Let's discuss Summicron 50mm f2 V3 (high leg), and some of my previous 50mm

[efour]

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Don't see much discussion about this one, I've read somewhere said this is the worst 50 Summicron ever made.

I'm not sure why it is. I'm using one for quite a while and quite like it, am I the only one who adore the V3 ?

I'm such a kind of guy who want to try different lens from time to time, for 50mm, I have been using Summitar, Summicron rigid V1, Summicron V3, Summicron V5, Summilux ASPH

Let me share my experiences I had with them

 

Summitar 50 F2, I like the collapsable design, which make it very tiny when it's in the bag, I'm not used to non-click aperture, images produce from this lens is interesting, some swirl and busy bokeh which I'm not a fan of but I can live with that. The reason why it's not a keeper is, when shooting in a not too well lid location, the color can be a bit dull and muddy.

 

Summicron 50 rigid V1, I'm keeping this with the V3, It's beautifully made and match very well with my M3, the images out of this lens is very pleasing too. it's a bit heavy compare to V3. Since it only focus down to 1m, that's why I think it's a perfect match with M3. I think this combo is the best looking set to me.

 

Summicron 50 V5, This is a very sharp and contrasty lens. Image quality wise, I can't really complaint. But sometime it's kind of boring when you always have such clean images, I sold it to fund the Summilux.

 

Summilux 50 ASPH, Oh man.... what can one ask for more, beautifully made, lovely industrial design, image quality is perfect to my eyes, clean and contrasty (sometime can be a bit too clinical) Bokeh is super nice too. I had the silver chrome one which is very heavy for 50mm, I sold it because I need to fund something else. To be honest, I regret selling this one.

 

Ok now, let's get to the topic, Summicron 50 V3 (here in Hong Kong, we called them high leg)

I forgot why I bought this lens in the first place (I think mostly due to my curiosity, and it is relatively cheap) I have read somewhere saying this lens is not builded as good as other, some even said it's not up to Leica standard. Mostly said the aperture ring feel cheap, the click is awful, overall bad build of all Summicron.

I'm not sure if I'm lucky, my copy has a very clicky aperture ring (comparable to the rigid v1) Focusing ring turns smoothly and very well dampen. The weight is just right, not feeling too light and not feeling cheap. Image quality is just right for me, not too dull and not super contrasty. Color produced by this lens is pleasing, bokeh is just right too, not as creamy as modern Summilux, not as busy as some vintage lens such as Summitar, it's just right and pleasant to look at. Sharpness is good but nothing too clinically sharp or clean. Not to mention, it focuses down to 0.7m too. If I have to pick what I don't like about this lens, I don't like the long throw focusing and that's it.

Sorry for a lengthy post. Just not quite understand why it's the least loved Summicron.

Share your thoughts about this lens, I have some pics made with this lens from film and digital.

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Edited November 4, 2022 by efour

[efour]

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[efour]

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[wda]

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Quote, "Don't see much discussion about this one, I've read somewhere said this is the worst 50 Summicron ever made".

This is an extreme statement to make, without quoting a source. Summicron lenses are exemplary. 

[farnz]

6 hours ago, efour said:

... I've read somewhere said this is the worst 50 Summicron ever made. <snipped>

I read somewhere that the Titanic could not sink.  That wasn't true either.

Pete.

[lct]

I liked much the Summicron 50/2 v3 when i used it on film 40+ years ago but it flared too much for my taste and i did not keep it for other reasons. Such a flare can be part of one's photography as you show it in your post #3 above but i'm not good at that so i am not tempted to acquire another copy for digital at present. YMMV.

[grahamc]

Underrated indeed, I really like this one.  I get many more images I like from it than I do with the v4 (which is technically the much 'better' lens I'm sure), and the v3 build quality is better too IMHO (more metallic feeling rather than plastic).  It's also smaller than the v4 despite the v4 being often referred to as the smallest cron.   (v3 may be very slightly longer, but much thinner).  

This was my cheapest Leica M lens as well the worst condition cosmetically but I just love it .   

 

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[grahamc]

 

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[lct]

5 minutes ago, grahamc said:

It's also smaller than the v4 despite the v4 being often referred to as the smallest cron.   (v3 may be very slightly longer, but much thinner).  

Not what i remember i must say but i may be wrong. Would you have kept both to show them side by side? Just curious. Edit: to elaborate a bit, v4 is both shorter and thinner as i recall v3 but memory can fail me.

Edited November 4, 2022 by lct

[grahamc]

7 minutes ago, lct said:

Not what i remember i must say but i may be wrong. Would you have kept both to show them side by side? Just curious.

Yes I do, give me a sec 

[edit: here you go @lct]
 

not a massive amount in it. Overall these lenses probably have exactly the same mass. 

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Edited November 4, 2022 by grahamc

[grahamc]

While we’re here :

 

 

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[lct]

Cheating distortion . Just kidding but your v4 looks as fat as a v5 in this picture.

[grahamc]

5 minutes ago, lct said:

Cheating distortion . Just kidding but your v4 looks as fat as a v5 in this picture.

Haha true I thought that about the distortion of the last pic lol.  

[lct]

V3 has a detachable head if memory serves but i'm not sure it would serve on electronic Visoflex. 

[wizard]

vor einer Stunde schrieb wda:

This is an extreme statement to make, without quoting a source. Summicron lenses are exemplary. 

+1. As someone else said, there is no such thing as a bad Summicron. Some of them are a little better than others, but they are all very capable lenses.

[Pyrogallol]

Cosmetically challenged ?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Olaf_ZG]

7 hours ago, lct said:

V3 has a detachable head if memory serves but i'm not sure it would serve on electronic Visoflex. 

This I found out some weeks ago, and I thought I broke my lens 😎

Happily it appeared to be normal.

This is my first lens and I really enjoy it, it is basically glued on my MM.