Replacement for Summicron 50/2

[Godfrey]

I had a collapsible Summicron 50 for a while, courtesy my father. Later I had a 1990s issue rigid Summicron 50 in the kit that I sold off in its entirety in 2002. I bought a Nokton 50mm f/1.5 ASPH (LTM) in 2011 and it was a fine performer, but I recently replaced it with a near new Summicron 50.

The Summicron 50 is simply my favorite M 50mm lens.

G

 

[Erik van Straten]

A very nice lens is the Color-Skopar 50mm f/2.5. Very handy. The images are beautiful, sharp but not harsh. The build quality is extremely high.

Leica M3, Color-Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY. I used mine for 15 years.

Erik.

 

[ulrich.von.lich]

I second the choice of the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1.5, especially if you are looking for something sharper and more contrasty. You should be able to find one less than 250€ in LTM mount. The only noticeable difference is the LTM version focuses down to 0.9m, compared to 0.7m of the M mount version. But hey, it's getting closer than the collapsible Summicron already.

The Cosina Zeiss 50mm Planar is also a good choice, as I've been seeing them sold less than 500€, which is considerably less than the price of the Sonnar 50mm. Having used both, the Planar is to me a better lens. (I don't quite understand why people are paying so much for a lens affected by the focus shift issue, and for some reason, more so than other Sonnar type lenses such as the Canon 50mm f1.5 LTM.)

You should consider the Summicron 50mm version III, too. Although more people are realising it's not a bad lens, it still costs less than later versions. I recently bought one for 600€, in good condition with hood. Another auction ended at 670€ with box and hood, and the lens was in as new condition. In my opinion, this lens handles better and feels more solid than the Planar, and it is even less prone to flares than the version 4 Summicron. However, when it comes to sharpness, I doubt there are many lenses on the market sharper than the Planar.

As to the contrast, I find the Summicron 50mm version III is slightly less contrasty than the Planar and the Nokton. But the difference becomes irrelevant if you compare them to old lenses like the collapsible Summicron.

I like the collapsible Summicron, but I have to say even with perfect glasses and without any haze, it provides less contrast and is more prone to flares than the lenses mentionned above. It is a fact that neither DAG nor anybody else can change. It's just if your copy is affected with cleaning marks and haze, the difference would be much more noticeable. I find the collapsible Summicron very sharp between f4 and f11, and perfectly acceptable at f2. But the other lenses will be sharper from f2 to f4.

I hope it helps.

 

[ktmrider]

I own the latest version of the 50 Summicron (pull out hood) in chrome. I also own the 50f1.5 Nokton in black. I don't plan on getting rid of either.

I got the Nokton because I wanted a black lens to use with a new black M5. I found a mint one at Photo Village for $600. Now, you can't even get close to a used Leica lens for that price.

Surprisingly, the 50f1.5 is lighter then the chrome Summicron and it is a stop faster. I keep looking at the 50f1.1 but it is a big beast and I already have the 35f1.2. I can recommend the 50f1.5 whole heartedly.

 

[Doug]

...Leica III, Color-Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY. I used mine for 15 years.

Erik.

But you quit using it at some point, Erik?

 

[Erik van Straten]

But you quit using it at some point, Erik?

I still use my old one. Recently I bought a beautiful new one, only for fondling. It is one of the nicest rangefinder lenses ever made.

I also have the lens in a special version for the Nikon rangefinders.

Erik.

 

[Rob-F]

I own two collapsible Summicrons, one in M mount, and one LTM for my Barnacks. The images are painterly wide open, very sharp stopped down. I won't part with them even though I have a dual range and a version 3 (11817).

 

[Erik van Straten]

The collapsible is a great lens, but I find pulling it in and out annoying. Also I am afraid to scratch the front lens. I hate protective filters as they cause haze and unsharpness.

Leica MP, Summicron collapsible 50mm f/2, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid v1 is a fine and handy lens, but lacks somehow the fine tonality of the collapsible.

Leica M2, Summicron 50mm f/2 rigid v1, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Elmar-M is a wonderful lens, but pulling it in and out is as annoying as with the Summicron collapsible.

Leica M3, Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[teddy]

Hi Steve,
Are you including the collapsible model?

I agree with Steve. The Collapsible is lower contrast lens, great for black and white, but that doesn't stop me from using Velvia and getting super contrast.

Summicron Collapsible and Velvia 50

Summicron Collapsible and Fomapan 100 - Y/G Filter

 

[jsrockit]

Resolution and contrast.

50mm Planar... but nothing like a Summicron.

 

[Gerry M]

I decided to have my Summicron Coll 50/2 cla'd. Returned to me very clean, but haven't had a chance to test it.

 

[Bruno Gracia]

skopar for me.

 

[jonmanjiro]

The Elmar-M is a wonderful lens, but pulling it in and out is as annoying as with the Summicron collapsible.

Erik, why not just leave it extended? I never bother collapsing my Elmar-M.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Erik, why not just leave it extended? I never bother collapsing my Elmar-M.

Ah, that is my neurotic character I think.

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

OP made good decision, IMO.

As of Elmar-M... I was even less confident to leave it extended. It has fragile feel in it and dedicated thread for how to fix it from getting loose in its mount.