small size
Top image quality
solid like a rock

no tab

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

Customer Service

exceptional

Similar Products Used:

Canon 1.4 USM

Best lens that I have ever owned for 50mm range.

Too much over priced for such a focal length and such aperture.

With such a high price tag ( as expected in Leica's products ), one can almost buy TWO 50mm/1.2 lens for the SLR. However, the image quality is unique among other manufracturers' offers with the very very exception of the RICOH Rikenon 50/2 P lens.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 50/1.4 AIS, MC Rokkor 50/1.4 PG, Prakticar PB 50/1.4, Rikenon 50/2 P, Seagull 50/1.8, Nikkor 50/1.8 AIS, Zeiss 50

I love the"slice of life" point of veiw a 50mm lens gives and this one provides it beutifully!
It balances great w/ the M6 body, solid as a rock and I love the slideing lens hood.

none

Great first lens.
I was tempted by the slimness of the 50mm f 2.8 but after fitting a hood on it I think the f 2 hides under my jacket just as well.
Way to expensive! but what are you going to do ?

Similar Products Used:

pentaxA 50mm f2 &M f1.7

None

None

A somewhat overrated lens in my opinion. It's the same cross-section design most other lensmakers use to save money. The Summicron has pretty high flare in some situations. Where it really shines is from f/2-f/4 and at relatively close distances, in which case it's the best 50mm I know of. It's far from a bad lens, I just don't agree that it deserves all the raves it gets.

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None

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

none

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

Customer Service

rarely needed

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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

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.

Expensive new (I buy used usually)

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

Customer Service

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

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

Wow! It really has a look, lovely Bokeh, three dimensional. Small, light, excellent build. No light fall off, no distortion.

pricey

A truly lovely lens. Mine is a 70's black Wetzler, and I love it's look. Since falling in love with this lens, I have no real desire to buy another lens for my beat up M2.

The only sharpness test I every did was to compare it to a Canon 28-80/2.8-4L shooting a newspaper on the wall. I couldn't see much of a sharpness difference. The lesson, this is not a lens for shooting newspaper, use it to shoot life!

Customer Service

Needs a CLA but haven't done it yet.

Similar Products Used:

Canon FD 50/1.4 EF 28-80/2.8-4L

It's the best 50mm lens I ever used. I own the Zeiss 45mm for the G2 its also a great lens, but there is no substitution for the Summicron. Even the out of focus photos apear sharper.

It's missing the handy focusing tab. The tab allows for quicker focusing. It's still a "10"

Try it with a fine grain B&W film, see for youself. Others complain about the price but the lens has no compitetion. The look of the images are unique to Leica

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Contax G2

This is the best 50mm lens I have encountered. It's performance wide open is exceptional, and stopped down to only f 4.0 it is capable of amazing results when combined with a fine grain film. Head and shoulders above anything else I have owned or used.

none

Highly recommended if you can stand to part with the money. Available from many sources for 899 or less.

Customer Service

Leica customer service has been very good.

Similar Products Used:

Contax, Nikon, Canon