Received a long-awaited M4 today, and am thinking about a 50 for it. I have my eye on a old but minty and non-foggy 50/2 Summicron from 1962 that is being sold for around $650. My question is this: A brand new chrome 50 Summicron is currently priced under $750 (gray market, of course). Which would you Leica experts think is the best lens, sharpness, and boo-ka wise?

Thanks, experts!

-- Steve Hoffman (shoffman2@socal.rr.com), July 07, 2001

Answers

For a $100 difference, the new one. While the old Summicron 50 is nostalgic and a nice performer, the modern glass, coating, and design make for the better long-term value and performer.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), July 07, 2001.

Steve:

Get the latest version of the 50 Summicron! It is a stunning performer. The older lenses produce images with a different character. Some people like them very much. I prefer the sharper and contrastier images produced by the current generation of Leica lenses.......................

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), July 07, 2001.

Hi Steve,

Try this :

http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/mseries/testm/scronhist.html

Cheers.

-- Simon Wong (drsimonwong@hotmail.com), July 07, 2001.

you should be able to get a new US passport warrantied 50 Summicron for about $695. if you purchase at a Leica day promotion. You can expect 10% off the regular discounted price and then you get a $200. rebate from Leica.

-- Hank (hgraber@narrativerooms.com), July 07, 2001.

I have used 4 different versions of the Summicron, and currently own the newest version. It is my favorite Leica lens. The drawbacks of the older lens you mention are that it is not as sharp wide open, it only focuses to 1 meter, and the coating isn't as good for protecting aginst flare. If you had located one for say $350.00, I might recommend grabbing it. For the money, pick up the current 50. I have no hesitation using at f2.0, and am simply amazed at what images it turns out in low existing light.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), July 07, 2001.

Steve: I concur with those suggesting the current lens. You get modern optics, mechanics and coatings. Plus a 3-year passport warranty if you buy new.

B&H is having a Leica day on July 16th and you can probably get a very good price then. I paid $750.00 (after rebate) for a new Passport model at NY Camera & Video, www.nycv.com.

-- Tim Kamke (tjkamke@excelimaging.com), July 07, 2001.

Steve, just how old is that minty Summicron? For a $100 less than you mentioned, you should be able to get the 1969-79 black Cron. For the figure you mentioned, you should be able to find the tabbed 50, optically identical to the current version.

Regards,

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), July 07, 2001.

Steve, I have the latest 50 Summicron, and it is a delight. I picked it up off Ebay used, but absolutely Like New for $500. What a great deal. Make the best deal that you can, but if you are like me, when you are ready to get something, you get it. The price on the '62 Summicron does seem a little steep to me.

-- David Page (pagedt@attglobal.net), July 07, 2001.

The front coatings on the old Summicrons are notorious for wipe marks and breakdown. Find one in pristine condition and that's what you're paying $650 for. That lens has lower overall contrast than the later versions and an infinity lock that's nothing short of infuriating. As everyone has said, for that price definitely go with the latest optical version, if not the latest mechanical version as well. For $450 or so you can get a nice sample of the 11817, which is within a gnat's whisker of the current version performance-wise. That would also be the lens contemporary with the M4. I've got one with my M4, also the newest version. I really can't tell any difference. I like the new version mostly because of the built-in hood, but the 11817 is noticeably smaller and lighter.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), July 08, 2001.

The 50mm is about the biggest Leica lense bargain. I personally do not like such a 'long' lense so I use it less than my 35 'cron. Wide open I am convinced the 50 is better, and I agree the latest version is stunning. I think they are so reasonably priced because of the volume that they produce. I will NEVER sell mine even though I rarely use it cos one day I know life will mean I am using this length of lense more often. Pick one up second hand and enjoy, you can always try the earlier versions and resell if you are not happy just don't pay over the odds in the process. My money is definatley with the latest version however.

-- Richard (richard@designblue.co.uk), July 08, 2001.