Summicron 50mm Rigid on R-D1?

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kennylovrin

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Hey guys

I'm looking slightly into getting a 50mm for my R-D1. I don't NEED one, so I'm just browsing around every now and then to see what comes up etc.

Anyway, I stumbled upon a Summicron 50/2 Rigid that is described as "good condition but minor cleaning marks on the glass" - not much more info than that.

So anyway, what do you guys say about such a lens on the R-D1. And can anyone help me figure out what these lenses normally go for?

Thanks!

Kenny
 
I see, so it seems then these lenses are still widely used.. I will look into it more, I had to figure out it was a Rigid myself based only on the photos of the lens, so I need to really verify that I guess. I'm not very well versed with Leica lenses so sorry if I'm asking something that is "obvious" to everyone else. )

I'll keep an eye on it then at least and see what happens!

Thanks!
 
The RD1 will even mount the Summicron DR 50mm. I used a DR on My RD1 often. The close focus is a guessing affair since the goggles don't line up. It performs great and I wish I still had the set up. The DR used to be the most desired lens of the era. I think it has lost favor to the rigid that has the exact same optics but, will mount on the m8/9. The Dual range will not mount on the M8/9 in the normal focal range.
 
I've used a couple of 50's on the R-D1...nikkor HC 5cm/2. canon 50/1.4, elmar 50/3.5. Once I saw the first image that I took with the 50 rigid I sold the others.

I thought all the 50 Rigid/DR talk might of been 'leica hype'...it's not.
 
very interesting..

i know i probably shouldn't ask this with the risk of unleashing flame war, but i feel like i have to...

so, how much should i worry about these "minor cleaning marks"? i think i'll try to ask the seller about more specifics and maybe better shots of the lens, but still, what is your gut feeling? as i understand it the this model is quite old (50-60s?) so i understand it's probably not going to be like new. :)

thanks!
 
There are others here with far more experience than I to give advice...but to try and answer your question....like everything, it depends!

Cleaning marks on the front element are less likely to cause problems than marks on the rear element.

I'd try and get some close ups and the option to return the lens if it is unsatisfactory. Some cleaning marks are genuine 'minor cleaning marks' some are more like gouges.
 
I compared a few lenses. One a perfectly mint dual range. Another was a rigid with a light but uncleanable haze inside. The last a DR that was clean inside but had coating etching on front and rear elements from fungus that had been cleaned. The haze lens was the only one that showed any IQ degradation. I was surprised that the lens with rear element etching was as good as the perfect lens. I shot them in strong light using both film and the RD1. The Hazed lens was really still mostly quite good with the light to your back. Just lower contrast. I kept the etched DR and use it now on my M5. I may send it to John at Focal point some day for polishing and new coatings.

Use a penlight to search for hazing. If you see none and the coating marks on the front are mild you should be ok. Use a shade!
 
that lens is a fantastic lens, but more than anything i think you should ask yourself if you will use that lens on a 1.5 crop camera body or not.

50mm is like shooting with a 75mm lens on the R-D1 - portraits and the like. the frameline area is remarkably small, comparable to the 90mm frames on a leica m3.

to be perfectly honest i don't recommend spending a lot of money on a 50mm lens if the r-d1 will be the camera you usually attach it to. if you have other (non crop) bodies though the summicrons are great.
 
paradoxbox said:
that lens is a fantastic lens, but more than anything i think you should ask yourself if you will use that lens on a 1.5 crop camera body or not.

50mm is like shooting with a 75mm lens on the R-D1 - portraits and the like. the frameline area is remarkably small, comparable to the 90mm frames on a leica m3.

to be perfectly honest i don't recommend spending a lot of money on a 50mm lens if the r-d1 will be the camera you usually attach it to. if you have other (non crop) bodies though the summicrons are great.
Click to expand...

you've got a good point there, i've thought about that as well. however in this specific case i see it kind of the other way around. i recently traded my 35mm for a 28mm because i found 35mm to be too tight for everyday use on the crop sensor.

however, now that i have the 28mm only i have been playing with the thought of getting a 50 because it's not too close to 28. however, i am still not sure that i want to spend the money on that focal length in this case.
 
Hi, the rigid cron is a fantastic lens...but you won´t be able to full use it on the epson...mainly because the sensor corp fctor is x1.5...so your cron will end up giving you the fielf of view of a 75mm lens...multiply 1.5 x 50= 75...

If that´s not a problm then th e cleaning marks maybe so, cleaning marks tned to soften the image and make lenses prone to heavy flaring...so try to test it before you buy it...but i never by lenses unless the elements are free of those kind of flaws.

Nice camera the epson...it was a joy to use!!!

Bye!
 
great lens, and mates well with the RD1s. If you like sharp but medium resolution and sweet tonal gradation from zones 2-8, then buy one and you won't look back. Just get a good copy.

Dont buy one with cleaning marks. Shop around proper, and you can find a fair price.
I just sent you an email of where to get one at a very good price.
let us know what you decide.
 
I like this lens more than any other 50mm lens I own, and I own a few. I use the Cron on M film cameras, and on the EP-2 and EPL-1, which have a 1.5X crop. The lens becomes a short tele, which is great for portraits. Now, I am using the lens with the M8, where the crop factor is 1.33. It is a longer normal lens, which is also great. I think of it this way; the same lens can be used as a 50mm, 65mm, and 100mm lens!

In your case, it would be a 50mm and a 75mm lens. You are saving money!
 
thanks for all your replies! this is a great forum. :) i might have been a bit unclear at first, but i wasn't actively looking for a 50mm lens, or any lens for that matter. i just saw this online auction on a swedish site and wanted to ask you guys about the lens in question. (i have to say though that you guys got me a bit intrigued by this lens.)

even if i would buy it, i wouldn't be able to try it out before because even though it is in sweden it is still pretty far from where i live. and seeing that i don't really need a lens i wouldn't get it for "full/standard" price, but rather only get it if i can manage to snatch it for a really good price. :)

anyway, your input has been great, i will definitely keep an eye on the bidding, though i suspect the price will go up really quick when it nears the end.

actually, i will put the link to the auction here, you never know if there is someone that really really wants to get one of these lenses really bad. otherwise you guys can check out the shots of the lens and see what you think about the condition to help me out. :)

in swedish unfortunately:
http://www.tradera.com/summicron-m50-2-0-for-leica-m-auktion_342578_160865311

anyone that have time to look at the shots and give their verdict is appreciated. ;)

kenny
 
Kenny didnt want the Rigid at KEH for $800, so letting you all know. Its a "bargain" lens, but as you know, these are usually in pretty good shape, especially given the rise in Leica prices, and the increasing prominence of this Cron v2.
 
raid said:
...I use the Cron on M film cameras, and on the EP-2 and EPL-1, which have a 1.5X crop. ...
Click to expand...

That would be a 2x crop factor, compared to 35mm, with those m43 bodies...

I've recently begun using a DR on my m43 Pany G1. It's been a sweet combination, though after decades of shooting Nikon F, F2, & F3 with various 105 Nikkors (2.5 & Macro) the effective 100mm of the DR is a very comfortable fit. So far, I've found that the Cron renders very nicely on digital.
 
Dwig said:
That would be a 2x crop factor, compared to 35mm, with those m43 bodies...

I've recently begun using a DR on my m43 Pany G1. It's been a sweet combination, though after decades of shooting Nikon F, F2, & F3 with various 105 Nikkors (2.5 & Macro) the effective 100mm of the DR is a very comfortable fit. So far, I've found that the Cron renders very nicely on digital.
Click to expand...

Yes, of course. That is why I said that it would be a 100mm lens. The crop factor is 2 X.
 
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