50 summilux v1

[wenhan_xue]

<p>Recently I turned my interest in Leica RF becuase of size advantage and quality, and primarily I shoot film for architecture, landscape and street. I just bought a nice (cosmatically) leica 50mm summilux 1.4 lens to go with my M6 TTL. But I discovered the lens is Version 1 from the serial # 168xxxx (1959 product). I did my research and found that some people said this particular lens glass design is inferior. The lens could easily gets foggy or hazed. Obviously I will try by myself. But I would like to know your thoughts if you have or happen to use this lens. Thanks, Wenhan</p>

[michael_a._shapiro]

<p>If the lens is not fogged, then your reading that it could be fogged is irrelevant. Enjoy the lens.</p>

[starvy]

<p>Xue, I wouldn't worry too much about what might happen and just enjoy the present. If you can afford the lens I am sure you could afford any cleaning costs when it does fog.</p>

[christopher_a._junker1]

<p>I use a 50 Summilux 1.4 ver.1 on an M3. I've had it over 30 years and have not had any fogging. I do use a lens hood as that seems to improve contrast and reduce flare. Not a great lens wide open, but really nice from f2.8 on. Remember that the lens was probably designed over 40 years ago. There are optically better new non Leica 50 1.4's available at less cost on the market.</p>

[wenhan_xue]

<p>Thanks for your responses. Chris, the problem that I have is that I use 1.4 a lot for low light conditions. You are right that there are other brand 50 1.4 lenses better than this one. Wenhan</p>