50mm "rigid" summicron

[innerimager]

Looking at many amazing 50 lux ASPH images has made to wonder if I shouldn't get one to go along with or replace my noctilux (former really). Meanwhile, I had already purchased a "rigid", chrome cron on e-bay for $400's to be my walk around general purpose 50, but hadn't really used it yet. One (me anyway) can get really jazzed by the possibilities in the newer leica lenses, especially when one is thinking about which new one to apply the discount to. But I came into this new world, (never shot an RF before November) in part because of the wonderful older lenses that are available. So, long intro... I finally tried the 50 cron today. Here's the ever accepting wife, F2, iso 640. The B&W was the camera JPG, the color version processed in Raw Developer using Jamies standard profile. Both cropped, resized, and slightly sharpened for web using photokit. When was this lens made, 1960's I believe? Man, I'm happy with it! P.S.- anyone know why Leica put that infinity lock on the lens? It means you have to hold the latch button to keep it open to focus close to infinity, why bother with this feature? I'm sure there's a reason I don't get. best....Peter

[carstenw]

If you could reveal something of its serial number, I could give you a date and order number for it. It does lack the razor sharpness of the 50 Lux Asph, which I have, but it has really pleasing characteristics for portraits. I am thinking of adding an older lens for exactly this, because the modern lenses are simply too sharp. The romanticism is gone. Then again, looking at your photo, this lens is no slouch wrt. sharpness.

[innerimager]

Hi Carsten- the # is1607140. Considering I would PP this to smooth the skin texture if she were a client, I guess it's sharp enough! I would be interested and grateful to hear when it was made, thanks......Peter

[tashley]

Originally Posted by carstenw

If you could reveal something of its serial number, I could give you a date and order number for it. It does lack the razor sharpness of the 50 Lux Asph, which I have, but it has really pleasing characteristics for portraits. I am thinking of adding an older lens for exactly this, because the modern lenses are simply too sharp. The romanticism is gone. Then again, looking at your photo, this lens is no slouch wrt. sharpness.

Carsten, read Sean's piece on 50mm M fit lenses - there's a Zeiss 50 1.5 designed for exactly your needs and it's $1063, much cheaper than many...

Tim

[Englander]

Since Carsten seems to be otherwise occupied (sleeping at night?!), probably 1958 is the year of production.

Joe

[innerimager]

ah, born in my decade, a natural couple indeed. Thanks Joe....Peter

[scott kirkpatrick]

Originally Posted by innerimager

the # is1607140. Considering I would PP this to smooth the skin texture if she were a client, I guess it's sharp enough! I would be interested and grateful to hear when it was made, thanks.

Since Carsten hasn't answered for a while, i looked up the lens and the number in Erwin Puts' Leica Lens Compendium. The lens was first shipped in 1957, and that range of serial numbers were released starting in 1958 (but the lens could have been manufactured a bit later.

scott

[Englander]

I have a 'lux from just a little later than that. The quality of the build of lenses from that period sets a standard. Mine is the smoothest focusing of all the Leica lenses I have ever used. I hope yours gives you as much pleasure.

Joe

[innerimager]

Thanks too Scott. Guess I should toast it for turning 50! And yes Joe, glad you mentioned this. The first thing I noticed about this lens was that the focus smoothness is incredibly satisfying, clearly better than the newer lenses I have purchased, and they are of course wonderful. But this summicron is truly special mechanically.....Peter

[scott kirkpatrick]

I've been using a collapsible Summicron from a few years earlier (1954), which is also pretty sharp. Now I'll have to stress test it to see if it can hold the kind of detail shown above.

scott

[colorflow]

Originally Posted by Englander

I have a 'lux from just a little later than that. The quality of the build of lenses from that period sets a standard. Mine is the smoothest focusing of all the Leica lenses I have ever used. I hope yours gives you as much pleasure.

Joe

The quality of lenses from that period just cannot be found today. I have been 'trading' up my old lenses for the latest ASPH ones since I bought the M8, but am keeping several for my M3. My favorites are the Lux 50 1st version, the 8-element Cron 35 with eyes, and the first Elmarit 90.

Alan

[carstenw]

I know that the Zeiss lenses are meant to be great, but quite honestly, I find the 1/3 stop aperture annoying and also don't like the designs much in general. I am looking for a previous-gen 50 Lux, probably, although I want to try it before buying. My dealer has his eyes open for me.

The lens is 1958, as reported:

Leica Objektiv Serienummer og produktionsår -Leica Lenses serial number and production year

Depending on whether it has a distance scale in meters or feet or both, and whether or not it has (an attachment point for) glasses, and whether it has a screw-mount or bayonet, I can give you the product number. There were 4626 of these lenses made in 1958. This lens has the same optical design as the famous dual-range Summicron, I believe. For example, if your lens is a bayonet version with distance scales in feet, it is probably a 11618.

[innerimager]

thanks Carsten, and yes mine is a bayonet version with distance in feet.....Peter

[innerimager]

here's another, with a better look at color character, f2......Peter