alf109 said:
This is a well known problem with the summicron 50.
With respect to alf109 and to play devil's advocate .... this is one of those online rumors that keeps perpetuating itself frequently with no evidence, or spurious evidence (such as shooting full on into the sun), which is a bit like testing the safety of a car by driving it off the Grand Canyon.
I have the 50cron (tabbed IV and hooded V). Neither have any flaring problems. At least no more than other lenses I use, Leica or otherwise.
You will frequently see this 'evidence' of alleged flaring from people shooting straight into the sun. Well ... to be honest, what can you say? Who, in the real world, has frequent need to shoot directly into the sun? What do you expect when you shoot ANY lens straight into the sun, unless silhouettes is all you are after. If this is truly a worry, get a Noctilux.
I can only give you my experience with the 50/cron: it does not suffer from a flaring tendency, it is well built, high-contrast, high-resolution, and I would not trade it for another 50 of any brand. As for bokeh, it has one of the best bokehs around ... very creamy OOF rendition. I actually prefer it to my 35/cron pre-asph (IV) (though that is a slightly unfair comparison since the focal length of 50 favors OOF renditions).
But the proof is in photos. You will see that the 50/cron (latest) does just fine on its vacation in Paris with this photographer:
http://kazuyank.plala.jp/archives/category/31303_sm502exp.php?page=1
Most modern lenses in the 50mm range are highly researched, highly designed, and highly tested. There is a reason the Leica 50/cron has survived in the lineup so many years.
You won't be disappointed with any of your lens choices, and you won't be disappointed with the 50/cron (IV and V) (I can't speak about the other versions as I don't have them).
regards
