Need to ID a 50mm summicron as a possible purchase for my M8

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eleskin

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The seller heavystar on Ebay has a 50mm Summicron for sale on ebay (item number 130241734991). He emailed me the serial number as 24087XX. Which version is this? It says Leitz Wetzler on the lens. He calls it a 5cm f2.0. It looks like one from the 1970's, but I am not sure. Is this a decent version, and would the Zeiss 50mm Planar be a better buy new than this lens for the same money?
 
Looks like a pre-ASPH Summicron to me, I'm not aware of different versions of this lens, the serial number date to 1970. I would say the Planar have more contrast, try looking at pics on Flickr to see which one you like better ;)

P.S: the lens is more than decent
 
hans voralberg said:
Looks like a pre-ASPH Summicron to me
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There is no such thing as a 50mm ASPH Summicron (except, of course, as a design exercise a few years back).

That lens (on eBay) is the 1969 version (#3, I believe).

The timeline is: collapsible, "rigid", Dual-Range, 1969, 1979 (with both tabbed, and current, "collapsible hood" versions). The lens you point to is the 1969 formula.
 
eleskin said:
The seller heavystar on Ebay has a 50mm Summicron for sale on ebay (item number 130241734991). He emailed me the serial number as 24087XX. Which version is this? It says Leitz Wetzler on the lens. He calls it a 5cm f2.0. It looks like one from the 1970's, but I am not sure. Is this a decent version, and would the Zeiss 50mm Planar be a better buy new than this lens for the same money?
Click to expand...

According to Brian Bower's "The Leica Lens Book" that serial number falls into the 1964 - 1971 range, with serial number 2500000 produced in 1971. I'd guess that means your lens is from 1969 or 1970.

That would make it either a late model 11117, focusing down to 1m, or an early 11817 with focus down to 0.7m.

Now to quote from Gandy: (here)

"Fourth version 1969-1979 Black lens with no "50" on barrel, No focusing lock or lever. Generally reputed to be a notch below either of the Summicron versions before or after it. 6 elements. This and later versions focused to 28, the closest focusing RF coupled 50 after the DR."

Apparently this is the first black version (?). Does that sound like it?
 
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All 50mm Summicrons and other Leitz/Leica lenses up to year 2000 ish can be identified by consulting Leica Pocket Book 7th Edition which is a wealth of information as regards lens variations and comparative performances. Serial No. 24087XX corresponds with the type iii Summicron with S/Ns 2269251 - 2915800 and was current from 1969-1979. It is an excellent lens when used on film cameras but you should check out the results when used on an M8 as film performance is not necessarily a guide to that achieved digitally.

Regarding price, it seems a bit on the high side. In the UK I was looking at a similar lens in same condition last week priced at £249 ... ok that is cheap ... but your prospective purchase is the equivalent of £445 at current exchange rates.

You might be $$$ better off importing a used lens from the UK from a reputable dealer.

I was hoping to buy the £249 example but it is reserved for someone.

Avoid the previous Mk II DR (dual range [close focus]) version 1956-1968 S/N 1400001 - 2358300 (all rigid versions, but note the 1953-1956 Mk I collapsable type S/N 920000- 709000 also overlaps into the Mk II S/N range) - all have chrome finish - as it probably will not fit an M8 . An M8 owner gave me his DR version (it has a big chip in the front element) because it would not fit his camera. There was also a non-DR rigid chrome 50mm Summicron concurrent with the DR which should be ok.

The best 50mm Summicron is probably the Mk IV S/N 2909101 onwards. But all 50mm Summicrons have their good points - all are excellent lenses.

Cheers

dunk
 
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