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Leitz Summicron 50 mm type 4: Is it any good?


bjarni_m.

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<p>I've been offered a Leitz Summicron 50 mm f/2 type 4, but how much should i pay for it? How much is it worth?<br>

As far as i know it's in a good condition - both overall condition and optical condition without scratches.<br>

Just how good is the Type 4 version of the 50 mm Summicron?<br>

How much should i be willing to pay for it? Any suggestions regarding minimum price versus maximum price?<br>

Is there something i should know about the Type 4 in particular?<br>

Thanks in advance.<br>

<br /> PS: It will be used on a Leica M6 camera, mainly b/w.</p>

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<p>Antique cameras dot net says "Current lens sold by leica today. Contrast and resolution similiar to the third version, except performance is better to the edges and flare has been reduced. Close up performance is also improved. Six elements in 4 groups. Vignetting 1.9 stops. Since 1979, the optical deisgn has remained the same, but the barrel has seen a few variations such as a focusing tab. Other variations include black finish, chrome finish, titanium finish and even a limited platinum finish. The latest variation of this model features a built-in lenshood ( from 1994-on ). Close focus to .7 meter. Serial #'s 2,909101-3,xxx,xxx. E39 Filter." $1,400 to $1,975.</strong></p>
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<p>Condition of these lenses, from the period of 1980 to present, greatly determines the price. It depends upon what you mean by good condition. Generally you should expect to pay from about 1000 to 2000 dollars for what are described by many as between EX- and Mint or Mint- examples, although some reasonable ones may be available under 1000 dollars if you are lucky, unless you are willing to accept a heavily used lens (KEH has a few at around 600 or 700 dollars that show heavy wear (their UG classification) and I would personally be worried about decentering and other problems).</p>

<p>Although very expensive, like most Leica lenses, the version 4 is an excellent lens, considered more or less as the gold standard in 35mm photography before the arrival in recent years of the Summicron aspherical model and an equally very expensive Zeiss lens. </p>

 

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<p>When i say good condition, i mean that the optics is flawless (no scratches and/or dust as i can see) and it show some minor signs of use. Overall i would say about 8/10 condition. It hasn't been serviced/cleaned for some years, though.</p>

<p>By the way it's the Canada-edition.</p>

<p>As far as i understand, it's one of few Leitz optics where a small part of the lens is made of plastic. Any concerns about this?</p>

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<p>It is an excellent lens by almost any standard. Resolution and contrast are greater than many of the earlier versions. I owned one for several years and it was a favorite, even though 50mm wasn't my favorite focal length; the built in sliding lenshood was a nice feature, as almost any lens benefits from shading its front element from light striking it at an angle. Current prices can be all over the board depending on everything from its finish, cosmetic and optical condition, to serial number, whether it comes with its original box and papers, and what country you are buying it in. If you want lots of details on this lens, especially compared to its predecessors, check the Puts Compendium, where he details the engineering, optical design and incorporation of different glass types used in its construction, as well as optical tests. IMHO it renders a very modern look vs some of the older Summicarons - most people like that look. As for prices and condition, I second the idea to check completed Ebay details, and also check some of the major (US) dealers such as KEH, Tamarkin, and Popflash.</p>
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<p>Bjarni, the Canadian edition includes many of these lenses produced during the 1980s, whereas M camera manufacture was transferred from Canada to Germany in the early 1980s (with the M6). The design update of the 4 over the previous 3 occurred also in Midland (Walter Mandler) and there should be no difference in quality between Midland and later Solms production. The sliding hood model is the same in optical design and specification. Best to check current accepted prices (as opposed to advertised Bay prices) but it seems you should be able to acquire one at your stated condition for near to the one thousand dollar mark. Good luck and enjoy it. It is a fine lens for B&W film photography.</p>
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<p>I have the version 4 and used it this morning. It is almost glued to my Monochrom. The 'bear claw' focussing tab is great, as is the lens hood reversing with cap: you can't take a photograph with the lens cap on, and the whole package fits in the bag neatly and the hood is always available. My hood is plastic which adds a bit of protection in minor bumps and it doesn't deform. The optics are the same as current. It is very small for an f2 50. A near perfect lens, MADE IN CANADA.</p>
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<p>Canadian, German it doesn't matter, the 4th version is one of the best lenses they ever made. Look at KEH or B &H and eBay, pop photo etc and see what they are selling for. The stores will be at retail of course. Google is your friend.</p>
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<p>Also, I don't think there is any plastic in the lens, that occurs in the 4th version 35mm Summicron, still one of their best lenses. the last two pre-asph versions are the same optical formula only the newer one did have a sliding built on hood. I consider both those ver. IV lenses. Again, just check around for price.</p>
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<p>Very good points made by Richard and Barry. The sliding hood 50mm Summicron once tempted me, some time after having sold my earlier version IV Summicron with my M-6 to finance another photographic purchase, but in retrospect I think the early 1980s version, if in fine condition, is a good one to have as I did bump the lens once or twice on a door frame or other and the plastic reversible hood was great in dissipating the shock.</p>

<p>The helicoids in its focussing mechanism (I think it is alu on brass) became loose with time, which was a bit unusual for a Leitz/Leica product (and I don't photograph in sandy or dusty environments), so that may be worth checking (Substitution of the lubricant for a viscous one corrected that but left focussing a bit tighter than when new) as well as the other functions and condition of the glass elements.</p>

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<p>Jim, very interesting graphics and textures. Thanks for showing. Fine use of the "standard" focal length lens. Maybe one or two wide angle shots in the mix (the low yellow tinted factory buildings with the taller one in the background)?</p>
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<p>Thank you very much, Arthur! You're very perceptive. My reaction to seeing this set was that it looks like they are photographs from several different photographers, but you saw a common thread.<br>

<br />At the time I took the photo you mentioned I only had one wide lens, a 35mm FL lens for an old Canon. I have never used that camera for night photography and rarely use it for color. The photo with the <a href=" Silo yellow building with a taller yellow building</a> was taken with the 50mm Summicron. I admit that it looks wider but I'm certain it was the 50mm. It was a fun Christmas Eve night in a small East Texas town. I remember it clearly.</p>

<p>However, there are four photos in the set that I think were taken with a 35mm Nikkor lens, despite the notes on the film sleeve:<br>

<a href=" Moon from the Railyard

<a href=" Buckets, Bags, and Chains

<a href=" Under a Streetlight

<p>And lastly, the one that leads me to think it was a 35mm Nikkor. The ones above were on the same roll, but there's something odd about this last one that I haven't seen on the 50mm 'Cron. Have you ever seen spectral highlights with halos like this?</p>

<p><a href=" Crestview Pharmacy

<p>I you agree that these look like 35mm, I'll change my info. I've been on the fence about them since noticing the halos.</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>Jim, the East Texas town shot did look to me like a wide angle shot but I can understand readily that the camera position and angle, made of a recognizable structure such as the foreground building, can give similar effects using a longer (50mm) lens.</p>

<p>As for the very interesting halos about bright sources in your other linked images my memory of physics (and of the behavior of my former Summicron 50 and not easily found negatives) is too remote for me to attempt an explanation, or even a question like "Is it occurring in the lens or instead an effect between the light source and the tree leaves (diffraction?)."</p>

<p>The interesting starburst effect in your last link is something normally associated with smaller f stop openings (unless you had the time for a long exposure, this may not have been the case in your image). One can see from a blow-up that the bright highlight of the light is surrounded by a donut shape dark image (within the starburst). Is this due to the Summicron, or instead to some optical effects due to the high intensity of light source - film exposure interaction, such as "posterization" that I think has been explained by overexposure of the bright areas? Perhaps a more knowledgeable poster and/or physicist can better explain it than me. It is novel and suggests perhaps exploring some interesting similar exposures using a telephoto lens and similar subject matter.</p>

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