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Summicron 50 mm advice


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:)

 

I would like to appeal to users experience...

 

Im looking for a summicron 50 mm for my M8

 

At the moment, i have 2 options, for around 350-400 euro

 

Summicron rigid 1965 chrome

 

or

 

Summicron 1973

 

Any input ?

 

I would also like to ask, how can i see the diference between the rigid and the rigid dual range,

 

The dual range only works with the googles

 

How can i see wich is dual range ?

 

 

Thanks in advance...

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x

The 1965 Summicron has lower contrast, which works out well for a digital camera- better preservation of shadow detail and highlights.

 

The 1973 Summicron will focus to 0.7m.

 

My choice was easy. I have both. But I would get the 1965 Summicron first, given that the glass is in good condition.

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brianv

 

Thank you very much, for your good advice...

 

For what i`ve i read on the web, before i posted here, i was inclined for the 1965...

 

I was just doubting, precisely about you replied... you helped me a lot in that one...

 

According to the seller, the lens was serviced a month ago

 

you reckon 400 euro is a good price ?

 

Thank you...

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jc_braconi

 

 

 

Thank you for the warnig about the dual range...i also read something about on the web, that it was not compatible with the M6 because some issues would come out, then in my research, i saw that was not compatible with the M8 because of what you just wrote...

 

Apart from what CWEG wrote, about the nose, are there any more caractheristics that diferenciate one from another ( dual range and normal rigid ) ?

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jc_braconi

 

 

 

Thank you for the warnig about the dual range...i also read something about on the web, that it was not compatible with the M6 because some issues would come out, then in my research, i saw that was not compatible with the M8 because of what you just wrote...

 

Apart from what CWEG wrote, about the nose, are there any more caractheristics that diferenciate one from another ( dual range and normal rigid ) ?

 

No optical differences between the two (of course, besides the "nose", the focusing mount is diffrent, to allow close range of focus) : there is a sort of urban legend that DR lenses are "someway better" , which for me is a legend and no more. Moreover, normal rigid Summicrons were made in 3 slightly different focals (51,6 51,9 52,2) while DRs are all of the same focal (don't remember which) : the exact focal is scratched on the lens barrel (you must unscrew the lens unit) and identified by a code engraved next to the distance scale... it was important because Leitz, at the times of transition between screw and bayonet Leicas, listed BM focusing mounts to allow SM Summicrons to be converted in BM and a right matching was necessary.

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jc_braconi

 

 

 

Thank you for the warnig about the dual range...i also read something about on the web, that it was not compatible with the M6 because some issues would come out, then in my research, i saw that was not compatible with the M8 because of what you just wrote...

 

Apart from what CWEG wrote, about the nose, are there any more caractheristics that diferenciate one from another ( dual range and normal rigid ) ?

Dual range means you have 1 : a 1m to infinity focus range

2 : inserting a goggle on a dovetail rail and pulling the focusing ramp upon a step you can next focus from 90cm to 45cm .

Please have a look here :

Objectif LEICA Summicron 50 mm f/2 (1956-1968)

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brianv

 

Thank you very much, for your good advice...

 

For what i`ve i read on the web, before i posted here, i was inclined for the 1965...

 

I was just doubting, precisely about you replied... you helped me a lot in that one...

 

According to the seller, the lens was serviced a month ago

 

you reckon 400 euro is a good price ?

 

Thank you...

 

It might be a reasonable price if it has been serviced and if it has no faults - but - with any old lens you really need to be aware of what to look for as regards possible faults which could include:

 

1) Balsam separation where Newtons rings are visible between the elements

2) Scratches in the lens coatings which might only be visible when the lens elements are viewed at various angles against the light.

3) Oil residue on the lens diaphragm

4) Looseness or stiffness in the focusing ring.

5) Stiffness in the aperture ring movement

6) Haziness or cloudiness in the glass elements.

 

Don't take the seller's word that it has been serviced unless documentary evidence is available. Best not to buy the first 50mm Summicron you see - have a look at several and ask to try them before you buy.

 

And it's best to buy from a reputable dealer.

 

In the UK, 400 Euros would be considered expensive for a rigid chrome Summicron unless it was in really pristine condition.

 

Also, a 50mm lens on an M8 is the equivalent of 66.5mm on a full frame format when the 1.33 crop factor is taken into account. You might be better off considering getting a decent 35mm lens or even a 40mm Summicron C ... the latter would be the equivalent of 53mm.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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Well

 

Thank you very much for all the feed back

 

 

Since i started using Leica, besides the smile that i have every time i press the shutter,the feeling of shooting with such a mythical camera,the taking my time to capture, i`ve been re-learnig so much about photography ...

 

Every time i went to a photography store, i would always say to my wife-That is my dream...a Leica...

 

She would say, why not buy one ?- Too expensive...i would say

 

But i saved the money, i bought one, and since then i`m having so much pleasure in using it and reading a lot about what a Leica represents...and i got back a lost pleasure in photographic walkabout...

 

 

I wish you all a happy ending of 2009 !!! The year i bought my first Leica :)

 

Ps-Dunk...pardon my ignorance...Newtons rings ?

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Newton's rings ... once seen never forgotten

 

Newton's Rings

 

... see the illustrations.

 

In photographic lenses they are caused by the lens element cement degrading thus causing separation and the tell tale 'rings' interference pattern.

 

Happy New Year

 

dunk

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Once seen never forgotten... :) Thank you Dunk

 

 

I think i found out another way to diferenciate both lenses....for a Leica Laic as me....

 

-The dual range, shows focus numbers till 0.55 the Rigid just to 1 mt...

-The diaphragm ring is diferent also...

 

This, after looking and comparing in a online shop...

 

Am i near ? :)

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400Euro for a near-perfect late (1965) Rigid Summicron is a reasonable price. in the US, I have seen them at camera shows for $600.

 

Mine is older, 1957- and the coatings are softer than the later lens of 1965. The 1965 is highly desirable.

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I have not used this lens on an M8, but have used digital cameras for a very long time. Digital cameras tend to "clip" images (lose shadow detail and saturate highlights) more than film cameras. For this reason older Leitz lenses with lower contrast should perform well on them.

 

I'm waiting for a good used M8 or M8.2 to come along. I've resisted for a long time, and use these lenses on an M2 and M3. But the digital camera would be faster to test my "lens hacks".

 

http://ziforums.com/showthread.php?p=1762#post1762

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the rigid 50mm Summicron works very well with the digital Leicas....:)

 

this is a picture done with my rigid Summicron on a M9 at a "LEICA meeting"...

 

very low light....

 

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!

 

regards,

Jan

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