LTM collapsible Summicron 50/2 - info please

[hoot]

Hi,

does anyone have experience with the screw-mount collapsible Summicron 50/2? (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe there is only one version, made in 1953, and discontinued when the M3 came out in 1954).

Specifically, I'd like to know the following:

* Is it at all coated?
* How susceptible is it to flare? Can I forget about shooting in backlight?
* Can sharpness/resolution compare to later M-mount Summicrons, or is it considered a soft lens?
* Can the bokeh compare to later M-mount Summicrons?
* What filter thread does it have?
* Does it have any provisions for attaching a hood, except by means of the filter mount? What hood would you especially recommend?
* Is the lens fully rangefinder-coupled when mounted on a Leica M via the LTM-to-M adapter?
* How much is this lens usually worth in fine user condition?

Thanks! If there's anything else noteworthy you can think of, please let me know!

[Brian Sweeney]

The Summicron is coated; but the coating on the original is a bit soft and susceptible to cleaning marks.

Flare: My type I rigid is generally free from flare, but best to avoid using with sunlight illuminating the glass directly. It is less flare-prone than the Nikkor 5cm F1.4.

39mm Filter Thread.

It is fully RF coupled on LTM lcameras or with an M camera via the adapter. The lens was available in M-Mount as well.

This lens goes in the $300 range with clean glass and decent condition. $400 for a great example. I have seen them with "blown" front elements go for $100. I want one of those to send to ARAX.

[aizan]

the bokeh is also smoother than the later summicrons. not as sharp and contrasty wide open, pretty much the same as you stop down.

[Hektor]

If you need to ask..... it'll be the best thing you've ever seen.

The only thing that is noticably better is a new one,

or a new Summilux (not an old one), 50mm, or 75mm especially,

It will out perform anything else if you do a 20x enlargement,

although some others, (nikon, canon, planars, elmars, ?tessars), are contrasy and look good on small prints,

it will fairly easily outperform current film and scanners.

If you want a sigificantly better image you have use medium or large format because the film is the limiting factor.

[hoot]

Thanks, everyone. I got a pristine one for 180 Euros. Will post pictures as soon as I make them.