Lenses - 'M' vs non-'M'?

[digitaldave]

Whilst looking around at lens info, I've come across several versions of the same lens that have slightly different names. For example, 50mm Summicron and 50mm Summicron-M. Is there any difference between the two? Or was the -M added to differentiate them from R lenses?

Thanks,

Dave.

 

[markinlondon]

Dave, this page is your friend in identifying the various versions of Leitz/Leica lenses. Later lenses are designated "-M". For instance a good guide to which version of the f2.8 Elmar someone is talking about is whether they refer to "Elmar" or Elmar-M". Of course in practice people often miss this distinction. BTW, there's a 50 M Hexanon at Aperture at the moment if you wanted a "bargain" M mount 50. Many people here rate it highly.

 

[telenous]

BTW, there's a 50 M Hexanon at Aperture at the moment if you wanted a "bargain" M mount 50. Many people here rate it highly.

That lens has been with them for ages. The price is a bargain like Mark says but people will just not buy it!