How to tell which lens version?

[tbm]

Last night I was re-reading articles in the LHSA's Viewfinder Magazine from 1999 and 2000 about individuals' preferences regarding Leica's 50mm Summicrons, some preferring the dual range and others preferring the latest despite its "hard contrast". This morning I went to my M storage box, pulled out my 50mm Summicron, and could not find a version number anywhere on it. Therefore, how do I determine which one it is and how do I determine any year's make's number?

[rlouzan]

Collapsible 1954-1957

Rigid 1954 - 1968

DR 1956 - 1968

Wetzlar 1969 - 1979

EL CANADA (tab) 1980 - 1995

Built in hood (Solms) 1995 - date

+ Special Editions

[Bavaricus]

Originally Posted by tbm

Last night I was re-reading articles in the LHSA's Viewfinder Magazine from 1999 and 2000 about individuals' preferences regarding Leica's 50mm Summicrons, some preferring the dual range and others preferring the latest despite its "hard contrast". This morning I went to my M storage box, pulled out my 50mm Summicron, and could not find a version number anywhere on it. Therefore, how do I determine which one it is and how do I determine any year's make's number?

AFAIK there is no version number on any Leica lens. You have to determine it indirectly via the serial number. http://www.summilux.net/numeros/ gibes you a conveniant tool for determining the year of build.

Have a look here also:
http://www.antiquecameras.net/35summicronmlenses.html

[wpb]

Version 1 is collapsible in chrome
Version 2 is rigid in chrome (very rare in black paint over brass)
Version 3 is the dual range
Version 4 is black anodized aluminum with no "50" at base of lens
Version 5 is black anodized aluminum with "50", focusing lever and no built-in hood
version 6 is current with "50" and built-in hood (either chrome, black or titanium finish)

[tbm]

The articles, unfortunately, provide the model numbers, such as 11817, 11819, 11118, 11318, etc, none of which are listed above. Nevertheless, thank you all.

[tbm]

It turns out I have three M 50s: a DR made in 1958, a rigid made in 1962, and the latest version. Now I have to find a way to determine which model numbers are appropriate for these in order to understand the references in the articles.

[Paul Connet]

Originally Posted by tbm

It turns out I have three M 50s: a DR made in 1958, a rigid made in 1962, and the latest version. Now I have to find a way to determine which model numbers are appropriate for these in order to understand the references in the articles.

According to Sartorius "Identifying Leica Lenses" the numbers are as follows:
Collapsble - 11116 (1954-1957)
Rigid - 11818 (1956-1968)
DR - 11918 (1956-1968)
Wetzler - 11817 (1969-1979)
Solms - 11819 black, 11825 chrome (1979-1994)(tabbed)
Current - 11826 black, 11816 chrome (1994----)(built in hood)

Regards, Paul C.

[Bavaricus]

Originally Posted by tbm

It turns out I have three M 50s: a DR made in 1958, a rigid made in 1962, and the latest version. Now I have to find a way to determine which model numbers are appropriate for these in order to understand the references in the articles.

Oh, sorry it mixed up the pages! Here http://www.antiquecameras.net/50summicronmlenses.html you find the serialnumbers for your 50s in the text. Most of the time the model numbers are of no intrest for the collector or user. Sometimes different versions had the same order/model number. So the easiest way to identify your lens is by the serial.