Leica 50/2 collapsible summicron

[Flyfisher Tom]

How good is it at 2.0? Competent, good, or stellar? How does it compare at 2.0 with later generations?

Would love to hear your user opinions, subjective and otherwise, thanks.

 

[x-ray]

Tom:

I owned a pristine one for a few months that I purchased on a mint IIIG. I can say it was good but not a show stopper. Of the summicron 50's it probably at the bottom. I would'nt say it's bad but not really sharp and contrast was only OK. Stopped down it improved but again no show stopper. I would look at the Heliar f2 before investing in an older technology summicron. A minty 50 summicron will bring within $100 of a new Heliar.

Question for you, Do you have a 50 Nokton that you want to sell? PM if you do.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Thanks Don.

I've read some reviews of the Heliar that it is an excellent lens stopped down, but no great shakes at 2.0 either.

 

[blakley]

These were taken with the Collapsible 50/2 Heliar at f/2:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blakley/sets/72157594345455000/

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

These were taken with the Collapsible 50/2 Heliar at f/2:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/blakley/sets/72157594345455000/

Thanks ... nice shots, brilliant colors and certainly sharp enough at f2.

May I ask what film/ISO, thanks

 

[thafred]

the collapsible cron is one of my faves. sharpness is very good in my view but I don´t have experience with the newer Leica 50 cron´s (except 40/2 cron wich is quite simmilar sharpness wise) .. it outperforms my Nokton slightly from 2,8 down!

here´s two examples with 100% crops:

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

the collapsible cron is one of my faves. sharpness is very good in my view but I don´t have experience with the newer Leica 50 cron´s (except 40/2 cron wich is quite simmilar sharpness wise) .. it outperforms my Nokton slightly from 2,8 down!

here´s two examples with 100% crops:

Thanks for the examples ! I really like the first shot, nice capture.

Were these at f2, may I ask?

 

[thafred]

thanks tom,
I forgot to mention...both are wide open IIRC

 

[thafred]

@ blakley
awesome concert shots! what films did you use btw?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

May I also ask how compact it is when completely collapsed ? thanks

 

[thafred]

the cron is very compact in collapsed position and even extended it´s a small lens (well compared to the Nokton everything is small 😉 )

it´s few mm longer than the very compact Summicron C 40mm

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Perfect, thank you for the photos, Thafred !

 

[wlewisiii]

Nice one, Rolland.

Tom, it's a nice CL lens. The only thing I'd add to this thread is that a heavystar 39mm vented hood is your friend ... 😉

William

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Roland,

Wonderful ... I miss the Bay.

William,

You read my mind 😉

 

[blakley]

Tom, thafred, I used Kodak Portra 400 NC for the concert shots. The lens is about the same dimensions as the Collapsible Summicron when collapsed, but if you keep the (included) lens shade attached, it's smaller than the Collapsible Summicron with its clip-on hood.

 

[Abbazz]

Here is another one, Tom (you might have seen this already).

Quite sharp and flare resistant if you get a good copy. Small on the CL,
but not much smaller (collapsed) than the Canon 50/1.5. Longer collapsed
than the 40/2.

Roland.

Great picture, Roland.

Now I understand why they call it Golden Gate.

Cheers,

Abbazz