Hi, I currently have an M3 with a 50mm Summarit and 35 Summaron. I'd like to get another 50mm lens, because I think I can find a used 50mm Summicron for about as much as I would spend on the (hard to find) lens hood and filters (41mm) for the Summarit.

But, of the various 50mm Summicrons, which of the versions would be better (also, money is a MAJOR concern for me, so the cheapest one may be best for me..) Thanks for your help Phillip

-- Phillip Silitschanu (speedin_saab@hotmail.com), November 26, 2001

Answers

Check out this site and scroll down to "Best Buys".

www.cameraquest.com/mlenses.htm

Good luck.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), November 26, 2001.

Good question - many have debated it. Here are a couple of web sites for you to peruse.

http://www.lhsa.org/ - In which two lens gurus get into a hissy-fit over just this question - which 50 Summicron is best. Click on the "Viewfinder" link (NOT "WEB Viewfinder") at left once you get to the home page, and then look at the back issues for early 1999, and No. 1 for 2001. "Musings on the 50mm"; "More musings..."; etc. Participants and authors - Erwin Puts and Seth Rosner.

http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/mseries/testm/scronhist.html - in which one of the above-mentioned gurus gives an eyeball-to-eyeball comparison.

-- Andy Piper (apidens@denver.infi.net), November 26, 2001.

Phillip, I just dropped a note to Dennis Couvillion's question about tabs (on an Elmar): "50mm f2.8 Elmar-M ---focusing tab redux" (http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=007A UE)
so I won't repeat anything here. But regarding your choice of a 50 'cron, remember that all versions from 1969 up to today have the same optics, just different finishings and settings and focusing rings. Also check out: " 50mm Lux or Cron?" (http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004K A3) and "which 50mm lens?" (http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004h Kq).

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), November 27, 2001.

Michael,

It's 1979 to today.

1969 to 1979 has a different optical design.

-- Lucien (lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), November 27, 2001.

The latest 50 Summicron is undoubtedly the best! I have it and am always amazed when I look at slides shot with this lens.

-- Muhammad Chishty (applemac97@aol.com), November 27, 2001.

Lucien, you're right, I'm sorry. the 1969-1979 'crons had 6 lens elements in 5 groups, whereas the 1979-today ones had 6 lens elements in 4 groups.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), November 27, 2001.