50 Cron Question

[jklotz]

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I bought a used 50 cron for my M8 a few years back. It appears to be a 5th version, with removable plastic slotted hood. It says Leitz, not Leica, and was made in Canada. According to the serial number chart, it appears to be manufactured in or around 1981.

 

I've sold my M8 and now have an M9 on order and am trying to decide what to do about a 50, now that that focal length is more relevant. If given the finances, I'd get a new 50 Lux ASPH and be done with it, but just can't do it all at once.

 

I was never thrilled with it on my M8, Can't really say why, just didn't seem to have the sharpness, color or micro contrast I wanted. Mostly it just sat in the bag.

 

So my question is: Now that I need a good 50, a go to lens, I started to think about it again. Is this a decent lens? Is it worth sending in to get a cleaning and adjustment, possibly 6 bit coding? Or was the lackluster performance I saw with it on my M8 as good as this lens will do? Anybody have experience with one?

 

Thanks

[Ario Arioldi]

The Summicron in your hands has the same optical scheme as the current one and, even if I personally prefer the previous version (Wetzlar), it is an outstanding lens.

It might be that you have been unluky getting a less then perfect sample and if this is the case I would not spend money to get it fixed and coded: easier and cheaper to find a better sample: it has been produced for about 15 years and there are plenty in the second hand market. Alternatively you may search for a current version sample (telescopic hood) or, even better, for a Wetzlar (but this is my very personal judgement).

BTW the 50 mm is my preferred focal lenght and for this reason I own 3 Summicrons, 2 Summilux and H.H. the Noctilux (only one:( ).

Cheers,

Ario

[jklotz]

Thanks Ario. Out of curiosity, why does mine say Leitz and not Leica?

[Ario Arioldi]

Thanks Ario. Out of curiosity, why does mine say Leitz and not Leica?

r

You know Leitz was the original name (fron the founder) and Leica was introduced later on from Lei (tz) and ca(mera).

On the evolution and history of the brand and its logo there are plenty of books and it is almost impossible to address the issue here.

You may whish to refer for exemple to " Volker Albus and Achim Heine: Views of brand culture LEICA".

It is a nice and intriguing matter, if you are interested:)

Cheers,

Ario

[Stevez4]

If your lens is one of those beginning 335 it is an excellent 50, but not as sharp as the current cron. F2 is not its sweet spot unless you send it off to Solms. I use mine forB/W.

[Ario Arioldi]

If your lens is one of those beginning 335 it is an excellent 50, but not as sharp as the current cron. F2 is not its sweet spot unless you send it off to Solms. I use mine forB/W.

May I ask you what has happened to the Summicon 50 design after 335xxxx? To the best of my knowledge the optical scheme is unchanged since 1979 (2.967.000), may be some fine tuning on the coating, but nothing so dramatic.

But of course I may be wrong.

I do not know any Leica lens having its sweet spot at f: 2.0; in general you should go to at least f:4.0 or f:5.6 to have the best performances in terms or resolution/contrast.

I do not think that sending your lens to Solms will change that.

Cheers,

Ario

[jklotz]

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Mine must be older - it starts with 309

[jbgeach]

My 50 cron is 3 years older than I am at 35. It is still one of the shapest lenses I own and has one of the most beautiful bokeh's I have ever had the pleasure to see.