fred_obturateur Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Hi, I am considering buying a "50 Jahre" 50mm Summicron but I'd like to know what you photo.net think about it... What i'd really like to know is is it better than a standard modern Summicron or is equal? I'll add this : I have been using & abusing a DR late-50's Summicron for 9 years now & I think it's time to invest in a modern one. I have NO interest in buying a collector's item for the sake of it (I am a Leica user not a Leica victim/fan). I kind of want this particular lens mainly because its design is close to the one I'm used to, so I (or my fingers) wouldn't "lost" using it. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi v Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Hi Fred, are the "50 Jahre" 50mm still easily obtanaible? How many did Leica make? And how much are they going for nowadays? Having asked you that (you probably know the answers, since you are considering buying one...), I bought one last year after a long research and I know that the lens computation is the same/equal as the latest 50 Summicron, but the "50 jahre" looks/feels really beautiful and I find it easier to use than the standard one (which I use more often though, because I feel (I am occasionally also a Leica "victim"...) IT IS a collector's item more than one to use...you'll see what I mean if/once you buy it and get the lens out of its fancy box................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I don't know which version this is. As a guess, perhaps a version III, aka model 11817. A very fine lens, but the "50 Jahre" designation doesn't make it better! That is only a commemorative engraving, which does indeed make it pricier! If you will post the first 3 or 4 digits of the serial number, I can tell for sure which one it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi v Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 REVISED POST: Hi Fred, are the "50 Jahre" 50mm still easily obtainable? How many did Leica make? And how much are they going for nowadays? Having asked you that (you probably know the answers, since you are considering buying one...), I bought one last year after a long research and I know that the lens computation is the same/equal to the latest 50 Summicron, but the "50 jahre" looks/feels really beautiful and I find it easier to use than the standard one, even though I use the standard one much more often because I feel (I am occasionally also a Leica "victim"...) the "50 Jahre" feels/is undoubtly more like a collector's item than one to use...you'll see what I mean if/once you buy it and get the lens out of its fancy box................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Luigi, et. al.: I'm having trouble with this. The earliest lens with current formula is the 11819. There was one in a 70 year commemorative for the anniversary of the Ur-Leica. I have a 70 year commemorative 35mm v. IV, made from 1979-80 to 1996. It also commemorates the Ur Leica, begun in 1913. That postdates the 50 year point by 20 years. So 50 years from 1913 would be 1963, which puts us in the era of the version II, rigid or DRS. If they figured from 1923, the Leica "O" then we are looking at 1973, which is then the 11817. Seems too early for the 11819 or later. So, I would think it is a version II or III. The 70 Jahre ought to be version IV, 11819. No? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Here's more: The 50 Jahre Leicaflex SL, the CL, the M5, and M4, were all issued in 1975. Reference here is Leica Illustrated Guide, p. 62. Surely the 50 Jahre Summicron was issued at the same time. That makes it a version III, not the later 11819. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi v Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Rob, the "50 Jahre" Summicron 2/50 was produced in February 2003 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the production of the very first Summicron 50mm f/2 lens in 1953. This lens has the present series' proven optics, but is fashioned from a special silver finished brass mount to resemble the original version. Once at home I will also able to tell you the Leica product code. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_wilder1 Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I briefly owned the 50 Year 'SE' version you're referring to and I returned it. Optically it was the same as the current model and lens testing revealed no optical benefit. Mechanically Erwin Puts says it's tolerances are a tad tighter. Although it's vey pretty in a classical Leica sense and does use the better clip-on shade, the absense of the infinity lock tab makes mount/dismount a little harder because of the absence of a milled gripping surface. Consequently, if your fingers are a little sweaty, they slide off the smooth contours of the lens barrel especially on attempted removal. I also found that it seemed more sensitive to RF focus error if you inadvertantly put pressure on the hood while cradling the lens on camera support. This probably caused the RF cam to change position ever so slightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob F. Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Okay, thanks, that clears it up. Apparently they have a "50 Jahre" to commemorate something-or-other, every few years, ad lib, even after they've already had the "70 Yahre." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdnyc Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Fred, I own a 50 Jahre Summicron and regularly use it in the street. As has been mentioned, it combines the most modern formulation of the Summicron in a 1950s-style housing. In an article on his website, Erwin Puts explains how the differences are not merely cosmetic: the tolerances are tighter and I believe he mentions other quality differences as well. It also looks great, especially on a silver chrome body, if that matters to you. The 50 Jahre Summicron has a relatively short focus throw, which is qucker in use but, in theory, potentially less accurate than the longer focus throw on the 11817. Practically, I find the short focus throw entirely adequate for any use to which I have ever put the lens, including focusing at the closest focusing distance at f/2 in dim light on a .58 viewfinder. I'm glad I bought one and would buy one again...unless I opted for the 50 Lux ASPH. To my mind, that's its only real competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_york1 Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 Same optical forumula as current model. I had one -great pictures -- but gave it to my brother, who apprreciates the retro look more then I. A little lighter then the current silver 50mm Summicron. Probably a more effective shade, but the built in shades are more convenient. Its a very nice lens when I had it, and my brother now is very happy with it; I just went to a Summilux for the extra speed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi v Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 They don't seem to appear much on the second hand market...does anybody think that it will become a real collectable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi v Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 And does anybody know how many were actually produced...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdnyc Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I believe 1000 were produced for worldwide distribution. To be certain, I think Leica would probably answer this question for you directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feli Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 http://www.imx.nl/photosite/leica/magazine/Summicron/historycron.html Same formula as the current model, in a very elaborate mount. feli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob haight Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I bought one of the last new 50 Jahre lenses. If your a Leica user, not collector, you don't need this lens. As stated, its mostly about comsetics and the glass is the same as the current Summicron. You will save a lot of money buying the regular Summicron easily available new or used. I like the advantage of the built in hood in the current Summicron for regular use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrewlamb Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 I was lucky enough to buy one for less than the price of a regular new Summicron. As has been stated before, it's the optical equivalent of the regular 50s no more, no less. It looks nice on my M3 and is particualrly well made. However, I don't think it's worth paying over the odds for one. The only reason why I bought mine is because of a very generous deal I got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jack_markham Posted January 26, 2006 Share Posted January 26, 2006 The 50 Jahre 50mm Summicron is an absolute joy to use. It feels great in the hand. I do like the shorter focus throw. I still use the 50mm Summicron that I purchased new in 1971, but I do like my 50 Jahre even better. And, do you know what? I actually have two of these 50 Jahre 50mm Summicron lenses. And, no, I don't want to sell one. :)<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl_keung Posted January 30, 2006 Share Posted January 30, 2006 jack, that is very nice modified M4 you have there :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred_obturateur Posted February 5, 2006 Author Share Posted February 5, 2006 Thanks a lot for the tons of replies pix etc. I think I'll stick to my old Dr for the moment. So I'll be more than ready for the "60 Jahre" edition! (just kidding) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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