Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/10/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Patrick: From the serial number, almost certain to be 2nd version, either a dual range (you can tell by a flat "platform" on the top of the focusing mount on which the close-up viewfinder fits) or a rigid. > From Camequest wed site: > Second version 1956-68 Rigid chrome, although a few were made in black by special order. Aesthetically a very handsome lens, sought after by shooters and collectors. This lens was tested to have the highest resolution (at the expense of some contrast) of any 50 Summicron several years ago by a Japanese photography magazine. ..............Erwin Puts acknowledges that the DR/Rigid Summicron has better resolution than the current formula 50/2 Summicron. >Again, very prone to front lens scratches. For many years thought to be the same optical formula as the collapsible, recently it has been confirmed to be slightly different. .............it is significantly different; still seven elements with two "air lenses" but much improved contrast across the image. > Third version 1956-1968 Dual Range Summicron, chrome. This is a special close focusing version of # 2 above. The 50/2 Duel Range Summicron had the highest tested resolution of any lens ever tested by the great and sadly departed American photography magazine, Modern Photography. It has the closest RF coupled focusing of any M lens. 7 elements. Most "experts" say the optical formula is the same as the rigid, but many experienced DR users claim they get different results and so believe they must be different formulas. .............absolutely identical optical formulas. If the optical cell has inscribed the digits "19" on the black metal retaining ring seen from the rear, it can be used interchangeably in focusing mounts of either DR or Rigid (so long as the Rigid's focusing mount has "19" inscribed to the right of the distance scale. Later production examples of both versions had somewhat improved coating. Patrick, here is one user whose only 50mm f/2 lens are DR/Rigid Summicrons from the mid-late 1960's. The current optical formula is designed for and delivers better contrast at full aperture. If you don't shoot at full aperture most of the time, I believe that the DR/Rigid offers the best balance of resolution and contrast available even today in a 50mm lens. If you do shoot a great deal at f/2 and you have only one 50mm lens, you probably want the 50/1,4 Summilux. Price? If it is truly mint mint, with the "eyes," (perfect glass, smooth focusing and aperture rings) could be $550.-750. on eBay. Curiously, a truly mint Rigid lens is likely to be somewhat more valuable than a mint Dual-range. Reason, the professional photojournalists didn't buy the more expensive DR's as they didn't need the close-up capability. Advanced amateurs tended to buy the DR, and use them more carefully. Result, less likely to find a mint Rigid. If necessary, full clean-lubricate-adjust (CLA) should cost $100.-125. plus roundtrip shipping. Seth LaK 9 - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html