wpm Posted June 3, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted June 3, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a chance to pick up a 50 summilux version 1 in good shape. I keep reading conflicting reviews on this version as opposed to the later ones. I know it's soft wide open but feel that for what I want ( portraits among other things), that may not be a bad thing. I would appreciate everyone's thoughts on the matter. Ebay prices are nuts, which makes the one I can get look pretty good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 3, 2012 Posted June 3, 2012 Hi wpm, Take a look here 50 summilux help. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lars_bergquist Posted June 4, 2012 Share #2  Posted June 4, 2012 Do you by 'version 1' mean the 1959–1961 version, serial number below 1,844,000? The black mount lenses of both v.1 and v.2 (1962–2004) did originally have the same factory code no. 11114.  This v.1 lens is really a modernized Summarit 1:1.5. Contrast is low when wide open (though that is maybe not so important in the digital age) but detail rendering is decent, and just as with the old Summarit and the Summilux v.2, performance was creditable at mid-apertures, with a very good maximum at apertures 5.5 to 8.  The v.2 had a lot more 'bite' wide open, especially on center, and I did like it very much, not least because of its strong resistance to flare and internal reflections. Still, I replaced it with a Summilux ASPH in 2005.  The old man from the Xenon Age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergius Posted June 4, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted June 4, 2012 The version I is wonderful lens. But it's very difficult to find one in good shape. Many have problem about alignment of lens. So be careful ! PS: Sorry for my broken English.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted June 4, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted June 4, 2012 I love my V2 50 lux, wonderful for portraits Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpm Posted June 4, 2012 Author Share #5 Â Posted June 4, 2012 Thanks for your input. The version I am looking at is indeed the one between '59 and '61, with a serial number at 1688xxx. I am shooting film as I haven't bit the bullet for a DRF. I'm more interested in how the lens would draw rather than sharpness per se. I like the idea of using it wide open for a softer, flattering portrait, isolating the subject, etc. but don't want it so soft that it gets in the way of what I'm trying to do. Hopefully, I'll get to try it on an M9 and download the results to see how it looks. Thanks for the warning about alignment. I'm always fearful of buying something almost as old as me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted June 4, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted June 4, 2012 The v.1 wide open draws not unlike the 'pre-aspheric' v.3 90mm Summicron at f/2. Some people like that lens too for portraits. Â The old man fron the Xenon Age Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnum Image Posted June 5, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted June 5, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm not sure if you have purchased the lens yet but if it's true performance at fast speeds you're after then you might be well served to check out the Voigtlander 35mm 1.2. Sharp and beautiful OOF area wide open. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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