Summicron 50 f2 v4

[Erik van Straten]

Erik,

Are you using any filters on your V4 Summicron?

Thanks,
Daryl J.

No, I never ever use filters. They increase the propensity for flare.

Sometimes the v4 flares all by itself already. When there is a strong lightsource close to the center of the image, there can be a large veiling spot.
However, on the whole the images that the v4 produces are very nice.

A strong point are the ergonomics. I love the focusing tab.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica will use aluminum for the outer part of the helicoid for black anodized and black paint lenses.

Thank you, Rob, for this explanation.

I've never seen a black paint v4 lens. Do they exist? I would love to have one.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY, Perceptol, Adox MCC-110.

Erik.

 

[Daryl J.]

Thanks Erik for the reply.
Daryl J.

 

[Rob-F]

The V4 I had would bind badly due to unever wear in the focusing helix. When putting pressure on the focusing tab there's excessive pressure which caused uneven wear and binding.

Was this with the claw tab, or the concave type? I'm thinking that since you have to press down on the claw tab somewhat to get enough of a grip to move it, the side pressure might accelerate wear. The more traditional concave tab can be nudged back and forth with no side pressure, and little or no wear.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Was this with the claw tab, or the concave type? I'm thinking that since you have to press down on the claw tab somewhat to get enough of a grip to move it, the side pressure might accelerate wear. The more traditional concave tab can be nudged back and forth with no side pressure, and little or no wear.

The chrome-on-brass version is more solid than the aluminium (black) version. Focusing that lens is a joy.

Leica M2, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY, Perceptol, printed on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[Rob-F]

What I'm saying is that having to press against the tab (speaking of the version IV with the focusing bump or claw), pressing in on it towards the center of the lens, might cause uneven wear on the part of the helicoids that is directly under the tab. Pressing on the concave tab in the direction of rotation, tangentially rather than radially, would avoid such wear. I don't know if this would make enough difference to account for the wear mentioned above, but it seems like a possibility.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Rob, I hope so, because mine has the concave tab.

Erik.

 

[sleepyhead]

Here are a couple of pictures from yesterday that I shot with a 50mm Summicron IV on Leica M9.

 

[ChrisN]

Earliest V4 Summicron 50?

Earliest V4 Summicron 50?

A couple of sources tell me the V4 lens dates from 1980, but I have one with 2916nnn serial number, which the lists say is from 1978. Which is correct?

 

[Rob-F]

A couple of sources tell me the V4 lens dates from 1980, but I have one with 2916nnn serial number, which the lists say is from 1978. Which is correct?

My Hove Leica Guide gives 1979 as the start date of the version IV and shows the starting serial number as 2974251. If yours is a version IV, then I guess it's another example of there being, at times, exceptions to the Leica serial number records.

 

[ChrisN]

My Hove Leica Guide gives 1979 as the start date of the version IV and shows the starting serial number as 2974251. If yours is a version IV, then I guess it's another example of there being, at times, exceptions to the Leica serial number records.

Thanks Rob. There are certainly a lot of interesting variations around. I found this one today, mint condition in the plastic bubble, at an attractive price. It looks like someone bought it many years ago and never used it. I wonder if it was a reserved serial number (from 1977) and when was the lens actually built. I suspect it is an early Version 4 lens. It is black, has "Leitz Lens Made in Canada" on the front ring, yellow "50" on the mount, serial number on the side of the lens, 8 aperture blades, thin knurled aperture ring and tiger-paw tab, 195 gm weight.

 

[ZivcoPhoto]

Sleepyhead - What a beautiful picture of the little girl with the M9 and 50 Cron V4

My Version 4 50 mm Cron serial number is 29158XX

It has the convex type focus assist which I tend to nudge from the side with the side of my finger rather than press down on it.

 

[sleepyhead]

Thank you ZivcoPhoto. She's my daughter.

My V4 Summicron is serial number 3100767, also with convex focusing tab (love it!), which I think was made in 1981.

Sleepyhead - What a beautiful picture of the little girl with the M9 and 50 Cron V4

My Version 4 50 mm Cron serial number is 29158XX

It has the convex type focus assist which I tend to nudge from the side with the side of my finger rather than press down on it.

 

[ChrisN]

Sleepyhead - What a beautiful picture of the little girl with the M9 and 50 Cron V4

My Version 4 50 mm Cron serial number is 29158XX

It has the convex type focus assist which I tend to nudge from the side with the side of my finger rather than press down on it.

Serial 2915nnn is another from 1978 if the popular tables are to be believed.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M3, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY, Perceptol.

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm looking at pictures here and where and on mine V4 pictures and I''m ready to ask this question now. What is special in this lens? The reason why I'm asking is because what I see at pictures taken with v4 - they are neutral. Not so sharp, not so buzzing, just neutral.
Is this what makes this lens special? It is special for sure, because it costs used more than new Planar 50 2 and new Nokton 50 1.5. Do I miss something? Maybe it is something in the bokeh?

 

[x-ray]

No, I never ever use filters. They increase the propensity for flare.

Sometimes the v4 flares all by itself already. When there is a strong lightsource close to the center of the image, there can be a large veiling spot.
However, on the whole the images that the v4 produces are very nice.

A strong point are the ergonomics. I love the focusing tab.

Erik.

This is one of the reasons I got rid of my V4. Any light source whether in the frame or just outside the frame causes veiling flare that reduces contrast noticeably.

I have two 50's now, a Planar and a V2 Rigid Summicron. When I'm in a situation that will cause flare I go to the Planar wh has the best flare resistance I've experienced in an M 50mm. Other situations where I want a softer contrast, more nostalgic, I use the V2.

I also found the V4 was more problematic from a mechanical standpoint.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I also found the V4 was more problematic from a mechanical standpoint.

This is true for the earlier black Canadese versions. The later German chrome version is mechanically extremely good, completely redesigned.

About the flare: yes, sometimes there is. The lens reminds me of the old Summar, but is sharper.

The v2 is a wonderful lens. I just started a thread about it. But beware: there can be a nasty fog inside.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I'm looking at pictures here and where and on mine V4 pictures and I''m ready to ask this question now. What is special in this lens? The reason why I'm asking is because what I see at pictures taken with v4 - they are neutral. Not so sharp, not so buzzing, just neutral.
Is this what makes this lens special? It is special for sure, because it costs used more than new Planar 50 2 and new Nokton 50 1.5. Do I miss something? Maybe it is something in the bokeh?

What I like about the lens is its 100% freedom of distortion combined with an incredible sharpness (not visible in scans online) and contrast. However, it can flare completely unpredictable.

Erik.