Huss
Veteran
I have both the CV 1.2 and the ZM 1.4. The view below is the blockage from the 1.4. The 1.2 is very similar, maybe a little worse. It is a touch shorter but wider
Leica 50 Summicron (options)
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I have both the CV 1.2 and the ZM 1.4. The view below is the blockage from the 1.4. The 1.2 is very similar, maybe a little worse. It is a touch shorter but wider
uhoh7
Veteran
Hi David, thought I had the link in the post
here you go
Really hard to find actual optical tests like this any more. Used to be done all the time by the big photo mags.
Kudos to Roger at lensrentals
David Hughes
David Hughes
Hi,
Thanks, would you believe it takes me to
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159422&page=2
As you say, and some of them would test each lens and than hang a little label on it with the results. Those days have gone...
Regards, David
huddy
Well-known
I can sing the praises of the new Voigtlander 35/1.7 on an M6 (TTL for me). Also the ZM 35/2.8 is fantastic and small, perfect for daylight shooting.
There is a lot of good to be said for the Voigtlander 50/1.5 as well, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned a Konica M-Hexanon 50/2. You can't go wrong with a Summicron 50 either.
There is a lot of good to be said for the Voigtlander 50/1.5 as well, and I'm surprised no one has mentioned a Konica M-Hexanon 50/2. You can't go wrong with a Summicron 50 either.
james.liam
Well-known
I had written to them about the seemingly flat performance of the non-APO Summicron and they replied that the data posted for this lens were in fact incorrect. The best of the lot are all such high-performing 50's that the other factors really determine whether the cost differential makes sense to you.
gnuyork
Well-known
I have the black M6 classic with a Summicron 50 that is married to it (whichever version has the retractable hood). It's a perfect combo. A 28 would be my next needed lens, then a 90. But for now I'm fine with the 50. I'll be distracted a bit though because I have a Rolleiflex on the way. I'm excited.
jazzwave
Well-known
Alternative for 35mm is Voigtlander 35/2.5 Skopar , small and good.
You can put M6+35 Skopar in your pants or shirt pocket
Back to 50mm as asked, I like 50/2 planar, for me the result ;sharper , higher contrast than 50 Cron ridgid . I have both lenses.
But if I got big lottery, I will choose 50/2 Cron APO or 50/1.4 Lux ASPH.
I'm not fan of Noctilux..😎
~ron~
You can put M6+35 Skopar in your pants or shirt pocket
Back to 50mm as asked, I like 50/2 planar, for me the result ;sharper , higher contrast than 50 Cron ridgid . I have both lenses.
But if I got big lottery, I will choose 50/2 Cron APO or 50/1.4 Lux ASPH.
I'm not fan of Noctilux..😎
~ron~
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Leica M5, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid v1, 400-2TMY.
Erik.
Erik.
uhoh7
Veteran
David, one more time 🙂
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/06/comparing-rangefinder-and-slr-50mm-lenses-version-0-7/
The test does not show the 50 cron with flat performance. Not even close. Look at the "astig". Read the test.
"Remember, for this test I gave the highest reading from either the Tangential or Sagittal lines, and the difference between the two lines as astigmatism."
I've posted a question in the comments of that test, which has been updated, to see if there is "incorrect data". They are pretty meticulous, and I'm skeptical they leave the page up if they now know better, but let's find out. 🙂
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2014/06/comparing-rangefinder-and-slr-50mm-lenses-version-0-7/
The test does not show the 50 cron with flat performance. Not even close. Look at the "astig". Read the test.
"Remember, for this test I gave the highest reading from either the Tangential or Sagittal lines, and the difference between the two lines as astigmatism."
I've posted a question in the comments of that test, which has been updated, to see if there is "incorrect data". They are pretty meticulous, and I'm skeptical they leave the page up if they now know better, but let's find out. 🙂
1fpm
Member
I have purchased my first two lenses specifically for my M6. I purchased both the 35 and 50 Summicron lenses to start me off.
I really appreciate everyone's input and guidance inside this post. It was a tough decision but I feel it is best to just go all out. f/2 is a good place for me to be. The CV 35/1.2 is very heavy on the M6 and that was enough to persuade me away from anything too fast. Physics is physics after all.
I really appreciate everyone's input and guidance inside this post. It was a tough decision but I feel it is best to just go all out. f/2 is a good place for me to be. The CV 35/1.2 is very heavy on the M6 and that was enough to persuade me away from anything too fast. Physics is physics after all.
bayernfan
Well-known
i'm really partial to the signature of my 50mm collapsible summicron. if you hunt, you can find a clean one for around $300. also, you can buy the LTM version and adapt it to M for about $40.
Daryl J.
Well-known
Excellent choice in lenses!
I'm sure you'll enjoy them thoroughly.
I'm sure you'll enjoy them thoroughly.
trip-xa
Established
I have and love my Summicron Rigid, I guess I need to look up whether it's a I or II
Interested Buyer by Dan Fogel, on Flickr
Jesse Diaz - Dark Matter Coffee - 2015 by Dan Fogel, on Flickr
The Rokkor 40mm f2 is also a gem
Rosewood Beach - Highland Park by Dan Fogel, on Flickr
Interested Buyer by Dan Fogel, on Flickr
Jesse Diaz - Dark Matter Coffee - 2015 by Dan Fogel, on Flickr
The Rokkor 40mm f2 is also a gem
Rosewood Beach - Highland Park by Dan Fogel, on Flickr
sepiareverb
genius and moron
I have a built-in hood version Summicron. I had DAG add a tab to it, and I couldn't be happier.
A recent image that really proved to me what the Summicron has for IQ when I printed it at 22" wide:
Shot at f2 and simply stunning all the way across.
A recent image that really proved to me what the Summicron has for IQ when I printed it at 22" wide:
Shot at f2 and simply stunning all the way across.
goamules
Well-known
I had my Summicron 50 DR out a few weeks ago, shooting on Ektar:
venchka
Veteran
A DR and Ektar. Nothing finer. After Kodachrome. RIP.
Wayne
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wayne
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
goamules
Well-known
Thanks, here are a couple more then!
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I have a tabbed Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, but in chrome and made in Germany. The lens head can be screwed out, just as on the Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid. No built in shade.
The lens number is 359XXXX. Some sources say that fewer than 600 are made and that most of them are on special editions of the M6. It is not the Summicron 50 years edition (but the optics are the same).
Performance is excellent.
Leica M5, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY.
Erik.
The lens number is 359XXXX. Some sources say that fewer than 600 are made and that most of them are on special editions of the M6. It is not the Summicron 50 years edition (but the optics are the same).
Performance is excellent.
Leica M5, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY.
Erik.
creenus
Established
FWIW, I really enjoy my Version 3 Summicron 50. Sharp, beautiful contrast. My boss at the college B&W darkroom I work at ran some different exposures for testing film speed development times for FP4. He metered with his DSLR and I shot it with my M2 and 50 'Cron Version 3 on a tripod. He was impressed with the quality. I got mine a few years back for under seven Franklins - was missing its red dot. Now it has one. =)
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
This Sunday at 10:45 PM I opened local Kijii and typed "Leica" in the search.
First search return was from Cron 50 III owner who wanted Cron 50IV with beaver tail (sorry, no tigers in Ontario). By 9 MP yesterday lenses were exchanged.
I had Cron Collapsible, Rigid, IV and now III. And I had CV 50 1.5 and CZ 50 2.
And many others.
The only lens which impressed me on BW was Cron Collapsible. Elmar-M 50 2.8 was great on darkroom prints as well.
Rigid and IV were awesome on color film. IV rendered amazingly with M-E, but focus shift from after f2 to f.5. It was fine on film. I was not impressed nor with Rigid, not with IV on BW film. Just sharp and neutral.
CV 50 1.5 was nice on BW film and BW digital. Planar was lens without focus shift on digital and this is it.
Canon 50 1.8 LTM have very nice build and focus tab position is adaptable for M. It is lens with character. I need to re-shim it just little bit.
As for some remark from 2017 about J-3 as the only one lens... J3+ is sold out, it is modern version with multi-coatings and brass body. Old J3 dropped in price after 7A+ 50 1.1 came.
I and some of you know one street photog who switched from Leica glass to J3 for his BW street photography. He is using nothing but M3 with J3 then on the street.
I'm not this good and I'm not 50mm person. I like 50 RF to try for one year or so if lens is good. To see what it could gives me. 50 RF lenses are most characterful lenses, IMO.
I'm keeping J3 and Canon 50 1.8 LTM. They have best size, performance ratio.
Cron 50 is nice to have as matching Leica lens. It is less in character but it is nice lens to have on film M. And digital M handles M lenses like no any other camera could handle them. Rigid was showing its age on M-E, but it was still very good performer on digital M.
First search return was from Cron 50 III owner who wanted Cron 50IV with beaver tail (sorry, no tigers in Ontario). By 9 MP yesterday lenses were exchanged.
I had Cron Collapsible, Rigid, IV and now III. And I had CV 50 1.5 and CZ 50 2.
And many others.
The only lens which impressed me on BW was Cron Collapsible. Elmar-M 50 2.8 was great on darkroom prints as well.
Rigid and IV were awesome on color film. IV rendered amazingly with M-E, but focus shift from after f2 to f.5. It was fine on film. I was not impressed nor with Rigid, not with IV on BW film. Just sharp and neutral.
CV 50 1.5 was nice on BW film and BW digital. Planar was lens without focus shift on digital and this is it.
Canon 50 1.8 LTM have very nice build and focus tab position is adaptable for M. It is lens with character. I need to re-shim it just little bit.
As for some remark from 2017 about J-3 as the only one lens... J3+ is sold out, it is modern version with multi-coatings and brass body. Old J3 dropped in price after 7A+ 50 1.1 came.
I and some of you know one street photog who switched from Leica glass to J3 for his BW street photography. He is using nothing but M3 with J3 then on the street.
I'm not this good and I'm not 50mm person. I like 50 RF to try for one year or so if lens is good. To see what it could gives me. 50 RF lenses are most characterful lenses, IMO.
I'm keeping J3 and Canon 50 1.8 LTM. They have best size, performance ratio.
Cron 50 is nice to have as matching Leica lens. It is less in character but it is nice lens to have on film M. And digital M handles M lenses like no any other camera could handle them. Rigid was showing its age on M-E, but it was still very good performer on digital M.
