Leica Summarex 85mm f 1.5

[bouic49]

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I have just recently bought a Summarex 85mm f 1.5 lens. In y opinion it is capable of producing sharp and exciting images, as well as some very soft creamy edged images. Are there any other Summarex users who use this lens for regular photo images? I use the lens on an M Monochrome and Sony Ar7IIr.

[luigi bertolotti]

I don't use my Summarex regularly...  ... or, at least, not in the last ten years : it's big, heavy, of course very critical to focus at 1,5 and 2... on digital Ms, in my set it has been virtually replaced by the lightweight Summicron 90... but Summarex remains on my heart  : it's a wonderful lens which can provide also a "modern" sharpness in the f4 to f11 range, and offers its incredible 1,5 aperture which can deliver fantastic effects (the last occasions in which I enjoyed it this way was at "M8 times" : feeling a bit guilty, I admit that never took it going out with the M240...  ) ; frankly, I think that if one patiently finds the way to master the usage of this very special tool, it can be still a very satisfactory tool. 

[M9reno]

Here are some Summarex shots at the circus a few years ago.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/186858-the-view-through-older-glass/?p=2624451

[kimo]

I don't use my Summarex regularly...  ... or, at least, not in the last ten years : it's big, heavy, of course very critical to focus at 1,5 and 2... on digital Ms, in my set it has been virtually replaced by the lightweight Summicron 90... but Summarex remains on my heart  : it's a wonderful lens which can provide also a "modern" sharpness in the f4 to f11 range, and offers its incredible 1,5 aperture which can deliver fantastic effects (the last occasions in which I enjoyed it this way was at "M8 times" : feeling a bit guilty, I admit that never took it going out with the M240...  ) ; frankly, I think that if one patiently finds the way to master the usage of this very special tool, it can be still a very satisfactory tool. 

 

I might be looking for a Summarex. Do want to sell it?

[luigi bertolotti]

I might be looking for a Summarex. Do want to sell it?

Thanks...   but simple answer is NO.

[Pecole]

Thanks...   but simple answer is NO.

 

 

Definitely one of my favorite lenses! I cannot resist te temptation to go back to my archives and select a few images of my past collection. Here are they.

The first one depicts the rare black version, in this case nº 593065. Only 276 were produced, and mine was one with the ivory patina painted focusing scale ring.

Then comes the full Summarex SOOXC lens set : its ORQPO hood and ENOOW leather case, the SGOOD viewer and its CPBOO leather case, the UVOOF UVa and UPOOZ yellow O filters in boxes.

Next is the Summarex equipped with its ORQPO hood, then same with the hood mounted reverse and cap, and finally the two different aperture scale engravings, one including an infrared mark R.

 

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[jc_braconi]

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Here are some Summarex shots at the circus a few years ago.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/186858-the-view-through-older-glass/?p=2624451

Does not work

[imikeh]

I might be looking for a Summarex. Do want to sell it?

 

One for sale in Sweden:

https://www.blocket.se/helsingborg/Leica_Summarex_85mm_f1_5_78498198.htm?ca=23_11&w=3&last=1

[wlaidlaw]

I think the Summarex is a very surprising lens. Considering it was computed by ladies cranking mechanical calculators and Max Berek with a slide rule, it is an extraordinary achievement. I expected it to be quite soft and low contrast like my Summarit 5cm/f1.5, which is only a slightly older, albeit quite specialised design (Xenon by Horace William Lee working on behalf of Taylor, Taylor and Hobson). The Summarex is totally different. Even wide open, it is sharp in the centre of the image and for its era, high contrast. I sent mine off to Alan Starkie in February for a clean and service along with my LTM Summarit but unfortunately still have not got them back, even though Alan was given a first week in April deadline for completion. 

 

Wilson

 

Photo taken with LTM Summarex and SL 601 at f1.5. 

 

 

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[jc_braconi]

My modest contribution :

 

 

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[jaeger]

Digging up this old post because I've been checking out both Summarex 85/1.5 and Zeiss Biotar 75/1.5  

I like Summarex 85/1.5 is native to rangefinder, but dislike the softness, too soft.  It's almost as soft as Thambar F/2.2

I like Biotar 75/1.5 is the signature bokeh and much sharper compare the Summarex. but dislike is M42 mount therefore EVF + adapter are required.

It's a hard decision.

 

[Guest]

vor einer Stunde schrieb jaeger:

Digging up this old post because I've been checking out both Summarex 85/1.5 and Zeiss Biotar 75/1.5  

I like Summarex 85/1.5 is native to rangefinder, but dislike the softness, too soft.  It's almost as soft as Thambar F/2.2

I like Biotar 75/1.5 is the signature bokeh and much sharper compare the Summarex. but dislike is M42 mount therefore EVF + adapter are required.

It's a hard decision.

 

Ever thought of Mandler's Summilux M 1.4-75?
Sharper than the Summarex 85 but wide open not as sharp as the Summicron 2.0-75 or the huge Noctilux 1.25-75mm.

[jc_braconi]

The advantage with the Sony Alpha 7 R is the 'highlight' system for  focusing.

[Pecole]

Since this old thread comes to surface, I realize I had in my collection two "special" Summarex. The first, a relatively rare "black" type serialled 593149, has an engraving error : it is marked "15" instead of 1,5 (but it not delivered sharper images...). The second one (serial 593126) is still more curious : it is half black paint, half white chrome. Hereunder are illustrations, including - just for pleasure - a photo of my black nº593085  with box and original front cap.

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[jaeger]

9 hours ago, mnutzer said:

Ever thought of Mandler's Summilux M 1.4-75?
Sharper than the Summarex 85 but wide open not as sharp as the Summicron 2.0-75 or the huge Noctilux 1.25-75mm.

I'm selling my 90 cron for a vintage.  If I need modern fast/sharp lens, I will get the VM 75mm f/1.5.  These 2 lenses I've mentioned have rendering/bokeh that lightroom or photoshop cannot mimic. 

6 hours ago, jc_braconi said:

The advantage with the Sony Alpha 7 R is the 'highlight' system for  focusing.

m240 has peaking so does M10 but I am not sure about M8 or M9 (I've never had one), I'll more impressed if you tell me which pro-grade mirrorless doesn't.

1 hour ago, Pecole said:

it is half black paint, half white chrome.

have you heard a story about a blind carry an amputee? 

Edited June 16, 2020 by jaeger

[jc_braconi]

I  stopped myself with the M 9-P cause I do not like the rendering of  the new sensor and no peaking on.

[farnz]

On 6/16/2020 at 4:14 PM, jaeger said:

m240 has peaking so does M10 but I am not sure about M8 or M9 (I've never had one),

The M8 and M9 both had CCD sensors (KAF10500 and KAF18500 respectively) so no possibility of LiveView or focus peaking.

Pete.

[wlaidlaw]

If you get a good Summarex, it is a very long way from soft and nothing like the Thambar at all. See my photo above. 

Wilson

[luigi bertolotti]

8 hours ago, wlaidlaw said:

If you get a good Summarex, it is a very long way from soft and nothing like the Thambar at all. See my photo above. 

Wilson

Absolutely agree : my Summarax is completely different from my Thambar (expecially in contrast) and in the "central" f/stops (4/11) is like a summicron 90 of the 70's, with more risk of flare, indeed.

 

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[wlaidlaw]

The flare in my Summarex was noticeably reduced by the cleaning by Cameraworks. Alan commented that reassembling the diaphragm was interesting. The other lens which was much improved by a clean was my LTM 50/1.5 Summarit, albeit you still have to be quite careful with light direction to avoid flare. 

Wilson