Cognitive dissonance or reality?

[Me Leica!]

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Last year I picked up an Epson R-D1, taking advantage of currency fluctuations. To test it, the shop assistant put a Summicron 50mm on it. I took a few test shots, and as there seemed to be no obvious problems, I bought the camera and lens together for a price that would never have happened had the UK stayed in Europe 

 

Anyway, fast forward to today, and this is freaking me out somewhat. I researched the lens out of curiosity, and using the number on the front, I found out that apparently it is from 1961. That's considerably older than I am. 

 

I swear that this lens - wide open, let alone stopped down, and on a 6MP camera - is more impressive than just about any lens I have ever used, with MAYBE one or two exceptions - the lens on the Sigma DP3 Merrill, and that's fifty years newer. The resolution, contrast, colour rendition, everything about it is really, really impressive. And it's 55 years old.

 

Do you think I just got lucky with a good sensor-lens pairing, or are they all this good? Or is it that there was some kind of golden age for Leica lens design and I chanced upon it?

[Paul J]

I find I am most pleased with the results from shooting film on older Medium and Large Format cameras with inferior lens coatings. New cameras and lenses have mostly eliminated all the things I prefer, except convenience. I shoot a lot of digital, of corse, some because I need to but also to experiment and find combinations that I do like. An M9 and Noctilux, for example is the first digital combination I've absolutely bonded with but even still, well...it's still digital, but it gives me a good balance between a aesthetic I like and a convenience that is ultimately very useful.

 

Every camera and lens combination has a unique look it's just a case of finding what you like.

Edited January 14, 2017 by Paul J

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[lct]

The R-D1 works fine with Leica 35mm lenses. I have not your version but this is true with my 35/1.4 pre-asph, 35/2 asph, 35/2 v4 and 35/2.5. I have not tried the 35/1.4 FLE on it but i don't see why it would not work fine actually. Now the R-D1 is only a 6MP camera using the same sensor as that of the Nikon D100 and even if it has some microlenses, its sensor stack is not as thin as that of the M8 so it has not the same acutance as the latter. Depending upon the raw converter you use, you can get the same apparent sharpness as the M8 on prints up to A4 though in my experience but i don't use much this body anymore i must say. My fault as it is a great camera with a unique 1:1 viewfinder and thanks to modern raw converters digital noise is much less an issue as it used to be with the Epson converter from 2004. FWIW.

Edited January 14, 2017 by lct

[luigi bertolotti]

You simply got an item that, though old, was in fine optical/mechanical conditions : the rigid Summicron was, has always been, and still is one of the best 50mm ever made, period.

Edited January 14, 2017 by luigi bertolotti

[semi-ambivalent]

I swear that this lens - wide open, let alone stopped down, and on a 6MP camera - is more impressive than just about any lens I have ever used, with MAYBE one or two exceptions - the lens on the Sigma DP3 Merrill, and that's fifty years newer. The resolution, contrast, colour rendition, everything about it is really, really impressive. And it's 55 years old.

Me,

 

I'm glad you love the combo. Photography products retailers, hardware manufacturers and internet test bloggers respectfully ask you to shut your pie hole.

 

s-a

[dpitt]

The rigid Summicron 50mm is one of the best lenses designed by Dr. Mandler. Any sample in good shape will perform like this, even on a FF sensor. It is one of my favorite 50mm Summicron's together with the v4.

 

You have to be very careful with the coating of the front lens! It is soft as chalk, so I try to never touch it and always use it with a filter. Never clean it with a cloth.

 

Enjoy!

[luigi bertolotti]

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The rigid Summicron 50mm is one of the best lenses designed by Dr. Mandler...

Sorry, not to be pedant, but it wasn't Dr. Mandler who conceived the Summicron design :

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

(from the superb article of Marco Cavina on 50mm Leitz lenses

[dpitt]

Sorry, not to be pedant, but it wasn't Dr. Mandler who conceived the Summicron design :

Thank you for the correction Luigi.

 

So, it shows that the other Leica designers of that period knew their business too. It is a lovely lens and favorite of many, much better photographers than I am, and lots of them use digital bodies.

Edited January 15, 2017 by dpitt

[Distagon]

Sorry, not to be pedant, but it wasn't Dr. Mandler who conceived the Summicron design :

 

Summicron_design.jpg

 

(from the superb article of Marco Cavina on 50mm Leitz lenses

 

You've just reminded me not to buy that particular, radioactive version of the Summicron 50mm (early Type I) !

Interesting attachment, thanks.

[Me Leica!]

Me,

 

I'm glad you love the combo. Photography products retailers, hardware manufacturers and internet test bloggers respectfully ask you to shut your pie hole.

 

s-a

Lol. Yeah. I meant to say "Everyone, go buy this 100 mp camera and its 300mm f0.95 lens, quick!"

[audiophileguy]

When my extremely talented local film labs closed, I purchased an Epson body to use with my collection of Leica lenses.  When the M8 was introduced, I sold the Epson-----and later made the jump to the M9 and current M240 (although I still have an M8 for backup).  I am an amateur, and find that only one of every few hundred shots I take is really special------Nevertheless, I have reviewed the photos taken with each of these bodies, and honestly like some of the Epson shots as much as anything I have ever taken.  It was a great camera and worked well with all of the Leica lenses I own (24/2.8, Tri-Elmar v. 2, 35/2 ASPH, 35 1/4 ASPH pre-FLE, Noctilux 1 v.2, 75 1.4, 90 APO ASPH).  If I found another Epson body in good shape, I would snatch it up quickly.....

[luigi bertolotti]

You've just reminded me not to buy that particular, radioactive version of the Summicron 50mm (early Type I) !...

No problem... the radioactives are only of the retractable version... and btw are rather rare (and someway prized...)

[rafikiphoto]

No problem... the radioactives are only of the retractable version... and btw are rather rare (and someway prized...)

 

Perhaps because they glow in the dark? 

[NB23]

You've just reminded me not to buy that particular, radioactive version of the Summicron 50mm (early Type I) !

Interesting attachment, thanks.

Why not?

There is absolutely no harm possible except if you grind the element and sniff it.