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

[Musotographer]

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[chris7273]

some recent photos during a citytrip in London

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/270708-nifty-fifty-please-share-some-50-mm-pictures/?do=findComment&comment=4860625

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/270708-nifty-fifty-please-share-some-50-mm-pictures/?do=findComment&comment=4860626

 

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[105012]

Bit late to the party... but yes, the Summicron rigid is my main lens. I have a dozen 50's, so the choice is quite deliberate:

1. the longer focus throw allows for faster and more reliable focus by feel, later lenses have shorter focus throw which makes it more difficult to quickly and reliably hit focus distance without using the rangefinder (I see people going back and forth trying to hit focus with the rangefinder, meanwhile, picture has gone...);
2. focus button supports rapid focussing (interesting that HCB had a focus button fitted to a later Summicron already with focus tab, he knew a thing or two about getting the picture);
3. the single scale is simpler to read and has very handy focus index marks, missing on the dual scale and newer lenses;
4. the build quality and haptics flowing from that are significantly ahead of any other 50, old or new;
5. f2.0 fast enough for film and the lens compact enough;
6. image quality? Yes, beautiful in both B&W and colour, but really that's not very important, it's the content that matters.

[RexGig0]

On 9/5/2023 at 4:04 AM, a.noctilux said:

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.

 

The 50-Jahre Special Edition is, indeed, a lovely lens, with the 1979 optical formula, modern (Version V) glass coating, and a barrel exterior reminiscent of a silver-chromed Rigid, though not an “authentic” replica or “re-edition” of any actual Summicron. This one lured me along the path to accumulating additional 50mm lenses, after I started with a Summilux-M 50mm ASPH.

[EddieJ]

On 9/4/2023 at 11:21 AM, williamj said:

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.

 

I'm a 50 guy  or standard lens in any format I shoot.

I was using a 50 DR as my EDC on an M2, but it started to get a little heavy some days. It was a great combo, but with the reduced frameline on the M2 not ideal so used a 35. Thought maybe a 50 Rigid and maybe an M3 would help with the reduced weight and bonus 50 OG framelines.

I recently acquired an M3 and 50 Rigid and for me, it's mated perfectly.

 

*Now I understand when people say - if you are a 50 shooter you can't get better than the M3 with a 50 ... any 50!

[Anthony MD]

On 9/4/2023 at 4:21 AM, williamj said:

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.

 

Just ordered one to replace the Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2 on my MD262.

The Zeiss is too sharp and clinical for my tastes.  Hopefully the Rigid will soften up the images and have the Leica Look, details without the aggressive sharpness…!

[Anthony MD]

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On 9/9/2023 at 10:10 PM, Bill C63 said:

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

I use the Rigid Summicron with my MD262 and the lens renders a filmic character…!

[a.noctilux]

@Anthony MD

can you please (if you want to) take same subject with the two lenses at same aperture then post here.

I'd like to see the filmic character of Rigid from you and  "clinical rendering" from the other Zeiss one.

[Anthony MD]

On 8/30/2024 at 4:24 AM, a.noctilux said:

@Anthony MD

can you please (if you want to) take same subject with the two lenses at same aperture then post here.

I'd like to see the filmic character of Rigid from you and  "clinical rendering" from the other Zeiss one.

I will post the two photos later tonight…!

[Anthony MD]

7 hours ago, Anthony MD said:

 

The Zeiss has an ND filter…!

Edited August 31 by Anthony MD

[Anthony MD]

14 minutes ago, Anthony MD said:

 

Zeiss Planar…!

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited August 31 by Anthony MD

[Anthony MD]

15 minutes ago, Anthony MD said:

 

Top is with the Zeiss Planar.

Bottom is from the Leica Rigid…!

Edited August 31 by Anthony MD

[Anthony MD]

19 minutes ago, Anthony MD said:

 

Leica Rigid…!

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

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Edited August 31 by Anthony MD

[Anthony MD]

20 minutes ago, Anthony MD said:

 

It might be difficult to see the difference on JPEG…!

 

Edited August 31 by Anthony MD

[Anthony MD]

22 minutes ago, Anthony MD said:

 

Leica Rigid has a polarizing filter…!

 

Edited August 31 by Anthony MD

[Anthony MD]

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

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Zeiss top.

Rigid bottom…!

Edited August 31 by Anthony MD

[UliWer]

vor 40 Minuten schrieb Anthony MD:

 

The Zeiss has an ND filter…!

… and the Leitz „rigid“ has a polariziing filter?

I fear you cannot compare the rendering of two lenses if different filters are used. The light on the scene also seems to be different: in the sun with the Zeiss in the shadow with the Leitz? 

[lct]

Not so simple to compare lenses, especially when the less expensive looks better to the dearer's fans 😱 To be fair with grandpa Summicron v1 or v2, suffice it to crank up contrast a bit more for them in PP 😎

[Anthony MD]

1 hour ago, UliWer said:

… and the Leitz „rigid“ has a polariziing filter?

I fear you cannot compare the rendering of two lenses if different filters are used. The light on the scene also seems to be different: in the sun with the Zeiss in the shadow with the Leitz? 

The difference to me is the Zeiss was overly sharp compared to the softer rendering of the Rigid…!

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[Anthony MD]

20 minutes ago, lct said:

Not so simple to compare lenses, especially when the less expensive looks better to the dearer's fans 😱 To be fair with grandpa Summicron v1 or v2, suffice it to crank up contrast a bit more for them in PP 😎

For me the Rigid has the “Leica Look” being detailed without the aggressive sharpness…!

Edited August 31 by Anthony MD