Want to Buy WTB: Leica collapsable 50mm 'cron for my M3

[J Durr]

I am looking for a nice collapsable 50mm f2 Summicron for my 1959 M3
and/or a nice 90mm collapsable.
Pics and info please (including price)

Thanks

 

[Huss]

I have a very nice one I don't use. Super smooth focus and aperture dial. Excellent glass:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/7638f4

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/55L192

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/1VYs7x

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/S8n0r7

$550 shipped/paypal

Shoot a roll of film through it - don't like it - send it back. (but you pay shipping back).
Comes w front and rear caps.

 

[J Durr]

I have a very nice one I don't use. Super smooth focus and aperture dial. Excellent glass:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/7638f4

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/55L192

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/1VYs7x

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/S8n0r7

$550 shipped/paypal

Shoot a roll of film through it - don't like it - send it back. (but you pay shipping back).
Comes w front and rear caps.

Do you have any pics of front and back? any haze, fungus, dust? Thanks

 

[Huss]

Minimal dust, no fungus, minimal (if any) haze. It's a 60 yr old lens so I don't want to say no haze but I put the lens on my light pad for the pics below and didn't see any.
There is a tiny series of pin prick marks- maybe three in the coating/front element on the surface of the lens. It is on the outer quarter and I have tried to photograph it and darkened/added clarity etc to emphasize it.
Aperture blades are nice and dry.

I would recommend (whoever buys it) to check it out, take some pics etc to determine satisfaction. If not satisfied, send it back. It is remarkable how this old lens mechanically feels much smoother and nicer than any of my new lenses - whether from Zeiss, Voigtlander or Nikon! The one thing I don't like about it is the infinity lock. Just not my thing but that's how these lenses are, and I would not tamper with it as it works as intended.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/0M7D9c
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/1bB98f
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/XMvH71
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/yz928R
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/XnFFU2
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/jpd7EE

 

[George Mann]

The one thing I don't like about it is the infinity lock. Just not my thing but that's how these lenses are, and I would not tamper with it as it works as intended.

I wish my Nikkors had a way to lock their focus rings.

 

[Huss]

I wish my Nikkors had a way to lock their focus rings.

Leica did it right with the version of the 35mm cron that has it incorporated into the thumb focus ridge thing. It's seamless. On the Cron v1 it is a little fiddly - at least to me.

 

[Huss]

Took these quick shots with the lens on my M240. Pardon the digital images but in this case I think it's acceptable... A few backlit ones to show how it handles that light. The others to show f2 and f4

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/VC60y6
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/359ZS9
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/V679W2
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/YqQV34

 

[J Durr]

Minimal dust, no fungus, minimal (if any) haze. It's a 60 yr old lens so I don't want to say no haze but I put the lens on my light pad for the pics below and didn't see any.
There is a tiny series of pin prick marks- maybe three in the coating/front element on the surface of the lens. It is on the outer quarter and I have tried to photograph it and darkened/added clarity etc to emphasize it.
Aperture blades are nice and dry.

I would recommend (whoever buys it) to check it out, take some pics etc to determine satisfaction. If not satisfied, send it back. It is remarkable how this old lens mechanically feels much smoother and nicer than any of my new lenses - whether from Zeiss, Voigtlander or Nikon! The one thing I don't like about it is the infinity lock. Just not my thing but that's how these lenses are, and I would not tamper with it as it works as intended.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/0M7D9c
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/1bB98f
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/XMvH71
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/yz928R
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/XnFFU2
https://www.flickr.com/gp/39133227@N08/jpd7EE

Thanks for hte pics. I am waiting to hear from Mr Ye. He is doing a CLA on a 'Cron and will send pics of his. I will choose asap. John

 

[Huss]

No prob. FYI you should be able to download those sample pics I took and view them at the full rez to pixel peep

 

[guangong]

Be aware that many of the older collapsible Summicron lenses were made with a glass that develops a yellowish cast, somewhat like a built in yellow filter.
In 1959, the popular combo was M3 and 50mm Elmer. Makes a nice compact package. Adding the collapsible 90mm Elmarit makes a great kit. For 35mm either lens with goggles or external finder, hence the M4.
But nothing beats the vf of the M3.

 

[J Durr]

Be aware that many of the older collapsible Summicron lenses were made with a glass that develops a yellowish cast, somewhat like a built in yellow filter.
In 1959, the popular combo was M3 and 50mm Elmer. Makes a nice compact package. Adding the collapsible 90mm Elmarit makes a great kit. For 35mm either lens with goggles or external finder, hence the M4.
But nothing beats the vf of the M3.

Thanks