Do you want vintage Leica to adapt to a mirrorless camera but don’t want to decimate the bank? Consider one of the Type 2 (rigid and DR) options.Don’t go this route if you are just looking for something with the word Leica on it.
If you go this route, my bet is that you know exactly what you are looking for. Also, I am not a huge fan of collapsible lenses but that is a personal choice. Beware that the old glass was “soft” and “cleaning marks,” haze and all the rest are common. Do you want something vintage and really old and won’t destroy the bank account? Consider Type 1.My approach is based on a use case more than anything else. When I was doing my research, I used the following “decision tree” of questions to guide the process. Unfortunately, this leaves you sorting through the different forums and reviews to piece together a picture for yourself if you chose to get into the nitty-gritty between the different versions. With the various options, it is also not one size fits all. I don’t have enough experience to tell you which version you should get. It is outside the price range for this website so we won’t be discussing it here. The lens hood on version 5 is telescopic and not removable. This lens has the same optics as Type 4 but Type 5 does not have a focusing tab. Type 4 has a focusing tab and removable hood. The main difference between versions 4 and 5 are related to the build and ergonomics. This lens has the same optics as the subsequent Type 5. The overall consensus seems to be that it has less resolution and more contrast than the more modern versions with a more vintage rendering. The short summary is that some say it is a “bastard child,” while others say it is wonderful. If you are a glutton for punishment you should go and spend some time reading about it. There is significant discussion on the forums about this lens. It has a focus tab, removable hood, and a longer focus throw than the more modern options. This is the first summicron with a widely available black body and a similar look to the modern summicron 50mm versions. There is a great discussion of the DR version lens on the Cameraquest website. It won’t work properly on a digital Leica. If you use a digital Leica skip this version. The DR version accepts near focusing goggles. These are noncollapsible and generally chrome bodies. Also known as the “Rigid” and “DR” which stands for dual range. This is a screw mount (M39) and collapsible version of the summicron. The different versions are: Main Reference: Ken Rockwell The storied history will create some confusion for you if you are shopping for one because there are so many versions of this lens. Leica has been making a 50mm Summicron since 1953.