Very compact and lightweight. Makes a great shooting combination with the R4 thru R6 bodies. Optical performance as you would expect from Leica, and a price second hand like you wouldn't expect from Leica.

Possibly the age of the design, but then again you just don't change classics.

This lens gives superb performance, and yes, it is still considered the lens to compare all other SLR 50mm's to. The best part is that you can pick them up quite reasonably. When used with one of the smaller R series bodies, makes a great shooting combination.

Similar Products Used:

Leica 50mm Summicron-M.

ok standrad lens

zeiss 50mm (for contax) is better.

overrated

Similar Products Used:

None

Poor lens by modern standards

The review two below indicates that this lens came top of a test of all standard lenses. Well, I have that test issue (Pop Photography) and actually it came bottom of the test, and was summarised as "a design showing its age" which in polite terms means it was below standard. (Contax was top, followed by Minolta, Nikon and Olympus)
Leica ain't all its cracked up to be, but some folks just won't accept that.

You'd do better with most other brands standard lens.

Similar Products Used:

most systems

Optical Performance
Great bokeh
Low weight
Construction quality
Price (for a Leica Lens)

Price (for a normal lens)

Still my benchmark in normal lenses. There might be a few others just as sharp, but NONE of them rivals the Summicron in its pleasing image rendition. This lens is razor sharp and pleasingly soft at the same time . The magical Leica glow at its best - something you can not see from MTF charts. Excellent close up capabilities too. Have you noticed that most others 50mm lenses bokeh just sucks? Well, this lens is the great exception. Whatever you wish from a normal lens, this one has it - and more. And it is Leicas cheapest R-Lens - so why are you waiting? Get yours today. I would give this lens six stars out of five.

Customer Service

as always with Leica: exceptional, sometimes for free, sometimes expensive

Similar Products Used:

most other major 50's

The Summicron 50 is a superbly made lens that has built-in sunshine

none

Razor sharp; works well in adverse climatic conditions

Similar Products Used:

nikon 50 af 1.8

Solid metal construction (no plastic at all- the exception these days). Built-in shade. Smooth operation.

nill

It may well be that more important photographs have been taken with a Leica and 50mm lens than with any other combination. This lens is extremely well built, doesn't command stellar prices like other Leica products. I prefer the 50mm over any other focal length.

Customer Service

?

Similar Products Used:

nikon 1.8/50, Olympus 1.8/50