Summicron 50

[MichaelHarris]

Hi all, I just ordered a 50mm black Summicron from KEH and decided to look it up in this little book I have called the Leica Pocket Book. I don't know the serial number yet but I thought I could sort of tell which type it was because it's a Canadian one with the E39 filter size. I think I narrowed it down to a type III or IV.

I really didn't know about the types before I ordered this one but now I see there are 4 types including the DR. I thought about a DR but only one had the goggles. Not sure how to use the ones without the goggles.

What are your thoughts on the 4 types?

 

[HuubL]

Congrats on your purchase. Summicrons of any vintage are awesome lenses!

The DR can be used without the goggles like a normal 50mm lens. In fact, they are the same as the so-called Rigid Summicron, focusing from 1m to infinity. With the goggles you get an extra close-up focusing range from 1m to 45cm.

 

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks Huub, I never really knew if they could be used w/o the goggles. I only have a M3 body and right now I use a M 50mm Elmar 3.5 and a CV 40mm 1.4. I always wanted a Summicron but never knew which one to look for.

 

[photobizzz]

I just bought a black 1970 (V III I think) 50 Summicron, should be here in 5-6 days. I cant wait to see the results. I purchased a vented screw in hood for mine from heavystar on the bay instead of the 12585 hood, which is quite expensive. Congrats on your purchase, I was looking on KEH before I bought mine but I cant use the DR version on my R3A (per the cameraquest site).

 

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks Photobizz, I missed mine on Friday. I was in Portland when they tried to deliver. I should see it Monday. I did score a little something while in Portland, I got me one of those new Zeiss Ikon rangefinder cameras with the 28mm lens. It seems like a nice set up.

 

[ferider]

Congrats, Michael.

Here is a nice summary of the different versions:

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/summicron.htm

Both DR and "rigid" (which is what I have) are called v2, typically.

Roland.

 

[MichaelHarris]

Thanks a ton for that link Roland, that's exactly the information I was looking for.