leica 50mm summilux version 1 -- thoughts?

[Ronald M]

I recommend to consider the Summicron instead.

For sure unless you need 1.4 and do not have a tripod. V2 & 3 have bad distortion and really do not sharpen fully until 5.6 +. I have tried many.

I highly recommend the current ASPH. In a class by itself.

 

[hrryxgg]

what do you mean?

 

[nikon_junkie]

I bought a 50mm 'Lux V1 about a decade ago for $700. Sold it and have kicked myself for many years as I saw prices climb.

I have owned a V2 for about six months. I lucked out this summer on a throw away Ebay bid and got it for $975. Rough body, nice glass. After a CLA it's smoootth baby. When I add a hood, I'll still be in the $1300 ball park.

There are slight differences, but IMHO (and not professional) it's more a Vermeer vs Rembrandt argument.

Where I live I the USA, $1500 or $2400 is a steep price for a V1 or V2

Concerning the V1/V2... you should factor in a CLA ($200) and set aside some for a hood ($150).

Personally, unless it was a steal, I would hold out for a newer 'Lux with hood etc... or go straight to a 50mm Summicon ASPH for those prices.

Patience...

 

[Dez]

Or buy a CV Nokton which is reputed to be better than either the V1 or V2 Summilux.

Cheers,
Dez

 

[jordan.dickinson]

I currently have all versions of the 50mm Summilux, as they are my favorite next to the 35mm Summicron range. All the summilux versions will produce a nice image, with a more vintage version 1 creating, not surprisingly, a more vintage look. The version 1 is softer than later versions, but to be honest, the older summiluxes are my favorite. I shot the 50mm Lux ASPH on my M9 and it was beautiful, but I've since moved back to film, and love the older ver.1/ver.2 50's on my M6 and M7 respectively. If you can get one around $1200 or less, I'd say you're getting a great lens at a good price. Best of luck, and as long as the lens is in good working order, you won't be disappointed!


P.S. Here's a few from my M6 and 50mm Summilux ver.1 with Kodak Portra

the toast by slantface, on Flickr

the bride by slantface, on Flickr

b and c-wedding-leica exposures by slantface, on Flickr

 

[Matthew Runkel]

I have this lens and mostly use it at f/2.0 for shooting people, where it exels. It is reasonably sharp in the center wide open, but also somewhat "dreamy" overall at full aperture. I have discussed this lens with Sherry Krauter, whom I believe was working/training at the Leica factory in the early 1960s, and she stressed that it is not the same as the Summarit and everyone at Leica understood that it was an improved design.

I do not think there would be a reason to pay a large premium for a prototype of any lens and then use it. It might well make sense for a collector to pay a premium. You could buy several exellent 50s for $2400. If I were looking for a first 50mm to use primarily for travel and street photography, I would give a lot of consideration to the Summicron v3 (1969) and the Zeiss 50mm/2.0 Planar ZM.

I see there is a "prototype" listed on eBay with a regular serial number and early barrel design (knurling on the high parts of the focus ring). I doubt that qualifies as a prototype, and if it does then I have an earlier prototype (the 20th serial) and apparently should be shopping it around.

 

[Richard G]

What a wonderful thread. I've learnt something considerable from Erik's post. Some lovely pictures with the version 1.

I had a version 2 but it was stolen. A black tabbed Summicron replaced it. With what you want to do with it, that is what I'd get. I loved its lightness and ergonomics when I was hiking up hills and walking miles and miles in my mid-twenties in Europe. The focus tab is fantastic for street shots and foucs by feel. And the optical formula of the version 4 Summicron is the same as the current non-ASPH version.

 

[Flat Twin]

not to throw a wrench into this discussion, but a 1958 prototype version 1 has come to me, mint condition, for about 2400.

does anyone have comments on this lens?

thank you!

Hey great news, congrats!

I'd love to see a picture of your lens if you have one to post?

Regards, Simon.

 

[Mark C]

I have this lens and mostly use it at f/2.0 for shooting people, where it exels. It is reasonably sharp in the center wide open, but also somewhat "dreamy" overall at full aperture. I have discussed this lens with Sherry Krauter, whom I believe was working/training at the Leica factory in the early 1960s, and she stressed that it is not the same as the Summarit and everyone at Leica understood that it was an improved design.

I do not think there would be a reason to pay a large premium for a prototype of any lens and then use it. It might well make sense for a collector to pay a premium. You could buy several exellent 50s for $2400. If I were looking for a first 50mm to use primarily for travel and street photography, I would give a lot of consideration to the Summicron v3 (1969) and the Zeiss 50mm/2.0 Planar ZM.

I see there is a "prototype" listed on eBay with a regular serial number and early barrel design (knurling on the high parts of the focus ring). I doubt that qualifies as a prototype, and if it does then I have an earlier prototype (the 20th serial) and apparently should be shopping it around.

It is interesting to hear that from Sherry. People often imply that the lens is basically a Summarit and that it is foolish to pay more. I've had many Summarits and they have their charms, but I've never liked the lens well enough to hang onto one. The Summilux seemed to be well regarded in its day and my impression has always been that it was a better lens than its predecessor. I did a few comparison shots a bit over a year ago and the difference wasn't huge (full aperture), but for me was the difference between good enough and not good enough, so a big difference in practice for my interests.

I ran into a Version 2 at a very good price instead, and think is a stunningly good lens that seems to have fallen to the sidelines lately, but I still have an interest in the Version 1 and think I might have actually preferred it in some ways. Magazine tests from the 60's show surprisingly good resolution figures for both, but of course there is more to it than that, especially a 1.4 lens at that time.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Interesting thread on the old Summiluxes 50mm.

Erik.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

"i do mostly travel/street shooting, so something not massive in terms of weight/size would be ideal." I've owned & used 35 & 50mm Summilux lenses, but for decades I chose the smaller, lighter Summicrons. Nowadays with Ilford Delta 3200 or Kodak TMax 3200, if you're shooting B/W, they'll give me the extra speed i might need on occasion. I I also prefer the svelte 39mm filter size of the Summicrons.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The pre-asph Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v2 is more a bokeh-beauty. Bokeh lovers don't care much about distortion.


Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica MP, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[raid]

I went with Summilux 35 and 75 and I skipped the 50 because I did not have the money for all three lenses.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I did not have the money for all three lenses.

I bought my V1 for EUR 1.000 three years ago, in mint condition. Now I've seen prices for this lens of EUR 2.500.

For many years (since 1980) I've had a V2, I still have it, but I stopped using it because of the terrible barrel distortion. Now I've learned that the V1 is a much better lens. I am deeply sorry that I have not exchanged the V2 thirty or more years ago for a V1.

Erik.

 

[raid]

My 75 Lux also has gone up in market value. It may be selling for $3500+

 

[oldwino]

I sold my version 1 a while ago. I miss it.