Summicron 50mm (v2) or 'rigid' as your main lens

[williamj]

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I'm curious to know if anyone uses a Summicron 50mm V2 or rigid as their main lens. If so, what features of the lens and its images keeps you using it rather than swapping it for something more recent.

I know the DR has the same formula and so it would be nice to know if someone specifically uses the Rigid instead of the DR or vice versa.

I've seen the pictures on the forum of which there are many so this isn't a specific request for images :). Thanks.

 

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[RayD28]

I personally would not use a brass lens as my main lens.  I have a DR and love it but there are lighter brands/models better suited for carrying in a bag for several consecutive days.   Lots of folks will think otherwise.   

[TomB_tx]

3 hours ago, williamj said:

If so, what features of the lens and its images keeps you using it rather than swapping it for something more recent.

Because I have I have it and it works fine? Why buy something different? I used my first Summicron as my main lens for over 40 years, until I started reading this forum, then tried several newer 50s. I'd go back to my first Summicron, but have been enjoying a 1950s 2.8 collapsible Elmar instead.

[hepcat]

I am largely brand-agnostic when it comes to lenses.   I've used Voigtlander M and LTM lenses on my M8 and M9 with great success.  I particularly like the original VL LTM 50mm f/1.5.   I have a DR Summicron on my M10-P I've used as my main lens for some time.  I've had three or four of them over the past fifty years, and I've just not had a need to change to anything newer.  I also have a Summicron v3 in black paint that I recently acquired with the M5 3-lug I bought.  The v2 Rigid Summicron is essentially the same lens as the DR, but the versatility of the DR always wins out for me, and  I prefer the DR Summicron's "feel" over my newer v3.   Those are the only two Leitz lenses I have at the moment, although I've had a full stable in the past.  In the ten years between my M9-P and my M10-P when I didn't have an M body, I sold all of those, but I acquired a full stable of 1950s Canon Serenar LTM lenses as I started collecting Canon rangefinders from that era.   My new go-to lens is the LTM Canon 50mm f/1.5 Sonnar design on my M10-P.  There's nothing about it I don't like.  It's an amazing performer, even on the M10-P.

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[Rob L]

Summicron Rigid Type II is a wonderful lens. And not heavy  like the DR mentioned in post #2. Small too. Some people may not like the infinity stop. The latch mechanism starts to engage a bit before infinity so focusing at longer distances it can be annoying. Typical for that style stop on Leica lenses.

[dpitt]

If the infinity lock bothers you, the button can be removed easily. Keep the parts in case you want to resell it.
The lock can be modified too, if you want to keep the knob. But that change is permanent.

I think the DR version does not work on digital M bodies. The Rigid version has no issues. I like its vintage style look on digital bodies. It has lower contrast and slightly more greenish rendering, while my v4 looks more modern and more orange in tone. The contrast is easy to correct in PP

At the time this was also the favorite lens of Thorsten Overgaard on his M9 (and possibly M240). I am not sure this is still the case. His examples made me look out for a good sample. I never regretted it.

PS:
The v1 and v2 are known for its soft coating on the front lens. I have put a filter on it the moment it got back from the CLA 8 years ago and did not touch the front lens with anything since then. It is hard to find samples without 'cleaning marks'.

Edited September 4, 2023 by dpitt

[Jean-Michel]

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I purchased my'Rigid' in 1967 and used it for all those years, it is a fine lens and works wonderfully on any M – film or digital. I used it with my M9 and M-P(240) very happily. As I started to reduce my equipment (sort off!) I traded just about all my film equipment which included the 'Rigid' to part of an M3 set. I purchased the current version. Images made with the current version are different from ones made with the 'Rigid' (I had both lenses for a few months) and the ones made with the current lens are a tad clearer, perhaps due to some minor coating issues with the 'Rigid'. I had the $$$ to buy the new version, but if I hadn't, I would have happily continue to use the 'Rigid'.

[hepcat]

7 hours ago, dpitt said:

I think the DR version does not work on digital M bodies. The Rigid version has no issues. I like its vintage style look on digital bodies. 

The close-up focusing cam on the DR Summicron is the culprit, and is just a smidge (that's the precise technical term) too thick to clear the innards of the sensor box on the M10.   About ten minutes with a jeweler's file on that cam, and some trial-and-error fitting and the DR Summicron works like it was made for my M10-P in both modes without issue.  I can't speak to that modification working with any other digital bodies. 

 

[chris7273]

I use it because : 

-  it’s a beautiful lens, 

- I can live with the 1m mfd 

- the images are fantastic at f/2 and perfect at f/5.6. I have a modern 35 FLE summilux when I need a more modern look)

- I didn’t bought it and it was my grandfather’s pride and joy 

I bought a Voigtlander Nokton 1.5 for the closer mfd and extra stop but I came back to my old summicron  

 

[a.noctilux]

5 hours ago, hepcat said:

The close-up focusing cam on the DR Summicron is the culprit, and is just a smidge (that's the precise technical term) too thick to clear the innards of the sensor box on the M10.   About ten minutes with a jeweler's file on that cam, and some trial-and-error fitting and the DR Summicron works like it was made for my M10-P in both modes without issue.  I can't speak to that modification working with any other digital bodies. 

 

As happy user (again) M10 + DR(SOMNI),

with some "filing" if need be ...

[williamj]

Thanks everyone for posting your experiences with this lens. I should explain that my practice is to have a 50mm lens for each camera body and at the moment I'm sharing a summitar between a Leica IIIf and an M3. The summicron v2 is period correct for my M3. I also like the way they look.

It's heartening to know that people love this lens and also to hear some of the reasons. I prefer infinity locks and wish my Nikon lenses had them and nothing anyone has said so far is a deal breaker. Cheers.

[a.noctilux]

As side note ( 😉 I like side note ),

with same optical cell, DR or Rigid may give same type of pictures, but in use they are quite different,

I have and still have many units of each and each lens DR/RIGID is different from the other in final pictures, why I have so many.

Using one DR (304g) for some time, then the Rigid (251g) can give some headache, the infinity lock ( quickly mastered ) but gaining larger focus ring is pleasing 👍.

 

MP (x 0.85 here) with SOMNI is so nice to use

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Edited September 5, 2023 by a.noctilux

[a.noctilux]

Another side note,

the 50 th Anniversary of Summicron with new optical cell (not unscrewable) and Rigid style body lacks infinity lock,

I have this one as 50mm nut, but older Summicron lenses are more authentic (whatever this means) in use and results.

 

 

[Bill C63]

Hey, folks. I’m new to Leica and the Leica stratosphere—and glad to be here.  I just bought (a recently CLA’d) M3 and I was looking for a 50mm Dual Range with the close-focus finders. But today I came across and am considering buying a 50mm Rigid (also recently CLA’d) that looks clean and also comes with the close-focus finder (SOMKY) that will enable a MFD of 0.487. I’d love to hear from anyone who uses this combination—should I buy it? Thanks much .

Bill

[a.noctilux]

Welcome here Bill,

if with ring UOORF, good choice

M3 + SOMKY + UOORF+ optical head Summicron II = close focus only

have a read here in Wiki

https://wiki.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/SOMKY

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[Bill C63]

Hey, thanks, a.noctilux. I appreciate the welcome and the link. I’ll check it out …

[Bill C63]

And, yes, it does come with the UOORF ring.

[a.noctilux]

Good, an error in Wiki not 1:5.5 as in Wiki.

I have one, and it's 1:7.5 to 1:15

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[RexGig0]

I do not (yet) own a Version II Summicron/ “Rigid,” but I have seen most lovely images created with them, and find the exterior appearance appearance to be of classic beauty, so fully understand why some shooters would use it as a main/primary lens. If a well-preserved Version II/Rigid were to appear, for sale, at the local independent camera store*, enabling me to examine it, and test-shoot, I might well decide to buy it. My first Leica lens was a Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, which I continue to favor, but Summicron lenses are often a better choice, especially at f/2 to f/4, a vintage character is sometimes desirable, and one can never have too many Fifties. 😉

I know, from using Nikon SLRs and DSLRs, that I can favor a lens that has been superseded by multiple generations, or, has been long-discontinued, with no successors.

*Houston Camera Exchange, in Texas, a high-end/pro-oriented business, and an official Leica dealer, will, now and then, have very interesting vintage Leica lenses appear in the inventory. Some are sent to DAG or to Leica service for CLA or refurbishing, before being offered for sale.

Edited September 11, 2023 by RexGig0

[Musotographer]

It's certainly my main 50  - I love it and I can't imagine that I'll ever want anything else as my walk-around 50. I have a few others, but they rarely get an outing. It's sharp but not forensically so, has just the right amount of contrast, it's lovely to handle (with the infinity lock disengaged) and looks beautiful, especially on my silver M9-P. Along with the titanium pre-asph. 35/1.4 it's my essential lens. 

Edited September 13, 2023 by Musotographer
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