Leica Summicron 50mm f2 Rigid – the most beautiful 50mm
Lens Review
Leica Summicron 50mm f2 Rigid
The most beautiful 50mm
Leica Summicron 50mm f2 Rigid – the most beautiful 50mm
Why is it called Rigid
The Leica Summicron Rigid 50mm f2 produced from 1956 to 1968 mainly in bayonet M mount with some rare LTM mount ever made. It has 10 blades aperture opening, filter thread is inherited from its predecessor in 39mm. The minimum focusing distance is still at 1 meter but in 1969 they changed it to 0.7m for the later version – Summicron version 3.
Its nickname “Rigid” because it was the first Summicron that has a fixed barrel. Its predecessor has collapsible barrel design. You may refer to my post on Summicron Collapsible Radioactive.
Types of Rigid
Basically there are 2 types of Summicron Rigid. Type 1 and Type 2 both of them has identical optics, same design and probably the only difference will be the coating and the appearance of its barrel, that’s why Type 1 lenses usually have more Leica glow than Type 2 and the later version is slightly sharper.
Type 1 lens barrel has narrow but curly scallop with a single scale showing meter or feet and Type 2 has relatively flat and wider focusing scallop and indicated with the dual scale with both meter and feet.
Common issues on Summicron Rigid
I have so much love about this lens in terms of transition, tonality, sharpness and contrasts. But before I talk about what I love about this lens. Let me talk about the problem that the lens might have due to its age.
The first thing is the problem of haze, this lens is also very prone to having haze inside its elements and cleaning marks are common but not as severe as collapsible Summicron. The effect of haze will further lower the contrast of your lens, sharpness and has a certain impact on your lens performance with bright sunlight.
Secondly, separation is quite common in the Summicron Rigid and Dual range as well and the cause of that has many sayings, some said normally is because of heat or the way of storing the lens, some might refer to the heat causing the lens separation or the material used as glueing the lens elements together called Canada balsam.
Black and White Film Experience
I love how Summicron Rigid performs on different types of black and white film with great tonality. It has the charisma that no other Summicron can provide to me with that natural transition from black to mid-grey and to white with a moderate amount of sharpness and the contrast is adequate but not too high. Even though it is quite easy to flare and bokeh has a little squirl but not too obvious which makes the image look very pleasant on different types of photographs.
50mm focal length
50mm focal length is my usual focal length to do street photography in Hong Kong. Because people are so sensitive to cameras here and I don’t want to include so many contexts in my shots and that’s why 50mm is my to-go option. It is relatively easier for me to capture little moments with this focal length and with Summicron rigid’s well-constructed body and given its weight of 340g only. It is such an ideal street roamer lens.
Thoughts
My first experience with Summicron Rigid was in 2014. At that time I only look at Summicron collapsible (Radioactive) or Summilux 50mm f1.4 V2 and seems I always missed out this Summicron Rigid and Dual Range (DR). I did some research then I decided to try this lens and looked for a type 1 for my first purchase.
Summicron Rigid is a lens that performs really well on both film and digital as well as a lens that does a great job on CMOS and CCD sensors because when you use some vintage lenses on Leica M10, they lose that essence. Maybe I should make a chart of lenses that I like to use it on CCD or CMOS and film.
If you ask me which Summicron to pick, I will definitely ask you to get a Summicron Rigid and you will love it.
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6 Comments
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my favorite 50mm & actually the only cron 50md i truly enjoy. this & the old elmar f2.8, & lux v1/2 chrome are the best for sure 🙂 thanks for the review
Thanks for sharing Dan!
Great article! Keep up the good work. I managed to fortunately acquire a version 1 50mm rigid summicron. It has such a classic design and I love the focussing tab.
Thanks Shane! I love version 1 Rigid’s focusing tab too!
If you had to choose between the 50mm/2 summicron rigid or the 50mm1.4 summilux v2, which one would you choose and why?
I have both rigid and lux v2. It is always a tough decision to choose between them.
Filter size
Rigid 39mm easier to find, and more colour filters available. Summilux 50mm v2 takes 43mm and if you want to use the hood you need the slim filter.
Size and weight
Both aren’t that heavy. Of course, rigid is more lightweight to carry around.
Sharpness
These two lenses have excellent sharpness at wide open. Lux 50 v2 probably gives you one extra stop if you prefer to shoot it at night.
In my opinion, I think Summilux v2 is a little bit more modern than the rigid. If you use rigid type 1 (different scallop), some glow adds extra softness and lowers the contrast of your photos. Some people really like it. I prefer rigid more because if comparing both at f/2, rigid will offer slightly better bokeh. Both are reliable and amazing lens.
Anson