Looking to Buy my First 50mm on Ebay

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4 hours ago, fsprow said:

Have made very many eBay transactions and regardless of what the seller says re returns, eBay's bias is toward the buyer and will press the seller to accept return if the buyer makes a reasonable case.  As a frequent seller, I always accept a postpaid return if the buyer is displeased - and I believe most sellers do as well.

Exactly. If I sell something I want the buyer to be happy, if they think I’ve not been clear about my description of something I will take it back without hesitation, so far it’s only happened once and for something of minimal value so I just refunded them and told them to keep it. 

I would not buy a relatively expensive used item on eBay without the sellers willingness to accept returns.

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[lct]

1 hour ago, a.noctilux said:

But not in the Summicron III, my first Leica lens and favorite that I always use decades later.

My only gripe was flare with this lens. I preferred the short focus throw of v4 too but otherwise i don't share the feeling of Mr Breull above i must say. Now it is not a soft lens but neither is v2 in my book. I have no experience with the latter though.

[a.noctilux]

Yes you are right Lct, this "III" can flare more than my other Summicron.

With my dozens of 50mm use over time, I could never "replace" this Summicron III, it has something no other can compete, being my first Leica lens, so many lovely Kodachrome with it,

so I keep it and use it with pleasure from time to time, and it became my favorite Summicron 50mm (over many other that I also use).

 

 

[Lewy]

"Welcome to the forum ."

Thanks Ict, I'll try my best to keep up with you all!

[Lewy]

2 hours ago, farnz said:

In that case I think you want the v2 (first rigid version) that's normally silver chrome and has the infinity lock.  I still have the version 2 because of its lower contrast pictures and had the 3rd version for a while.  The version 3 is an excellent lens but produces pictures with higher contrast that probably wouldn't be the "softer look" that you're looking for.

Pete.

Pete, I don't doubt you but isn't this about relative contrast? I just don't want the crisp sharp look of a newer lens. Version 3 might be good enough plus it's a bayonet mount. Of course I don't have the benefit of being able to compare results between the two versions. Thank you.

[lykaman]

Surely you have a short list of 50mm lenses.. First, rent what you can, then buy from a reputable Leica source..(100 photographers 100 different thoughts)

[a.noctilux]

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Lewy,

I do use some Summicron lenses, and I can state that they are very different but with mostly same fingerprint.

Saying that I can't prove the statement, but I sake that serious Leica M users may try them all to have their own opinions.

50mm Rigid or collapsible Summicron exist in LTM and M mount.

I have a very clean Summicron 50mm made in 1951 that can take very nice pictures on M10 (or other M) with Summicron fingerprint second to none.

Different 50mm Rigid with glass in different state can behave very differently.

I've used some Rigid and some were not perfect and I've sold them when possible.

[Michael Geschlecht]

20 hours ago, Lewy said:

Hello, I'm new to the forum and hope to get some help from all your combined years of expertise. I want to buy my first 50mm, have a 35mm Summilux on the M-10P. After obsessive days of research I've settled on the rigid 50mm Summicron because I want to make pictures with a softer look. This would be my first time buying used on ebay so I'm being cautious. The seller is LeitzUSA, anyone have experience with them? LeitzUSA says the original owner purchased the lens brand new in 1975, serial # 245XXX. According to a chart on Ken Rockwell's site the Summicron f/2 Rigid was in production 1956 - 1968. Just wondering about the difference of 7 years from end of production till the purchase year. Does that seem likely? Is this the real deal or a later version? It is supposed to come with cards, hood in original box.  Thank you in advance!

Hello Lewy,

Welcome to the Forum.

The manufacturer of all of the lenses that are being discussed here is a Company called Ernst Leitz which was in Wetzlar Germany. A little North of Frankfurt Main.

They worked with an entity called Leitz in the USofA which I do not think is related to the LeitzUSA that you are writing about here. You might look into that.

All of the 50mm, F2, Summicrons that you & others are writing about here are very good lenses which are capable of taking perfectly fine pictures of the type that are being discussed here when they are being used at most apertures. Altho they are not not always equally good at the widest apertures.

All of the versions take 39mm X 0.5mm filters & all of the versions were made with bayonet mounts during their production cycles. There were also screw mount versions of some of these that were made at the same time that the bayonet versions were being produced. Most of the screw mount production was made during the period when the 50mm, F2, Summicron was being provided in a collapsible mount. There was also screw mount production of some of the later lenses after the collapsible model's production ended.  Including during the production period of the "Rigid" model that you are interested in. 11118 & 11818 are the model numbers for the "Rigid" model with a bayonet mount that you have asked about, when the lens was delivered in chrome plated brass.

Leitz/Leica is "complex". But, doable. 

You'll get used to it.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited August 21, 2019 by Michael Geschlecht

[dkmoore]

23 hours ago, Lewy said:

Hello, I'm new to the forum and hope to get some help from all your combined years of expertise. I want to buy my first 50mm, have a 35mm Summilux on the M-10P. After obsessive days of research I've settled on the rigid 50mm Summicron because I want to make pictures with a softer look. This would be my first time buying used on ebay so I'm being cautious. The seller is LeitzUSA, anyone have experience with them? LeitzUSA says the original owner purchased the lens brand new in 1975, serial # 245XXX. According to a chart on Ken Rockwell's site the Summicron f/2 Rigid was in production 1956 - 1968. Just wondering about the difference of 7 years from end of production till the purchase year. Does that seem likely? Is this the real deal or a later version? It is supposed to come with cards, hood in original box.  Thank you in advance!

Bought my first ever Leica about 8 years ago from LeitzUsa. A Wetzlar version M6. I’ve met him as well. Good eBay seller vote from me. 

[david strachan]

I'm using a screw-mount 50mm Summicron...and still loving it.  Searched for the right one and rejected many, then had it serviced by proper technician. 

Forged the same year i was...and we have the same empathy...1952

Have other 50mm but the Summicron is still the one to enjoy.  Great pictures...all through the image.

 

All best.

Edited August 22, 2019 by david strachan
Hello Percy..

[Lewy]

 

On 8/21/2019 at 3:47 PM, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello Lewy,

Welcome to the Forum.

The manufacturer of all of the lenses that are being discussed here is a Company called Ernst Leitz which was in Wetzlar Germany. A little North of Frankfurt Main.

They worked with an entity called Leitz in the USofA which I do not think is related to the LeitzUSA that you are writing about here. You might look into that.

All of the 50mm, F2, Summicrons that you & others are writing about here are very good lenses which are capable of taking perfectly fine pictures of the type that are being discussed here when they are being used at most apertures. Altho they are not not always equally good at the widest apertures.

All of the versions take 39mm X 0.5mm filters & all of the versions were made with bayonet mounts during their production cycles. There were also screw mount versions of some of these that were made at the same time that the bayonet versions were being produced. Most of the screw mount production was made during the period when the 50mm, F2, Summicron was being provided in a collapsible mount. There was also screw mount production of some of the later lenses after the collapsible model's production ended.  Including during the production period of the "Rigid" model that you are interested in. 11118 & 11818 are the model numbers for the "Rigid" model with a bayonet mount that you have asked about, when the lens was delivered in chrome plated brass.

Leitz/Leica is "complex". But, doable. 

You'll get used to it.

Best Regards,

Michael

Michael,

Please excuse my tardy reply. Thank you for taking the time to write a thorough and thoughtful response.

My thanks to everyone for your willingness to sharing your knowledge. You've given me a lot to work with.

Kind Regards,

Lewy