Your favourite 50/2 Summicron?

Your favourite 50/2 Summicron?

  • Version 1: Collapsible

    Votes: 147 14.7%

  • Version 2: Rigid

    Votes: 172 17.2%

  • Version 3: Dual Range

    Votes: 200 20.0%

  • Version 4: Black

    Votes: 107 10.7%

  • Version 5: Black with "50"

    Votes: 147 14.7%

  • Version 6: Black with "50" & built-in hood

    Votes: 229 22.9%
  • Total voters
    1,002
ffttklackdedeng said:
Yes! A a rigid or a DR is the way to go for the M3 (got a DR myself). Btw: you made me buy K64!
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Good for you on the K64!

As for me, I kind of blew it last week on a mint rigid. I did not know how much they went for and told the guy I wanted the weekend to "think about it" when offered to me at $500. Within 24 hours, it went up $100 and was listed and as far as I know has sold.

I kind of give up for now, there is nothing in sight and I don't really like the top mount plate on the DR.

So right now, I have three M bodies and two lenses, hahaha!

At least one of them is a 50 aspheric..:D
 
The latest summicron is the finest lens I've ever shot. Like it more than the Asph 35 cron. I regularly print negs from this lens at 1620, and couln't ask for more. I must say I've only shot this Leica 50, and understand that the previous version is the same optically, but I'm not a huge fan of those focusing knobs or lumps or tabs on many of the leica lenses, and don't miss it at all on my 50.
 
Well,

Since it looks like I am not going to find a decent rigid summicron anytime soon, in detail, how does the collapsable compare in all regards?

I have three big projects that I need to get back to, so I just can't spend a ton of time on here pouring over the internet looking for a great lens that is just not out there. I know of two mint collapsables, is the rigid that much better?

I know the DR is a great lens too, I am just not a fan of the plate for the eyes.

Any comments?
 
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I have the collapsible on my M3. It's the only leica lens I'ver ever had so I can't compare. I find it to be a religious experience as long as I'm not shooting against the light. It flares pretty readily. I'm trying to learn techniques that will give me the contre-jour look without the flare. When I look at the prints of my best pictures, it's just something I haven't seen in my 40 years of photography (Nikon, Rollei, Pentax, et al). Erwin Puts says that the DR and the rigid (he says they are the same) are a pretty big step up from the collapsible. Good luck!
 
KM-25 said:
I know the DR is a great lens too, I am just not a fan of the plate for the eyes.

Any comments?
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The look of the plate is not that obvious / disturbing once it's on the camera. In the lens only pictures it grabs more attention imho. E.g.: http://infocam.co.kr/X2-m130/images/082-leica-m4.jpg

I was looking for a nice rigid one (first version, there were 2 of both rigid and DR), too, but finally grabbed a DR and now the plate doesn't bother me at all. I wanted the rigid because of the missing plate and the focussing lever but the DR has the close focusing advantage, just in case. It is a heavy lens and feels like incredible mechanical quality (good match for the M2/3). Assuming the collapsible is more like the Summitar I'd rather pass by the collapsible. Just my opinion of course
 
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...............Still thinking about it.

I have found a like new, perfect glass collapsable with the 12585 hood in the same condition for $400 shipped. I have also been offered a clean DR without the eyes for $320....

Hmmmmm....dunno....

I think for absolute quality from a 50, my 50 Asph will not be beat, especially in the flare department.

But I might like the super soft and classic look of the collapsable, besides, it was HCB's main lens for decades:
 
Well, I scored a really nice 50 collapsable for not very much and I already love it.
It will go in for a CLA as the aperture ring is really tight and there is a good amount of haze in it. But the bokeh? Wow is it nice, very classic looking. I have to say with all the comments about this lens being soft wide open, I am surprised at how sharp it is at 2.0.

I really would not want it to be any sharper, it is perfect! If I want insane sharp, I can use my 50 Asph for that. Glad I got it, beautiful on my M3!!

F/11.0 with Kodak C-41 black and white, scanned with Nikon coolscan, Boosted contrast in PS.
 
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Wide open? Looks like it for the OOF areas, Nice!

DougFord said:
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collapsable summicron
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Once I get the haze cleaned out, I will give it a try.

For the most part, the M3/ 50 Cron will only see black and white.

I have two M6's for the Kodachrome.

DougFord said:
thanks Daniel. I don't remember the f-stop. I'm thinking f4 or f2.8.
Wonder how some of that kodachrome would render the light that traveled through this lens?
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DougFord said:
bnew5.jpg




thanks Daniel. I don't remember the f-stop. I'm thinking f4 or f2.8.
Wonder how some of that kodachrome would render the light that traveled through this lens?
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Beautiful portrait, doug.
 
Version 3 DR, I do some up close field work and have found the closer focus a real plus. High quality pictures and superb engineering.
 
I've been very surprised at how popular this thread has been - it just refuses to die! :D


As for me I've had a few regrets about selling the 4th version Summicron I picked up on eBay last year, even though I'm more of a 35mm guy if the truth be told.
I definately see another Leica 50 in my future, but this time I think I'll go for a collapsible Summicron or Summitar for that vintage look.


I find it surprising how even the results of the poll have been, it just goes to show why "Summicron" is such a badge of quality for lenses I guess.
 
I have only used a Summicron DR, so that is my choice. Nice lens optically but way too heavy. It's been lurking in a box for a while now, as I don't have a camera to use it with.
 
I love my 50 collapsable, small, simple and waaaay sharper than people give it credit for. This is a pic of a friend of mine who is battling cancer...at age 38. She is not in town anymore and came to visit taking a break from treatment. It is hard to say how it is going to turn out.

My little silver M3 put a smile on her face...:)

Ilford XP2, 50 collapsable at F2.0, 1/50 of a second. The M3 and the 50 Col. is the best little happy snap camera I have ever had..
 
only own the collapsable for my m3 but it has done everything i have ever asked of it ..... never noticed a problem with flare as many people have mentioned (i do use a lens hood) just a thing of beauty .... love the tab, love the lock, love the classic look plus i bought it 16 years ago for a total investment of $100 which includes sending it to DAG for CLA (i would rate it very close to mint) wish i could find a deal like that these days
 
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