gurtch Posted April 14, 2007 Share #1 Posted April 14, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I just received a used uncoated 50mm Summar from KEH.com described as in "UGLY" condition ($99). Actually the class is clear and unscratched. I bought it to use on my M8 for shooting seascapes at f2 in the fog, which happens often where we live (the NJ seashore). I tried it out and it did not dissapoint. I shot a few close ups at f2, and light areas have a "soft halo glow" around them. VERY Romantic look. We are going to a wedding tonight, (daughter of a very dear friend), and I am taking this lens along with a few modern lenses. If I get the opportunity, I will shoot the bride at wide aperatures and existing indoor light with the summar. May be very different than what the pro will do. I plan on being unobtrusive, shooting B&W by available light (no flash), and staying out of the pro's way, and concentrating on "family" stuff. Will report back with results. Dave G. in NJ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 14, 2007 Posted April 14, 2007 Hi gurtch, Take a look here 50mm Summar--a "dreamy" effect lens. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
DavidStone Posted April 14, 2007 Share #2 Posted April 14, 2007 I've also been using the M8/Summar combination (although my Summar is coated). Really excellent results, although I've had some big BW prints from this lens in the past, so I know how good it is. And this is the cheapest of all Leica lenses. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 15, 2007 Share #3 Posted April 15, 2007 Good Summars are becoming rather sought after. The 'softness' is often attributable to accumulated scratches on the front - soft - element through cleaning over the years. Of course compared to a modern lens the results of even a good example will look 'soft'. Its a nice lens to include in your collection as a special effect lens, using its weaknesses as benefits instead. This photo is from a very poor example! 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/21459-50mm-summar-a-dreamy-effect-lens/?do=findComment&comment=228690'>More sharing options...
bobs Posted April 15, 2007 Share #4 Posted April 15, 2007 I used a Summar lens in the late 1960s on a Leica 111 and specifically for available light in indoor situations. No flash was used and in most cases the photos were of fellow attendees at Dinner functions. The film used was Kodak "Record" pushed to 1600ASA with excellent results. With hindsight I now regret selling the Leica 111 and replacing it with an M3 which also was replaced with the R4S which I still have. I have very fond memories of the 111 and the Summar. At the time the claw on the collapsable mount lock had broken/worn off and I soldered the lens into a fixed position. The usage of the lenes over the years had actually worn off the much of the bright coating and the brass was showing thru. Look after it as they are now a little hard to find and you will certainly enjoy it in poor light conditions Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidStone Posted April 15, 2007 Share #5 Posted April 15, 2007 I used a Summar lens in the late 1960s on a Leica 111 and specifically for available light in indoor situations. No flash was used and in most cases the photos were of fellow attendees at Dinner functions. The film used was Kodak "Record" pushed to 1600ASA with excellent results. With hindsight I now regret selling the Leica 111 and replacing it with an M3 which also was replaced with the R4S which I still have. I have very fond memories of the 111 and the Summar. At the time the claw on the collapsable mount lock had broken/worn off and I soldered the lens into a fixed position. The usage of the lenes over the years had actually worn off the much of the bright coating and the brass was showing thru. Look after it as they are now a little hard to find and you will certainly enjoy it in poor light conditions I still use mine on my Leica III. The lens produced such good results that I had it reconditioned - front element polished and all the air-to-glass surfaces single-coated. Not totally inauthentic since some Summars were coated in the late 1940s. It seems that there are a few Summar-fans around, so maybe you should look for a nice Leica III and a good Summar before they get too expensive! The digital files that mine produces are excellent too - good shadow detail and a more subtle tonality that the rather harsher results that are now in fashion. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedlius Posted April 16, 2007 Share #6 Posted April 16, 2007 Between f3.2 and f6.3 a really good Summar can produce amazing results, sharp and with a wonderful plasticity. Ted. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hektor Posted April 25, 2007 Share #7 Posted April 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I still use mine on my Leica III. The lens produced such good results that I had it reconditioned - front element polished and all the air-to-glass surfaces single-coated. Not totally inauthentic since some Summars were coated in the late 1940s. It seems that there are a few Summar-fans around, so maybe you should look for a nice Leica III and a good Summar before they get too expensive! The digital files that mine produces are excellent too - good shadow detail and a more subtle tonality that the rather harsher results that are now in fashion.David David, Who coated the Summar for you? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 11, 2007 Share #8 Posted July 11, 2007 I bought a very clean example of a Summar at a photo fair recently, I have to say on first impressions I'm pleasantly surprised at what good examples of this lens can do (link to photo forum). http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/people/29100-summar-portrait.html#post304186 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Bastin Posted July 14, 2007 Share #9 Posted July 14, 2007 A shot from a recently cleaned Summar. Since cleaning it dose not put colour into separate blocks as it did - maybe still slightly noticeable but it satisfies me - though I like the pictures best when converted to b+w. I prefer the Summar to my clean collapsible Summicrons for landscape - a bit more gritty looking - and a lot more so than the Summitar. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/21459-50mm-summar-a-dreamy-effect-lens/?do=findComment&comment=305500'>More sharing options...
Adrian Bastin Posted July 14, 2007 Share #10 Posted July 14, 2007 The Summar is uncoated - but it has perhaps aquired it's own slight coating with age; Peter Grisaffi (CRR Luton), who cleaned it, thought so, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Bastin Posted July 14, 2007 Share #11 Posted July 14, 2007 Another. 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/21459-50mm-summar-a-dreamy-effect-lens/?do=findComment&comment=305514'>More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted February 12, 2009 Share #12 Posted February 12, 2009 I received a Summar today and am very impressed with the build quality and its nice "wabi" ... and the glass is surprisingly unscratched. Looking forward to using it on my new G-1 when have figured out how to use the custom modes. Also bought a 90mm Elmar-C ... which is equivalent to a 180mm on the G-1. Have a Chinese M to MFT adaptor. Also have a DR 50mm Summicron being serviced at the moment but not sure if it is going to fit the M adaptor. DR does not have specs but if it fits the G-1 will not need them. Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 13, 2009 Share #13 Posted February 13, 2009 I received a Summar today and am very impressed with the build quality and its nice "wabi" ... and the glass is surprisingly unscratched. Looking forward to using it on my new G-1 when have figured out how to use the custom modes. Also bought a 90mm Elmar-C ... which is equivalent to a 180mm on the G-1. Have a Chinese M to MFT adaptor. Also have a DR 50mm Summicron being serviced at the moment but not sure if it is going to fit the M adaptor. DR does not have specs but if it fits the G-1 will not need them. Cheers dunk Hmmm.. a Summicron DR on G1 can be an interesting combo: let me a think a little of how the DR is made... basically, I see no reason for it couldn't be mounted onto a M adapter... hasn't anything that protrudes/interferes inside the mount more than other lenses...so I think no problems using the normal focusing range. What is intriguing is if one can use it also in the near-focus range... after all, you focus by EVF... but I do not remember (can check at home, of course... ) if you can switch to the NF range WITHOUT mounting the goggles... there is that little blocking knob... of course the presence of the goggles per se would be a no-problem, using the EVF, but I fear that maybe it could be IMPOSSIBLE to mount them for they can interfere with the G1 body.... let us know... Summicron is such a good lens that having a fine "100 mm macro" on the G1 could be really a pleasure... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted February 13, 2009 Share #14 Posted February 13, 2009 ... but I do not remember (can check at home, of course... ) if you can switch to the NF range WITHOUT mounting the goggles... there is that little blocking knob... It is possible to enter the NF range without the goggles. You simply have to depress that little blocking ball by hand, switch the lens to NF, and off you go. Andreas Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted February 13, 2009 Share #15 Posted February 13, 2009 Hmmm.. a Summicron DR on G1 can be an interesting combo: let me a think a little of how the DR is made... basically, I see no reason for it couldn't be mounted onto a M adapter... hasn't anything that protrudes/interferes inside the mount more than other lenses...so I think no problems using the normal focusing range.What is intriguing is if one can use it also in the near-focus range... after all, you focus by EVF... but I do not remember (can check at home, of course... ) if you can switch to the NF range WITHOUT mounting the goggles... there is that little blocking knob... of course the presence of the goggles per se would be a no-problem, using the EVF, but I fear that maybe it could be IMPOSSIBLE to mount them for they can interfere with the G1 body.... let us know... Summicron is such a good lens that having a fine "100 mm macro" on the G1 could be really a pleasure... I acquired the DR 50mm Summicron (minus goggles) from a colleague who found that it would not mount onto his M8 . It does mount onto my M2 and an M3 S/N 1070127 (1963)... but it will not fully mount (ie with a "click" to make it secure ) onto my olive green military M3 S/N 1206983 (1968). I have not tried it on my M6 yet but will do so when back from servicing ... when will also try it on the G-1 with M adaptor. It is possible to switch to the near focusing position without using the goggles ... just pull out the spring loaded lens barrel and slide it across the stop .. the stop has the ▲focusing mark ... I have been looking for goggles for this lens but although one dealer had some they were not the correct type for my particular DR lens ... two slightly different types of goggles were made for the DR and they are not always compatible ... see link here for details Leica M 50/2 Dual Range Summicron Cheers dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theodor Heinrichsohn Posted February 13, 2009 Share #16 Posted February 13, 2009 The Summar is uncoated - but it has perhaps aquired it's own slight coating with age; Peter Grisaffi (CRR Luton), who cleaned it, thought so, too. Years ago while living in Japan I bought a rigid Summar that was coated. Must have been done way after it was produced. In any case, it produced and produces fine b&w as well as colour pictures. Because of the lower contrast, the dark portions tend to retain some detail and it is good for pastel shades. I must try it out on the M8 which, for some reason, I have not yet done. The glass was perfect and so I did not have to have anything done with the lense. Teddy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted February 13, 2009 Share #17 Posted February 13, 2009 Years ago while living in Japan I bought a rigid Summar that was coated. Must have been done way after it was produced. In any case, it produced and produces fine b&w as well as colour pictures. Because of the lower contrast, the dark portions tend to retain some detail and it is good for pastel shades. I must try it out on the M8 which, for some reason, I have not yet done. The glass was perfect and so I did not have to have anything done with the lense. Teddy FINE!! A rigid Summar, and coated ! I'd like a lot to see a pic of it.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwe zankl Posted February 20, 2009 Share #18 Posted February 20, 2009 A shot from a recently cleaned Summar. Since cleaning it dose not put colour into separate blocks as it did - maybe still slightly noticeable but it satisfies me - though I like the pictures best when converted to b+w. I prefer the Summar to my clean collapsible Summicrons for landscape - a bit more gritty looking - and a lot more so than the Summitar. Hi Adrian Those are two lovely pictures, I really like them a lot! I have two Summars myself and I am now looking forward to Summer to try them out. At the moment I could only take pictures of snow stroms...Would you mind telling us a bit more about the cleaning you had done? Was the front lens re-polished? How much was the cleaning and who did it please. thanks a lot Uwe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted February 21, 2009 Share #19 Posted February 21, 2009 My Summar has never been cleaned. I bought it from its first owner who bought it new in 1936. It still takes remarkably sharp pictures witha nice glow 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/21459-50mm-summar-a-dreamy-effect-lens/?do=findComment&comment=816228'>More sharing options...
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