M11P and M11 freezes and exposure issues with Summarit f=5cm 1:1.5 (1,528,923; 1957) with Leitz LTM to M adapter (M2 50; M3 21-50)

[ApoVision]

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Just bought the Summarit. Using the above mentioned adapter, both my M11 and my M11P show exposure times in the high minutes range at f1.5, at ISO64 (8pm, sun at 7°). The EVF is just dark. The shutter sometimes opens, then closes again (without my "interference"). In one instance, the EVF showed a correctly measured image and pressing the shutter, the DNG came out OK - but once out of 20 times. 

The aperture mark of 1.5 is not at zero degrees (north) when the lens is attached and locked , but roughly at 20° - there are posts about this issue, and I could live with this, but the exposure/shutter issue is not satisfactory. 

I tried lens detection = auto/manual M and manual R. And I took out the battery, rinserted it. Also, the other lenses work perfectly, before and after the observed event.

BTW: the SL3 (with two adapters) works seamlessly with the Summarit.

Has anybody been able to use the Summarit on an M11(/P) where exposure meter the EVF consistently worked flawlessly? Or is the Summarit just a character lens? 

Thanks, Oliver

[lct]

No experience with the Summarit 50/1.5 but you may wish to try Camera Settings > Dust Protection: Off.

[ApoVision]

This did the trick on both cameras - thanks so much for your help!

[kiwidad]

On 8/14/2025 at 1:03 PM, ApoVision said:

Just bought the Summarit. Using the above mentioned adapter, both my M11 and my M11P show exposure times in the high minutes range at f1.5, at ISO64 (8pm, sun at 7°). The EVF is just dark. The shutter sometimes opens, then closes again (without my "interference"). In one instance, the EVF showed a correctly measured image and pressing the shutter, the DNG came out OK - but once out of 20 times. 

The aperture mark of 1.5 is not at zero degrees (north) when the lens is attached and locked , but roughly at 20° - there are posts about this issue, and I could live with this, but the exposure/shutter issue is not satisfactory. 

I tried lens detection = auto/manual M and manual R. And I took out the battery, rinserted it. Also, the other lenses work perfectly, before and after the observed event.

BTW: the SL3 (with two adapters) works seamlessly with the Summarit.

Has anybody been able to use the Summarit on an M11(/P) where exposure meter the EVF consistently worked flawlessly? Or is the Summarit just a character lens? 

Thanks, Oliver

I know that old adapter will cause issues with the lens detection. the design in a lot of situations allows enough light to reach the6-bit reader and cause confusion. Since even when 6-bit is turned of the detection is still live. (turn it off and attach a 6-bit coded lens and it recognizes even with lens detection off.) I dontsee that plain into the exposure issues. have you visually checked the lens. recommend getting a younger adapter that lets you code it. that alignment won't affect anything at all.

I have used a summarit 1.5 on my m11 in a store when I was considering purchasing one and had no issues.

[kiwidad]

On 8/14/2025 at 1:57 PM, ApoVision said:

This did the trick on both cameras - thanks so much for your help!

Bear in mind when you have that off and you don't turn the camera off when changing lenses the sensor will be a big dust collector!

[Elliot Harper]

4 hours ago, kiwidad said:

Bear in mind when you have that off and you don't turn the camera off when changing lenses the sensor will be a big dust collector!

Keep in mind always turn off the camera before changing the lens. That function is practically most useless feature ever in mankind history 

[kiwidad]

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1 hour ago, Elliot Harper said:

Keep in mind always turn off the camera before changing the lens. That function is practically most useless feature ever in mankind history 

I would guess that a good percentage of digital camera users never turn the camera off when changing lenses! Its existence does seem contradictory !

[lct]

8 hours ago, kiwidad said:

recommend getting a younger adapter that lets you code it. that alignment won't affect anything at all.

+1. It is not a lens issue but an adapter's apparently. I use a mere Kipon adapter with coding pits for my LTM 50mm lenses. Works like a charm with LTM Summicron 50/2 v1 and Skopar 50/2.5. I would not use a Kipon (nor a Metabone) with 90mm lenses though due to adapters too thin or too thick for focus accuracy. I drilled a Leitz adapter with a Dremel for those lenses. FWIW.

[Derbyshire Man]

On 8/16/2025 at 8:19 AM, lct said:

+1. It is not a lens issue but an adapter's apparently. I use a mere Kipon adapter with coding pits for my LTM 50mm lenses. Works like a charm with LTM Summicron 50/2 v1 and Skopar 50/2.5. I would not use a Kipon (nor a Metabone) with 90mm lenses though due to adapters too thin or too thick for focus accuracy. I drilled a Leitz adapter with a Dremel for those lenses. FWIW.

What kind of tip did you use in the dremel?

[costa43]

A bit of sticky tape over the 6 bit code reader tends to solve most issues with LTM adapted lenses in my experience. My adapters have gaps around the reader which turn the camera a bit loopy. Certain adapters do not have this problem of course.

[lct]

1 hour ago, Derbyshire Man said:

What kind of tip did you use in the dremel?

Dremel 117 Carving Bit

 

[ApoVision]

Thanks for the additional information - it is a habit of mine to always turn the camera off before switching lenses. The Summarit is a lens that is quite astonishing given its age but not a lens I would regularly use.