Summicron 50mm M

Ah Raid - you make me laugh.

a certain someone did some legendary tests back in the day....

FWIW I would keep the rigid V1. I’m tempted to try a CV50 1.2 but you’ll also be on the preferred list for the replica 50 which will be very interesting if the 35 8 element is anything to go by.
 
The collapsible has a very soft front glass, it is very difficult to get a good one. But when you do...

Against the collapsible is also the fact that it is always collapsed when you need the lens. When you finally get it pulled out, your subject is gone.

So for me the best is the Rigid v1. That is, when the fog has been removed by a very competent repairman.

I never tried the six element Rigid, the v3.

The v4 is sharp, but too contasty for b+w. I always get into trouble when I try to make a print from a v4 negative, so I sold my v4.

On b+w film the Rigid v1 is the best user in my opinion.

Erik.


M2, Rigid v1:

48476245527_5d97f41264_b.jpg
 
The DR is identical to the Rigid Summicron. It has close focus capabilities and there used to exist a rumor that “ the best glass Leica had”!was used on it.
 
Thanks Raid - a follow up - is it based on the V1 that Erik mentioned?

I prefer it to my V3 Summicron, but much of that is the actual lens itself, which I think is wonderful over engineering at its most Germanic.
 
Thanks for all the feedback.

I am now quite convinced to keep using the Rigid Summicron. By the way, I have a DR and CV 50/1.1 and 1.5 and many other fine 50mm lenses . It is Leica 50mm lenses that are quite old in my case.

It is impressive that Leica managed to produce such excellent lenses over 50 years ago.
 
CharlesDAMorgan said:
What version lens is the DR Summicron if someone could enlighten me, I'd be most grateful.
Click to expand...

Version I is the Collapsible.
Version II is the Rigid, and also the Dual Range, AKA the DRS.
Version III is the black one made from 1969 to 1979, number 11817.
Version IV has a different optical formula from the III. It has two plane surfaces (two glass lens elements are flat, or planar, on one side.). Erwin Puts complained that the use of flat surfaces means that the lens, although very good, is not as well corrected as it could have been. The use of plane surfaces reduces manufacturing costs.
Version V is the same as the IV, but with a built-in sunshade.

I had a IV but didn't like the short DOF scale on it. I use versions I, II, and III.
 
David Hughes said:
I think these threads should be banned. All they do is make people dis-satisfied. I don't take photo's and then print them at 24 by 36 and go over them with a micrometer, microscope or anything except my eyes.

If you look long enough and are egged on by the bystanders then you can find fault with anything. And once you get on that slippery slope all the fun goes out of life.

People seem to forget that 8 or 9 out of 10 is a good score.

Regards, David
Click to expand...

David,
Though I am prone to playing this game, I know at some level, it is just a game, so thanks for the useful reminder.

Freud called the impulse “ the narcissism of small differences” (German: der Narzissmus der kleinen Differenzen) : the thesis that communities with adjoining territories and close relationships (like photo gear communities!) are especially likely to engage in feuds and mutual ridicule because of hypersensitivity to details of differentiation.

When it comes to lenses, or cameras, the “differences” exist and people should buy what they desire, and the first reason that pops into their head is as good as any other, but “my (V1) pictures are not any good” won’t be helped by a V5. Or, vice versa. “Different” yes. “Better”, no.
Although we all know that, it’s worth remembering right before the credit card gets whipped out.
 
jmilkins said:
Ah Raid - you make me laugh.

a certain someone did some legendary tests back in the day....

FWIW I would keep the rigid V1. I’m tempted to try a CV50 1.2 but you’ll also be on the preferred list for the replica 50 which will be very interesting if the 35 8 element is anything to go by.
Click to expand...

I dared to have a 50mm lens comparison between over 20 lenses. RFF members mailed me their precious (valuable!) lenses to Pensacola. Roland helped a lot with the side by side images . He pointed out how good the rigid Summicron performed.

It may have been 13 years ago.
 
Sorry, but I'm afraid to be a primitive user here...satisified with my 50 F2 but...no idea which version it is !

How can I indentify the version? I think from the serial number but than where can I look?
 
I forget which version I have, but it's the one with the collapsible hood. It's perfectly fine, great in fact, but sometimes I wonder if I would like the rigid better for a little more older character (if that makes sense?) There is one particular photographer on the Leica forum that uses the the rigid and I really like his results.

I'm kinda getting bored with pristine optics, especially in the digital world. I have fitted an old 50s/60s(?) Pentax Takumar lens on my Black Magic pocket 4K cinema cameras and the results are stunning for the character.
 
The Summicron 50mm f/2 lens is kind of Leica's signature normal lens to me. I've had four over the years ... At present, the one I have is a current series Summicron-M with six-bit coding that I bought second hand.

I can barely tell the difference between what it produces and what the '80s-'90s version of the same lens produced, or similarly what either of them produced vs my first collapsible from 1955. At least for most photos that I make, rather than resolution testing. 🙂

Wonderful lens, whichever one you go for. Not perfect but wonderful.

G
 
Type 4 is favored by many Summicron users as the "Bokeh King", I think. It seems (based on the postings in this thread) that all Summicron 50mm lenses are very good lenses overall. A V5 Cron sells for $2000-$2500 these days.
 
raid said:
Type 4 is favored by many Summicron users as the "Bokeh King", I think. It seems (based on the postings in this thread) that all Summicron 50mm lenses are very good lenses overall. A V5 Cron sells for $2000-$2500 these days.
Click to expand...

The "bokeh king" is v4 in 35mm FWIW🙂

Regarding 50mm lenses, the one thing to point out is that v4 and 5 Summicrons share the same optical formula, and have shorter throw than v3 as I recall. The reason to get v4 over 5 might be if you don't love the built-in hood on the newer version and prefer to have a focus tab, the v4 has that and requires detachable hood. If you do want a newer Summicron for less than 5K, either of those would be a great choice! I recently traded my v5 away to upgrade and try Summilux ASPH, but have no doubt I will replace my Summicron when I am able.

David
 
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