Leica Summilux "Special Version" eBay Listing

This is the earliest version of the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 lens version I. The focusing-handle is a bit different than on later versions: the higher parts are ribbed and the lower parts are smooth. In later versions it is the other way around.

Also the numerals on the f-stop ring are bigger than on the later versions.

I think the price difference with more usual versions is extreme. For the money I personally would try to find a black paint version of this lens.

Erik.
 
Erik van Straten said:
This is the earliest version of the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 lens version I. The focusing-handle is a bit different than on later versions: the higher parts are ribbed and the lower parts are smooth. In later versions it is the other way around.

Also the numerals on the f-stop ring are bigger than on the later versions.

I think the price difference with more usual versions is extreme. For the money I personally would try to find a black paint version of this lens.

Erik.
Click to expand...

Yeah black paint all the way for this version. Thanks for the input. I was aware of the cosmetic differences that can exist but didn't want to faff about on the internet trying to distinguish this one as I would expect a dealer to point these things out. Maybe the lack of details can be attributed to the language barrier.

This black paint version from, funny enough, Schouten, is a much better lens to my eye. But I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder (as well as price willing to pay, lol)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEICA-LE...772655?hash=item213b6ac0af:g:qv0AAOSwDkVaYPM3
 
Erik van Straten said:
Yes, but the lens at Schouten is not a version I, but a version II. Personally I very much prefer the version I. Version II suffers from distortion (due to the correction of coma). Version I has some coma, but no distortion. These lens faults are somehow related. I always prefer lenses without distortion.

Erik.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I have a superb Version II and don't notice this. I will say I generally don't pay attention to that so I'm out of the loop on the small details of a lens performance. Good to know though.
 
Erik van Straten said:
Yes, but the lens at Schouten is not a version I, but a version II. Personally I very much prefer the version I. Version II suffers from distortion (due to the correction of coma). Version I has some coma, but no distortion. These lens faults are somehow related. I always prefer lenses without distortion.

Erik.
Click to expand...

Hi Erik,

What is the serial number cut off between the Version I and the Version II Summilux lenses?

Thanks,
-Tim
 
Timmyjoe said:
Hi Erik,

What is the serial number cut off between the Version I and the Version II Summilux lenses?
Click to expand...

The version II starts at 1844001.

When you have the lenses together, you'll see that the v1 is a bit higher and a bit heavier: 323 grammes (I) against 297 grammes (II).

v1:

47.gif


v2:

49.gif


Erik.
 
Even though its a version 1 that price seems crazy high. I had a well used one about 8-10 years ago and had a lot of trouble selling it. I think I got a little less that a thousand for it.

It was not a great lens and it wasvery soft wide open, but still I guess I should have kept it!

 
gdi said:
Even though its a version 1 that price seems crazy high. I had a well used one about 8-10 years ago and had a lot of trouble selling it. I think I got a little less that a thousand for it.

It was not a great lens and it wasvery soft wide open, but still I guess I should have kept it!
Click to expand...

Yeah, from what I've seen, the Version 1 seems to sell for less than the Version 2 and is less desirable in the second-hand market.
 
Well, I prefer the Version I because its free from distortion. Would also be a great architecture lens. Sharpness is great too.

Try to do this with a Version II or with an aspherical Nokton 50mm f/1.5.

Leica M5, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1, 400-2TMY.

Erik.

31950418532_d307ecedd5_c.jpg
 
gdi said:
Hummm... Is that mustache distortion on that curb?
Click to expand...

I don't think so.

Looking carefully at the paving slabs and kerb edge, to me they appear to have slumped in the middle and have risen up at the righthand edge. Also, the far edge of the pavement beyond the standing figures adjacent to the roadway looks to be straight across the frame, edge to edge.
 
Brian Atherton said:
I don't think so.

Looking carefully at the paving slabs and kerb edge, to me they appear to have slumped in the middle and have risen up at the righthand edge. Also, the far edge of the pavement beyond the standing figures adjacent to the roadway looks to be straight across the frame, edge to edge.
Click to expand...

I know - just drawing attention to the paradox of seeking out distortion-free lenses to photograph a distorted world....
 
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