The Leica 50 Summicron Lens Overview

[IXIBobOhIXI]

Photographers arguing yet again about Canon vs Nikon? Drop a Leica bomb on them. Argument over.

[bagatell101]

Well here it is a Leica R4 SLR with the magic Summicron 50mm and even a motor drive that uses just AA size batteries, all ingreat condi for $600 am I not crazy to switch to digital, just let me know if you want it

mrendre@me.com

[helthuismartin]

Goddd i am glad not too have a Leica camera.,every time i whant too buy a lens , i have too put my wife behind a window and put in a red lightbulb.

[MrPlaystationboy]

have you heard of the 50mm f0.95 noctilux ...its sad by manyto be the best 50mm ever made for any lens mount ..but its priced like a crappy car

[DubsMood]

not true that the summilux is the "best" (whatever that is) 50mm lens. summicron is definately sharper. the only downside is the bokeh. there the summilux shines!

[greenophotography]

I find it amusing that "great" and "overpriced" are nearly always coupled in the proclamations of those who tend to want something for next-to-nothing.

[taraskovaliv]

They need to add a focusing tab to this lens - like they have done on the 1.4 ASPH -- I used to own one of these Summicron 50s but the retracting hood drove me bonkers... It would be good (for me) if it could somehow be locked in the extended position...

(Why does Steve Huff talk like a gameshow host??)

[shadowblack1987]

Great but overpriced glass.

[catalinaumbert]

I have the 50mn Summilux f1.4 and each time I go to a camera shop, someone want to buy it from me, no way!

[111nuthead]

Your reviews r very, very good, BUT!! Please hold the camera Still !! , USE TRIPOD !!, it`s jumping all the time in ALL your vids. Very unpofessional, distracts and makes dizzy. Please respect Your Work, Tripod MUST !

[adamjohari]

aaaa already saved enough to buy this. but i'm having a difficult time pulling the trigger.

[Borzoi86]

No question the 50 Summicorn is a jewel. (I've owned two earlier models back in my M-film days.) My favorite "walking around combo" (should I ever have an M9) would be a 28 & 50 -- both Summicrons. Each lens small & compact but able to deliver stunning results. Hey, don't forget to put a Leica UV filter on the front of each for some protection when the rough 'n tumble of street shooting.

[CottonClubDancer]

This is the 50mm f/2 lens all others are compared to.

I like my M7 for street shooting because its shutter is discrete.

I like my lens in a metal housing and I use the DOF scale on the lens.

My plastic Canon 50 f/1.4 has no DOF scale and it's stiff to focus manually.

My Canon EOS 3 with the whole line of lenses is not as useful for street shooting as my M7 with either 50/2.0 or 28/2.0 for medium wide angle.

[ganzonomy]

Steve,

I have a leicaflex SL (1968). I was wondering if your reflections on the summicron 50mm can be carried over to the R-variant, or if they're significantly different. Also, what is your perspective on the R-Series versus the M-Series Leicas?

Jason

[1986Chaitanya]

its on top of my wishlist to buy a Leica RF and a wide-angle lens.

[rustynasty143]

sorry for the first incomplete comment, i would like to ask could you post a review video of the 35 cron f2 since this is your one of you most recommended lens line up please thanks and more power.

[rustynasty143]

Hi steve, im an avid fan of your i thi

[hossrex]

The crazy thing about Leica is you can't even find a "junker" M3 with lens for anywhere CLOSE to a thousand dollars... and that's my personal cut-off.

All I want is an M3 that has an accurate shutter, and ANY Leica lens that isn't fogged... crazy that it's still insanely expensive.

Good stuff though. Don't think I'm griping about Leica... I want one very badly.

[rcazphoto]

Thanks for the review. Anyone buying a Leica should start with an older film body and lens. Rangefinders are unique and take a lot of work to master. Fantastic, mystical, quirky, but not for everyone.

[mrrrxxxxx]

I can see your Rocket Dust Blower in the background! lol I have the same

[bujassem81]

hi Steve, i'm a big fan of your reviews, and i have to agree with you, the M9 is just amazing camera, I've sold my Canon system, and i'm currently planning to order one with a couple of lenses.

my question is this lens 6 bit coded, if not , does it add any thing to the overall quality compared to the lux 50 1.4

[BBfilmproductionINC]

Just a beautiful lens. Only can't afford a leica, or even a lens

But my day will come when I can buy my Leica.

[mono1342]

I am photography enthusiasts and have seen a lot of your reviews. It is still not clear to me why I should buy an expensive Leica camera or lens when other cameras (eg, canon, nikon) can produce similar quality photos and are much cheaper. In your reviews you don't show a side-by-side comparison of a picture taken by Leica and the same picture taken by a Canon to convince us why Leica has better quality.

[stevehuff1969]

I have explained it MANY times! Also, I have shown plenty of comparisons. I also showed a Nikon D3s against the Leica with the Leica producing a MUCH better file.

If you have to question why you should buy a Leica then you do not really need a Leica.

It is about the "system" as a whole and the way you use that "system". Also, as a bonus I have yet to find ANY DSLR that can bet its output.

Those who do not own one or shoot with one would never understand. Those that do "get it".

[outcrasher]

@stevehuff1969 that's a WIN!

[rostant999]

@stevehuff1969 i had a m6 with a summicron 50 gated it and sold it to get a plaubel 67 (couldn't find a 670). some might say not fair to compare 35mm to a mf but both rangefinders handholdable. leica can change lens plaubel cant but really which gives you the best results. the pictues taken with the plaubel are just so much better looking than a leica which didn't impress me at all. plaubel old now but bet you the new fuji 667 blows away a m9 summicron 50 too

[dvamateur]

@stevehuff1969 That's like asking why you'd buy a Rolex instead of a Casio watch. Both show time well. But yet, some people prefer Rolex.

[danvprod]

@mono1342 If you like canon, use canon. You can buy a toyota that gets similar gas mileage and features as a BMW. But I still see a lot of BMWs on the road.

[Pablosammy1]

@mono1342 You're comparing SLRs to rangefinders. The Nikons and Canons that you say give similar image quality (debatable) weigh kilos, and the lenses even more. You need a big backpack to take your kit for a walk.

NOBODY except Leica makes a quality full-frame digital rangefinder. NOBODY would EVER make one as perfectly built. It's a Leica thing. If you're questioning why you'd want a Leica, you don't want a Leica. For a few of us, it's the only thing we care to shoot.

[DickEvans09]

@mono1342

Anyone who needs to ask why they should buy a Leica camera does not deserve ownership of one!!

[ksamusmith]

@mono1342 If your dream is not to own a Leica or Zeiss Lenses get the hell out of photography!

[jankovicmirko]

Like always nice review Steve.

You are a lucky one ;)

Still my dream, a Leica.

[stevehuff1969]

Thanks!