How much should this 50 Cron go for?

[photobizzz]

I have bid on a chrome 50/2 Summicron but alot of other auctions for the same type of lens seem like they go for $600 plus. Is that the correct price range for this lens or can I hope to get it for less than $600? Link to the auction below.

50/2 Summicron-M (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190185442152&ru=http://search.ebay.com:80/190185442152_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQfviZ1)

[tbarker13]

The listing says it's the "latest model before the asph". Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think there is such a thing as a 50 Summicron Asph. So this lens would appear to be the lastest version.
That being the case, I'd be surprised if it went for less than $600. But stranger things have happened on ebay.

[ferider]

Since it's chrome and ending on a Sun, it will likely go for more than US 800.

You never know though.

[Brian Sweeney]

This late model will probably go for over $600, especially since attention has been drawn to it...

The older Summicron's go for under $600; the type 2 Rigid of the late 60s and early 70s is a good buy; the Type I Rigid and Collapsible Summicrons go for less. Don;t be afraid of a lens with a few cleaning marks, they affect price much more than performance.

[photobizzz]

Thanks for the replies, I was outbid already and definatley cant afford $600 so I may look into the collapsible 50 cron. I have seen a couple for $300 or less. I supossedly can collapse into the Bessa R3A I would purchase it for.

[emraphoto]

hey, how about a hexanon 50mm f2 m mount? there's a few about in the classifieds. i own both a 50 cron and a 50 hexanon and the build quality etc. is damn close. the hex 50 is also highly regarded if that kind of thing is important to you.
pretty sure they can be had for less than $600.
i bought mine for $410 and it's pretty much brand new!
i'm sure it's been covered but damn man, be careful over there.

[Brian Sweeney]

The collapsible summicron-M works well with my R2. I can collapse it with the shade on and use it with the fitted case.

[M. Valdemar]

Why don't you find a camera show or some other venue instead of eBay?

Then you don't have to compete against every wide-eyed stoopnagle with too many Euros or too little sense?

And NEVER post auctions here for "evaluations". All you do is guarantee that it will end at a higher price.


(oops, sorry, didn't notice your location until after I posted the above. I sincerely hope you come back soon in once piece and spend many happy years attending camera shows and hunting for equipment)


.

[Uwe_Nds]

I also second emraphoto's suggestion of an M-Hexanon.

Best regards and a happy and healthy new year,
Uwe

[photobizzz]

Well I thank you all for your input, I actually just pulled the "trigger" on an ebay auction and got a black 50/2 Cron with a small cleaning mark on the front element for $385. Came with caps as well, now just need to find a hood. The seller has 100% pos so and a 7 day return policy so all should be well. I think the black lens will look better on my black Bessa R3A than a silver one would anyway.

Here it is: Black Leitz Wezlar Summicron (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180200345638&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123)

[Brian Sweeney]

I have one of those, a fine performer. In the 1976 Pop Photo test of the 50mm lenses of the day, it was on top.

I use a "Heavystar" hood and cap. The cap is made to go over the hood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Metal-39mm-Vented-Hood-Cap-for-Leica-Summicron_W0QQitemZ140137421860QQihZ004QQcategoryZ 78999QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid =p1638.m118

[jack palmer]

I paid $900.00 for my Mint Chrome tabbed Summicron.

[J J Kapsberger]

The listing says it's the "latest model before the asph". Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think there is such a thing as a 50 Summicron Asph. So this lens would appear to be the lastest version.


You're totally correct. At this time there's no such thing as a 50 Summicron ASPH.

I have this version in black. I use this lens hood with it: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Metal-39mm-Screw-in-Vented-Tilted-Hood-for-Leica_W0QQitemZ140116817077QQihZ004QQcategoryZ7899 9QQcmdZViewItem

[Brian Sweeney]

Some examples with my "Type 2 Rigid" Summicron, circa 1970 Black lens, 6 elements in 5 groups, same version as what you just bought:

Wide-Open, from my first "test roll" on the M3 (On a fairly steeply inclined hill, and I'm trying to not fall over):

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=53843&stc=1&d=1198985292

Tight Crop:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=53844&stc=1&d=1198985306

[Brian Sweeney]

Obligatory "Brick Wall" Picture, probably F4 (maybe F2.8). I never close down past F4 on a test roll...

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=53845&stc=1&d=1198985459

Tight Crop:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=53846&stc=1&d=1198985467

[raid]

This late model will probably go for over $600, especially since attention has been drawn to it...

The older Summicron's go for under $600; the type 2 Rigid of the late 60s and early 70s is a good buy; the Type I Rigid and Collapsible Summicrons go for less. Don;t be afraid of a lens with a few cleaning marks, they affect price much more than performance.


Brian,

Which is the first type rigid and which is the second type rigid?

This image was taken at 2.0 with a rigid Summicron (chrome):


http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5297418

[dseelig]

these lenses for for 800 and up David

[Brian Sweeney]

I go by the designations that KB Cameras used:

http://www.leicagallery.com/summicron50m.htm

SO, by there reckoning, this is a Type 2 Rigid Summicron, SN#2,268,000-2,995,000. The optical formula is 6 elements in 5 groups.

The Type I Rigid is 7 elements in 6 groups. The collapsible is also 7 elements in 6 groups, but the spacing is different.

Some sellers use a different designations. The later "Type I Rigid Summicrons" (by KB Cameras' designation) are sometimes called "Type 2" because they have an improved coating and are marked in feet and meters. But, they have the same optical formula.

[raid]

Thanks Brian,
My Wetzlar example has serial number 1.5 million and is marked in feet only, so it is Type I rigid Summicron. It is chrome and in mint like condition. I cannot imagine nicer looking and better craftmanship than this version.

[Brian Sweeney]

The Type I is built like a tank. I've taken one apart, and cleaned the inner elements. It's down near you these days!

[photobizzz]

Well from looking at those test shots at f2-f4 I made a good purchase. I can only imagine how sharp it is at f8-11! I think for under $400 I made a good purchase even with a little mark in the coating. Thanks all for the contributions to my hunt for my summicron. I should have it along with my R3A and 90/2.8 T-E Thin in 1-1/2 weeks. I will post some shots once I get them.

[raid]

The Type I is built like a tank. I've taken one apart, and cleaned the inner elements. It's down near you these days!


Robin met with me one day, and he asked me to show him 50mm lenses before he ordered another normal lens [after his J-8]. Among the 15 lenses I showed him, he was stunned by the craftmanship of the Summicron. Then he told me "that's what I want to get", and you helped him out.

[ferider]

photobizzz, you got what is referred to as v3 (or "rigid II"). Nice lens and a very good
price. Congratulations !

Correct me if I'm wrong, Brian, your shots where taken with v2 (or "rigid"). I have
one of those, too. V3 is a different design and should have a little more contrast
and be more flare resistant. The big advantage of v3 over v2 is you will have close
focus of .7m, if I'm not mistaken.

See also here:

http://members.aol.com/dcolucci/summicron.htm

Best,

Roland.

[raid]

It is noteworthy that about 38% [combined] of the votes in a RFF poll of 50mm Summicron lenses favored the "first version" rigid/dual version of the Summicron. This tells me that the optical design must have been a good one.

[Brian Sweeney]

Roland, these shots are with the Type II Rigid, the ~1970 lens that I got from JDOS2 with his M3. The M3 is modified to focus to 0.7m, which matches this lens. I also have the Type I Rigid, and just sold a different Type I Rigid to Robin that I cleaned myself. I also have the collapsible Summicrons, two really clean ones, an LTM and M-Mount (Which I made out of two lenses). I also have a third collapsible Summicron in M-Mount with the front element that I recoated myself.

I go walking around Leesylvania State Park here in Virginia a good bit, and use that brick chimney for a lot of comparative lens tests.

[Brian Sweeney]

Showing my age here...

From my May 1976 Pop Photo test of 32 "normal" lenses.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=53940&stc=1&d=1199119874

Those dots hitting the top mean that this lens pegged the performance for the lenses of the day. Looks like F4~F5.6 is the peak performance for the lens. My experience with this lens and a lot of the other lenses in this write-up tend to bear-out this test.

[raid]

Thanks for the posting, Brian.
You cannot go wrong with a Summicron (any model).
It is simply an awesome lens.

[ferider]

Thanks, Brian. Good to know - I always wanted to see sample pictures
of v3 ("rigid II"). I have 35/2 and 90/2 v3 ....

Roland.

[ferider]

I wasn't so wrong with post #3. I would guess around US 850.

Roland.

[Brian Sweeney]

That lens just went for more than my Five Summicrons cost all together, with the CLA on the Type I Rigid.