Summicron 50mm F2 Serial Numbers

Some chrome versions exist as well, looking exactly like the 50mm Rigid, but with ELCAN engraved and serial numbers 132-000x. Later iterations of the classic 7-element 50mm Summicron (serial numbers 993,000-1.030,000) that employ lanthanum (LaK9) glass provide noticeably better imaging performance, especially wide open. However, this and subsequent improvements were the results of tweaks in. In 1956, Leitz introduced a rigid version of the 50mm f2 Summicron, the revolutionary lens first offered as a collapsible version in LTM in 1953 and in M mount in 1954. The 1956 rigid version constituted a revised optical design with a harder front element and deeper rear element. A “Dual-Range” M mount rigid version was also introduced at this time. Leica Summicron Dual Range (“DR”) 50mm f2 lens. I always had the old Leica Summicron DR 50mm f2 (“Dual Range”) lens on my ‘to try’ list despite owning a modern Leica Summicron 50mm f2 v5 lens. (Why I bought this lens) When considering new glass my first reference point is Flickr.

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Leica M 50/2 Dual Range Summicron

The 50/2 Dual Range Summicron is one of the most interesting Leica M lenses with the closest rangefinder coupled focusing of any M lens. The removable 'eyes' provide parallax corrected viewing in the close focus range. The flat dovetail mounting base for the eyes gives the DR has a unique appearance among Leica lenses. A popular lens in the user market, many photogs consider the DR their sharpest lens. A 50 DR had the honor of having the highest resolution ever tested by the now sorely missed American photography magazine, Modern Photography, at over 100 lines per mm. Using it in the close up range can be confusing, and so the detailed explanation below. If you want to shoot closer than .7 meters with your M camera, the Dual Range Summicron remains your most convenient choice to this day.

The eyes must be removed before mounting or dismounting the lens. Left pic shows lens mounted without 'eyes' close up attachment in normal focusing range, from infinity to one meter. The eyes will not mount in normal focusing range because the interlocking dovetail mount ball bearing can only be depressed in the close focusing range. Right pic shows close-up of the eyes dovetail mount with the ball bearing.

Summicron 50mm F2 Serial Numbers

The classic chrome front caps are easy to lose, as well as dent or scratch. Use a modern plastic front cap in the field. Notice the eyes, there is some separation on the larger side, but it is still very usable.

2nd Version Dual Range Summicron with simpler Leitz logo on eyes and original vintage front lens cap

To use Close-up Focusing Range:

  1. Mount the lens ( lens will not mount if eyes are attached)

  2. Pull the focusing barrel AWAY from the camera body (barrel will pull outward about 3 mm)

  3. In this extended position, rotate the focusing barrel towards the camera's advance lever

  4. The square block of metal aligned with the focusing index mark in the pic above right, will lock in position at the 8 depth of field marking

  5. You can now mount the eyes, because in this position the base of the eyes will depress the ball bearing in the lens barrel, allowing the eyes to mount

  6. To dismount the eyes, you must return the lens barrel to the same position as when the eyes were mounted

  7. With the eyes removed, you will now be able to dismount the lens

  8. The lens barrel will remained locked until you once again pull the focusing barrel outward and rotate the barrel back to the normal focusing position

The 50/2 Dual Range Summicron was made from 1956 to 1968, only in chrome.

The pics don't adequately show the magnificent fit and finish of the Dual Range. A modern 50/2 Summicron is probably sharper, but side by side, there is no contest on which one is the better made. Until you hold them side by side in your hands, you won't fully appreciate the construction differences of the classic 50's and 60's lenses compared to modern lenses. For Visoflex fans, the focusing head of the DR will unscrew for bellows close up work.

Summicron 50mm F2 Serial NumbersNumbers

Compatibility: Leica has confirmed that the DR will not mount on all M6, due to internal changes of the film chamber. Try the DR on your M6 before you buy it, if possible. While the DR will mount on the Leica CL, Minolta CLE, the close-up attachment will not line up properly to these camera's viewfinders in the close focusing range. At least some DR's will fit and work fine on the Konica Hexar RF, with its near copy of the Leica M RF/VF. This is the only non Leica M camera that I know of which will allow the DR to work in the close-up focusing range. The DR will NOT mount on any digital Leica M8/8.2/9/10 that I have tried. Something about the lens mount is not the same as most Leica M lenses.

Serial

Unlike most Leica rangefinder 50mm lenses, the lens head of the Dual Range unscrews for use for close-ups on the Leica Visoflex system.

This is the first version with E. Leitz enlarger condenser logo on the close up eyes.

Earlier DR's have a single feet or meter focusing scale, and clip on eyes with the E. Leitz enlarger condenser logo, as shown on the top photo of this page, and focus to 19.' Later DR's have a dual feet and meter focusing scale, with a simpler Leitz logo, and focus to 20.' The optics in both versions are generally believed to be identical. There may well be other variations as well. As pointed out to me by Leica expert Marvin Moss, the ball bearing mount on the earlier lenses is larger than on the later lenses. This results in the earlier close up attachment with the Leitz condenser logo fitting on later lenses, but not vice versa.

Some dual range lenses have the lens head serial numbers engraved on the inside of the focusing helical

If you plan to buy a Dual Range, there are a few things to look for: The DR's soft lens coating scratches easily. The Leica glass of the period often gains a bit of haziness with the years. Shine a light through the lens from both ends. If fogged, the lens should be disassembled and cleaned by your Leica repairman. If you find a lot of scratches, don't buy it since recoating is expensive and takes a true expert. DR's often are sold without the close up attachment eyes. If your focusing helical has a serial number engraved, make sure it matches the serial number of the lens head. Finding the correct eyes for sale may take a lot of looking. Remember the 1st and 2nd versions don't mount the same eyes. Separation in the eyes is not that unusual, but seldom is the viewing affected, and of course there is no effect on the pictures- but it lowers value of the eyes by 50%. A nice little leather case was made for the eyes, and is hard to find only if you are looking for it. The DR takes standard Leica 39mm filters. My favorite DR hood is the versatile multi-purpose vented hood # 12585, which also thankfully fits the pre-ASPH 35/2 Summicron, the 35/3.5 and 35/2.8 Summaron, the 50/2 Summicron, the 50/2.8 Elmar (classic version), 90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit, 90/2.8 Elmarit, 90/4 Elmar, 135/4 Elmar and 135/4.5 Hektor. The proper vintage front cap is beautifully finished chrome with an embossed Leica script. Unfortunately the pretty classic chrome caps are easy to lose, so I suggest using a modern plastic front cap in the field.

1st version Dual Range mounted on a double stroke Leica M3

Today the 50/2 Dual Range Summicron remains unique in the Leica M system, a favorite of users and collectors alike.

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Revised: June 12, 2012 . Copyright © 1998-2012 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.

  • Order nos. - 11218-chrome 11228-black . LLC - 121
  • Production era - 1964-1976 black; 1964-1966 200 chrome < 95,647 lenses
  • Variants - 1-cam, 2-cam, 3-cam; red scale (early), yellow scale (after 1967), black and chrome versions
  • Note - The chrome finish was made for the Leicaflex. About 200 were made, and once it was found that the finish could reflect extraneous light in to the meter cell, this finish was discontinued in favor of black. chaos '06
  • Number of lenses /groups - 6 / 5
  • F stop range - f/2 - f/16
  • Closest focusing distance - 50 cm / 1.64 ft
  • Smallest object field -
  • Diaphragm setting /type - 6-blade
  • Angle of view diagonal - 45 degrees
  • Filter type - Series VI + 14160
  • Accessories - Hood: 12564 - Close focusing attachment: ELPRO - Macro extension tube (3-piece combination): 14139 - Filter ring: 14160
  • Materials -
  • Dimensions (length x diameter) - 38.5 x 63 mm / 1.52 x 2.48 in
  • Weight - 680 g /1.50 lb
  • Inscription - SUMMICRON-R 1:2/50 LEITZ CANADA (or WETZLAR) 2XXXXXX
  • Designer - Walter Mandler

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Summicron 50mm F2 Serial Numbers Lookup

  • On the street - €EU 780 chrome, 188 black, in 2008
  • Reviews
  • Forum discussion

50mm f/2 Summicron-R I Serial Numbers

50mmPuts Pocket Pod.pdf
SN StartSN EndProductYearTotal
1940501194100050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.chrom)1962500
1972001197210050mm f/2 Summicron-R 1963100
1999001199999850mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.chrom)1963998
2000002200100050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.chrom)1963999
2002001200400050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.chrom)19632000
2033001203400050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19641000
2038701203970050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19641000
2078501208050050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19652000
2110801211380050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.black)19653000
2134951213695050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.black)19652000
2145451214745050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.black)19652000
2157001215900050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.black)19662000
2164501216650050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19662000
2173701217570050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.black)19662000
2178901218090050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19662000
2190901219290050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.black)19662000
2199101220110050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19662000
2204101220610050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.chrom)19662000
2224001222600050mm f/2 Summicron-R (1-cam.black)19672000
2229801223180050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black+chrom)19672000
2242051224405050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19672000
2255401225740050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19682000
2265251226725050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19682000
2270251227425050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19684000
2299951230395050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19684000
2320301232430050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19694000
2351301235330050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19692000
2358301*236000050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19691700
2360001236200050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19692000
2366001236800050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19692000
2380701238270050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19692000
2388201239020050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19702000
2411101241310050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19702000
2422201242420050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19702000
2430751243275050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19702000
2435751243775050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19702000
2437751243800050mm f/2 Summicron-R 1970250
2487201248920050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19712000
2501001250300050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19712000
2520401252240050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19722000
2527501252960050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19722100
2580551258255050mm f/2 Summicron-R (black)19732000
2588501259050050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19732000
2650601265260050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19732000
2665451266745050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19742000
2700601270360050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black+chrom)19743000
2715001271800050mm f/2 Summicron-R (2-cam.black)19743000
2758151276015050mm f/2 Summicron-R 19752000
TOTALASSIGNEDSERIAL NUMBERS 1963-197595,647
Serial numbers compiled from known lenses and * Lens 2359246 is Summicron 3.5 cm 1:2 (M-black.ELW)

Lens superseded by 50mm f/2 Summicron-R II

Leica Summicron R 50mm F2 Serial Numbers

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