Sound:

I really like the satisfying sound that comes from turning the aperture ring of the Leica Rigid lens. It’s a quiet, clean sound, similar to the ticking of a mechanical clock. Unfortunately, newer Leica lenses don’t make that sound.

Beauty:

In my opinion, the Leica Rigid is the most beautiful 50mm lens on the market. Unfortunately, some things just can’t be replicated in newer models.

On CMOS and CCD:

The Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron Rigid is an excellent lens that works well on both film and digital cameras. On CMOS and CCD sensors, it produces a softer image with less contrast.

Condition:

It’s tough to find a Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron Rigid in good optical condition. It’s not that common for a lens of this age to be in perfect condition.

Rigid vs V4:

I’ve heard that the Rigid is more sharp than the collapsible versions, but I’ve now switched to using the Summicron-M 50mm V4 as my 50mm lens. The V4 has better coatings and may even be sharper.

Rigid DR:

Rigid has a cousin who wears glasses and will add the word “DR” after the name. The Rigid DR is a great lens, but it’s on the heavy side. I found it to be best suited for black and white photography, while the V4 is amazing for color photography. However, I wouldn’t recommend the Rigid DR as it won’t be compatible with a digital Leica camera.