jason_b. Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 OK. I know we talk about these two alot, but, what are the differences in Bokeh and Flare. I don't care too much about resolution vs contrast, but "glow" is an interesting and I'm sure enflaming quality to talk about too. I've got the version between the rigid and current, that focuses to .7M, but with a very long turn, and no tab, and I'm not really that in love with it. I don't know why... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnmarkpainter Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 I think that part of the "Glow" is actually Lower Contrast with a bit of Flare mixed in. I have an old user Rigid Summicron and wouldn't trade it for a new one....that's just me though. The difference between the two lenses is fairly obvious...not really an esoteric subtle thing. If you want a good deal on a current Cron, I am selling one on eBay right now. My username is johnmarkpainter I am selling the lens for a friend that simply has too many 50's laying around. It is the version with the Built-in hood. It has a small nick in the front element and I am sure that will keep the price down but of course it is still an excellent lens. jmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly_flanigan1 Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Just to confuse :) the matter; there was a limited "new" LTM Summicron 50mm F2 made a few years ago; the new current multicoated design for LTM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben z Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Jason, I've had the same one you've got (1969-1978 version)and I had use of a later one (same optics as the latest one but had a removable hood and the finger cradle)for a couple weeks but I returned it because I couldn't detect anything that much better about it optically and I liked the milled focus ring a little better than the finger cradle). Maybe yours needs a cleaning? Tried shining a light through it? Anyway, not that long ago I picked up a rigid, one with perfect (as far as I can tell) coating because it always had a UV on it (I switched the glass in it with glass from a B&W multi coater). Just to see what the fuss was all about. People have said it was the highest resolution of any of them, but with lower contrast. Well, it's a good lens, but color slides are not as crisp as with my 1969 type until about f/5.6. I haven't noticed the flare because I always keep a 12585 hood on it. I'm not a bokeh afficionado so I don't think I've ever paid attention to it, sorry. The sharp part of the shot always catches my attention to the exclusion of the blurred part. One thing about it though, there's a little spring-loaded latch button that catches whenever the lens is focused to infinity and it drives me bonkers. I think that was a design that went back to the screw mount days when it helped to not have the focus part turn when you were taking the lens on and off. But I can't see any good it does on an M body. If the lens weren't in such great shape I'd cut the silly thing off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_b. Posted December 31, 2004 Author Share Posted December 31, 2004 Ben, how close does the rigid focus? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_neuthaler Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Don't forget the "collapsible." Great "glow," light, and relatively inexpensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_b. Posted December 31, 2004 Author Share Posted December 31, 2004 Oh boy. Let's forget about the glow for a bit. How about bokeh, and flare from light sources within the image? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 forget the cron and get classic LUX!! its glow blow the crap out of the cron all versions!! Hehe and you get a stop more;~) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronald_moravec1 Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 The current version is the same as the rigid and same as the DR from 4.0 on IF the lenses are shaded and clean inside. The later designs have a larger good image area open full. The collapsible is a hi resolution, low contrast lens. The DR/Rigid (which are the same)were a big step up, but later changes were smaller steps. Now come the arrows about how their collaspable is just one fine lens. It is, just not compared to later ones. My collapsable is the only one I ever sold. I still have all the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic_. Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 http://www.kbcamera.com/summicron50m.htm The Collapsable, the Type I Rigid and the Dual Range are 7-element lenses. The newer ones are 6-element. The Type I and the Dual Range are the same lens, except that the Dual range is heavier. (285 grams vs. 400 grams.) Some prefer the 7-element signature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl_keung Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 coll 50 mm: has the best "glow", perfect for portrait. rigid/DR 50mm: very sharp, less glow, some flare sometimes even with hood, but the best built 50 mm from Leica. 1969-79 50 mm: lighter body, a happy compromise between the rigid and the latest cron, I like it the best for ordinary use. latest 50 mm: too much sharpness and too much colour, not romantic anymore, but romantic atmosphere is what most leica users are looking for in the lens, is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronald_moravec1 Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I would like to add, I use my 1969-79 version the most for an F2. There is a love affair though with 50 elmar 2.8 original and my 3.5 50 red scale is a favorite too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 I would really like to see that "glow" shown here whatever lens has got it. (I am sure a link to a really well scanned 900 pixel wide gallery image could demonstrate it a little even if 511 pixels cant.) The last time I put B&W film through my Leica CM with 40mm f/2.4 Summarit I saw no "glow" especially at 511 pixels. Please post some glow. Thanks. Here are a couple of my "no glow" Leica samples.... <center><img src="http://www.photo.net/bboard/image?bboard_upload_id=20859784"></center> Or this? <center><img src="http://www.photo.net/bboard/image?bboard_upload_id=20859884"></center> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 Both taken at f/2.4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben z Posted January 1, 2005 Share Posted January 1, 2005 "Jason Brownrigg , dec 31, 2004; 05:39 p.m. Ben, how close does the rigid focus?" 1 meter. I should have added that I also have a collapsible Summicron, it is a nice lens bust much softer in the corners until f/11 and also softer wide open all over than the rigid. I have an e43 type 50 Lux as well, from the early 80s, which I've only had for less than a year but quickly has become my most-used 50 by far. There is much less difference between it and the post-1969 Crons than internet banter says, it isn't that big and heavy like between the R Cron and Lux, and you do get that stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason_b. Posted January 1, 2005 Author Share Posted January 1, 2005 Thanks Ben. I sold my E46 lux because it was just too soft at .7m . The 'cron I have is tack sharp at .7m and it gets the job done, I'm just not I love, or whatever. What about flare? Anyone have a direct comparison between the rigid and the current? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgh Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Hi Jason, I was going to write sooner, but... Thought I'd still put a few words in as the 2nd rigid version 50mm Summicron in one of my favorite all-time Leitz/Leica lens. I got one over 30 years ago. My first 50mm was a DR Summicron and although fine, the 11817 or '69' was lighter, higher contrast and better corrected across the frame and great close up. Although the DR 'seems' to focus closer, you always have to have those goggles in your pocket. I like the metal clip-on reversible hood for protection and effective shade. Its a lens I never have to think about leaving behind its so compact, and as a one lens / one camera outfit is ideal. Its one tough lens, and is very smooth focus after all this time and travels, and I love its image look. Try it wide open with slow color transparency film on an overcast day, beautiful skin tones and 'creamy' bokeh. Great shadow detail and tone with B/W. Common 39mm filters and the clip on 13352 polarizing filter is a nice option with it, blue tropical sky. Interestingly... back when I got into Leica I never heard about 'Leica Glow', and I wouldn't say this 50mm Summicron has a glow about it, just a beautiful image, design and well made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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