My $126 Summicron

[jkelly]

Recently, I took a chance and bought a late model (1956) collapsible Summicron 50 in "ugly" condition from KEH for $126, plus shipping. There was a mixup in the shipping that resulted in my lens being shipped to another customer, so it took a while to finally receive it. However, when it arrived I was astonished; there's nothing ugly about it. The lens glass is absolutely pristine with no scratches, haze or other defects. The only cosmetic issues on the metal are a little discoloration on the recessed barrel and superficial scratches on the filter ring. The scratches do not prevent me from screwing in a lens hood or filter. The lens looks fabulous! I can't help but believe it was mis-graded.

I feel like I got the bargain of a lifetime. Here are a couple of shots from the lens mounted on an M3:

 

[FrankS]

It's always good to score a Leica bargain! Good on you, mate.

 

[Vics]

What a story! My first and only Leica is an M3 that my kids bought for me as a birthday gift on my 60th. It came from KEH and came with a collapsible 'cron, so same kit as yours. I love that lens! I have since bought a DR (also from KEH), but for some things, most recently a portrait of my 6-month old granddaughter, the collapsible just can't be beat! Travels well, too!
Vic

 

[Michael I.]

wow. great colors.great bargain.

 

[kenspix]

Good luck! what a deal...

 

[Ken Ford]

Very nice!

 

[varjag]

I actually talked to KEH rep about that lens last spring.. didn't buy it because they couldn't ship to a hotel address :bang:

But, congratulations! It seems to be excellent performer.

 

[payasam]

Fine optical performance. What's that thing about ugliness lying in the eye of the beholder?

 

[edodo]

Such a beautiful lens! HCB even used the screw version a lot with his M6, but his version was black nose painted ;p

 

[jamiewakeham]

Hmm. KEH still has a 50mm 'cron for $126. Is it the same one and they've been lax at taking of the site, or do they actually have another? If so, I might go for it. It's make a good partner for my impending M3!

 

[jkelly]

Hmm. KEH still has a 50mm 'cron for $126. Is it the same one and they've been lax at taking of the site, or do they actually have another? If so, I might go for it. It's make a good partner for my impending M3!

I suspect it is the one I bought; they are somewhat chaotic in their handling of administrative chores, as I found when they shipped the lens to another customer and I tried for three weeks to get them to correct the mistake. However, give it a shot; maybe they mistakenly shipped me a "bargain" and the one left is really the "ugly" one.

 

[raid]

Congratulations.
Just don't call KEH and ask them about a lens that is lowly rated. Their response is ultra conservative; "a lens rated ugly is not meant to be used for photography!"

I picked up a few "ugly" but wonderful lenses from them. This includes a Pentax Takumar 28mm lens for $6.

Raid

 

[rover]

Great find. I have bought a couple bargain lenses from KEH, I may have to look ugly to see if something peaks my interest.

 

[thomasw_]

no i don't think it was a mistake. keh have some very conservative grading going on; there are some exceptions, but they just go to prove the general rule. and if there is an exception, the return policy is a safety net. i have bought bgn bodies and lenses that were mechanically/optically excellent; the rating system really downgrades an item when there is a chrome rub or some finish has been scratched. yet otherwise the body or lens is smashing. i haven't ever gone to the ugly category, but with the finish as you describe it, the lens sounds as though it is a keh grade ugly or, as you suggest, at best bgn.

 

[JNewell]

It's very possible that they simply have more than one of these in stock at any given time and that pricing is stable for that lens in that condition.

Hmm. KEH still has a 50mm 'cron for $126. Is it the same one and they've been lax at taking of the site, or do they actually have another? If so, I might go for it. It's make a good partner for my impending M3!

 

[Juancho]

How many of us are looking for another "ugly" in KEH right now?? 😀

 

[jamiewakeham]

I've emailed them about the 'cron...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Congratulations on a great Leica find, Jkelly! 🙂

As for yours-truly, I already got my bargain yesterday: a Nikon 35ti for roughly $250, with case and manual.