Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda

New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site

New Feature: SMS Notification alert

New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist

FM Forums | Leica & Alternative Gear | Join Upload & Sell

2 end

Archive 2016 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

I recently bought a used Leica Summicron-R 50mm lens. I looked up the serial number and it was produced in 1966 (we both share the same birth-year). It also has the lens hood/lens cap combo that comes off the lens, but to close the lens, you put the lens hood backwards onto the lens and the lens cap goes on top of that.

I'm trying to figure out which specific lens this was because it looks like Leica produced a lot of different Summicron-R lenses at the same time.

Anyone know?
Thanks.
Bill

Sep 07, 2016 at 12:34 PM

genji
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels wrote:
I recently bought a used Leica Summicron-R 50mm lens. I looked up the serial number and it was produced in 1966 (we both share the same birth-year). It also has the lens hood/lens cap combo that comes off the lens, but to close the lens, you put the lens hood backwards onto the lens and the lens cap goes on top of that.

I'm trying to figure out which specific lens this was because it looks like Leica produced a lot of different Summicron-R lenses at the same time.

Anyone know?
Thanks.
Bill

Leica produced two Summicron-R 50mm lenses and yours is the first version (1964-1976). The best source of information about Leica R lenses that I'm aware of is the Leica Camera Forum Wiki. Information about the version 1 Summicron-R 50/2 is on this page.

Sep 07, 2016 at 12:45 PM

billsamuels
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

This is the lens...

Sep 07, 2016 at 12:53 PM

billsamuels
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

Leica produced two Summicron-R 50mm lenses and yours is the first version (1964-1976). The best source of information about Leica R lenses that I'm aware of is the Leica Camera Forum Wiki. Information about the version 1 Summicron-R 50/2 is on this page.

Thanks for the great information. Not only did you answer this question, but I'm looking for an Elmarit-R 35 E55 and I couldn't figure out what the E55 meant, so now I know what that means as well.

If YOU (whomever sees this) could have any wider angle to medium (50mm or less) angle Leica lens, and it had to fit a Canon camera, what would you get?

Thanks.
Bill

Sep 07, 2016 at 01:13 PM

arduluth
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels wrote:
If YOU (whomever sees this) could have any wider angle to medium (50mm or less) angle Leica lens, and it had to fit a Canon camera, what would you get?

Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R II.

Sep 07, 2016 at 01:31 PM

Steve Spencer
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

That is the first version. They are easy to tell apart. If it has a built in hood it is version II. If it has an add on hood it is version I.

Sep 07, 2016 at 01:39 PM

genji
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels wrote:
Thanks for the great information. Not only did you answer this question, but I'm looking for an Elmarit-R 35 E55 and I couldn't figure out what the E55 meant, so now I know what that means as well.

If YOU (whomever sees this) could have any wider angle to medium (50mm or less) angle Leica lens, and it had to fit a Canon camera, what would you get?

The Elmarit-R 28mm f/2.8 (Version II) that arduluth recommended is regarded as one of the best 28mm lenses ever but its price reflects that reputation.

If you don't need something that wide, then the Elmarit-R 35mm f/2.8 E55 (Version III) that you're looking for is excellent and, for a Leica R lens, relatively inexpensive. It was the first Leica R lens I purchased and I was always very happy with the images it produced.

Sep 07, 2016 at 09:00 PM

billsamuels
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

arduluth wrote:
Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R II.

How much would a version II cost on the open market? Also, which would be better, the 28 III or the 35 vs. III (E55)?

I found someone who is willing to sell me their film Leica M camera and the Elmarit-R 35mm lens w/ it for $550, but I asked him which lens is it as I only want the E55.

Sep 08, 2016 at 12:01 PM

Alpha_Geist
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

Expect to pay around $2k (or more) for the 28mm Elmarit-R II lens.

Sep 08, 2016 at 02:29 PM

genji
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels wrote:
I found someone who is willing to sell me their film Leica M camera and the Elmarit-R 35mm lens w/ it for $550, but I asked him which lens is it as I only want the E55.

You might want to check carefully what they are selling. The Leica M is a rangefinder system whereas the Leica R is a reflex system so I think it's more likely that it's Leica M camera with an M lens. Leica M lenses can't be used on a Canon reflex camera because the flange focal distance (or register) of the M-mount lenses is too short.

Sep 08, 2016 at 05:32 PM

LightShow
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

arduluth wrote:
Leica 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit-R II.
Agreed.

Cheaper options:
Contax Hollywood 28/2 (also SMC K 28/2)
SMC K 28/3.5

Sep 09, 2016 at 02:52 AM

genji
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

LightShow wrote:
Agreed.

Cheaper options:
Contax Hollywood 28/2 (also SMC K 28/2)
SMC K 28/3.5

I was thinking of the UC-Hexanon AR 28/1.8 as another option (it's really good) but Konica AR lenses won't work on Canon bodies. And a 28mm (rather than a 35mm) is probably a better choice if you already have a 50mm.

Sep 09, 2016 at 04:00 AM

billsamuels
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

Alpha_Geist wrote:
Expect to pay around $2k (or more) for the 28mm Elmarit-R II lens.

How much "better" or in what ways would the Elmarit 28 be better than the Elmarit 35? Is it really around $2000? The 35 is around $400 - why the huge difference? Is there really that much difference in lens character between the two?

Sep 09, 2016 at 07:23 AM

jcolwell
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

Alpha_Geist wrote:
Expect to pay around $2k (or more) for the 28mm Elmarit-R II lens.

billsamuels wrote:
How much "better" or in what ways would the Elmarit 28 be better than the Elmarit 35? Is it really around $2000? The 35 is around $400 - why the huge difference? Is there really that much difference in lens character between the two?

The Elmarit-R 28/2.8 II E55 with 'low profile' attached hood has excellent sharpness right into the corners. Very few other lenses do.

Sep 09, 2016 at 07:36 AM

arduluth
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels wrote:
How much "better" or in what ways would the Elmarit 28 be better than the Elmarit 35? Is it really around $2000? The 35 is around $400 - why the huge difference? Is there really that much difference in lens character between the two?

From what I've read, the 35mm isn't that impressive. Certainly not a bad lens, but when there are many nice 35mm f/2.8 lenses, and most of them cost a lot less than $400. So unless you want Leica for Leica's sake, there are probably better options.

28mm and 35mm are different focal lengths. Again, unless you want Leica for its own sake, start with the focal length you want and go from there.

Sep 09, 2016 at 11:15 AM

billsamuels
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

arduluth wrote:
From what I've read, the 35mm isn't that impressive. Certainly not a bad lens, but when there are many nice 35mm f/2.8 lenses, and most of them cost a lot less than $400. So unless you want Leica for Leica's sake, there are probably better options.

28mm and 35mm are different focal lengths. Again, unless you want Leica for its own sake, start with the focal length you want and go from there.

So it sounds like the 35 Elmarit isn't that impressive, and it's the 28mm Elmarit-R that I want. That would probably work better anyway because I have a Leica 50mm so this would be a ways down from 50mm.

I just did my own comparison between a Zeiss 50mm and the Summicron 50mm above and the Summicron is noticeably sharper than the Zeiss Planar T. Both are older lenses.

Sep 10, 2016 at 12:47 AM

genji
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels wrote:
So it sounds like the 35 Elmarit isn't that impressive, and it's the 28mm Elmarit-R that I want. That would probably work better anyway because I have a Leica 50mm so this would be a ways down from 50mm.

I just did my own comparison between a Zeiss 50mm and the Summicron 50mm above and the Summicron is noticeably sharper than the Zeiss Planar T. Both are older lenses.

To the contrary, given its cost, the 35mm Elmarit-R is quite impressive, certainly better than any other 35/2.8 lens I've used. But the 28mm Elmarit-R Version II is an order of magnitude better, as you'd expect from how much it costs. I regard a set of 28mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses as a perfect prime trio.

Sep 10, 2016 at 04:57 AM

jcolwell
Online
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

billsamuels wrote:
I just did my own comparison between a Zeiss 50mm and the Summicron 50mm above and the Summicron is noticeably sharper than the Zeiss Planar T. Both are older lenses.

OTOH, at f/8 and infinity focus, the Zeiss Makro-Planar 50/2 is sharper than the 'Cron. So is the Mamiya 645 C 55/2.8 N.

Sep 10, 2016 at 05:02 AM

billsamuels
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

jcolwell wrote:
OTOH, at f/8 and infinity focus, the Zeiss Makro-Planar 50/2 is sharper than the 'Cron. So is the Mamiya 645 C 55/2.8 N.

I take back what I said. I took some photos yesterday using a Zacuto Z-Photo and I realized it was my eyes that couldn't focus as well because when I focused on a calendar across my room with both the Zeiss Planar T and the Summicron-R 50, the Zeiss was slightly sharper.

Sep 11, 2016 at 09:57 AM

arduluth
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Leica Summicron-R 50mm - How do I know which version this is?

genji wrote:
To the contrary, given its cost, the 35mm Elmarit-R is quite impressive, certainly better than any other 35/2.8 lens I've used. But the 28mm Elmarit-R Version II is an order of magnitude better, as you'd expect from how much it costs. I regard a set of 28mm, 50mm, and 90mm lenses as a perfect prime trio.

Just wondering if you've got any photos to show along those lines? Decent 35mm f/2.8 for $50-150 are easy to find. From what I had seen, the 35mm Elmarit-R is a fine lens, but I didn't see anything in that images that put it head and shoulders above the alternatives to justify the $400-600 price tag. Not sure what version(s) I've seen images from, and the later versions are apparently better.

Agree that the Leica R 28mm, 50mm f/2, and 90mm f/2 (or 80mm f/1.4 for something really special) would make for a nice kit.

Sep 13, 2016 at 12:03 PM

1 2 end
FM Forums \| Leica & Alternative Gear \| Join Upload & Sell 1 2 end

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.