50mm Summicron or new 50mm Summarit?

O

orenrcohen

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Have been thinking about a walkaround 50mm as I already have a fast though bulky CV Nokton 1.1... The Nokton is just a bit too heavy for daily street use.. Recently held a new Leica 50mm Summarit 2.5 and was very impressed with its small size/light weight/general pocketability.. Still maybe I should just go with a somewhat larger though somewhat faster Summicron.. any thoughts? anyone have experience with both these lenses??
 
You can buy a used 50 Summicron for cheap if you look around. v3/v4 run about 450 - 650 depending on cosmetics. That's way cheaper than a Summarit. Also, they've got the same optics as the modern versions, so you know you're getting a real performer! The only other lens I'd consider here would be the 50/2 Hexanon. You might be able to find a boxed copy for about the same price as a used Summicron.
 
Or the collapsible version... which is somewhat less expensive still. It is a wonderful lens, and a wonder for pocketablilty. Of course, it is somewhat older, but finding a well cared for version is not difficult.
 
The 50 Summicron is a terrific lens if you are only going to have a couple of 50s. Strong all the way around and nice performance wide open. It also is relatively compact and in some cases has a built in hood, which is convenient.

If you're shooting film you might consider the DR Summicron, pretty much the king of Bokeh. Great with B&W.

Kent

ps- In addition to the Hexanon listed above the CZ Planar 50 used would be a nice lens as well. Sharp as a tack, though contrasty.
 
Or you could be super cool and track down a converted Contax G 45/2. All opinions aside though, almost every 50/2 performs amazingly well.
 
The Hex 50 2.0 is exceptionai IMO though it doesn't handle like a cron and a bit bulky. I'm going for a V4 cron if I find a good one.
 
The Summarits are excellent. We had them for review and Frances paid her own money to keep the 50mm. Having had a couple of Summicrons (including the last pre-aspheric version) and the Summarit, I'd go for the Summarit: I find it has more 'sparkle' in the images. After all, if you need the speed, you can use the f/1.1, and 2/3 stop (f/2 to f/2.5) is neither here nor there if you are in half-decent light. The ergonomics of the Summarit are nicer too. Here's the review:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps firstlook summarit.html

Cheers,

R.
 
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the current version summicron doesn't appeal to me much. harsh bokeh, flares easily, and i don't like the ergonomcs (no focus tab, built-in hood). the older rigid/dr and collapsible versions are more desireable, it seems to me. i'd gladly give up half a stop to get the summarit-m.
 
aizan said:
the current version summicron doesn't appeal to me much. harsh bokeh, flares easily, and i don't like the ergonomcs (no focus tab, built-in hood). the older rigid/dr and collapsible versions are more desireable, it seems to me. i'd gladly give up half a stop to get the summarit-m.
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Yes perhaps. But will you give up close focus of 0.7m for 1m?
 
helenhill said:
Oh hey Oren
i know You ADORE the 35 1.4 voigt. / Its Wonderful Classic Sig.
so for a 50
How about either the 50 f2 Planar /super crisp ...known as the summicron killer / I Love what salmonpink & mfogiel
has done with that lens on flickr

otherwise who knows maybe the 2.5 Summarit...:D
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Definitely agree with Helen. Love the 50 planar. I've been using one in most of my recent portrait sessions (seen on my flickr feed). I know that's a little different than your intended use but it is very nice lens that replaced my own 50 summicron, which seemed to flare a bit too easily for my uses.
 
At http://www.summicron.de you can compare pictures taken with Summilux M, Summicron M and Elmarit M 50mm. All pre-ASPH it seems. The visual expression that they bring you are slightly different between them. Summiliux tends to let the focused object stand out from the background slightly more than what the Summicron does, with the Elmarit coming third with the "flattest" image (in all respects). Matches well with the pictures I get with the same lenses. A used pre-ASPH Summilux would bring you most of the light captured with a Noctilux at lower weight/size and at only 100 to 200 dollars more than what you would pay for a used Summicron. Have sold all CV lenses. Not that they are bad. Just because I find most of the Leicas to be better. (Opinion only. Sure many would not agree at all about the CV lenses.)
The latest optical version of the Summilux before it went ASPH, but with the second latest mechanics might be the one to look for. It can take the good old large lenshood that has been available for the Summiliux for ages. The newer versions with built-in lenshoods are not much help when you try to go against the sun mornings and afternoons.
 
kzphoto said:
Or you could be super cool and track down a converted Contax G 45/2. All opinions aside though, almost every 50/2 performs amazingly well.
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Kevin... I think one of those converted Gs is in your future! They are absurdly sharp.

Kent
 
Roger Hicks said:
The Summarits are excellent. We had them for review and Frances paid her own money to keep the 50mm. Having had a couple of Summicrons (including the last pre-aspheric version) and the Summarit, I'd go for the Summarit: I find it has more 'sparkle' in the images. After all, if you need the speed, you can use the f/1.1, and 2/3 stop (f/2 to f/2.5) is neither here nor there if you are in half-decent light. The ergonomics of the Summarit are nicer too. Here's the review:

http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/ps firstlook summarit.html

Cheers,

R.
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I was reading the article yesterday and would like to find out how Summarit was standing long term use?
 
I use a Zeiss Planar G 45/2 in M mount, and I love it. I love equally my Rigid Summicron 50/2. I have not used a Summarit (modern) lens, so I cannot advise for/against using one.
 
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