My 1st 50mm focal length

[Designer]

Want to try some old lens & get something to fill the gap between my 25mm & 75mm lenses, I've got a used Summarit f1.5. Seems my R2 equipped w/. it looks more classical. :D

http://e.domaindlx.com/wattpuppy/Photography/Summarit-Lens-001.jpg

[taffer]

Hey that's a beauty ! Congrats ! :D Remember to post some results in the gallery :)

[Designer]

As the lens is not of very good condition (w/. some fog inside), I sent it to a technican for CLA. The following photo was taken before CLA. Seems some haze is on the left.

http://e.domaindlx.com/wattpuppy/Photography/Summarit_BW_002a.jpg

[taffer]

Nice compo anyway ! Could be haze or over-sensibility to flare from side light caused by the same haze. Look for a thread from Brian with a pre/post-cla photo example (search for 'hello kitty', no joking) and you'll be amazed.

[Designer]

Thanks! Taffer,

Actually I've got my lens back from the technican, and have just made some shots. I will get some new scanned pics tomorrow. :)

Keven

[Brian Sweeney]

I would like to see the results as well. The Summarit is a fine lens, it has real personality. It does tend to get internal haze, and I think that accounts for its undeserved bad reputation. It goes for less than half of the original Summilux, which is not too different of a design.

Ahhh Yes, the infamous "Hello Kitty Test". You would think the Air Force would replace that 1950 test chart with it.

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=391&highlight=kitty

[richard_l]

The Summarit 50/1.5 is a fine lens. I like its fingerprint better than the Summilux. The flare will be much better controlled with the haze gone.

[Designer]

Thanks! Brian & Richard,

Brian, Your Hello Kitty Test has been becoming famous! :D

[Designer]

Just got some scanning photos (after CLA). Seems much better and has better performance in contrast. The aperture used should be arround f5.6.

http://e.domaindlx.com/wattpuppy/Photography/Summarit_BW_003.jpg

[Designer]

I had this one taken before CLA.

http://e.domaindlx.com/wattpuppy/Photography/Summarit_test_001.jpg

[Designer]

And this one after CLA.

http://e.domaindlx.com/wattpuppy/Photography/Summarit_test_002.jpg

[Brian Sweeney]

What a Difference a CLA Makes.

I suspect that people badmouth the Summarit when they use it without cleaning it. It is a 1st rate lens; one that Jason Schneider used to talk about in the '70s Pop Photo as being sharp by "Today's" standards and going for a low price.

[peter_n]

The difference there is really noticeable. I have an old Elmar 5cm that is really mucky. I think its time for a CLA!

[Designer]

Brian, Peter,

The performance after CLA is really impressive to me. Of course I would not expect an execellant high contrasty from this lens (not its charater). I'll try taking w/. colour film in next. :)

Keven

[peter_n]

Keven those pics were taken at roughly the same aperture?

[Designer]

Peter,

Should be approx. the same. Although they were taken on different days, the weather was almost the same, cloudy.

Keven

[Designer]

I've also try using the original yellow filter. (designed for Summarit & Xenon) Of course the contrast would be enchanced a bit.

http://e.domaindlx.com/wattpuppy/Photography/Summarit_test_003(CLA_yello.jpg

[peter_n]

Very interesting. Many thanks for posting these pics Keven! :)

[MCTuomey]

Just curious, do you have experience with the Canon 1.4/50mm to compare? From what I've been able to determine from RFF folks, the Canon has higher contrast, the Leica better detail. And the Leica easier on portrait subjects wide open. From what I see above, I like the qualities of the Leica very much. Oh yes, thanks much for taking the time to scan and post.

[Designer]

Hi! Mike,

I didn't have experience w/. canon 5omm f1.4. The low contrast of Summarit is expected especially wide opened. FYI, All photos were scaned by old Nikon LS-30, no sharpening. :)

Keven

[spetsnaz]

I've just got one of this lens last month and use as my everyday lens. I tried shooting with many kind of lighting and film, the lens performed very well (even though at f1.5 shows pretty soft image) I prefer the result of B&W from this lens to color image, especially portraiture shot.

Pop

[Designer]

Just got some colour scanned slides (RDP) today.

[Designer]

This one shot at f5.6. (w/. lens hood)

[Designer]

This one at f2. (w/. lens hood)

[scottgee1]

Verrry interesting!

I can see the pix on page two, but not the ones on page one. What might I be doing wrong this time . . .?

Also, may I ask who did the CLA, if you're satisfied with it and how much it cost?

TIA!/ScottGee1

[Designer]

Hi ScottGee1,

I got my lens cleaned by a local camera repairing shop.

Keven

[Designer]

This one also at f2, 1/1000 sec..

[ddunn]

Verrry interesting!

I can see the pix on page two, but not the ones on page one. What might I be doing wrong this time . . .?

TIA!/ScottGee1


Same problem here. :bang:

[Designer]

Same problem here. :bang:


It maybe due to the failture of the web hosting site for those those photos on page 1. Those on page 2 are direct uploaded.

[peter_n]

Once again Keven thanks for posting. I think your lens is pretty good wide-open, you must be a happy guy! :)

[Designer]

Thanks Peter, It's really a joy to share something here! :)