Which 50mm summicron?

[Dikaiosune01]

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I am almost certain that this isn't the first time this question has been asked, but after a search of the past five pages and careful consideration of my particular circumstances I decided to start a new thread. I would greatly appreciate any contribution by better experts than myself. I will be as thorough as possible.

I've been slowly easing myself into the world of leica. I currently shoot daily with the Leica M3 with a 50mm zeiss planar. I also recently acquired a 28mm elmarit that I'm enjoying a lot. I am also waiting for a M240. With factors like disposal income, 6 bit coding, good deals, and equivalent filter sizes; which 50mm summicron might best suit my purposes?

On a day to day basis, I like to shoot documentary type stuff; but I do consider myself heavily influenced (or at least I want to be) by street photography. I find my sytle beginning to emerge and solidify and I would like a set of equipment that would reflect that. I have also included my in-development website with some of the photos that I take. http://dikaiosune01.wordpress.com/photos

Hopefully that will assist you in better characterizing me as a photographer and be sufficient information as to which 50mm summicron would be best for me.

 

Note: I do not wish to spend too much money, like on the APO. I think the nature of this question; in my mind at least, is a functional and aesthetic characteristic of older summicrons (i.e. DR 50mm) versus the most recent incarnation.

Thank you

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[algrove]

Nothing wrong with the current 50/2 Cron and I am sure plenty of used ones exist. It takes 39mm filters which match the 28 Elmarit filters if it's the latest iteration. It does not have a finger notch. Some like that and some do not.

 

The 11819 50 Cron is a nice lens and has a finger notch.

 

Just happen to remember the 40 Summicron. Terrific lens and reasonably priced.

 

Make sure you want a 50 and not a 35. Maybe rent both to see before expending funds.

 

Most of all have fun and show us more images.

[TomB_tx]

All the 50 Summicrons are nice lenses, and all resolve detail well, but there are significant differences in the images. The current version (pull out hood) has the same optics as all made after 1979 - just different body details. (There may be better flare control on the latest.) I like a focus tab - and that version is usually a bit less expensive than the pull-out hood version. On my M3 I like the "rigid" chrome with infinity lock - which is a lower-contrast lens, but feels good on an M3. I also have a dual-range version, but I prefer the handling of the plain rigid, as the DR has the focus and aperture too close together.

The Planar is a great lens also, with higher contrast and less flare than the Summicrons. I use mine a lot, and can't decide whether I like it or the current Summicron better. I don't think you'll see a great difference getting a Summicron 50 - so the advice of going with a 35 first is a good idea.

[wda]

As you do documentary photography, go for a current 50 Summicron. To save money, look for a carefully handled used specimen. It is one of my favourite lenses and I retained my original one bought new with my M3 in the 1960s. The old is a very worthy performer, but the latest has a clear advantage for documentary work.

[algrove]

So OP, tell us what you plan. Thanks.

[friedeye]

I'm not sure what you're going to achieve over the Planar, unless you get the latest lens. I'd keep the Planar as your 50 and buy the 40 Cron, as suggested.

 

For street, I think the 40 is a terrific lens (I use the Nokton 40). It's tiny, and, if you file the flange (easy), it brings up the 35 frame line - and that will fit your 40 very well. It also will give you just enough over the 28 to have a very different feel, yet still be wide enough to give context to your street shots.

 

The 40 Cron is one of the biggest bargains on the market.

[Dikaiosune01]

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My thought process has been a very very long one, and often quite convoluted. The main reason is at the heart of the matter, i'm just trying to rationalize my "G.A.S"

 

I do have the Voigtlander 40mm F/1.4 Single coat. Tried it, and found myself always leaning torward and prefering the planar. I am still keeping it as I might give it another try because I am much more proficient in my photographer than when I first tried the planar.

 

I am not too worried about the 35mm. But I have been curious about the Voigtlander 35mm F/2.5. But this will most likely be a summer affair.

 

The key lenses I want to work with are the 28mm the 50mm and the 135mm (when needed). Before the 28mm I had the 21mm. Which was fun to use, but I always thought it was far too wide. and since I had very little affinity torward 35mm, I was leaning torward the 28mm. Thus I got the 28mm elmarit. The next step in building my 'go-to' kit is the 50mm. Do I want to keep the planar? or Do I want a summicron? Some of my reasons to get the 50mm summicron is (1) 39mm filter sizes (2) 6 bit coding - when I get my M240 (3) solidarity (4) rendering and aesthetics. The fourth is the one I find the most subjective and difficult to asertain, which is why I asked here on this forum.

 

My decision:

I think I will go get a current 50 summicron. But I'm in no hurry. The truth is, I know it, you know it, there is nothing wrong with the planar. It is a very good lens. And I got some results I'm really happy with (i.e. my Thailand photo essay was mostly shot with the planar, garnished with a bit of 21mm skopar goodness - Chiang Mai, Thailand: Travel Photography and Voyeurism | Jason (Dikaiosune01) ) I find the convenience of 6 bit coding quite essential. I don't like walking down the street text messaging on my phone, I don't want to walk down the street fiddling with the menus. I'm not sure if I want the pull out hood or not; i probably don't have any preference and will get the one that I can get my hands on for a good deal. If I see a good deal, I will probably pounce. Until then, there's no rush.

 

I don't think I'll get the 40mm summicron because I already have the 40mm by voigtlander, which I might use when I need fast glass. And the 35mm and the 40mm is just too close to the 50mm and the 28mm.

 

For street, I think the 40 is a terrific lens (I use the Nokton 40). It's tiny, and, if you file the flange (easy), it brings up the 35 frame line - and that will fit your 40 very well. It also will give you just enough over the 28 to have a very different feel, yet still be wide enough to give context to your street shots.

In regards to "street photography", I agree that 40mm is a very useful focal length. And in some ways offer the best of the 35mm and the 50mm. But in my circumstance, i have found it something that doesn't really fit in my bag. When traveling, many destinations have a great value of personal space; i.e. the U.S. (excluding NYC) or Australia etc. It generally requires me to stand a few extra metres further away. I am based in Hong Kong, and it requires me to get really close. There is just not much space to stay back. Someone will always get in the way. So in Hong Kong, I do prefer the 28mm. In Australia, Canada or the U.S. I do prefer the 50mm.

 

Thank you everyone for their expertise and opinions. It has helped.

[skinnfell]

Summicron v4.

 

For many reasons:

- Same optical formula as current non-apo (v5)

- Smaller, lighter than current v5

- Larger (albeit separate) hood

- Focussing tab

- Usually somewhat cheaper

- 6bit coding not necessary (but possible)

[philipus]

The other day I received a 11817 Summicron. So far I've tried it on two rolls, one of which I have developed and scanned. I am very pleased with the results. I like Mandler designs generally and this one doesn't disappoint (for the record, I like the current designs, too).

 

I find it to be very sharp, not only in the centre, at f2 and a stellar performer across the aperture range. I haven't yet tried how flare resistant it is but a vented hood (12585) is coming in the mail any day so that should hopefully help (and act as protection, too).

 

I like the ergonomics a lot. The focus ring is very wide or such a small lens. It is clearly separated from the aperture ring, which is also fairly wide and has distinct click stops. I have come to realise that I enjoy not having a focus tab. On my 50 Summilux Asph, I predominantly use the focus ring itself, not the tab, when focusing. Fwiw, all in all I am very happy with this lens.

 

There are obviously lots of examples on the net but here are two:

 

Shot from the back | Flickr

 

Max Mara | Flickr

 

Philip

[Terra Noble]

I would expect that the summicron DR can not be used on the Leica M240 like it's the case on the M9?

[billo101]

Wetzlar, II type.

[algrove]

Get the best you can afford.

[Ecar]

I like the v2. Aka "Rigid". Classic rendering, yet sharp.

[Printmaker]

I use a 1969 vintage type 3 "Tiger Claw" 50 Summicron. I chose this lens for a few unusual reasons. First, I bought one of these new when I was a kid just starting out as a professional photographer so there is a little emotional connection. (I replaced it a few years later with a dual range Summicron because I wanted to go closer.) Second, because it is a slightly different optical formula which yields a sharp and contrasty center and slightly softer edges. In other words, it has that certain something, that "Leica Glow" that everyone likes to talk about. Since a 50 mm lens is not my primary tool (if it was, I'd go with a new Summicron or a 50 Lux ASPH), I find this lens useful for when I want to add a little atmosphere in a shot. It works equally well in color and b&w. The only down side of this lens is that it flares badly when the sun hits the front element. A hood is mandatory.

[Sape]

i got the 3th and the 5th, i do like the shorter focus turns on the 5th and the build in hood. also had the rigid but the glass was a bit to "soft" for me. i do have a "used 50mm 1:2 for sale 5th gen let me know if you are intrested.

 

sape

[asiafish]

I have the current v5 and a trio of vintage Zeiss (and Russian Jupiter knock-off) Sonnars. The v5 Summicron is my favorite 50mm lens. Yes, the vintage glass is a lot of fun, especially on the M Monochrom or film (I shoot an M5), but for consistently excellent results, lack of issues such as focus shift, and pure outright image quality the current non-APO Summicron is very hard to beat.

[James_Lee]

I have the current v5 and a trio of vintage Zeiss (and Russian Jupiter knock-off) Sonnars. The v5 Summicron is my favorite 50mm lens. Yes, the vintage glass is a lot of fun, especially on the M Monochrom or film (I shoot an M5), but for consistently excellent results, lack of issues such as focus shift, and pure outright image quality the current non-APO Summicron is very hard to beat.

 

Please would you kindly show some color photos from your favorite 50mm lens?