Non-Leica 50mm comparable to Summicron

[AceVentura1986]

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Hello, all. I have an M10P and an M10M. I’d like to keep 50mm lenses on both. Currently, I have a Summicron V, circa 2000. It’s my favorite of all lenses, including my Canon gear. What 50 can I get for the M10P that would be comparable to the Summicron? Further Leicas are out of the question because of cost. I don’t like Zeiss lenses because they’re aperture ring is calibrated in 1/3 stops rather than 1/2 stops like Leicas or Voigtlander, or so I hear. Perhaps I’m wrong on this  

I also have a beautiful Canon Serenar 50mm that’s way out of calibration. Instead of buying a new lens would I be better off just having it calibrated? DAG would charge about $150, which is close to what I paid for it originally. 

[lct]

2 minutes ago, AceVentura1986 said:

What 50 can I get for the M10P that would be comparable to the Summicron?

I would recommend a clone of the Summicron 50/2 v5, the Konica Hexanon 50/2. Superbly made, same qualities and flaws as the Summicron, hard to tell which is which. Only apparent differences, the Hexanon needs 40.5mm instead of 39mm filters and is not 6bit coded.

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[sandro]

I agree with the recommendation of the Konica M-Hexanon 2/50mm. It is very well built, optical performance is outstanding and it surprised me how wonderful this lens works. Built in hood, but indeed the filter size is less comom, but that should not keep you from getting one.

Lex

[Bliz]

I love my 50mm Nokton 1.5 II, and at f2 it’s very sharp, 1.5 have good rendering for portraits. It’s smaller than a cron v5.

[jaapv]

Don't exclude the Canon Serenar 50/1.8 LTM. It was better than the Summicrons of the time and the coatings age much better.

[widi5006]

+1 for Canon LTM 1.8.....great little walk-around lens. The 1.4 is nice too but a bit bigger and heavier.

[jakontil]

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5 hours ago, lct said:

I would recommend a clone of the Summicron 50/2 v5, the Konica Hexanon 50/2. Superbly made, same qualities and flaws as the Summicron, hard to tell which is which. Only apparent differences, the Hexanon needs 40.5mm instead of 39mm filters and is not 6bit coded.

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Easily comparable with the summicron

btw.. how bout the 50 LLL elcan? In terms of sharpness it is there with the summicron

[Biotar]

+2 Canon LTM 1.8 - but click-stops ???

[jaapv]

12 minutes ago, Biotar said:

+2 Canon LTM 1.8 - but click-stops ???

What about them? Mine has them.

[Biotar]

He prefers 1/2 stops to 1/3 stops... but that should be the case with Canon and Konica.

[Kl@usW.]

vor 12 Stunden schrieb AceVentura1986:

Hello, all. I have an M10P and an M10M. I’d like to keep 50mm lenses on both. Currently, I have a Summicron V, circa 2000. It’s my favorite of all lenses, including my Canon gear. What 50 can I get for the M10P that would be comparable to the Summicron? Further Leicas are out of the question because of cost. I don’t like Zeiss lenses because they’re aperture ring is calibrated in 1/3 stops rather than 1/2 stops like Leicas or Voigtlander, or so I hear. Perhaps I’m wrong on this  

I also have a beautiful Canon Serenar 50mm that’s way out of calibration. Instead of buying a new lens would I be better off just having it calibrated? DAG would charge about $150, which is close to what I paid for it originally. 

Hello Ace Ventura,
before responding to the many interesting suggestions, I’d like to add one question: If the Summicron 50/2 V5 (I own one as well) is fine for you, why keep looking? The “second choice,” if I may call it that, isn’t that much cheaper in a way that would really pay off in the long run. Personally, I’ve always been annoyed when—let’s be honest—making such emotional decisions as buying a lens, I ended up getting not what I actually wanted, but the cheaper second option.

But after this basic remark, here are my suggestions :

-A second ’Cron 50/2 V5, possibly a V4.

-A Leica Summarit 50/2.4 or 2.5. The Summarit renders a bit more “neutral,” is sharper in the center, and has less flare. With rising prices, it’s also no longer much cheaper than a used Cron.

-Regarding the Hexanon, I recommend the following reading (btw I enjoyed browsing this now quiet site a lot) https://www.leicalensesfornormalpeople.com/2020/03/02/konica-hexanon-m-50-f2-review/

K. 

[Stuart Richardson]

The closest equivalents are the Konica and Zeiss, I would say. The clicks never bothered me at all with the ZM lenses, but I guess preferences vary. I did not have the Konica 50mm, but I had the 35mm and it was right up there in performance with the 35mm 1.4 ASPH at similar apertures. At least on slide film. I could not say on digital. Given the price of the Konica and Zeiss ZM are pretty similar on ebay these days, I would just get the Konica, since you don't want 1/3 stops. It is more expensive than fixing your Canon, but I think it is going to be more similar to a 50mm Summicron v4.

[TomB_tx]

Good suggestions above. I have Summicrons up to V5, Summarit 2.5, Planar ZM, Canon 1.8 & 1.4, LLL Rigid, and several Voigtlanders. My thoughts:

Summicron v3 (1968-79) - I used for 40 years. Performance very close to v4-5, and used prices not bad.

Summarit 2,5 - largely replaced my Summicron v5 on my M10 for its small size & handling, equivalent results. Still has veiling flare tendency of Summicrons.

Planar ZM - Bargain for its performance - very close to V5 Summicron, higher contrast and lower flare.

Canons - Of course need ltm adapter, many used have haze, etc. but nice images. I use on my IIIf

LLL - Equivalent to Summicron Rigid - mine needed calibration and DAG reports some have too much internal glue to work on.

VC Nokton 1.5 - nearly equivalent to Summicron - I've used ltm version, M version 1, and latest 1.5 V II, which is small, good handling and pleasing images - good choice.

And the kicker: the new VC Color Skopar 2,2 - out-does the Summarit 50s, small size, great handling, low flare, inexpensive. Has now replaced the Summarit as the 50 for my M10R. Well worth a try!

 

 

Edited yesterday at 12:43 PM by TomB_tx

[lct]

19 minutes ago, TomB_tx said:

And the kicker: the new VC Color Skopar 2,2 - out-does the Summarit 50s, small size, great handling, low flare, inexpensive. Has now replaced the Summarit as the 50 for my M10R. Well worth a try!

+1 about the Skopar 50/2.2 and it can be pen coded easily. Only cons it is not f/2 and IQ wise it has not the character of the Summicron. Same for the PLanar but the latter has f/2. Finally the better solution IMO is the Konica given that it has the same character as the Summicron. It has also the same issues with flare and focus shift TBH but the the OP can hardly find a lens more similar to the Summicron besides another Summicron. The v4 would be the way to go then if the OP does not dislike focus tabs.

[AceVentura1986]

2 hours ago, Kl@usW. said:

Hello Ace Ventura,
before responding to the many interesting suggestions, I’d like to add one question: If the Summicron 50/2 V5 (I own one as well) is fine for you, why keep looking?

Good question. When mounted on my M10M, I use my Cron with filters but when on my M10P, I need to remove the filter before using it. There have been a few times that I’ve mounted it on the M10P and have forgotten to remove the filter. So, that means the shots I’ve already taken on it will be orange tinted. Also, because I seldom carry a camera bag I then have to worry about storing the filter until I get back home or to my hotel room, as the case may be. Keeping 50s on each would obviate that issue. It would simply be grab and go. 

I know this isn’t a big thing but I do find it annoying. Def a first world problem. 

Regarding the suggestions, I’ll have a look at the lenses online and then decide between them or sending my Serenar to DAG. 

Thank you all. 
 

PS, @Kl@usW., thanks to for the link. In all the years I’ve been shooting Leicas I’ve never run across that site. 

Edited yesterday at 01:43 PM by AceVentura1986

[burchyk]

If f/2 is not critical, consider later Elmar-M f/2.8. Collapsible lenses are not everyone's cup of tea, but I really like its handling and rendering. Having the camera+lens more pocket-friendly is a big plus in my case.

[3D-Kraft.com]

If you want 50/2 and compactness is important, also the Thypoch Eureka 50/2 collapsible may be an interesting option.

[Bliz]

5 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

the new VC Color Skopar 2,2

That’s a lens I’m interested in in, it seems to perform very well and it’s tiny. Not that my nokton is much bigger though…

[kivis]

I have the Nokton 50mm f1.5 but the VC Color Skopar 2,2 intrigues me. super small, would mate nicely with my M10.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Vanillasludge]

It's a shame the aperture dial is the hang up on the Planar.  It's dirt cheap and honestly a better overall performer than the Summicron.  It's like a Summicron that was actually redesigned in the 21st century 🤣

 

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