Summicron 50mm F:2,0 Dual Range

[xalo]

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Thanks. Well, as Luigi pointed out, if seems to be difficult to build a lens much better than this. So they conserve well — even more so compared to the hull of the RD-1

[carlos.paula]

Here is some examples of pictures taking with the Summicron DR mounted on a Sony NEX 5, using both the focusing ranges.

[A miller]

Here is some examples of pictures taking with the Summicron DR mounted on a Sony NEX 5, using both the focusing ranges.

 

very nice, Carlos. Love the colors in the second picture of the dolls!

[luigi bertolotti]

Thanks. Well, as Luigi pointed out, if seems to be difficult to build a lens much better than this. So they conserve well — even more so compared to the hull of the RD-1

 

DR (1963) with OUFRO on M240...

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[xalo]

Calanchoe

Summicron DR 5cm (1957), Eos M.

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[jbl]

DR (1963) with OUFRO on M240...

[ATTACH]436981[/ATTACH]

 

 

How'd you get that to work? Is it with the cam taken off and live view?

[jbl]

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Nevermind. Just answered my own question .

[carlos.paula]

Well, about DR modifications...I will never do it, but recently I saw a modified Dual Range, for using exclusively with digital cameras, with an adapter ring. The notch which separate the two ranges of the focus ring was milled out, and the upper small plug, which is released during the insertion of the SDPOO adapter, was removed. So, the focus ring rotates freely in all range, giving a continuous focus from 0,50m to infinity.But this modification, of course, is a definitive one and compromises the originality and value of the lens.

[carlos.paula]

Summicron 50mm DR using close range - Sony NEX 5

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[jbl]

I looked into it and DAG can modify one of these lenses by machining off the cam. You lose rangefinder coupling under 1m, but you gain focus from 1m to infinity.

 

Sadly, this will probably lead to yet another 50mm lens in my collection :-).

 

-jbl

[A miller]

I looked into it and DAG can modify one of these lenses by machining off the cam. You lose rangefinder coupling under 1m, but you gain focus from 1m to infinity.

 

Sadly, this will probably lead to yet another 50mm lens in my collection :-).

 

-jbl

 

I'm not sure how I see why this would be necessary. The Rigid summicron has the SAME EXACT optics and a barrel that fits all digital Ms. The Rigid doesn't have a dual range, but you're giving this up anyway with your crucifixion of the worlds greatest lens, which for G-d's sake I hope you don't do

[jbl]

Touché :-).

 

I really shouldn’t mess with the holy glass.

 

-jbl

[luigi bertolotti]

Well, about DR modifications...I will never do it, but recently I saw a modified Dual Range, for using exclusively with digital cameras, with an adapter ring. The notch which separate the two ranges of the focus ring was milled out, and the upper small plug, which is released during the insertion of the SDPOO adapter, was removed. So, the focus ring rotates freely in all range, giving a continuous focus from 0,50m to infinity.But this modification, of course, is a definitive one and compromises the originality and value of the lens.

 

AAAARGH !!! One could KILL for much less...

[rirakuma]

I'm surprised by the negative response of this mod, I use an M and I find it exceptionally useful to freely close focus with the DR. The coupling is spot on 1m+ and you can easily LV for closer shots.

[xalo]

Not that I would want to respond on behalf of Luigi, but I am with him when he feels quite passionate about modifying for a non-existential reason a particularly well thought, well crafted piece of exquisite equipment. It's an original piece of design, of individual and collective worksmanship.

 

Of course, everyone is free to adapt manufactured goods to her/his perceived needs.

 

And for sure, if one implanted a little LED system through a hole bored into the bezel of a Blancpain watch, the time could be read much easier in the dark

 

Alexander

[rirakuma]

I thought these lenses are quite common? I know these are vintage lenses and I respect that but the mod has made me want me to use it a lot more often. I'm not here to disagree with others, I was just surprised on the unwelcoming tone of the lens mod.

 

Not that I would want to respond on behalf of Luigi, but I am with him when he feels quite passionate about modifying for a non-existential reason a particularly well thought, well crafted piece of exquisite equipment. It's an original piece of design, of individual and collective worksmanship.

 

Of course, everyone is free to adapt manufactured goods to her/his perceived needs.

 

And for sure, if one implanted a little LED system through a hole bored into the bezel of a Blancpain watch, the time could be read much easier in the dark

 

Alexander

[xalo]

I thought these lenses are quite common? I know these are vintage lenses and I respect that but the mod has made me want me to use it a lot more often. I'm not here to disagree with others, I was just surprised on the unwelcoming tone of the lens mod.

 

No issue to disagree, that is (or was suposed to be) at the heart of discussion and democracy. But "quite common" in relation to what? Besides a matter of price (and, e.g., my comparatively 'cheap' sample has costed in 2004 the equivalent of a third of a French monthly minimum wage), I doubt that the Leica Summicron dual range has had such a tremendous production run compared to other contemporary 50mm lenses. If you are referring to today's prices compared to other Leica gear, as Adam mentioned, the resale value of the DR is subdued by the fact that relatively few people wish to use the lens nowadays the way it was conceived to be used. (I happen to enjoy it much much more on a Leica film rangefinder than on a digital mirrorless.)

 

For the rest, there may be diverging perception at work, but it's not up to me to reply.

[luigi bertolotti]

Sorry... ... I quicky decided to use a hard font and size and phrase... but it really came from my heart of person who collected Leitz items for >25 years... , I am not alone to horrify at the idea of machining superfine items like the DR... be they rare or not ... btw, my only modified Leitz lens is one of the rarest ones (the Telyt 800 f 6,3, to adapt it to Viso instead of R) ... but was made in a careful way to make the work 100% reversible, with original screws etc: milling is out of discussion, imho.... too much a destructional work...

[jbl]

Sorry... ... I quicky decided to use a hard font and size and phrase... but it really came from my heart of person who collected Leitz items for >25 years... , I am not alone to horrify at the idea of machining superfine items like the DR... be they rare or not ... btw, my only modified Leitz lens is one of the rarest ones (the Telyt 800 f 6,3, to adapt it to Viso instead of R) ... but was made in a careful way to make the work 100% reversible, with original screws etc: milling is out of discussion, imho.... too much a destructional work...

 

 

I agree with the sentiment .

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[A miller]

Clearly people are entitled to do as they please, and I'll never think of anyone less because of a silly thing like this.

 

HOWEVER:

I view this lens as a special piece of German history and culture. When people gaze at my DR on the street and ask about it I always describe it as follows. Imagine about 50 years ago an executive at Leica walks into his chief designer's office and "instructs" him design a "macro" lens that get a whole 18" closer to the subject vs. the normal Leica lenses of the time. In (stereo)typical German fashion (and I mean this the most sincere and admirable way), the designer proceeds on the project and coordiantes the engeering and construction of a mechanical masterpiece - built like a tank and extremely state-of-the-art from a mechanical perspective. All just to get 18" closer! Modern smartphones can get within inches of a subject without anyone getting impressed. But back then, 18 inches meant a great deal from a technological advancement persepctive. And - like the noctilux - Leica did it b/c it could.

 

It totally blows my mind that Leica put so much effort and brainpower on this lens and just for an extra 18" (mind you still requiring a whole 20" or so from the subject even with the close focusing range). And they made the lens to last a lifetime. I have a deep appreciation for this given the culture in which we live in today where many of the electronics that come out of Asia are seemingly designed to be replaced after a few short years.

 

I would think that the late Leica engineers who designed the DR would be turning in their grave at the thought of people forever destroying the DR mechanism that they so painstakingly created just so that it could fit onto a newfangled and born-to-die Asian electronic device that we call a camera.

 

As you can tell, for me it's all about emotions and sentimental considerations...