Here is a quick and easy way to get the year of manufacturing of Leica lenses (L, R, and screw mount) based on the serial number which is located on the front of the lens:
  1. Leica Summicron 50mm F2 Reviews
  2. Cached
  3. Leica Sl 50mm Summicron Review
  4. Leica Serial Numbers Vs. Production Year
P.1 #3 p.1 #3 about summicron-R 50mm versions The newer one should have a 55mm filter size and, according to the db at pebbleplace.com, the serial number should be at least 2777651. IMHO it's a truly great lens. Aug 27, 2020 'The rigid-mount 50mm 1:2 Summicron SOSTA was catalogued in 1961-62 and listed on E. Leitz, Inc., New York availability sheets as late as 1963. The serial number on the SOSTA lens head usually is also engraved on the inside of the lens mount.'
Update: A reader just sent me another way of determining the production year of Leica cameras and lenses: just got to this website, and type the serial number.
And another update on the serial numbers after 2004:
Numbers
4 000 000-4 010 600: 2004
4 010 601-4 025 900: 2005
4 025 901-4 034 900: 2006
4 034 901-4 057 000: 2007
4 057 001-4 080 000: 2008
4 080 001–> 2009
Serial number
start – end:
Year of manufacturing
156 001-195 0001933
195 001-236 0001934
236 001-284 6001935
284 601-345 0001936
345 001-416 5001937
416 501-490 0001938
490 001-538 5001939
538 501-565 0001940
565 001-582 2941941
582 295-593 0001942
593 001-594 8801943
594 881-595 0001944
595 001-601 0001945
601 001-633 0001946
633 001-647 0001947
647 001-682 0001948
682 001-756 0001949
756 001-840 0001950
840 001-950 0001951
950 001-1 051 0001952
1 051 000-1 124 0001953
1 124 001-1 236 0001954
1 236 001-1 333 0001955
1 333 001-1 459 0001956
1 459 001-1 548 0001957
1 548 001-1 645 3001958
1 645 301-1 717 0001959
1 717 001-1 827 0001960
1 827 001-1 913 0001961
1 913 001-1 967 1001962
1 967 101-2 015 7001963
2 015 701-2 077 5001964
2 077 501-2 156 3001965
2 156 301-2 236 5001966
2 236 501-2 254 4001967
2 254 401-2 312 7501968
2 312 751-2 384 7001969
2 384 701-2 468 5001970
2 468 501-2 503 1001971
2 503 101-2 556 5001972
2 556 501-2 663 4001973
2 663 401-2 731 9001974
2 731 901-2 761 1001975
2 761 101-2 809 4001976
2 809 401-2 880 6001977
2 880 601-2 967 2501978
2 967 251-3 013 6501979
3 013 651-3 087 0001980
3 087 001-3 160 5001981
3 160 501-3 249 1001982
3 249 101-3 294 9001983
3 294 901-3 346 2001984
3 346 201-3 383 2001985
3 383 201-3 422 8901986
3 422 891-3 455 8701987
3 455 871-3 478 9001988
3 478 901-3 503 1501989
3 503 151-3 540 4671990
3 540 468-3 583 8301991
3 585 831-3 610 6801992
3 610 381-3 644 4751993
3 644 476-3 677 0301994
3 677 031-3 730 2901995
3 730 291-3 770 9201996
3 770 930-3 818 6241997
3 818 625-3 857 8491998
3 857 850-3 882 9961999
3 882 997-4 000 0002000 ~ 2004
4000000 and aboveAfter 2004
Via Leica Camera Blog Russia
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Leica Summicron 50mm F2 Reviews

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.

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)

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

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

  • 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

  • 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

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

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

  • 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.

    Cached

    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.

    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.

    50mm Summicron Serial Numbers

    Leica Sl 50mm Summicron Review

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    Leica Serial Numbers Vs. Production Year

    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.