Let’s talk about SUPREMACY APO Cron 50mm

[NB23]

Come on, let’s talk about the Summicron’s 50mm APO Supremacy.

*Even if you’re jealous and in denial, you can participate.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I like my Summitar. It's sharp, it's smooth, it's collapsible, and it was $150 with the SOOPD shade, correct front and rear caps, flawless glass and coating, and separated front pair (since recemented). I'd trade it for an Apo Summicron, but I'd have to know where to get another good Summitar so I could sell the Apo, buy the Summitar, and enjoy the Summitar & profits.
And yes, I have seen what an Apo Summicron can do, firsthand. The Summitar is prettier.

 

[faberryman]

Come on, let’s talk about the Summicron’s 50mm APO Supremacy.

It's a lens.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

It's a lens.

Perhaps he just wants us all to know he has one.

 

[ced]

Prefer my cheapo ZM 50mm this taking us into the realm of flogging Leica again...

 

[faberryman]

Perhaps he just wants us all to know he has one.

I wonder if he got the elephant hide case?

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I wonder if he got the elephant hide case?

Shouldn't it come with a pouch made from the scrotum of a Siberian tiger?

 

[NB23]

Shouldn't it come with a pouch made from the scrotum of a Siberian tiger?

Braided with thorsten’s scrotum hair

 

[AgX]

I wonder if he got the elephant hide case?

Be careful, here in Germany this since 70 years is a term for some strong and decorative paper. You indeed can use it for case-making.

 

[chip j]

I want to hear about the 75mm 1.25 too!

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Braided with thorsten’s scrotum hair

I'd rather it have a drawstring braided from a Valkyrie's ... um, never mind.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I used to shoot Leicas and had the latest version of the 50mm Summicron (the regular non-apo one). It was sharper than 35mm film. What's the point of spending the ungodly sum of money the APO costs? Can you see a difference on Tri-X? Or any other film, for that matter? I doubt it is much better even on a high-resolution digital sensor.

 

[etn]

Is such a superlative lens really needed for film? or is it more intended for digital (and, god forbid, pixel peepers?)
I too am happy with my ZM Planar and Summicron Rigid for shooting film. Moving up a format, even with a "cheaper" lens (such as a Rolleicord) would surely bring more improvements than replacing a ZM Planar or a "regular" Summicron by the Apo version. What do you think?

 

[Dali]

What kind of supremacy are we talking about?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I think OP wants to call the perfect storm in the cup of tea. Rangefinder sub-forum here is very small and slightly dusty...

Well, just inserting the following:

I knew one photography enthusiast who has tried Leica digital rangefinders and sold them. He finds more satisfaction in film Leica M cameras.
He build his first darkroom (in France) during 2016-2017 and used only new gear. Purchased new enlarger from Germany and so on.
Not so long time ago on he came back to mother's country and is busy with rebuilding of darkroom at new place.
He is owner of Cron 50 APO and he likes it on prints. He prefers large darkroom prints.
He also has other top priced 50mm Leica made lenses but he likes APO most.
He likes sharpens and some other qualities of this lens. For example APO is good (well corrected) with colors. He likes color film photography as well.
He also has Jupiter-3 and I see difference between Jupiter-3 and APO pictures of his.

And then here is another photographer I knew on that and same rangefinder forum, who has tried some Leica and Leitz 50mm glass, but prefers Jupiter-3.
He was recently interviewed by Leica Blog, but in this interview they keep his preference of Jupiter-3 out.

APO user takes amateur pictures. Jupiter-3 user is well recognized photographer by now, has exhibitions and prints sold...

Endl;

 

[NB23]

Supremacy velouté

 

[darkosaric]

I would like to try it. I have no doubt that it is the sharpest lens ever made, and with tmax 100, delta 100 or cms 20 will create superb technical results. But the price ... too high for me, I have seen used one for 5500€...too high .

 

[NB23]

Kofe,

I’m always amazed at all this street photography recognition thing. Makes me sick actually. What’s the recognition and how much is this recognition worth?

It’s more a fanboi thing than anything else, this street photography thing, if you ask me.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

I'm looking at a print I made in the 1980s, it's of a friend standing near the curb in front of his store, left arm resting atop a sandwich board sign, wearing a big grin. He yelled hello at me, I was across the street just past him - I raised the camera, framed and focussed, a true grab shot that turned out to be an excellent informal environmental portrait. 8x10 cropped the long way from 35mm T-max 100, probably f: 5.6 to f:8, and sharp from corner to corner. Not an apo-anything, but a prewar Sonnar on a Contax II. No lens would have improved this picture.

 

[faberryman]

No lens would have improved this picture.

I think that can be said about most images.

 

[hacked - sepiareverb]

The Noctilux is faster, and so, better.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Kofe,

I’m always amazed at all this street photography recognition thing. Makes me sick actually. What’s the recognition and how much is this recognition worth?

It’s more a fanboi thing than anything else, this street photography thing, if you ask me.

Jupiter-3 person who does good photography isn't much into street photography currently recognized as the thing. He is more into the taking pictures with film Leica and often by Jupiter-3 lens while outside.
Very fine and well crafted photography. Maybe more on easy to digest side, but far from too primitive and gift-less photography which dominates these days, IMO.
http://blog.leica-camera.com/2018/01/26/the-life-of-leisure/

I keep on checking Leica Blog because they are not just pushing APO, but recognizing photogs like Yuri with nothing fancy film gear, yet, something to look at on their photos.

Your photography is good and Leica Blog is where I don't mind to see it. If not already.

 

[BradS]

I always wonder why people say 'cron' instead of its full name, summicron.It is confusing for us non Leica folk.

For what it's worth, I'm sure it is a fine lens. I know for a fact that, unless I made a shit ton more money than I do, I could never justify paying for one (but this is true for pretty much everything 'Leica').

I will observe that the lens that is best in a purely technical sense is rarely the one that make the best photos (of people, I'm specifically thinking of portraiture, formal or otherwise).

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Come on, let’s talk about the Summicron’s 50mm APO Supremacy.

*Even if you’re jealous and in denial, you can participate.

Wrong forum. Try: www.dpreview.com

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I always wonder why people say 'cron' instead of its full name, summicron.It is confusing for us non Leica folk.

...

Because very many lenses Leitz/Leica have made so far are starting with Summi. So, we just dropping confusing part. Believe it or not, it is very difficult for me to remember which one is Summarit and which one is Summitar after I have tried both. With Summicron which I have tried three and Summilux I don't have money for. All are Summisomething. And then where are Summar and Summarons to add even more confusion. And I have tried them as well.
So, at least it is easy with just Lux and Cron.