Summilux 50mm decent price ?

[Ulev]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi,

 

New in the Leica "world", I would like some advice about the purchase of a summilux 50mm.

As far as I was able to find out, you have 5 "versions ?

 

I tend to go for a second version ( can't afford an asph one).

 

 

What's a decent/common price for a summilux 50 "second version" black and chrome ?

 

Your advice and comments regarding prices and my choice of version are very much appreciated !

 

Rgds

Ulev

[luigi bertolotti]

The story of the Summilux 50 is rather simple :

1) there is a first version, s/n < 1.844.000, which was a slight modification of an old design (summarut 50 1,5); mostly a collectible.

2) Then entered the second design which, in terms of optics remained unchanged for decades, but has many variants in finishing and mechanics : the last have the built in hood, which is appreciable.

3) Then arrived the asph.

 

So, you can search for a version 2) : its age does not matter very much: on the contrary, any item has to be properly checked for glass conditions, focusing smoothness, correct focusing, diaphragm's blades conditions etc... a 50mm lens of a certain age has been probably used a lot: my item is a 2nd version from 1961... and has taken hundreds, or maybe thousands of pics...

In Europe, a GOOD Sumilux of the 2nd type has a price that is in the range of 1000-1200 Euros (higher for the last version) : though made for years and years, is not so common in the market, so is difficult to find a decent item below those figures: usually the chromes have a slightly higher cost... but isn't a general rule, and conditions command the price.

 

It's a lens which is still very appreciable, and even at full aperture can be used with confidence (different in this from the old Summilux 35, which at 1,4, in many light conditions, shows a significant flare); one must not expect to get top sharpness at 1,4, but from f2 on it is similar to the Summicron(s) 50 of same age, which is still a very good reference for a classic 50mm.

 

Here's a pair of serious dealers which have some for sale right now :

http://www.newoldcamera.com/index.aspx

https://www.leicashop.com/

[Ulev]

Mr Bertolotti,

 

Thank you very much for your reply !

 

So optically you can kinda categorize 3 versions.

 

Mechanically I wonder if the "different" focus ring on version 2 is a bonus or not, compared with the "round" focus ring on the newer versions.

 

Thank you !

 

Rgds

Ulev

 

 

 

 

 

The story of the Summilux 50 is rather simple :

1) there is a first version, s/n < 1.844.000, which was a slight modification of an old design (summarut 50 1,5); mostly a collectible.

2) Then entered the second design which, in terms of optics remained unchanged for decades, but has many variants in finishing and mechanics : the last have the built in hood, which is appreciable.

3) Then arrived the asph.

 

So, you can search for a version 2) : its age does not matter very much: on the contrary, any item has to be properly checked for glass conditions, focusing smoothness, correct focusing, diaphragm's blades conditions etc... a 50mm lens of a certain age has been probably used a lot: my item is a 2nd version from 1961... and has taken hundreds, or maybe thousands of pics...

In Europe, a GOOD Sumilux of the 2nd type has a price that is in the range of 1000-1200 Euros (higher for the last version) : though made for years and years, is not so common in the market, so is difficult to find a decent item below those figures: usually the chromes have a slightly higher cost... but isn't a general rule, and conditions command the price.

 

It's a lens which is still very appreciable, and even at full aperture can be used with confidence (different in this from the old Summilux 35, which at 1,4, in many light conditions, shows a significant flare); one must not expect to get top sharpness at 1,4, but from f2 on it is similar to the Summicron(s) 50 of same age, which is still a very good reference for a classic 50mm.

 

Here's a pair of serious dealers which have some for sale right now :

Newoldcamera - Home page

https://www.leicashop.com/