Dual Range 50mm Summicron

[mikemgb]

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I was looking at possibly buying one of these this weekend. During my research I came across two different opinions, according to some people it is "almost as sharp as a 50mm ASPH", according to other people it has "a nice soft rendering".

 

What are your opinions based on your experience, is it sharp or soft? And if anyone happens to be able to compare its rendering to a 50mm Elmar red scale that will give me a good point of reference.

[luigi bertolotti]

It's definitely a sharp lens : "soft rendering" applies to old Summilux and Summarit 1,5. I have no comparision with the ASPH, but my one, at normal distances has more microcontrast than my modern Summicron; at closer distances (use its head on SOMKY-UOORF on m240, and on bellows too) stands up fine compared to the lenshead of Tele Elmar 135... one of the best close distance lenses.

Elmar 50 red scale is another good oldie, but imho the Summicron, apart the obvious advantage of top aperture, is a step over in color rendering.

Of course... be aware of its almost unusability, as is, on digital Ms...

Edited January 13, 2017 by luigi bertolotti

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[mikemgb]

Thank you Luigi, I don't see a digital M anywhere in my future so I'm not too worried about that. The comparison to the Elmar interests me because that is what I use on my IIIa.

[luigi bertolotti]

There is a small detail that is always better to check when buying a Summicron DR :

 

the mount has the serial number engraved into ...

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...which MUST match the serial number of the lens head.

 

It's an item with fine and highly precise mechanics, so the matching is important. As well as, of course, the conditions of glass and coating... after all, any DR is around 55/60 years old

An item in good shape is simply a pleasure to use, and an excellent performer.

Edited January 13, 2017 by luigi bertolotti

[earleygallery]

The first photo in this previous post of mine was taken with a dual range Summicron. 

 

It was a nice lens. I can't compare it with my red scale Elmar as I sold the Summicron with the M3 many years ago! It is essentially the same as the standard Summicron of the same era - it won't be as sharp/contrasty as a newer ASPH. 

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/257063-old-holiday-photos-m3/

Edited January 13, 2017 by earleygallery

[TRIago]

I have the Rigid. It is sharp as hell wide open where it needs to be. Used the Lux Asph and liked it, but I still think the Rigid is miles ahead to my eyes. For real.

 

 

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[tsleica]

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DR is a very high resolution lens..perfect for contrasty days when you need to define things..I loved it back in the day on slower films like the old Tech pan and such..pure magic..

I don't love it so much on my Sony A7..

[Ronazle]

A functioning DR Summicron is as close to the perfect all purpose RFDR lens that one is likely to enounter.  I still have mine and use it occasionally with an M3: a great camera and a really great lens. Of course it is not usable with digital Leicas. regards, ron

[mikemgb]

Thank you for the comments, this is the lens and M2 I bought this morning, I'm going to enjoy this combo.

 

 

 

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[luigi bertolotti]

Compliments ! I like so much the front writings in Italic that time to time think to add to my one (writing in capitals, see above) a "brother" of this kind ...

[ellisson]

I have been impressed with the rigid summicron (not DR).  It is sharp and contrast is good, even wide open.  I also have a summicron 50mm asph, a superb modern lens.  I have no hesitation shooting with the rigid summicron in place of the 50 asph:  Sharpness across the frame wide open may be better with the latter, and CA better controlled, but in B&W shooting, I cannot find so large a difference that it effects my images.    

 

I'll echo a comment above about the coating.  At the time of manufacture of these lenses, Leica was using "soft" coatings compared to the modern "hard" coatings developed by Zeiss.  Many of the rigid summicron copies will have coating marks, sometimes extensive enough to reduce contrast and induce flare, giving a hazy look to images.  Both front and rear elements can be affected.  In my copy, the lens looked fabulous on the outside - almost no wear, and could be called "minty" by the seller.  But the front element had a cloudy mass of coating marks.  Contrast was reduced, and the images had a hazy look that required much post-processing to reduce, but not completely eliminate.  I sent the lens to Focal Point for modern, "hard" re-coating of the front element, and the result was a large step-up in performance and elimination of the hazy images. The contrast was much improved: I'd say "medium contrast" wide open.   I suspect that many copies of this old lens suffer from a similar problem, which contributes to some of the "lower contrast" reviews.    Something to be aware of when buying.

[tobey bilek]

Rigid is same optics and was the lens I first put on my M9.    Just be careful cleaning old lenses.  Outside is soft.  Inside is even softer like warm butter.  You can not clean the inside unless it a chemical or ultrasonic clean however the pros do it. 

[RayD28]

Greetings, and I'm glad I found this thread.  I have a DR with goggles.  I have shot just a few rolls of film using the set and with a M3.  I've used a handheld meeter for most shots and shot one roll of color film almost exclusively using a tripod because i wanted to test the close focusing. The results were underwhelming but I believe I did not have good test controls.  Using low end film (I don't remember the brand but I bought it at Walgreens), using Walgreens to process the film and not getting back the negatives, and the scans were only 500kb.  I shot two rolls of HP5+ using both close focus and regular in better light and sent them to B&W developing specialist for developing, scans, and prints.  I should have results in a week.  

 

I have not noticed this before but the focusing rings is stiff and sticky in some spots, especially in the close focus distances.  Comparing the focus ring smoothness to my  50MM 'Cron (no focus tab), with the 'Cron being a 10, the focus ring on the DR is a 3.  I cannot focus with the DR with one finger like I can the 'Cron.  If I have it CLA'd, how much improvement should I expect?  I'll probably use Sherry Krauter because she did me a big favor when she CLA'd the M3.  

 

Appreciate your input.  

[mikemgb]

The focus ring on my DR is smooth throughout the range and can easily be focused with one finger.

[RayD28]

Thanks, Mike.  Has yours been CLA'd?  By the way, Go Cardinals!

[mikemgb]

Thanks, Mike.  Has yours been CLA'd?  By the way, Go Cardinals!

 

I don't know, I bought mine from a dealer who CLA's if necessary, I just know the optics are crystal clear and the rings are butter smooth.

 

Hopefully the Cards will do better this year that last!

[ola.fiske]

I have been developing film last night and scanned this morning.

Here are three pictures taken with my dual range summicron. The two first in close range. The last one in normal range. All at aperture wide open. Film is kodak tx400 in rodinal.

I enjoy using this lens [emoji1]