Summicron 50mm f2.0: old vs new.

G

Gilo25

Established
Local time
6:24 AM
Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
107
View My Gallery
I am considering getting a 1995 Summicron 50 f2.0 to replace my 1970 model, which tends to produce excessive contrast at times and seems to have a slightly limited resolution.
Does anybody have any views on whether the newer version is actually significantly better than the one I have (I tried to look it up in the web but could not find any specific indication) and is there any difference (optically speaking) between the pre 6 bit version of 1994 and the current one?
Thanks!
 
I have only used one 51.9mm Summicron: The Dual Range from the early 60s. I don't see any reason to change. YMMV.
 
I don't know that the new version is significantly better than the older ones, but one thing I do like about the new versions is the built in lens hood.

John
 
I found the newest version to be slightly better than the 1970's one (v3), but I'm not sure I ever made a fair comparison.

I don't think they changed the optics since the v4 from the 80's though, so you could perhaps get a better deal on one that's a bit older and had a focussing tab.
 
As braver said the optics of the current version are the same as the one with tab produced first in 1979, only the body changed.I think thehood of the tabbed version will be far mlore effective than the sometime wobbly built-in hood of the current model.
If lower contrast with high resolution is your aim consider the rigid or DR version.
The current version is excellent but like mosty can flare under certain conditions.
Hasve a look her for info
http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/lenses/page92.html
and towards the bottom of this page
http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/lenses/lenses/page86.html
 
Last edited:
Shac said:
If lower contrast with high resolution is your aim consider the rigid or DR version.
Click to expand...

+1

The Rigid and DR have this "center-punch" effect wide open where the corners are soft but the center is sharp. Also the German build quality is superb, but beware of haze. Perfect contrast for B&W IMHO.

Always use a hood. I found that a modern 50/2.8 Elmar hood works great, especially if you have the retro metal lenscap, but it vignettes if you use any filters. I like the Elmar hood because it remains outside the framelines on my 0.72 M6.

Recently bought a 12585 hood and cap for when I use filters. I love the retro look.

Cal
 
The 1995 will have a little more contrast , not less, and more micro contrast.

You will also notice improved corner resolution at 2 & 2.8.

For less contrast, buy a DR or Rigid model. These will have less corner resolution at 2 and 2.8 than what you have now.

A collapsible will be even lower yet at open stops becoming equal around 5.6. Colors are dull.

Perhaps look at a Zeiss 50 2.0.
 
Another point worth bearing in mind is that the older the lens the more chance that someone has taken it apart, played with it, messed it up or whatever. Granted this doesn't always happen, but there are a lot of people out there (both amateur and professional repairers) willing to do this who lack the skill, knowledge or equipment to do the job properly.

John
 
John Lawrence said:
Another point worth bearing in mind is that the older the lens the more chance that someone has taken it apart, played with it, messed it up or whatever. Granted this doesn't always happen, but there are a lot of people out there (both amateur and professional repairers) willing to do this who lack the skill, knowledge or equipment to do the job properly.

John
Click to expand...

A good point.

I was lucky in finding my Rigid in remarkable condition at a good price. I later found out that my lens was likely to have been cleaned because almost all old Rigids have haze. It also seems that my lens was likely cleaned by a pro.

Cal
 
Not unless you use a tripod.

Gilo25 said:
I am considering getting a 1995 Summicron 50 f2.0 to replace my 1970 model, which tends to produce excessive contrast at times and seems to have a slightly limited resolution.
Does anybody have any views on whether the newer version is actually significantly better than the one I have (I tried to look it up in the web but could not find any specific indication) and is there any difference (optically speaking) between the pre 6 bit version of 1994 and the current one?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Everything is subjective but I've owned (or owe) just about every normal lens Leica has ever produced. Also those made by Canon and some Nikons.

The current lens is by far the best, hands down. Then maybe the DR Summicron and after that the LTM ELmar.

However, the trend today is that most users want low contrast, soft lenses with a lot of aberrations. Therefore I would not recommend the new lens to those people. It has extremely good resolving power, low aberrations and high contrast.
 
Thanks a lot to everybody for your inputs, much appreciated. I guess John Lawrence is right: the older the lens, the more chances somebody fiddled with it to the point of making it perform in a way which is quite different from the original. This makes a comparison between models quite difficult. I also tend to come to the conclusion that rather than trying one's luck with used models to save a couple of hundred dollars, one could also consider saving up and buy a new model which would probably perform much better also because of the current coatings which are superior even to those of 15 years ago.
 
Tabbed v4 50's are the same as the new retractable hood 50's.
I just have to take some pics of them and then will be listing a 35 v4 and 50 v4 later today.
 
Last edited:
Leica M3, Summicron 50mm f/2, Tmax400, negative scan.

Erik.

5378690864_c3772524d7_b.jpg
 
It just so happens that a few minutes ago I placed the rigid Summicon on the Hexar RF in preparation of a family outing in a hour or so. It is one of my alltime favorite 50mm RF lenses (and I have several 50mm lenses to choose from).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom