Leica 50 Summicron (options)

[leicapixie]

I have an M6 and frame finder needs getting used to.
It gets way more in than the frames.
The 35mm frame is way better, so use your 35.
When you finally decide on a 50mm get any Summicron.
I use my Collapsible Summicron like forever.
It is in mint condition and is a good lens.
Truth be told, any 50mm lens made by any company are good to excellent.
Enjoy your camera.

 

[uhoh7]

for the famous pre-APO formula starting 1979, by Walter Mandler:
Black Serial Nos. 2,974,251 to ? - Chrome Serial Nos. 2,909,101- ? 500 Titanium Serial Nos. - pre-1984 have focus tab -

The tab is harder to find, but it's worth it.

I saw a very nice one just now which went last week for...

the earlier ones are good, too but not really much cheaper.

They used to be, but today I think the v4/5 is the best deal, unless you are after some particular aspect or look, like DR.

 

[jonmanjiro]

It sneaks up on you 😉

I sold my Summicron 50mm V5 too, eventually, and replaced it with an Elmar-M 50mm F2.8 (latest version) 🙂

 

[Erik van Straten]

I sold my Summicron 50mm V5 too, eventually, and replaced it with an Elmar-M 50mm F2.8 (latest version) 🙂

Optically the Elmar-M is a great lens. I prefer it to any Summicron. In use however it is a bit clumsy: if you want to take a picture, the ... thing is always retracted.

Erik.

 

[uhoh7]

Optically the Elmar-M is a great lens. I prefer it to any Summicron. In use however it is a bit clumsy: if you want to take a picture, the ... thing is always retracted.

Erik.

I solve that with the 40/2. It's just as small as the Elmar yet a full stop faster, a bit sweeter than the cron, always out, and has the magic perfect "normal" FL. 125 grams. Yet at F/8 it's really good on the landscapes too.

Like the TE thin, the 40 cron, minolta or leitz, is a nice little secret in performance, value and form. 😉

I bought mine LN here for 325ish and I had it out today:

L1056671 by unoh7, M-Rokkor 40/2 WO

I did not realize it was so sweet for portraits, honestly. You can see why the CL put down the M5. BTW this is the only thing wider than 50mm in M mount which works decently on the stock Sony A7 and is not huge (like CV 35/1.2)

I do have one smaller 50:

Leitz v Zeiss by unoh7, on Flickr

But the 40/2 is 4 grams lighter when you put on the LTM/M adapter. 😉

 

[sara]

I have an M6 and can back you up that it is a first best Leica to have!

I bought a 50 Summicron v4, but I have to say that I haven't shot enough to tell you of the results. I used it for b/w film more but didn't really like my photos (more of what I was shooting). Going to process a roll with some 50mm shots on Saturday, will update in a bit!

 

[Richard G]

M6 is a truly great camera. Just keeps on keeping on. The meter is clever. It's small. Just got mine out again today.

 

[1fpm]

I believe I am going to pick up the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 and take my time on a 50. f/1.8 is fast enough for me and I would like the lens not to appear in my VF. Maybe the lens appearing in my VF is not that big of a deal.

 

[David Hughes]

I believe I am going to pick up the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 and take my time on a 50. f/1.8 is fast enough for me and I would like the lens not to appear in my VF. Maybe the lens appearing in my VF is not that big of a deal.

Hi,

It's nothing to worry about, like a lot of other points mentioned...

Regards, David

 

[Huss]

I believe I am going to pick up the Voigtlander Nokton 35mm f/1.4 and take my time on a 50. f/1.8 is fast enough for me and I would like the lens not to appear in my VF. Maybe the lens appearing in my VF is not that big of a deal.

The CV 35 1.2 will take up about 1/4 of your vf. I have that lens.. Same thing with the Zeiss ZM 35 1.4.
I got used to it but still do not like it, as there are times I need to see what is in that hidden quarter!
The CV 35 1.4 that you are considering is much much smaller.

 

[Huss]

You might well prefer the planar for any number of reasons. They are different lenses, but there is really no question which one is technically stronger.

If I am shooting back lit scenes, with the sun/light source in or just out of the frame I pick my Planar 100% of the time because the lens coatings are so good. If I use my Summicron I know it would be a hazy veiled mess. My Summilux Asph 50 1.4 is just as poor against lens flare.
It doesn't matter if the Cron is technically sharper if lens flare spoils everything.
My Cron 35mm Asph also sucks against lens flare, the CV 35 1.2 and Zm 35 1.4 are much much better. Interestingly enough, my 28 2.8 Asph is very resistant to lens flare so it's not all Leica lenses that do this. Just most of the ones I have!

 

[ferider]

If you look at the table above, the most interesting two lines for me are the comparison of Planar and 50/1.1 Nokton - basically they are roughly on par in performance.

For landscapes, I'm really happy with the 1.1 Nokton (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153336). Pretty flare proof, too, just big. But then again, I have more speed if I need to.

Roland.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Great shots, Roland!

I would like to see some results on film from the Apo-Summicron. Anybody?

Erik.

 

[JHutchins]

Hi,

It's nothing to worry about, like a lot of other points mentioned...

Regards, David

I don't really agree with this and do agree with Huss -- it can be frustrating. It probably depends to some extent on personal style but I'm often putting people in the corners of the frame and generally use the corners and find myself spinning the camera around, even shooting with the camera upside down so the 1.2 Nokton isn't obscuring the corner I'm interested in. It really does intrude quite a lot. Recently, in fact, I snapped and out of frustration (and also a bit of lust) bought a 35 pre-ASPH Summilux.

As far as fifties go, all the summicrons are good lenses. They are not as flare resistant as a planar, but the Leica vented shade is a good one and with it even an old rigid summicron is far from being just a character lens. You might consider getting one -- they can be had fairly cheaply and it's not going to lose value so if it's unsuitable you aren't out much. If you aren't going to shoot digital the DR Summicron is a fantastic choice.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Huss posted after I had, so this point wasn't known. Even so there are ways around all these problems, you just get a choice of problem...

Regards, David

 

[brennanphotoguy]

I don't really agree with this and do agree with Huss -- it can be frustrating. It probably depends to some extent on personal style but I'm often putting people in the corners of the frame and generally use the corners and find myself spinning the camera around, even shooting with the camera upside down so the 1.2 Nokton isn't obscuring the corner I'm interested in. It really does intrude quite a lot. Recently, in fact, I snapped and out of frustration (and also a bit of lust) bought a 35 pre-ASPH Summilux.

As far as fifties go, all the summicrons are good lenses. They are not as flare resistant as a planar, but the Leica vented shade is a good one and with it even an old rigid summicron is far from being just a character lens. You might consider getting one -- they can be had fairly cheaply and it's not going to lose value so if it's unsuitable you aren't out much. If you aren't going to shoot digital the DR Summicron is a fantastic choice.

I second the DR summicron, I love mine. YOu can use that on an adapter for the Sony's too.

 

[1fpm]

The CV 35 1.2 will take up about 1/4 of your vf. I have that lens.. Same thing with the Zeiss ZM 35 1.4.
I got used to it but still do not like it, as there are times I need to see what is in that hidden quarter!
The CV 35 1.4 that you are considering is much much smaller.

Does the CV 35/1.4 show in the VF?

That really sticks about my 35/1.2. That's a lot of real estate. I guess it's what you get use to.

 

[ktmrider]

I have the latest version of the 50 Summicron in chrome. I think I have owned it for about 20 years. It is a great lens. I recently added a 50f1.5 Nokton ASPH in M mount for $600 (mint used from Photo Village).

I wanted a faster lens and one in black for a newly acquired M5. It is surprisingly good and I think only one previous post mentions it as an alternative to both Zeiss and Leitz 50's. And it is lighter then the chrome version of the 50 Summicron (which is heavier then the black version since it is made of brass).

I also have a 35f1.2 and it is a great but large lens. I cannot decide which is my favorite focal length for a Leica M, either 35 or 50. I think they see equal use but I recently took a vacation to Mexico and the 50 was the only lens I took for the M5.

And do not dismiss the 35f1.2. Yes, it is large but such a great lens so you can easily learn to live with a bit of viewfinder blockage (at least I do).

 

[steveyork]

I've owned and used versions 3-4-5 Summicron when I shot Leica rangefinders (over a 15 year period). I liked version 5 the best, and continue to shoot the R mount, though I understand the 4th version had the same optical formula. Maybe improved coatings? I didn't like the version 3 as much as the others, but I understand it traded resolution for contrast and was optimized for slides.

Frankly, any of the lenses discussed are good, and you'll be pleased with either. Get the one you can afford. You'll be happy with it. The Zeiss lenses have a different look then Leica. Check out pictures on flickr.

The big fallacy in 'Leica Land' is that general shooters need some objectified best, usually defined as the most expensive, or whatever the experts and their charts say, but there is no best, only differences. Good photography depends on light, then composition and only then glass. You can take great pictures with any of the lenses discussed. They are all lenses of high quality.

Having said that, the one lens I've owned that was magical was the 50mm Summilux ASPH. Not only did it magically make my wallet lighter, but it was potent. Stunning at the wider apertures, but even that great lens couldn't save a picture from bad light and bad composition.

A lot of people actually prefer the older lenses for B&W film photography. My girlfriend just put a roll through a 1938 Ikoflex with a simple three element Triotar, and whow! The images knocked my socks off.

 

[Ronald M]

Every generation of Leica 50 Summicron is improved, usually the zone of sharp focus wide open and 2.8. Contrast will be greater with newer at 5.6.

Bokeh of current Summilux is way better than Summicron.

If you wish to fool with other brands, I can not help.

I use two collapsible 50 2.8 Elmar M. For most pictures, that is my go to. `Lux for bokeh or low light although bokeh of Elmar M is superb, it does not open to 1.4.

I have all the Summicrons except the the latest formula.