Lance
Established
I voted for the hooded one. It's the one I have and I never tried anything else. I wouldn't mind a tiny tab on it though...
Nugard
Elvis lives!..
None.......
cwatgo1970
Member
"Which Leica 50/2 Summicron "does it for you" the most?"
I'll admit I've been tempted by the others before. The ones that were better looking, less overweight, younger, and of higher class. Through it all however I've stayed with her over them. While I must admit she's a bit old, on the heavy side, and occasionally has to put on the big thick glasses, I've kept her because deep down I know she's the only one that's DONE it for me. Of course I'd be lying to say there haven't been times when I might of had second thoughts about her. When certain aspects of her "DUAL" personality had seemed all too heavy for me to endure. That just maybe, perhaps, I should give her up and find something that might bring better contrast into my life. I admit, I've thought about it at times. But over the years as I've glanced at the many photos we've done together and awe the wonderful magic we have made, I've come to know with certainty, she's the only 50mm lens for me.
I'll admit I've been tempted by the others before. The ones that were better looking, less overweight, younger, and of higher class. Through it all however I've stayed with her over them. While I must admit she's a bit old, on the heavy side, and occasionally has to put on the big thick glasses, I've kept her because deep down I know she's the only one that's DONE it for me. Of course I'd be lying to say there haven't been times when I might of had second thoughts about her. When certain aspects of her "DUAL" personality had seemed all too heavy for me to endure. That just maybe, perhaps, I should give her up and find something that might bring better contrast into my life. I admit, I've thought about it at times. But over the years as I've glanced at the many photos we've done together and awe the wonderful magic we have made, I've come to know with certainty, she's the only 50mm lens for me.
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David Hughes
David Hughes
Hmmmm, if I stopped reading these threads and stopped looking at others' gear I'd be very happy with the one I have (sigh) but ...
fstopstudios
Newbie
50mm 5th tabbed all the way!
breiva
Newbie
Leica 50 Summicron
Leica 50 Summicron
You have omitted the nicest one of all from the list, the 2004 50-years Jubilee model. Same optics as the newest version, but possibly built to even higher standards and with the gorgeous outer appearance of the 50 Rigid.
Leica 50 Summicron
You have omitted the nicest one of all from the list, the 2004 50-years Jubilee model. Same optics as the newest version, but possibly built to even higher standards and with the gorgeous outer appearance of the 50 Rigid.
Jim Evidon
Jim
I really wish the responders would stick to the issue. The original question was what is the favorite or best Summicron 50. There are several other threads for comparing the Summicron to the Planar, Hexanon, etc. I think that is what drives a thread that should be four or five pages max to encyclopedic (or encyclopaedic if you prefer) proportions. I don't complain about this forum often, but really, one should stick to the subject or start one's own thread. Just my opinion.
Jim Evidon
Jim
For those who want to know the difference between the various bersions of the "Cron 50, check out
THE TAO OF LEICA: http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/lenses/page92.html and click on the lens drop down.
Another useful site is CAMERAQUEST: http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm which will give you cameras by make, model, and year including s/n and year of manufacture. On the former site there is also a nice discussion of the lens design by version.
THE TAO OF LEICA: http://www.imx.nl/photo/leica/lenses/lenses/page92.html and click on the lens drop down.
Another useful site is CAMERAQUEST: http://www.cameraquest.com/classics.htm which will give you cameras by make, model, and year including s/n and year of manufacture. On the former site there is also a nice discussion of the lens design by version.
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Jim Evidon
Jim
Which Summicron
Which Summicron
I found this summary at a vendor's website(camerarepair.com) which clears up a lot of apocryphal information that has floated about on this forum and others. I hope it will be of assistance. You will note that this author indicates that the version 4 and the current version are not the same glass design. He notes that version 5 has the fourth optical design, which is not the same as version 4 which is the
third optical design. That is probably where the confusion came in with some people claiming that the fifth (current) version has the same optics as version 4
Like many of you I am trying to decide which version to buy, and this summary is very helpful, not in giving subjective opinion, which this interesting thread has tried to accomplish, but just discusses the design differences.
"..Not all Summicrons were created equal in optical quality. There has been a steady progression of Summicron optical design improvements over the decades. The first version introduced initially as a SM for the Leica IIIf and then in M mount approximately a year later is not as good as the one that quietly replaced it only 4 years later in 1957.
It has been relatively widely reported, do see page 135 of Dennis Laney' fine "Leica Collectors Guide" work, that there were three significant 50mm Summicron lens formulations. There were actually at least four. In 1957 Leitz/Leica introduced less than universally recognized but highly significant subtle changes to the original 7/6 (see our discussion of he screw mount version for why we do not call it a 7/4 as other sources do) formulation. To casual observation the 1957 embodiment looks unchanged but both glass curvature and glass composition formulation were altered significantly resulting in measurably better optical results.
Version 1: Serial numbers 1,112,000 through 1,709,000 for a total of approximately 113,300 in both SM and M mounts. Takes an E39 filter/attachment. Identical in lens formulation (7/6: 7 elements in 6 groups) and performance to the prior and concurrent SM version.
Version 2: SECOND SUMMICRON 7/6 LENS FORMULATION Improved optical formulation this is an extraordinarily sharp lens for its era. This is an identical formulation to that employed in the DR physical embodiment which is renown as legendarily sharp. Some would also be employed in proper serial numbered later SM lenses, both rigid and collapsible mount. Serial numbers 1,400,001 through 2,358,300. For total production of approximately 120,000 in all embodiments and mounts. !957-1968
Version 3: As Version 2 but DR physical embodiment. Simultaneous in time and overlapping serial numbers as well. Without the "EYES", the DR functions identically to version 2 focusing down to 1 meter. With the "EYES", which render a generalized parallax offset adjustment, the lens will crank out to a focal distance of only 48cm. Mechanically extremely complex, this lens represents what is widely regarded as an amazing high point in Leica's manufacturing capabilities. 1957-1968
Version 4: Third optical version, lens formulation evolves to 6/5 (six elements in five groups) with another set of improvements in optical quality. Glass incorporated is more physically stable (resistant to haze/deterioration) and yields sharper higher contrast results. Close focus to 70cm. Serial numbers 2,269,251-2,915,800. Takes E39 filter/accessory.
Version 5: (Fourth Optical Version) 1979 to Now. Serial numbers 2,909,101 to 3,XXX,XXX (some overlap at low end with previous version) 6/4 (Six elements in Four Groups) lens formulation. Characterized by manifold physical changes and finishes (Black Chrome, Silver Chrome, Titanium Tan, Black Paint, Platinum, Gold, etc.). Built-in hood since 1994. Close focus to 70cm. Takes E39 Filter/accessory..."
Which Summicron
I found this summary at a vendor's website(camerarepair.com) which clears up a lot of apocryphal information that has floated about on this forum and others. I hope it will be of assistance. You will note that this author indicates that the version 4 and the current version are not the same glass design. He notes that version 5 has the fourth optical design, which is not the same as version 4 which is the
third optical design. That is probably where the confusion came in with some people claiming that the fifth (current) version has the same optics as version 4
Like many of you I am trying to decide which version to buy, and this summary is very helpful, not in giving subjective opinion, which this interesting thread has tried to accomplish, but just discusses the design differences.
"..Not all Summicrons were created equal in optical quality. There has been a steady progression of Summicron optical design improvements over the decades. The first version introduced initially as a SM for the Leica IIIf and then in M mount approximately a year later is not as good as the one that quietly replaced it only 4 years later in 1957.
It has been relatively widely reported, do see page 135 of Dennis Laney' fine "Leica Collectors Guide" work, that there were three significant 50mm Summicron lens formulations. There were actually at least four. In 1957 Leitz/Leica introduced less than universally recognized but highly significant subtle changes to the original 7/6 (see our discussion of he screw mount version for why we do not call it a 7/4 as other sources do) formulation. To casual observation the 1957 embodiment looks unchanged but both glass curvature and glass composition formulation were altered significantly resulting in measurably better optical results.
Version 1: Serial numbers 1,112,000 through 1,709,000 for a total of approximately 113,300 in both SM and M mounts. Takes an E39 filter/attachment. Identical in lens formulation (7/6: 7 elements in 6 groups) and performance to the prior and concurrent SM version.
Version 2: SECOND SUMMICRON 7/6 LENS FORMULATION Improved optical formulation this is an extraordinarily sharp lens for its era. This is an identical formulation to that employed in the DR physical embodiment which is renown as legendarily sharp. Some would also be employed in proper serial numbered later SM lenses, both rigid and collapsible mount. Serial numbers 1,400,001 through 2,358,300. For total production of approximately 120,000 in all embodiments and mounts. !957-1968
Version 3: As Version 2 but DR physical embodiment. Simultaneous in time and overlapping serial numbers as well. Without the "EYES", the DR functions identically to version 2 focusing down to 1 meter. With the "EYES", which render a generalized parallax offset adjustment, the lens will crank out to a focal distance of only 48cm. Mechanically extremely complex, this lens represents what is widely regarded as an amazing high point in Leica's manufacturing capabilities. 1957-1968
Version 4: Third optical version, lens formulation evolves to 6/5 (six elements in five groups) with another set of improvements in optical quality. Glass incorporated is more physically stable (resistant to haze/deterioration) and yields sharper higher contrast results. Close focus to 70cm. Serial numbers 2,269,251-2,915,800. Takes E39 filter/accessory.
Version 5: (Fourth Optical Version) 1979 to Now. Serial numbers 2,909,101 to 3,XXX,XXX (some overlap at low end with previous version) 6/4 (Six elements in Four Groups) lens formulation. Characterized by manifold physical changes and finishes (Black Chrome, Silver Chrome, Titanium Tan, Black Paint, Platinum, Gold, etc.). Built-in hood since 1994. Close focus to 70cm. Takes E39 Filter/accessory..."
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mojobebop
Well-known
----------------
i'm wondering about the bokeh comparrison between the dr summicron
and version 4-serial # 233....
calexg
Established
I like the Canadian-made version only because I am hugely patriotic! 
serge`vl
Member
Version 6: Black with "50" & built-in hood.
It's a really great lens. I like my one very much.
It's a really great lens. I like my one very much
.momus1
Established
My Wetzler version of the R Summicron 50 2.0 3 cam. I've used this on Canon Eos cameras w/ an adapter (there's also now an adapter/lens mount to put it on Nikon SLR's), as well as the usual Leica R cameras. It focuses down to 1 1/2 feet and is w/o a doubt the best lens I own. Usual beautiful Leica way of rendering images. I see no difference between pictures shot w/ it and my M Summicron 50's. Close ups are a lot easier w/ a SLR as you can see things come into focus and not worry about parallax issues. 1 or 2 cam versions can be found for $200 or less, which makes it the best deal around on Leica 50 glass.
qruyk12
Established
I have the 50 Jahre Summicron. Old style body with modern optics. Best of both worlds. What more could you ask for??
rya
Established
I have the current version. A "22" is written next to the m on the focusing scale. Does anyone know to what the 22 relates?
Srono
Established
rya
Established
Ah, thank you, Srono.
antistatic
Well-known
In the spirit of these objective polls I will vote for the only 50 summicron I have ever used, the collapsible.
I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of this lens from 2.8 onwards. It makes a nice contrast with the 50 lux asph.
I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of this lens from 2.8 onwards. It makes a nice contrast with the 50 lux asph.
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
I'm hoping that the latest version will be my favourite Summicron, simply as that's the one I've just bought.
Fingers crossed!
Fingers crossed!
Erik van Straten
Veteran
My favorite is the collapsible.
Tmax400, perceptol and printed on Ilford multigrade IV.
Erik.
Tmax400, perceptol and printed on Ilford multigrade IV.
Erik.
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