Help with new or used 50mm for M8

[seattlesteve]

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I am working with a budget of around $1200 for a new or used 50mm for my M8. I've come across a used 50mm Summicron Rigid Type 2 that is beautiful for its age. I've also read some mixed reviews about various non-Leica 50mm lenses.

 

What are your thoughts on the 50mm Rigid vs a Zeiss (Sonnar 1.5 or Planer 2.0)?

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Hallo,

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[k-hawinkler]

Does it focus correctly?

 

K-H.

[seattlesteve]

Does it focus correctly?

 

K-H.

 

Yes, focus is on, color is great, but I'm not sure if $1200 is a fair price.

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[k-hawinkler]

Yes, focus is on, color is great, but I'm not sure if $1200 is a fair price.

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Well, in the fall I bought a 50mm Summicron-M, made in 2001, for about $1200 USD. It was and is in Like New minus ( LN- ) condition. Since then used lenses got a lot scarcer. This should at least give you a rough orientation. Some 50mm Summicron Rigid Type 2 sell on ebay for less, but then you don't really know in what shape they are. Some also sell for a lot more.

 

BTW, in what year was the 50mm Summicron Rigid Type 2 made?

You probably should also check for flare resistance.

 

Good luck, K-H.

[luigi bertolotti]

Yes, focus is on, color is great, but I'm not sure if $1200 is a fair price.

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This means that you have had the chance to have it in your hands and test, I suppose: well, this is a big advantage when looking for a used item ; I'd say that you can buy it safe if results do satisfy you : the price isn't low but not too high, either... supposed the glass is perfect, focus good and movements smooth, is the cosmetic of the body that can justify the price : here, for instance, Newoldcamera - Home page you can find some comparision prices (Euros)

 

Summicron 50 maybe is not the best value for money in absolute terms... but at the same time is a lens that one can always count on, and an item which will never see its value dropping next to nought... too much a legendary lens.

[seattlesteve]

That is good advice for looking at a used lens. There is some comfort in knowing that the lens is not way over priced and will most likely hold its value for the time being. The movement was smooth and the optics were clean. I will go and take another look at it this weekend. Thanks for your help.

[lct]

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The Summicron 50 version 2 (# 11818 - SOSIC - 1956-1968) is a 40+ years old lens. It is less contrasty than more recent versions. See: Summicron-M 50mm Rigid - Leica User Forum. If you like focus tabs the version 5 (4th optical version # 11819 or 11825 - 1978-1994) is smaller, lighter and can be had for less than $1,000 on e**y. FWIW.

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[Carl E]

If price is an issue I would draw your attention to the Zeiss Planar, which in my experience could be picked up for 500-600 USD on the second hand market. Admittedly, the ZM lenses do not have the same "feel" as a traditional Leica (chrome) lens, but in terms of Image Quality they are excellent.

[jim_buchanan]

The Summicron 50 version 2 (# 11818 - SOSIC - 1956-1968) is a 40+ years old lens. It is less contrasty than more recent versions. See: Summicron-M 50mm Rigid - Leica User Forum. If you like focus tabs the version 5 (4th optical version # 11819 or 11825 - 1978-1994) is smaller, lighter and can be had for less than $1,000 on e**y. FWIW.

 

Ditto. This is what I have. German made, tabbed, 11819.

[lct]

Ditto. This is what I have. German made, tabbed, 11819.

Yes the 11819 is the black version. Most of them were buit in Canada. Here with convex focus tab. Later copies have a concave one. The 11825 is the rarer and more expensive chrome version.

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[wilfredo]

Here's another option. The Konica Hexanon 50mm f/2 is very comparable in IQ to the Summicron. I just sold mine on E-Bay only because I'm aiming to purchase the new Summilux 50mm ASPH. If you can find one of these you can't go wrong with it. All the Zeiss lenses I've worked with are excellent but if you are into a soft bokeh wide open you won't get that with a Zeiss, on the other hand the colors and micro-contrast are brilliant. Zeiss lenses are also very sharp.

[tbarker13]

The Zeiss Planar is an excellent lens. It's all a matter of personal preference, but I sold my 50 summicron after trying out the planar.

But if you must have a 50 Cron, I'd keep shopping. I've seen 50 rigid crons in excellent condition (no scratches on glass, etc.) selling routinely in the $600 range.

 

You can see a bunch of examples with the planar and an M8 on my Flickr stream, linked below. Both color and B&W.

[mobeyone]

Yes the 11819 is the black version. Most of them were buit in Canada. Here with convex focus tab. Later copies have a concave one. The 11825 is the rarer and more expensive chrome version.

 

How rare is the chrome cron as above?

[khiromu]

For 50mm, I would pick up either Hexanon or Planar for less money. Those perform very well. Or, of course Nokton F1.5 is very good at less expensive than Hexanon.

[lct]

How rare is the chrome cron as above?

Was produced for 3 years (1992-1994) vs 15 or 16 years (1979-1994) for the black version. 200 special copies were made in 1992 for the M6 Colombo.

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[andym911]

steve

go and find a 50mm 3,5 elmar in mint condition for less than 300....enjoy it like mad and then, if the images you make really don't make it because of the lens then go for your cron or whatever.....

 

you may be surprised;)

good luck

andy

[seattlesteve]

This is all very helpful, thanks for all the replies. The Zeiss Planar consistently comes up as a great performer. One question I have about the Planar is the color rendition. Warm, cool, neutral? In my limited exposure to Leica lenses I've been very pleased with the colors coming from my 35mm Summarit. My other lens, a Voigtlander 75mm Color-Heliar, has been disappointing with regards to color rendition.

[tgray]

I bought a used latest version 50 Summicron for $550 about 3 years ago. I know that was a good deal, but there's no way I'd spend $1200 on an even older one. That's almost halfway to a used 50/1.4 ASPH.

 

I'd go with the Planar unless you found a Summicron for a great price.

[tdtaylor]

Good luck finding a used 50 lux ASPH. I acquired the latest version 50 cron for about $1,000 in mint condition several month ago. Took a while, but what a lens. I do have a 50 lux ASPH on order, but it will not supplant the 50 cron, at least when the light is good. Interesting that I'm not real concerned when the 50 lux arrives........

[tgray]

Used ASPH's are starting to turn up. So are M9's. I looked for mine for quite some time - deals come around.