Quote:
Originally Posted by cbretteville
Its got its own character thats for sure (as does my 1951 35mm Summaron).
One thing I forgot to mention was the filter thread for the 'Cron is a convenient E39, for the Summitar it is a custom fit, labeled 'for Summitar' so no UV/IR filter.
- Carl
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I have made two UV/IR filters for the Summitar. One for me and one for a friend. You will need a Summiter filter with a screw-out retaining ring for the filter glass. The Summitar was also made with a press-in retaining ring. You can't use this type filter. Then get a 39mm Heliopan digital UV/IR filter and remove the glass and use it in place of the glass in the Summitar. Use the Heliopan filter as the retaining ring can be removed much more easily then the B+W. You can also use the Leica 39mm UV/IR filter but they are more expensive. One hint. Remove the filter ring in the Summitar by first loosening the thread in lighter fluid. You should have a lens spanner wrench for this conversion. The Heliopan retainer has no slots for a spanner but can be removed with the rubber friction remover rings. Both tools are available on line. I just forget where I got mine. If you plan on making this filter you better start looking for any Summitar filter with the removable retainer ring. They're getting harder to find now and be sure of what you're buying.
I have both the rigid Summicron and the Summitar and use them both on my M8. Both lenses are superb performers on the M8. I find that both lenses, which have very clear glass, give very similar performance. I might give a slight nod to the rigid. But whichever lens you get make sure it has no haze or get it CLA'd otherwise the contrast will suffer.
Another advantage of using a filter on the Summitar, besides the obvious IR compensation, is the 12585 lens hood can be used as it clicks in to the grove between the filter and the end of the lens barrel. It's much more practical then the Summitar hood.
Len