Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

Christian Nagel
( Expert)

Review Date
July 15, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 1 of 18

Price Paid: $450.00 from Ebay

Summary:

Outstanding lens and the best 50 mm lens in the Leica stable concerning the aperture/performance-ratio. Also one of those Leica M lenses with the best price/performance-ratio. Sharness is best, crisp rendition of details, small and convenient, built like a swiss chronograph. I use the previous version with the same optical formula and the separate lens hood. This lens is cheaper at the same optical performance and is better protected from flare.

Strengths:

Performance, build-quality

Weaknesses:

None so far

Similar Products Used:

R 4/35-70, M 2/90 Apo, R 2,8/100 Apo, R 2,8/70-180 Apo

Customer Service:

Excellent

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Rating
Reviewed by: FSolaresLarrave
(Casual)

Review Date
January 16, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5,
2 votes

Review 2 of 18

Price Paid: $950.00 from KBCamera.com

Summary:

Nice, sturdy lens that to me has lived up to its reputation. I got a new one in exchange for an old Summicron, and while the difference are really negligible, the results in DOF are better in the new. It's, in sum, a very handy, workhorse kind of lens.

Strengths:

Superb DOF. Haven't experienced the famed Leica "glow" with mine, but it's a very confortable thing to work with.

Weaknesses:

Can't find any.

Similar Products Used:

Contax G1, Canonet, Konica Auto S2 and other cameras.

Customer Service:

Not yet, and hopefully never.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Fred
(Expert)

Review Date
February 6, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
2.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 3 of 18

Price Paid: $760.00 from ebay

Summary:

The finest quality lens I have ever owned--no play in the mechanism, superb, jewel-like finish. Oh, and it takes great pictures, with fine color rendition and sharpness.

Strengths:

The best build quality. Some other brands such as Contax come close with their pro equipment, but none equals Leica.

Weaknesses:

Very expensive.

Similar Products Used:

Contax G, Nikon MF/AF

Customer Service:

Haven't used.

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Rating
Reviewed by: chris tremlett
(Casual)

Review Date
November 12, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5,
3 votes

Review 4 of 18

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

Sorry guys (reviewers below) but my 50 summicron - while ok - doesn't provide me with the '3D thrills etc.' mentioned by some of you. It's a v. good lens but mine at least seems not especially better than my nikon (stopped down atleast). Ultimately, I prefer results from my 50mmf2,8 elmar.

Strengths:

build quality overall performance

Weaknesses:

mine did not live up to expectations and does not outperform my elamar in terms of overall pic quality

Similar Products Used:

elmar, nikon 50 1,8, OM Zuiko

Customer Service:

none needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: harbormor
(Expert)

Review Date
October 1, 2002

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.40 of 5,
5 votes

Review 5 of 18

Price Paid: $0.00 from Don Chatterton.com

Summary:

My new 50 Summicron, compared to the 50mm collapsible (circa 1959-61)is no better in terms of sharpness; all the way to the edges. What it's better at is color rendition...very very accurate.

Strengths:

Sturdy construction; performance that equals if not exceeds the best 50's out there.

Weaknesses:

None, really. But I don't like the built-in lens shade. I prefer the clip-on.

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