Better Than Leica? The Japanese Summilux | Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM Lens Review

Better Than Leica? The Japanese Summilux | Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM Lens Review
Hey there! Me again. In today's video, I am reviewing the Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM lens which has gotten the nickname "The Japanese Summilux" due to its very similar design to Leica's famous 50mm Summilux lens. Personally I don't think that nickname is very fair to Canon since their fast 50mm lens came out 2 years before the first version of the Leica Summilux. Anyway, this lens is a Planar design with six lens elements in four groups. It has 9 aperture blades and has an aperture range from f/1.4 to f/22. The lens has a 180-degree focus throw and a minimum focusing distance of 1 meter. The optical quality of this lens is really remarkable especially when you consider the fact that it was made in 1957. This lens was made for 15 years so there are a lot of these lenses out there. It is also a bargain with examples of this lens typically going for around $200-$250. I think this is due to the fact that Canon also made faster 50mm lenses such as the 50mm f/1.2 and 50mm f/0.95 "Dream Lens" that overshadowed the 50mm f/1.4. So, because of that, you can get a lens that performs similarly to the legendary Leica Summilux, but for a much better price. The value for money aspect makes this lens the obvious choice over the Summilux for me. Let me know your thoughts on this lens, The Leica Summilux, and how you think they compare in the comments below! I'd love to hear what you think. Bye now!
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:37 - Specs
2:21 - Image Quality
4:32 - Video Use
5:23 - Price
6:03 - Final Thoughts
6:30 - More Image Samples
7:48 - Outro
#filmphotography #japanesesummilux #lensreview

Пікірлер: 97

  • @ReimannPembroke
    @ReimannPembroke Жыл бұрын

    What is your favorite lens that you have ever used? COMMENT BELOW⬇️

  • @ruffprophetproductions
    @ruffprophetproductions Жыл бұрын

    Great video, lots of good info packed in. Thanks for sharing, this would be a great resource for those looking to buy

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! I thought it would be helpful for people looking for a great 50mm lens option

  • @Tankertyme
    @Tankertyme Жыл бұрын

    I love this lens. It lives full time on my BessaR and I’ve probably captured my best work with it. I’ll have to try it on my mirrorless for video now. Great video!

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh awesome! That's great to hear :) It is surprisingly good for video! I really enjoy it

  • @studiosnch
    @studiosnch Жыл бұрын

    I own one which had a drop from a significant height a year ago, causing some front lens elements to be misaligned. Thankfully the lens is easy to repair, and I was able to re-sit the front elements. Now it happily spends its days with me tag-teaming alongside my Chiyoko Super Rokkor 45mm f2.8 as my default lens for my Leica M5 and IIIf.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    That’s awesome! I’m glad to hear that this lens is easy to service! And oooh I am so curious to try a Chiyoko super rokkor! It reminds me of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s lightsaber hilt haha

  • @gottanikoncamera
    @gottanikoncamera Жыл бұрын

    Hi there. Been following you since the beginning and I must say yours is one of the channels I really look forward to. I picked one of these up a couple of years ago and I really love it got many of the same reasons you bring up. I do like the way it focuses and it handles so well on a CL-sized camera, and looks smashingly good to boot. One thing to mention is older versions were only marked in meters which is a little annoying when you’re guesstimating your distances for stealth shooting. But in the last year, my fave is a somewhat rare Tokyo Optical Simlar 50/1.5 I rescued from a box of photographica a buddy gave me.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! That is a huge compliment! Oh yes, I did forget to mention that little detail. and I've never heard of that lens before! I'll have to do a deep dive!

  • @gottanikoncamera

    @gottanikoncamera

    Жыл бұрын

    @@ReimannPembroke There isn't a whole lot of info on it but if you're ever in NorCal, you can take it for a drive. Or anything else I have that may interest you. :-)

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    @@gottanikoncamera sounds good! I’ll let you know!

  • @seventeendegree
    @seventeendegree Жыл бұрын

    Great little lens. I discovered it on Flickr, because Mariam Sitchinava used it and then I went for the 50mm 1.2 version. Great channel!

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Nice! I bet the 50 f/1.2 is so fun! Thanks for watching!

  • @likethemenace
    @likethemenace Жыл бұрын

    I just put this lens on my M4P a few weeks back. It is my go-to from now on. I tried Leica, Voigt, LLL,... but this little Canon takes me back. Such a great lens for most any daily need.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Awesome to hear that! I bet it’s a joy on the M4-P

  • @TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel
    @TheBigNegative-PhotoChannel Жыл бұрын

    wow this is really a great look that the lens gives your pictures. i didn't expect this. for 200 this is really a steal. 👌

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching man!! Yeah this lens is hard to beat at it’s price

  • @oneill.onfilm
    @oneill.onfilm Жыл бұрын

    That's gotta be one of the most beautiful lenses I've ever seen man. Sheeeesh. Honestly, some of those film shots look like medium format shots - would've fooled me! Love the bokeh as well.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching man!! I agree! When you shoot wide open, it has a very similar look to medium format!

  • @mrfairycake4333
    @mrfairycake43336 ай бұрын

    Great video and looks like a great lens, will try and get this for my sony...what's the adaptor you are using to fit the lens to the Sony A7C

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    6 ай бұрын

    It’s a great one! I’m using a fotodiox LTM to E Mount adapter

  • @ohjajohh
    @ohjajohh7 ай бұрын

    Great video! I didn't know about this lens, but it's listed on my 'local ebay' so I came here to do some research. It looks great!

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    7 ай бұрын

    It’s a great lens if you need a fast 50!

  • @ohjajohh

    @ohjajohh

    7 ай бұрын

    @@ReimannPembroke I actually have too many fast vintage 50's already, but 1 more wouldn't hurt :)

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    7 ай бұрын

    @@ohjajohh haha I have that problem as well!

  • @williambolton5679
    @williambolton5679 Жыл бұрын

    I have more than fifty lenses, most of them manual vintage lenses, and I like and use them all though some more than others. It would be very hard for me to pick one as my favorite, but the auto-Takumar 55mm f2.2 does come to mind immediately. It has incredible resolving power and captures very subtle colors. I have several auto-Takumars and the uncoated lenses with, it seems to me, a lower inherent contrast produce great images. I'm just getting into Schneider Kreuznach and like the 38mm f2.8 Xenar adapted from a fixed lens camera. Recently. I acquired a set of three Retina SK lenses with the DKL mount, the 50mm f1.9 Xenon, the 35mm f2.8 Curtagon and the Tele-Xenar 135mm f4. I should receive DKL to e-mount adapters in the next couple of days and some DKL to a-mount adapters in a couple of weeks. I have great expectations for the 50 and the 35. The Xenar is SK's version of the Tessar, and I would have to add that I do like my 50mm f2.8 Tessars also from Jena and from Stuttgart.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the comment!! I really want to get into More of Pentax’s Super Takumar lenses!

  • @hohugo1303
    @hohugo1303 Жыл бұрын

    feel great that you review this len. will be great if you can review 35mm f2 ltm, Nikon W-Nikkor 35mm f1.8, too thx

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Ай бұрын

    I'd love to review those lenses. Maybe one day I will get a chance to use them!

  • @jessbaumung6541
    @jessbaumung65413 ай бұрын

    I have one of these Canon 50mm f1.4 lenses and I regularly use it on my Canon R5 and even wide open it's amazing. Its so nice to use for video

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    3 ай бұрын

    I bet this lens and the R5 is an amazing combo!

  • @ianjenkins1627
    @ianjenkins1627 Жыл бұрын

    Nice thoughtful review of a cracking lens, might just get one for my Bessa R even though i just paid up for voigtlander 50mm and a Jupiter lens. To go with my 35mm lens.. expensive hobby/lifestyle choice but so worth it🎉.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Ian! I’ve heard the Voigtländer 50mm lenses are amazing!

  • @andrew_nayes
    @andrew_nayes11 ай бұрын

    Great review! I wonder about the focus throw, do you have any approximation of the degree of focus throw?

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching! The focus throw is 180 degrees, so it’s longer than most modern rangefinder lenses, but most of the older LTM lenses from Canon and Nikon have a focus throw about this long

  • @mvonwalter6927
    @mvonwalter6927 Жыл бұрын

    This is a killer lens. Shot it a lot on my M240. Not too hard to service yourself either. Usually you just need the right spanner wrench and helicoid grease weight (go light. the threads already provide enough resistance). I would love to rehouse the lens block in something quicker to focus and with a tab for Leica M.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! I’ve really enjoyed mine so far! Rehousing is an interesting idea🤔

  • @Edwin_Lam
    @Edwin_Lam4 ай бұрын

    Which lens profile do you use on a Leica M camera with this lens?

  • @The_CGA
    @The_CGA4 ай бұрын

    I think about buying this one every time I see it in the used bins And then I remember I love the Minolta counterpart even more and it’s so even easier to come by

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    4 ай бұрын

    Oooh interesting! I’ll have to research that lens! Thanks for checking out my channel!

  • @VariTimo
    @VariTimo10 ай бұрын

    I used it for fast street photography for years often wide open and focus worked great coming back to after a few years of using modern lenses, it took a bit to get back used to it.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    10 ай бұрын

    That’s awesome! Yeah I bet this lens is challenging to get back in the groove with

  • @VariTimo

    @VariTimo

    10 ай бұрын

    @@ReimannPembroke Just a bit, having to rewrite muscle memory.

  • @zuluetapaolo
    @zuluetapaolo9 ай бұрын

    Hi what adapter did. you use? I have this lens and a sony a7IV but can't seem to find an LTM adapter to sony for it

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    9 ай бұрын

    I think my adapter is a photodiox. I think B&H photo has them!

  • @myoung48281
    @myoung48281 Жыл бұрын

    Good review! I have that lens and use it on a Canon P and an M9.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I bet it’s great on the M9!

  • @0action847
    @0action847 Жыл бұрын

    The Canon 50mm 1.8 is a nice ltm lens as well, the design was carried over to the Canon FL 50 1.8 slr lens. The slr version focuses closer, is quite a bit larger than the ltm but cheaper.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I’ve heard the 50mm f/1.8 is nice! I’m curious to try the older 50mm f/1.5 sonnar design lens too

  • @UncleDansVintageVinyl

    @UncleDansVintageVinyl

    8 ай бұрын

    @@ReimannPembroke I have both the 1.4 and the 1.8. I love both of them. I also love the Nikon 5.0cm f/1.4.

  • @NandR
    @NandR Жыл бұрын

    I’ve had this on my eBay saved search for a while. I have a Leica IIIF with a Summitar 5cm f/2 that I also use with my Canon VI-L. I need something a little newer with a bit more contrast. Think I might get one now.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I think you’d be pleased with this lens! It’s really a great performer!

  • @vincec4248
    @vincec4248 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome work! Does this mean you’re using this more now than your Jupiter 12?

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! And no, I still shoot with the Jupiter 12 90% of the time because I like 35mm better for the types of things I shoot on film

  • @cmdlkc
    @cmdlkc9 ай бұрын

    Hello! How do you think it compares to the Voigtlander 50mm f1.5 LTM ASPH?

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    9 ай бұрын

    Hi! I don’t have any experience with that lens so I can’t really compare them. I would love to give Voigtländer’s LTM offerings a try though!

  • @SSJBLADE1
    @SSJBLADE14 ай бұрын

    Hello! I had this lens on a Canon P for a while now and I just bought a Leica M10. Using and Urth adaptor and the lens back focuses now :/. I presume it's because of the adaptor. But is there anything you know I could do? try a different adaptor? Cheers!

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    4 ай бұрын

    I would guess it’s because of the specific adapter. I sometimes adapt the lens to my Sony digital camera with a Fotodiox adapter. So maybe you could see if they make an LTM to M Mount adapter!

  • @SSJBLADE1

    @SSJBLADE1

    4 ай бұрын

    @@ReimannPembroke Thanks for the reply! I just bought a fotodiox adaptor and hopefully it's going to be the fix! Thanks!

  • @mohamadsyafiq883
    @mohamadsyafiq8832 ай бұрын

    Hi, nice review, may i know where you buy the lens hood?

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    22 күн бұрын

    Hi thanks for watching! I actually don't have a lens hood, but you can surely find a cheap 48mm screw on lens hood on eBay or an online camera store! I think Canon also made clamp on hood for these lenses back in the day so if you want one of those, I'm sure they're out there. The canon hoods might be a little more expensive though.

  • @Bonsees
    @Bonsees Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful photos 😊

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Bon!! I appreciate it!

  • @cggg490
    @cggg490 Жыл бұрын

    I had this lens and also a 50mm Lux. I love the dreamy but sharp look of the Canon but didn’t want to keep two 50mm lenses so I sold the Canon. This video almost makes me miss it but I do prefer the clinical sharpness of the 50mm Lux over the Canon.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Very cool that you had both lenses! I’m sure this will be useful for people contemplating which lens to get

  • @RobertFalconer1967
    @RobertFalconer1967 Жыл бұрын

    Which digital body did you shoot your examples on, out of curiosity?

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I shot the digital example photos and video footage with my Sony A7III

  • @robsquad_films
    @robsquad_films Жыл бұрын

    I actually bought one of these not too long ago but tried to convert it to ef mount instead of e/rf... I just purchased an rf adapter and hopefully it'll work now. Thanks!

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I hope it works for you!!

  • @andrew_nayes

    @andrew_nayes

    11 ай бұрын

    Since EF mount has a much longer flange distance than LTM, how would you go about converting an LTM lens to an EF mount? I guess you have to rehouse it?

  • @uberjava
    @uberjava9 ай бұрын

    At one point I had both this Lens and a Leica Summilux Pre-ASPH, its competitor. Although the Leica was better built, there was almost nothing between them image wise, apart from a colour difference. In the end, I kept the Canon and sold the Leica.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    9 ай бұрын

    When the difference is almost unnoticeable, save the money and keep the cheaper option! Thanks for watching!

  • @sincosy
    @sincosy Жыл бұрын

    Which adapter do you use for mounting it on your Sony?

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I’m using a Photodiox pro adapter! Seems to work pretty well and it’s pretty low profile which I like

  • @s0mbry
    @s0mbry Жыл бұрын

    You just cost me around 200$. (Thank you, I didn't know this lens at all)

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Hey glad I could shed some light on a new lens for you (and sorry it cost you some money)😂

  • @gramdown
    @gramdown6 ай бұрын

    Best lens for me ❤

  • @yvessoppelsa3026
    @yvessoppelsa3026 Жыл бұрын

    Hello, there are 4 versions on that lens... 1.8, 1.4, 1.2 and 0.95. I do believe the 1.2 and the 0.95. I love the 1.2, great for street photography and portrait.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I bet the 1.2 is great!!

  • @yangfei7187

    @yangfei7187

    8 ай бұрын

    will the f1.2 and f0.95 are too big and too heavy?

  • @MB-or8js
    @MB-or8js9 ай бұрын

    This lens has both kinds of bokeh combined - at longer distance focus point shot wide open, the lens has an overall smooth bokeh. With closer focus point taken wide open, it creates a circular bokeh around the center piece which I especially like with this lens. Built quality is okay but not as good as its Nikkor S.C. 50/1.4 LTM counterpart. Visible vignetting with the Canon 50/1.4 LTM wide open but looks nice.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching! I really want to try Nikons LTM lenses from that era and see how they compare!

  • @tylerhuttosmith
    @tylerhuttosmith Жыл бұрын

    My favorite lens in my kit

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    It’s so good! Nice to see you’ve got one too man!

  • @bhop.builds
    @bhop.builds Жыл бұрын

    I've had one of these for many years now. I had it CLA'd at some point because the focus was pretty stiff. It's felt mint ever since. Still one of my favorite lenses to use. It stays on my M2 even though I have Leica branded lenses as well.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    That’s awesome! I bet this lens on the M2 is a great experience!

  • @sophietucker1255
    @sophietucker1255 Жыл бұрын

    For my Canon P the 50mm f1.4 and the 35mm f2.8 are my favorites. Also if it is gear it isn't hoarding

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Sounds like my setup! And thank you for the support😂

  • @floydmahone
    @floydmahone Жыл бұрын

    the only reason I don't own this lens is that I like 35mm better. But for a fifty, this is amazing.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I’m in the same boat as you! For the things I shoot on film usually, a 35mm lens is the right choice 90% of the time! This is great when I want a tighter frame though!

  • @lanolinlight
    @lanolinlight Жыл бұрын

    50/1.4 Canon FL is fantastic and much cheaper. To hell with coatings.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    I’ve not heard much about this one! I’ll check it out!

  • @tomislavstanich9379
    @tomislavstanich9379 Жыл бұрын

    Better than Summicron, ... are you kidding me?

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    Жыл бұрын

    Lol I thought I might ruffle some feathers! But no, I'm talking about how it compares to the Summilux in this video. I think this lens is better than Leica's first version of the Summilux. Especially when you consider price.

  • @tomislavstanich9379

    @tomislavstanich9379

    Жыл бұрын

    Canon in NOW WAY xan be compared to LEICA Summicron or Summilux.

  • @GreekAudioGeek
    @GreekAudioGeek5 ай бұрын

    I own both of these lenses. While the Canon is a great lens, it does not come close to the Leica.

  • @ReimannPembroke

    @ReimannPembroke

    5 ай бұрын

    Thanks for watching! I’d love to try the Leica lens for myself some day