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Leica 50mm Summicron-M Lenses The Leica Summicron lens has long been considered to be the benchmark for all 50mm lenses. Many users are confused by the many versions available since 1953. This page is an attempt to illustrate the common models and variations available on the market. Page created April 2007 |
| MODEL / INTRODUCED | LENS | Price Range (Exc Cond) | NOTES |
| Collapsible Summicron-M: 1953-56 |  |
$ 250-400 | The Collapsible Summicron lens began life as a screw mount lens and was later made for the M mount cameras. Serial #'s for the screw mount started at 920,000 and ran into the M mount serial #'s, about 1,112,000. The screw mount and M mount lenses are identical in performance. The Collapsible Summicron ( SM & M ) have very similar performance to the Leica Summitar lens at wide apertures, slightly better stopped down. 7 elements in 4 groups. Lens has low to medium contrast, and prone to flare. Vignetting 1.5 stops. Close focus to 1 meter. M mount serial #'s ran from about 1,112,000-1,709,000. Approx. 113,300 made (SM&M). E39 Filter. |
| Rigid Summicron-M: 1957-68 |  |
$ 425-600 | Lens shows good improvement over previous 'cron in both higher resolution and contrast. 7 elements in 4 groups. Flare and secondary reflections are reported with this lens ( Leica "glow" ?). Well regarded for its "out-of-focus" or "bokeh" characteristics. At F 5.6, performance is very high. Vignetting 1.6 stops. Prone to fogging and cleaning marks. Close focus to 1 meter. Serial #'s 1,400,001-2,358,300. Approx. 119,500 made ( includes this version and Dual Range ). E39 filter. |
| Dual Range Summicron-M: 1957-68 | |
$ 425-625 (w/eyes) | Optically identical to the Rigid, however, this model focuses as close as 48cm utilizing a set of "eyes" which aid the M3 camera in focusing this lens with rangefinder coupling. Without the "eyes" attached, the lens will work fine in the normal, 1 meter to infinity range on almost all Leica M mount cameras. Prone to fogging and cleaning marks. Both this lens and the Rigid are considered by most, to represent the pinnacle of Leica's manufacturing quality. Vignetting 1.6 stops. Serial #'s 1,400,001-2,358,300. Approx. 119,500 made ( includes this version and Rigid ). E39 Filter. |
| Summicron-M, "Third Version": 1969-79 |  |
$ 500-650 | Many refer to this model as the Summicron Third version ( or sometimes as Rigid II ). Change to a six element design in 5 groups. The design emphasis on this lens was for higher contrast with slightly less resolution. This was the opposite of the previous versions. Vignetting 1.8 stops. This lens is the least popular of all the versions, but for probably no good reason. Since the later version provides performance improvements, and the previous versions feature medium contrast and high resolution ( ideal for B&W shooters ), this version is the "odd man out" of Summicrons. Close focus to .7 meter. Serial #'s 2,269,251-2,915,800. E39 Filter. |
| Summicron-M, "Fourth Version": 1979-current |  |
$ 650-850 | Current lens sold by leica today. Contrast and resolution similiar to the third version, except performance is better to the edges and flare has been reduced. Close up performance is also improved. Six elements in 4 groups. Vignetting 1.9 stops. Since 1979, the optical deisgn has remained the same, but the barrel has seen a few variations such as a focusing tab. Other variations include black finish, chrome finish, titanium finish and even a limited platinum finish. The latest variation of this model features a built-in lenshood ( from 1994-on ). Close focus to .7 meter. Serial #'s 2,909101-3,xxx,xxx. E39 Filter. |
| Some data
in chart is culled from the "Leica Pocket Book"
|
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| Leica Books ==> |
Leica Lens Serial Numbers Identifying Leica Lenses, Ghester Sartorius, 1999, ISBN 0-8174-4027-5 156 001 - 195 000 1933 195 001 - 236 000 1934 236 001 - 284 600 1935 284 601 - 345 000 1936 345 001 - 416 500 1937 416 501 - 490 000 1938 490 001 - 538 500 1939 538 501 - 565 000 1940 565 001 - 582 294 1941 582 295 - 593 000 1942 593 001 - 594 880 1943 594 881 - 595 000 1944 595 001 - 601 000 1945 601 001 - 633 000 1946 633 001 - 647 000 1947 647 001 - 682 000 1948 682 001 - 756 000 1949 756 001 - 840 000 1950 840 001 - 950 000 1951 950 001 - 1 051 000 1952 1 051 000 - 1 124 000 1953 1 124 001 - 1 236 000 1954 1 236 001 - 1 333 000 1955 1 333 001 - 1 459 000 1956 1 459 001 - 1 548 000 1957 1 548 001 - 1 645 300 1958 1 645 301 - 1 717 000 1959 1 717 001 - 1 827 000 1960 1 827 001 - 1 913 000 1961 1 913 001 - 1 967 100 1962 1 967 101 - 2 015 700 1963 2 015 701 - 2 077 500 1964 |
2 077 501 - 2 156
300 1965 |
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