50mm Summicron v3 vs M-Hexanon

[knodd]

Hi guys,

I'm faced with a dilemma here, i'm looking at two lenses the first being a black untabbed summicron version 3, and the second being an m-hexanon, both priced similarly.

The summicron has considerable paint wear on the exterior, however the glass is perfect, save a little dust (which i was told is normal for a lens of that age), the hexanon is mint.

I have the tendency to feel that the hexanon would give me better images (what do you guys think?), however it would be sooooooo nice to own my first piece of leica equipment! (i currently have an r3a and a 40mm nokton) my head tells me get the hexanon while my heart tells me go for the leica.

If this may add to the consideration, i'm planning on keeping the lens, so resale value isn't really a concern (unless i get the hexanon and end up wanting to upgrade to a summicron in the future 🙁)

I'm pretty new to RF so any form of input would be greatly appreciated 🙂

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[Krosya]

You are funny! Looks like you already made a right choice - get the Hex and dont worry about Leica. It's that simple. After I discovered Hexanons, I sold off all of my Leica lenses, but one - Summitar. Hex, IMO, is as good optically, as good or better built and a far better value for money. If you really want to get something that says Leica - get a keychain 😉. Ok, Ok - joke. But seriously - Hex is as good as it gets. Just check Konica M mount section threads, see some pics - and you will see.

 

[aizan]

three steps to true happiness:
1. keep shooting with the nokton
2. save more money
3. buy the latest version summicron

 

[pvdhaar]

I never cease to be amazed about what the 50 Hexanon is capable of..

The 50 Hex can handle the most adverse lighting situations and return results with a delicacy that's simply breathtaking.. I've never encountered another 50ish lens that can do the same.. Most are designed for saturation, contrast and impact. The Hex is not. It's about colour fidelity, and fine detail.. it produces the pictures that have 'staying power'.

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

The Hexanon is a great lens, but if you're blinded by the Leight you probably won't think so. You'll get it, use it for a bit, and think that your pictures could be sharper, have better bokeh, etc. Then you will sell the Hex and buy a Summicron and realize that it produces very similar images. At that point one of two things will happen:

You will recognize that you drank the Leica kool aid, sell the lens, buy the Hex back and go on taking pictures with some extra $$$ in your pocket; or

Keep the Summicron and go on the internet telling everyone about "Leica glow", "built like a tank", etc.

 

[kevin m]

The choice might come down to ergonomics. If you prefer the tab, or have other lenses that take 39mm filters, then you might want the Summicron.

The only downside to the Summicron is a nasty tendency for internal flare in some situations that the Hexanon doesn't have.

 

[Graybeard]

The Hexanon is a great lens, but if you're blinded by the Leight you probably won't think so. You'll get it, use it for a bit, and think that your pictures could be sharper, have better bokeh, etc. Then you will sell the Hex and buy a Summicron and realize that it produces very similar images. At that point one of two things will happen:

You will recognize that you drank the Leica kool aid, sell the lens, buy the Hex back and go on taking pictures with some extra $$$ in your pocket; or

Keep the Summicron and go on the internet telling everyone about "Leica glow", "built like a tank", etc.

If anything, the Hexanon mechanical construction is superior to that of the Summicron. "Built like a tank" bragging rights go to the Hexanon.

 

[b&w]

the 40.5mm can be a little inconvenient... have you considered the planar?

 

[like2fiddle]

Much of the decision should be based on what you like in the final result. I recently sold my Hexanon because the images were just too modern-looking, maybe too sharp? for my taste. It's a personal thing, but I prefer the look I get from my Summitar and my Canon 50/1.4.

 

[jja]

If your heart is set on Leica, then save your money for a different focal length and get the M-Hexanon. I have owned the Hex and the Summicron (latest version) simultaneously, and the optical differences between the two were insignificant, save one: M-Hexanon has better flare control.

 

[lic4]

I started with a Cron 50 version 3, went to a Hexanon 50 (no difference), went to a Summicron 50 (latest) and saw some differences that I liked, and then I switched to a Zeiss Planar and thought it was the best of them all.

 

[awilder]

I've owned both in the past and generally agree with the statements made thus far. Mechanically though, I think the version you're looking at was the last of the better built 50 Summicrons as they were always solidly constructed and focus action was always buttery smooth with a slightly longer focusing ring throw for more precise focus. Imagery has more of a classic look compared to the latest Summicron but neither is as flare free as the Hexanon or ZM Planar.

 

[Keith]

I have two Hexanons ... a 50mm and a 35mm and I have never had either of them flare and I've tried to provoke it at times. They are truly amazing lenses but I agree that they can be a bit clinical at times ... but hey if perfection is interpreted as being clinical so be it!

50 Hexanons tend to go for around $450.00 and for what you're getting that's fantastic value and on an image quality for dollar basis I don't think they can be matched!

 

[Benjamin Marks]

Let me play the contrarian. I bought a 50 Hexanon-M in very nice cosmetic shape from a fellow RFF'er. Could not get it to play nice with my M8: front focus by at least an inch and a half when wide open. Sent it to Don Goldberg. He reported that there were metal pieces loc-tited together inside the lens, which prevented adjusting the focus on the lens. I recently read of someone in the UK with the same problem, who authorized his mech to use the necessary force to take the lens apart. Upon doing so, the mech reportedly found two thin shims in front of the rear element. Removal of one shim reportedly improved the focus issue. I have a different camera tech working on the lens right now to see whether this is the case with my lens. So: I know the Hex lenses have a lot of fans and I know that there are folks getting great results from them. But I have not drunk the kool-aid when it comes to "just as good as a Summicron, but costs less." A) Make sure you have a return privilege if the lens doesn't work well with your system and B) it seems pretty obvious, if there are metal pieces glued together inside the lens, that build quality is not the same as a Summicron. To echo something that was said above, if you want Summicron-like quality for less money, try the Zeiss Planar-M lens.

Ben Marks

 

[sirius]

You will probably have superior flare control with the Hexanon lens over the older Leica. If the potential for flare concerns you then steer away from the older lenses. Some people hate what it can do in a photo.

I prefer the tones out of the Leica to any other. I have looked at a lot of Hexanon photos online, and there is something different about how it renders. I really enjoy Leica lenses and I hope that it's not just brainwashing. I have a Zeiss and I still just prefer what the Leica does.

So, people in this thread are very down on Leica glass, but I will stick up for it. The summicrons are really great designs and f2 is often enough. I'll do what is common here, get both! Sell the one you don't like. You can likely get par or sell at a minor loss. Perhaps the seller will let you borrow both to shoot a roll and let you decide which you prefer?

 

[kevin m]

I have looked at a lot of Hexanon photos online, and there is something different about how it renders.

I owned both at the same time and couldn't see much different in the prints, except when the Summicron displayed its puzzling tendency for ugly, image-ruining flare.

I believe the Summicron problem was traced to a missing internal baffle that allows stray light to hit the film plane in some circumstances. I remember an industrious photographer on photo.net constructed his own baffle and fixed the problem.

I sold both the Summicron and the Hexanon and bought a pre-asph Summilux, which is a much better "people" lens than the other two, anyway, and is nearly flare-proof to boot. 🙂

 

[nobbylon]

I have just recently bought the Hex and it is a great lens, a tad more clinical than the pre asph summilux I have. It reminds me of the images I used to get from my ricoh gr albeit in 50mm. The summilux on the other hand is by far the lens I use for people shots. I tend to think of it as an F2 summilux with an extra stop for emergency use!

 

[Andrew Sowerby]

For the record, I'm not down on Leica lenses. I just think that the Hexanon is as good or better than the last few versions of the Summicron. The Hexanon is a great lens, so that's no insult.

 

[knodd]

thanks so much for all the input, i kinda get the general consensus that both lenses are optically somewhat similar, and i'm willing to bet a newer rangefinder guy like myself won't be able to tell them apart 🙂

i'm currently leaning towards the hex cos i figure it would be safer to get a newer, modern lens (flare issues etc.) thanks so much for the help 🙂 i'll let you guys know which i eventually get in the end!

 

[Keith]

Let me play the contrarian. I bought a 50 Hexanon-M in very nice cosmetic shape from a fellow RFF'er. Could not get it to play nice with my M8: front focus by at least an inch and a half when wide open. Sent it to Don Goldberg. He reported that there were metal pieces loc-tited together inside the lens, which prevented adjusting the focus on the lens. I recently read of someone in the UK with the same problem, who authorized his mech to use the necessary force to take the lens apart. Upon doing so, the mech reportedly found two thin shims in front of the rear element. Removal of one shim reportedly improved the focus issue. I have a different camera tech working on the lens right now to see whether this is the case with my lens. So: I know the Hex lenses have a lot of fans and I know that there are folks getting great results from them. But I have not drunk the kool-aid when it comes to "just as good as a Summicron, but costs less." A) Make sure you have a return privilege if the lens doesn't work well with your system and B) it seems pretty obvious, if there are metal pieces glued together inside the lens, that build quality is not the same as a Summicron. To echo something that was said above, if you want Summicron-like quality for less money, try the Zeiss Planar-M lens.

Ben Marks

I understand where you're coming from in regards to the glueing of metal and from a tech's point of view that is not cool I agree. That is a trend though and it's as much to do with the general faith in hi tech adhesives as much as anything as advancements in this area have been remarkable over the years. So many things are glued together now from race car chassis to competition bicycle frames ... I can't honestly say that I think it's a good thing but it's certainly become a lot more common.

Hey ... I like Leica lenses! I must admit I have a preference for the older ones though and love my little Summaron to bits along with it's sibling 5cm f3.5 Elmar! 😛