Just got a summicron 50

[sirius]

Hi Everyone,

My old lenses flare pretty strongly and have an older signature to the photos, so I have been looking for a modern lens to tryout.

I just won a Summicron 50mm from 1990. It is the latest design without the collapsing hood. I love the Zeiss lenses and was watching for one of those too, but this one came up for what looked like a fair price to me.

Can people tell me anything about this lens (samples?), and what they like/dislike about it? It looks like the modern one is not aspherical.

Thanks for sharing your collective wisdom!

 

[J J Kapsberger]

The Summicron you have is indeed non-ASPH. No Summicron yet incorporates ASPH in its formula. But you needn't worry. Your Summicron will never let you down when it comes to sharpness. One of our most respected RFf members claims that the Zeiss Biogon 50/2.0 surpasses the Summicron (in which way I didn't notice him saying), but I've seen a 3-way test featuring the Summicron, the Biogon and the CV 50/2.0 (Pop Photo?) in which the Summicron came out on top. Therefore, your Summicron will be a lens to enjoy till you've shuffled off this mortal coil.

However, if you were hoping to get a lens known for its flare resistance, you might at times be disappointed, but only in situations where the sun (or bright light source) is just outside the view but shining into the lens barrel.

Congratulations and enjoy. I love mine.

 

[sirius]

Thanks, I'm pretty excited!!!

I don't mind flare at all. For me it's just part of taking pictures. I'll use the lens hood. But there are some flares that are very distructive and some that look rather decorative. For example, the summitar photo below. It looks ok (I think) in this photo, but it ruined a lot off that roll. So, I'm hoping a modern design and coating will be a much better performer.

 

[Marc-A.]

Congrats Sirius, enjoy taking pictures with it and post them!

 

[J J Kapsberger]

Stopping down helps control flare. As for the lens hood, I'm not convinced that the telescoping built-in hood is ideal. I feel the vented hood available on eBay gives better coverage.

Click here.

 

[sirius]

I don't think the one I have has a telescoping hood. They came in in 1994. It comes with the vented hood. I think those hoods look great. Thanks Marc and Kaps.

 

[markinlondon]

1990, that'll be a tabbed 'cron then. Did you get a hood? This lens looks fantastic with a 12585 which reverses to give a nice compact package. Having had both versions of the current optical formula I'd say there is no difference whatever. It all comes down to whether you prefer a focus tab or a built in hood.

Edit: crossed over with your post, Sirius.

 

[sirius]

I didn't see a tab in the photo. I like tabs. You can prefocus by feel then. thanks

- edit -

Yeah, there is a tab---the indented kind.

 

[raid]

Congratulations on getting such a fine lens. I am still "stuck" with the vinatge lenses.

 

[sirius]

😀 fingers crossed that it will arrive in fine shape.

 

[richard_l]

Stopping down helps control flare. As for the lens hood, I'm not convinced that the telescoping built-in hood is ideal. I feel the vented hood available on eBay gives better coverage.

The vented hood is more impressive-looking, and it may give better physical protection, but bigger is not necessarily better for flare control. I think the telescoping hood is supposed to be optimal for a round hood. However, a rectangular hood designed specifically for that lens could be significantly better.

 

[Meleica]

Yes, 1990 vintage is the current version, which began 1979. From 79-93, there was no built-in hood.


Leica 50mm Summicron Info Page
http://antiquecameras.net/50summicronmlenses.html


"Current lens sold by leica today. Contrast and resolution similiar to the third version, except performance is better to the edges and flare has been reduced. Close up performance is also improved. Six elements in 4 groups. Vignetting 1.9 stops. Since 1979, the optical deisgn has remained the same, but the barrel has seen a few variations such as a focusing tab. Other variations include black finish, chrome finish, titanium finish and even a limited platinum finish. The latest variation of this model features a built-in lenshood ( from 1994-on ). Close focus to .7 meter. Serial #'s 2,909101-3,xxx,xxx. E39 Filter. "


Dan

 

[sirius]

I visit your site a lot, Dan. It is much appreciated. Sort of a place to dream.

 

[FrankS]

Sirius, enjoy the lens, and tell us what you think of the results. My newest 50 Summicron is the "69-'79, first black model. It's a nice blend of old and new.

 

[Krosya]

The Summicron you have is indeed non-ASPH. No Summicron yet incorporates ASPH in its formula. But you needn't worry. Your Summicron will never let you down when it comes to sharpness. One of our most respected RFf members claims that the Zeiss Biogon 50/2.0 surpasses the Summicron (in which way I didn't notice him saying), but I've seen a 3-way test featuring the Summicron, the Biogon and the CV 50/2.0 (Pop Photo?) in which the Summicron came out on top. Therefore, your Summicron will be a lens to enjoy till you've shuffled off this mortal coil.

However, if you were hoping to get a lens known for its flare resistance, you might at times be disappointed, but only in situations where the sun (or bright light source) is just outside the view but shining into the lens barrel.

Congratulations and enjoy. I love mine.

Just a small correction - Zeiss lens is not a Biogon 50/2, but a Planar 50/2.
It's a great lens with a very different look IMO, compared to Summicron and is very flare resistant. It also has a more pleasant (for me) bokeh than Summicron.
But it's all subjective.

 

[sirius]

Hey, that's not nice...I just got a summicron 😉 not a planar...

Yes, I love the saturated colour, gentle tones, and beautiful sharp to soft ability of the Zeiss glass. No arguement there.

I'll keep my fingers crossed with the 'cron for now. It was cheaper than the Planar are right now.

 

[J J Kapsberger]

The vented hood is more impressive-looking, and it may give better physical protection, but bigger is not necessarily better for flare control. I think the telescoping hood is supposed to be optimal for a round hood. However, a rectangular hood designed specifically for that lens could be significantly better.

What I like about the screw-on hood, however, is how it screws onto a filter thereby affording the filter the same shading that the lens alone would get. As you know, the telescoping hood cannot be extended further to accommodate filters. It seems to me that a filter is rather exposed when the telescoping hood is used. Filters seem to be rather exposed even with clip-on rectangular hoods (i.e., those for the 35 Summicron and 28 Elmarit).

Also, when comparing screw-on and telescoping hoods, it appears to me that the screw on hood does effectively extend further from the front of the lens than does the telescoping hood. It just seems to me that the Summicron, with its small size, simply can't house a properly-sized built-in hood.

Admittedly, I haven't compared the two alternatives side-by-side in a test of flare suppression.

 

[richard_l]

What I like about the screw-on hood, however, is how it screws onto a filter thereby affording the filter the same shading that the lens alone would get. As you know, the telescoping hood cannot be extended further to accommodate filters. It seems to me that a filter is rather exposed when the telescoping hood is used. Filters seem to be rather exposed even with clip-on rectangular hoods (i.e., those for the 35 Summicron and 28 Elmarit).

Also, when comparing screw-on and telescoping hoods, it appears to me that the screw on hood does effectively extend further from the front of the lens than does the telescoping hood. It just seems to me that the Summicron, with its small size, simply can't house a properly-sized built-in hood.

Admittedly, I haven't compared the two alternatives side-by-side in a test of flare suppression.

A larger diameter hood would have to extend farther forward than a smaller diameter hood for the same effectiveness (blocking peripheral light sources). See the attached cross section diagram comparing two hypothetical hoods of different diameters. Worse yet, that particular vented hood also works for 35mm lenses, which have a much wider angle of view than 50mm.

Richard

 

[sirius]

I just wanted to let everyone know how much I've been enjoying this lens. It's a tabbed summicron from 1989 and can be found used for less that the planar new. It's a wonderful lens that I've been enjoying a lot.