Leica 5cm (50mm) f/2 Summicron (Type 1) Wetzlar Collapsible M-Mount Lens, Germany, Chrome {E39} SOOIC-M (Scaled in Feet)

Leica's collapsible 50mm Summicron, Wetzlar-built, chrome finish.

The 5cm f/2 Summicron Collapsible is one of the foundational lenses in Leica M history. Built in Wetzlar, Germany, with a chrome barrel and an E39 filter thread, this is the lens that defined what a fast 50mm could do on a rangefinder. The collapsible barrel collapses into the camera body for compact carry and extends for shooting, a mechanical solution that kept the camera-and-lens package genuinely pocketable in a way fixed-barrel designs cannot match.

The f/2 maximum aperture sits in a practical range for available-light work, and the focus scale calibrated in feet suits shooters who zone-focus or work in markets where metric calibration is less natural. On a modern M-mount digital body, this lens renders with the kind of character that no current production optic fully replicates. On film, it is simply at home. The SOOIC-M designation confirms native Leica M-mount, so it mounts directly to any M-body without adaptation.

Decades of continued use by working photographers speak to how well this design holds up. Buying one means getting a piece of optical engineering that was mature before most contemporary photographers were born, and it still earns its place on a camera today.

Who It's For

Leica M film shooters who want a period-correct 50mm pairing with a chrome M2, M3, or M4 will find this collapsible Summicron the right match, both aesthetically and mechanically. Street photographers prioritize the collapsed-barrel profile, which keeps the kit genuinely compact between shots. Documentary and travel photographers working in available light lean on the f/2 aperture for indoor and low-light scenes without flash. Collectors and users who shoot Leica M digital bodies and want rendering character distinct from current production glass have a strong reason to run this lens.

Key Features

• 50mm f/2 focal length with practical wide aperture for available light
• Leica M-mount, native fit to all M-bodies without adapters
• Collapsible barrel design retracts into camera body for compact carry
• Wetzlar-built chrome optics with E39 filter thread
• Focus scale calibrated in feet for zone-focus workflows
• Fully mechanical operation, no batteries or electronics required

FAQ

Does this lens collapse into the camera body?

Yes. The barrel retracts fully into the camera, making the combined package genuinely compact for pocket carry. Extend it before shooting.

What mount is this, and will it fit my M-camera?

Leica M-mount, native - it mounts directly to any M-body without an adapter. The SOOIC-M designation confirms this.

Why is the focus scale in feet instead of meters?

This lens was built for markets where feet were the standard. Zone-focus shooters and those working in feet-calibrated systems will find it natural; metric users may prefer a meter-scaled version.

What filter size does it take?

E39 thread. Standard for vintage Leica optics, and filters remain readily available.

How does this compare to modern 50mm lenses on rangefinders?

The f/2 aperture is practical but not extreme, and the rendering carries the kind of character - slightly softer wide-open, gentle falloff - that current production glass doesn't quite replicate. On film, it's fully at home; on digital M-bodies, it trades speed for a distinct look.

Is this lens fully mechanical, or does it have electronic components?

Fully mechanical. No electronics, no batteries required. Focus and aperture are manual throughout.

Will this work on a digital M-mount body?

Yes. It mounts directly and focuses normally on any M-body, digital or film.