doug_m Posted July 31, 2011 Share #1 Â Posted July 31, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a chance to buy a 50mm Summicron - Wetzlar serial # 2444052 with hood and uv filter for $600. Is this a good price? The lens is in great shape and is very sharp on my M9. It seems like I could resell for the same price in a flash if it turns out I don't use the lens much. The seller is a friend who has no use for it since selling his M6. Â I have a 50 1.4 ASPH as well but it seems like this summicron is a special lens. Any other thoughts about this lens from the forum experts? Â All comments appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 31, 2011 Posted July 31, 2011 Hi doug_m, Take a look here Is this a good price for a 50 summicron ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
hunta Posted July 31, 2011 Share #2 Â Posted July 31, 2011 Bite his arm off. Â Any Summicron in good condition is going to be a steal at that price. Just check completed eBay listings for a comparison, in conjunction with a serial # reference site to ensure you're comparing apples with apples. I'm reasonably confident about the conclusion though, and the chance to have tried it and buying direct from a trusted source is also worth a lot. Â The only problem you'll face is the moral dilemma when you turn round and sell it at a profit! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbonthemoon Posted July 31, 2011 Share #3 Â Posted July 31, 2011 cron is excellent for film IMHO, and lux seems to be better for digital if you've got the lux, and not going to shoot film, there is no point to get cron in my opinion make your friend a favor, explain that he can sell it probably twice expensive on Ebay Or buy it for six hundreds, sell twice expensive on Ebay, wait till your friend finds this out one way or another, and shorten your friends list by one Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 31, 2011 Share #4 Â Posted July 31, 2011 Great lens indeed. Was my first Leica lens in 1971. $600 is a great price as well. My only reservation is that you own one of the best if not the best 50 ever made already. You might well find this Summicron a bit soft at f/2 by comparison. Overall contrast will be lower as well. But again it is an excellent lens that you can re-sale for more if need be Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 31, 2011 Share #5 Â Posted July 31, 2011 ...You might well find this Summicron a bit soft at f/2... Which can be an advantage for portrait though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 31, 2011 Share #6 Â Posted July 31, 2011 I would be tempted to buy the lens and accept that it will give you a glorious alternative rendering on your M9, not only for portraits, especially female portraits, but also for producing attractive dreamy creamy landscapes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SangNguyen Posted July 31, 2011 Share #7 Â Posted July 31, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I wish I had a friend like yours. It is very good price for that classical lens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted July 31, 2011 Share #8 Â Posted July 31, 2011 Doug, According to the serial number it is manufactured in 1970 I also have a Summicron, but on my Leicaflex SL at the same date and as you say, i obtain great pictures Best Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_m Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share #9 Â Posted August 1, 2011 Thanks everyone. Any more expert opinions out there? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 1, 2011 Share #10 Â Posted August 1, 2011 I would prefer an earlier version for "dreamy" landscapes personally as the 50/2 # 11817 is a sharp lens indeed and i would not expect to see much difference with the current version at f/2.8 and on. Just a guess though as i don't own the 11817 any more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug_m Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share #11 Â Posted August 2, 2011 I would prefer an earlier version for "dreamy" landscapes personally as the 50/2 # 11817 is a sharp lens indeed and i would not expect to see much difference with the current version at f/2.8 and on. Just a guess though as i don't own the 11817 any more. Â Â Is the model definitely 11817 ? The lens is not 6 bit coded so it has to be entered manually on the m9. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 2, 2011 Share #12 Â Posted August 2, 2011 Yes it is the 3rd optical version of the Summicron 50 which was built between 1969 and 1979. It can be 6-bit coded according to Leica (http://tinyurl.com/3uq3qxt). You might wish to hand code it as well, or abstain to code it at all given that coding is not mandatory for 50mm lenses on the M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotone Posted August 3, 2011 Share #13  Posted August 3, 2011 I bought a mint rigid version (1966) with no box but both caps, from a dealer in Jan of this year for £565 posed from Holland.  The lens is amazing considering it's age. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted August 3, 2011 Share #14 Â Posted August 3, 2011 If it is from 1966 it is the previous version (11818 or 11918). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Val Posted August 3, 2011 Share #15 Â Posted August 3, 2011 I had that lens on my M9. The one with no 50 on the barrel. I think is the same. I love the portraits with that one. Very nice and dreamy. A real Leica touch to any pictures. I did use it without hood and I was fine. Make sure you don't hear or feel a noise or feel a strange movment in the focus barrel. Mine was having a play when I was playing with the focus ring. Price is spot on. I will get it and use it day by day and give the Lux a brake once in a while. Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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