The early ones changed glass ~1953, probably around 105xxxx. The 115x example that I have has different coatings than the later ones. The later ones have bluish coatings. My best is in the 13x range.
raid
Dad Photographer
I think that my M mount collapsible Summicron has serial number 13X.... I will check out when returning home.
I hope this thread is not a prelude to selling this lens.
Once again, request denied. I might sell a collapsible Summicron of my own. Five is too many. Unless I convert one to Nikon S-Mount...
Once again, request denied. I might sell a collapsible Summicron of my own. Five is too many. Unless I convert one to Nikon S-Mount...
Drambuie
Member
Just for a wider perspective - I bought a newly serviced, perfectly cleean unscratched collapsible 'cron about a year ago for 110 GBP. A few months ago I bought another unscratched, one - but with a little haze - for 80 GBP: a CLA by my local specialist cost me 35GBP. Both came from a London dealer (MW Classic), and had a good guarantee: they were about the cheapest prices for good lenses that I have seen anywhere in the UK/Europe for ages. Lovely lenses.
raid
Dad Photographer
Brian,
I listen to your commands; this lens stays in the Amin Home.
I sometimes need to be reminded by others of the good qualities of some vintage lenses.
It also starts interesting dialogue and discussions, that often create GAS for other people. I would like to maintain my vintage Leica stable intact for my daughters.
raid
Dad Photographer
You got some super deals that are not representative of what we usually see here. Good for you.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
This thread is interesting to me because I, my own self, am interested in such a beast. But I have an irrational (or maybe it's rational?) fear that such gear talk is creating lens inflation as we speak. Even on the bay.
hans voralberg
Veteran
It might well be, in fact I think it does
raid
Dad Photographer
I am in a situation where I cannot bring myself to sell any of the vintage 50mm lenses that I own. This is the danger when buying lenses that have historic meanings. Each lens has the tendency to appreciate in value of worthiness.
vrgard
Well-known
Well, Raid, this thread sure has made me want to hold on to my collapsible Summicron even though I rarely shoot with it. Not that there's anything wrong with it but I tend to either use my rigid Cron or 50/2.8 Elmar lenses instead.
-Randy
-Randy
raid
Dad Photographer
Randy,
Isn't this a good feeling!
These wonderful lenses that have been made so many years ago can still bring us so much joy.
vrgard
Well-known
Randy,
Isn't this a good feeling!
These wonderful lenses that have been made so many years ago can still bring us so much joy.
Yes, and no, Raid. I keep thinking that I should pare down my gear a bit. And then along comes a thread like this and I start reconsidering...
-Randy
raid
Dad Photographer
Randy,
The good thing is that you could always sell such a lens and not lose money on the deal.
The good thing is that you could always sell such a lens and not lose money on the deal.
harmsr
M5 Nut
Raid,
I have had virtually all variations of the 50 cron. I still have a late 50 Coll. Cron that has perfect glass and the current Cron with hood, both of these are LTM mount and see use on my iiif. Having had all of the Crons, this may tell you something about which ones have something special about them.
The Coll. Cron is reasonable wide open, very sharp stopped down, and works well with the two films that I shoot (Acros 100 & new TMax 400 in Xtol). My coatings are intact and the lens has no cleaning marks so flaring is not a major issue, although I do use the screw in hood from the just discontinued 50 Elmar.
It is something between the softer, more uncorrected 50s of earlier lenses and the new Cron. The lens has a unique fingerprint that I like.
My only complaint about it is that it only has full aperture stops vs. half stops, as the modern lens does.
Best,
Ray
I have had virtually all variations of the 50 cron. I still have a late 50 Coll. Cron that has perfect glass and the current Cron with hood, both of these are LTM mount and see use on my iiif. Having had all of the Crons, this may tell you something about which ones have something special about them.
The Coll. Cron is reasonable wide open, very sharp stopped down, and works well with the two films that I shoot (Acros 100 & new TMax 400 in Xtol). My coatings are intact and the lens has no cleaning marks so flaring is not a major issue, although I do use the screw in hood from the just discontinued 50 Elmar.
It is something between the softer, more uncorrected 50s of earlier lenses and the new Cron. The lens has a unique fingerprint that I like.
My only complaint about it is that it only has full aperture stops vs. half stops, as the modern lens does.
Best,
Ray
sanmich
Veteran
coll 'cron
coll 'cron
Hi Raid
Refereing to your question about the collapsible 'cron vs Summitar, I would have to disagree with one of the former posters. The cron is slightly superior to the summitar in terms of resolution and contrast. The disfference is clear in the corners at wider apertures and minimal in the center (if at all). Both lenses are beautifully made and the Summitar is said to have a strong signature.
With a filter and a hood stuck there, the collapsability has only a minor interest to me, but it's personal...
I think the coll cron has a special place in the Leica world:
As a ltm, it is probably one of the best lens available.
as an M lens, IMHO, lots of people prefer the rigid versions which are supposed to be superior.
In any case, a fine lens...
coll 'cron
Hi Raid
Refereing to your question about the collapsible 'cron vs Summitar, I would have to disagree with one of the former posters. The cron is slightly superior to the summitar in terms of resolution and contrast. The disfference is clear in the corners at wider apertures and minimal in the center (if at all). Both lenses are beautifully made and the Summitar is said to have a strong signature.
With a filter and a hood stuck there, the collapsability has only a minor interest to me, but it's personal...
I think the coll cron has a special place in the Leica world:
As a ltm, it is probably one of the best lens available.
as an M lens, IMHO, lots of people prefer the rigid versions which are supposed to be superior.
In any case, a fine lens...
raid
Dad Photographer
Michael and Ray: Thanks for sharing with us your personal experiences regarding the Summicron. It is great that we have so many options available to us in photography.
David Murphy
Veteran
The prices range from about $200-$375, with $275-$300 being the target price for a properly cared for one. They are all old lenses. I can only speak for the one I own and it produces astonishingly good images - sharp like a modern lens. It is also beautifully made. It's about like the collapsible Summitar in size and bulk. If you really want to go compact though, the Elmar or its many clones from the FSU or (better) Japan on a small rangefinder such as the Leica III series is the solution (and a good one at that!). I doubt you'd be disappointed by a collapsible Summicron.
Ronald M
Veteran
It was my first Leica lens and did not impress me. I bought a DR or Rigid and the added contrast was much appreciated.
50 `Crons don`t get sharp into the corners at 2.0 until the last optical version, but the 1969 version is pretty good.
The best balance is a DR/Rigid or 1969 in my opinion
50 `Crons don`t get sharp into the corners at 2.0 until the last optical version, but the 1969 version is pretty good.
The best balance is a DR/Rigid or 1969 in my opinion
raid
Dad Photographer
I have a rigid Summicron that I use quite often. My collapsible Summicron has a chip at the edge of the front. I used a black marker to darken it. So far, I haven't seen any effect due to the chip.
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
My collapsible Summicron of 1953 does not better perform than my Summitar of 1940 at least not wide open. It gets just a little better stopped down. They are both nicely build and I like them more than the elmars since they have a nice aperture ring.