How Much Is a Used Leica Summicron-M 50mm Worth? (2026 Price Guide)

For everyday shooting the Type 4 (1979 to 1994) and the optically identical Type 5 (1994 onward) give you Mandler's modern six element rendering, with the Type 5 adding a built in telescoping hood and dropping the focus tab. The Type 3 is sharper at wide apertures than its reputation suggests and is usually cheaper. The collapsible, rigid, and Dual Range lenses are the picks if you want classic vintage character rather than peak resolution.

On the older collapsible, rigid, and DR lenses check for internal haze, which is common because the early coatings are soft and hard to clean without leaving marks, and look for element separation, which also affects the rigid and DR versions. On any version check the aperture blades for oil and confirm the focus ring turns smoothly, since a stiff ring usually means dried or over thick grease that needs a service relube.

It mounts and shoots, but the DR's rangefinder cam extends deep into the body, so on the M10 and earlier digital bodies it focuses normally only to about mid range and cannot reach infinity reliably. The M11 was the first digital M designed with enough internal clearance to take the DR fully. The detachable near focus goggles are only needed for the close range setting, and you can ignore them entirely if you focus with live view or an EVF.

The standard six element Summicron is smaller, lighter, and far cheaper, with the classic Leica drawing many photographers prefer. The <a href="/price-guide/apo-summicron-m-50/">APO-Summicron-M 50mm</a> is a modern apochromatic design that resolves more detail and controls color fringing better wide open, but it is larger and commands a steep premium. For most users the regular Summicron is the value choice; the APO is for those who want maximum corner to corner performance.