Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: andrew schank
(Expert)

Review Date
April 11, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Review 11 of 19

Price Paid: $600.00 from used on Ebay all the way from Italy

Summary:

If you own a Leica M body, get a 50mm f2.0 Summicron, either the focus tab or current version are both very nice.

Strengths:

Wide aperture sharpness allows for suberb low natural light images. Compact, built well. I have used both the focus tab version and the current one. The focus tab version focuses faster for me, but the current one allows for a bit better fine tuning of the ring using two fingers. Focuses to a little over 2 feet which is good for a rangefinder lens. I disagree that the lens is over-rated. It is over expensive, , but the images I've gotten from it really stand out and lived up to its reputation. Never had a flare problem with any of the newer 50mm Summicrons.

Weaknesses:

Expensive new (I buy used usually)

Similar Products Used:

50mm lenses from Nikon,and an older Zeiss 50mm Sonnar that was also outstanding.

Customer Service:

So far, Leica has responded to small parts needs very quickly.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Harry Soletsky
(Intermediate)

Review Date
March 4, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 12 of 19

Price Paid: $200.00

Summary:

A superb lens and I really think the lack of the focusing tab is a minus on the current lens. Considering Leica prices overall the value is OK

Strengths:

Superb in every way. I have the earliest of the last computation (made in Canada) and with the focusing tab and the separate hood is perfect on the M6. I have all the earlier 50 Summicrons and none balance as well or work as smoothly. Pictures are sharp and contrasty. I believe the lack of the focusing tab is a minus on the current lenses

Weaknesses:

none

Similar Products Used:

all of the basic computations of the 50 Summicron including the dual-range. early collapsible, none dual-range non-collpasible and the last German computation prior to the Canadian made lens. 50mm f1.4 Nikon Leica Mount, 40mm Summicron

Customer Service:

rarely needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: Rick Russell
(Intermediate)

Review Date
August 13, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 13 of 19

Summary:

Tremendous resolving power.

Strengths:

It's sharpness is simply astounding! I found myself needing enlarged photographs of the inside of a bank to use as exhibits. I spoke with the local camera store to determine what camera and lens I would rent to get the photos I needed. When they found out I owmed a M6 with the 50mm Summicron, they told me that I wouldn't need to rent a medium format camera. Needless to say the 16"x20" enlargements were fanstastic.

Weaknesses:

None.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon, Canon 50mm 1.4 lenses.

Customer Service:

None needed to date.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Al Smith
(Expert)

Review Date
May 7, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 14 of 19

Model Reviewed:
50mm f/2 Summicron-M (Black)

Summary:

While considered obsolete by "experts", you would be hard pressed to find a better normal lens. As a tool or as an exercise in deprivation, this lens mounted on an M series Leica will suprise you after the film comes back to the lab. This lens also allows glasses wearing photographers to use the m Leica like a "high-eyepoint" camera... the full framelines are visible.

Strengths:

Small, Light, Sharp. Focusing tab makes operation quick. Reative to the Leica line, fairly inexpensive.

Weaknesses:

New modle, while using same opticle formula as previous one, has eliminated the focusing tab. It also replaced the removable hood with a less efficient pull-out style hood.

Similar Products Used:

every 50mm lens ever made by Nikon.

Customer Service:

never used for lens, but Leica USA is outstanding regarding cameras.

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Rating
Reviewed by: nguyen Minh Nhat
(Expert)

Review Date
March 22, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 15 of 19

Model Reviewed:
50mm f/2 Summicron-M (Black)

Summary:

The best lens maybe in the world: it provides sharp images, with lot of contrast. The Sliding lens hood is a good idead, but I would have prefered a separated lens hood too which provides a better protection. One of the best lens for the M series

Strengths:

small size
Top image quality
solid like a rock

Weaknesses:

no tab

Similar Products Used:

Canon 1.4 USM

Customer Service:

exceptional

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