for keeping without using them.. I feel bad.. :bsmilie:


But, it's so nice to feel and see them in your hand. Rrrrrrr.


,,,

 

[schmuak]

I prefer the classic look. Modern lenses lack "feeling" to me. Canon or Nikon make very good modern lenses already IMO.

I like vignetting, CA blurring, oval bokeh sometimes.

 

[sabrewolf]

Sonnar!!!

 

[artspraken]

Sonnar!!!

Sonnar is one of the best 50mm lens for B&W when wide open (if optimised for 1.5).

 

[ZoomP]

Sonnar is one of the best 50mm lens for B&W when wide open (if optimised for 1.5).

Try the Canon Sonnar 50 f1.5 LTM. My favorite lens! I believe there's one on ebay right now from the same seller.

 

[gommy]

Sorry a little OT. :embrass::embrass:
Don't forget about the Japanese LTM lenses from the 50's! I think they are in between the old Leica & the modern Asph. hehehehe......:bsmilie:

 

[hookonclassic]

How ur M9 bro? :heart:
Need to interview about your M9 if I meet up with your bro. :bsmilie:
The problem with me is the more RF camera. I have problem going shooting with which when I go out..
I hate the feeling for keeping without using them.. I feel bad.. :bsmilie:


But, it's so nice to feel and see them in your hand. Rrrrrrr.


,,,

Hello Xavier, I love the M9....finally a non-crop digital RF that you can use all the beautiful leica lenses "as it is", don't have any major issue with M9. However, my M9 shutter seized recently during my trip in Hong Kong, less than a month old, now send back to Solms, under warranty repair. :sweatsm:

Lesson learned, don't carry only one camera body, carry another film body back-up.