I’d like to get my hands on a V2 summicron (also called the rigid summicron) to check it out. Of course, earlier versions are interesting as well, since the V3, V4 and V5 share the same optical formula. The 50 Summicron has seen a recent increase in price and can be found just under 2000 Euros. In fact, the 50 Summicron is the only Summicron left that is not ASPH (aspherically corrected). Well, maybe the APO-Summicron, but that one is a few times the price of the regular Summicron. Why? Because it doesn’t get any better than this. In fact, many photographers own both the Summilux and Summicron, or the Noctilux and the Summicron. It is not a cheaper compromise for the Summilux. It has excellent image quality characteristics and is delivered in an excellent package. You can get close enough for nice framing, yet keep enough distance for kids that are a little scared of new people.ĭon’t be fooled by its size: the 50 Summicron is all you need for a one lens setup, or for an everyday 50 – which every photographer should have I think. Portraits of kids: a perfect job for a 50 cron. Most important: it is very light, very small and has the perfect focus throw. Next, it is sharp, wide open and is almost free from distortion. Why? Because the rendering is very Leica like: a bit classical, not too clinical, with smooth bokeh and a lot of micro contrast. So the 50 Summicron was a compromise, but it turned out to be the best lens I ever had. I bought my cron for 1350 euros and by now it is almost 2000 euros.
If you see them everyday, you’ll finally start to think that 3,5K for a lens actually isn’t that much. I think I was just getting used to the prices of Leica back then. And the 50 Summicron made me take another step back, because I was used to the 50/1.2 from Canon.
#Leica 50mm summicron v4 iso
With the M9, I already took a step back in the ISO department, compared to my Canon 5D2.
There are no aspherical surfaces or floating groups, but this lens doesn’t need them to perform excellently. Leica has used this design since 1979, but updated the mechanical design in 1994. I love everything about this picture, including the model…Īctually, I wanted a Summilux, but I thought it was too expensive. The Summicron is a simple double-Gauss design and is almost identical in design to the Zeiss 50mm f/2 Planar.