50mm summicron '50 Jahre' or 'Titanium'

[reddot925]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi guys,

 

Thanks for your help on Rigid, as few of you know I have finally ordered it!

 

Anyway now also finally convinced my friend to get his first Leica, he's going for the M9-P refurbished.   He wants lens that is a little different rather than something that a lot of people have.

 

He's settled on 50 cron for all around purpose and now asking which is better, 50 Jahre or Titanium,  I also don't know the answer to this one and said I'd check around, price is around the same.

 

Thank you for any input!

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited April 17, 2017 by reddot925

[lct]

I have no experience with them but both titanium (11624) & 50 jahre (11615) share the same optics as the regular 50/2 v5 (11826) AFAIK.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[reddot925]

Thank you, yes they do.   My friend's asking in terms of look and better long term resale value should he trade up one day.

Edited April 17, 2017 by reddot925

[lct]

Look is a matter of tastes of course and i have no idea about the feel of those versions re weigh, focus throw, etc. I cannot help you more sorry but as far as resale value is concerned, i would ask on the Collectors forum if i were you.

[Leicaiste]

I have the 50 Jahre which is my favourite V4. I never liked the V4' sliding hood version. A titanised lens on a chrome or silver body is not the most beautiful thing.

[reddot925]

Thank you @Ict I just posted the question on the collectors forum.

 

@Leicaiste I thought the 50 Jahre is the V5 glass?    Anyway agree with you on the titanium on silver body !

[Leicaiste]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I love the black paint 50 Jahre limited version. Here on my MP à la carte.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[Leicaiste]

Optically speaking, there are 4 versions + plus the Apo.

 

V1 collapsible lens mount silver chrome.

V2 Rigid silver chrome or black paint and DR chrome.

V3 Black chrome

V4 removable lens hood silver chrome or black chrome, 50 Year silver chrome or black paint, and sliding hood silver chrome or black chrome or titanized. (current)

 

Apo

Edited April 17, 2017 by Leicaiste

[luigi bertolotti]

Optically they are identical... and, for usage, the only appreciable difference is the fact that the titanium, based on the "normal" Summicron, has the built-in hood. The 50 jahre is styled SIMILAR (not LIKE) the old V2... but has the glass schema of today and, important, has the same "short" focus throw of the modern Summicrons (in use, this is the main practical difference towards the "old", the other being the absence of infinity lock)

 

BUT... if one thinks to have one of those two, other factors have to be considered... and is mainly a matter of personal taste... so my opinions are strictly personal :

 

- I don't love the titanium finishing (unless on a titanium body, and I suppose that the M9-P of your friend is a standard one - black or silver); on the other side, I have Always loved the chrome finishing of Leica lenses

 

- The 50 jahre, though not so rare (1000 made , iirc) is a "limited edition" ... in my opinion it will keep better a good value (even if I don't think it will become a "supervalued" item) : so much, of course, if it has original box etc...

 

As for me, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the 50 jahre over the Titanium... 2 or 3 years ago I was tempted to buy one for sale in Italy... I sometime regret to have not done it...

 

There is one detail I am not sure about : has the 50 jahre the unscrewable lens head like the old rigid Summicrons ?

Edited April 17, 2017 by luigi bertolotti

[reddot925]

@Leicaste , that looks great!   Is it available for sale anywhere?

[reddot925]

Thank you Luigi for the great advise.   Agree with what you are saying.

 

Not sure about the screw head, don't even know what's that for!

[Leicaiste]

@Leicaste , that looks great!   Is it available for sale anywhere?

Normally only in kit with the MP Classic (no meter cell).

 

https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Leica/Leica-M3/Leica-MP/index4.htm

 

I was lucky to find one separated from the body.

Edited April 17, 2017 by Leicaiste

[Leicaiste]

No, the head on the 50 Year doesn't unscrew.

[luigi bertolotti]

Thank you Luigi for the great advise.   Agree with what you are saying.

 

Not sure about the screw head, don't even know what's that for!

The lens head of the Summicron V2 is removable for using it for Macro on Bellows... and also (and that's the reason for I still like this facility) on the near focusing device SOMKY+UOORF : a set that focuses to 50cm, is small and light to carry with you, and is perfectly usable also on any digital Leica.

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

Edited April 17, 2017 by luigi bertolotti

[NB23]

The classic MP 50mm summicron (BP) is limited to 500 units.

 

The LHSA Summilux 50 LHSA (also BP) was limited to 500 sets ;with the MP-3) and 500 lenses without the MP-3, making them 1000 units in total.