Many thanks to Al Smith for identifying the years my rigid 50mm Summicron (serial #1950897) and Leica M3 were made. Can anyone tell me if the formula of this lens is similar to the Dual-Range or collapsible Summicrons? Do lenses of this series have any special characteristics I should be aware of?

-- Dave Jenkins (djphoto@vol.com), January 28, 2001

Answers

All is revealed at: "http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/mseries/testm/scronhist.html"

-- Paul Chefurka (chefurka@home.com), January 28, 2001.

Dave,

Be aware... there is a danger in using any lens test other that the lens on your camera to determine the quality, or lack of it. Erwin Puts' reports are good in that they list the actual serial number of the lens being tested, but unless you have that exact lens, it could mean nothing. If we were talking about a current offering, we could assumer a certain sameness from sample to sample. But a forty year old lens that could have lived a varied life, been used under adverse climates, had amateur repairs performed, and any other number of thing that could make it "unique"... well, it would only be safe to assume that any accolades or critiques can only be considered valid for that exact lens.

My first Leica lens was a Summarit on an M3. For lack of a better term, it sucked! I am now seeing many examples of work with Summarits that make me think, I must have had a bad one. Sample variations for old lenses are extreme, (coatings go bad, physical abuse, etc...), so the only valid way to see how your lens performs is to use YOUR lens. You can do a scientific test, or just shoot subjects under the conditions you would want to use the lens. If it makes you happy, it is a good lens. If lens test were everything, I should get rid of my non-ASPH 35mm Summicron for the latest model, but my pictures from that old lens are everything I wish for from a handheld camera, so I keep it... maybe I have a good one.

Read Erwin's review for a historical perspective... but the lens on your camera is the only one you need to worry about.

-- Al Smith (smith58@msn.com), January 28, 2001.

Your lens is the second version, the same as the DR. There is some dispute as to whether the rigid and the DR had the same optical formulation. I have heard both arguments but prefer a third; which is that the DR version was cherry picked off the same production line as the rigid. Relax and enjoy the lens. If you are happy with its performance, why change anything? HCB undoubtedly used a collapsible Summicron and he could take better pictures blindfolded than any of us.

Cheers

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), January 29, 2001.

See also this fairly recent, related thread:

OLD vs NEW SUMMICRON

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 29, 2001.