Looking for info on a 50mm Summitar

flipflop · 02-22-2006

Hi,
I am looking for info on a 50mm Summitar, I think the one I am getting is a coated version and from the late 50's. Can anyone tell me anything about this lens or send me some links of pics shot with this lens.

Thanks again!

Film dino · 02-22-2006

Try this for Summitar images-
http://www.pgallery.net/dingo/folder-5553.html

flipflop · 02-22-2006

Thanks Dino!

Ronald M · 02-23-2006

I have ended up with two of them, one of which came as as part of a package on a really nice 111c.

The image is soft at 2.0, and clearing between 4 and 5.6.

If you want a sharp wide open lens, I suggest another lens. I like the character of mine and if I need sharp 2.0, I`ll use a camera with a modern Summicron. If all you have is screw mount, A CV 50mm is better.

payasam · 02-23-2006

As Ronald says, Summitars are a bit soft wide open. At f/5.6 or smaller they're not so different from their offspring, the Summicron. Coated or not, they are prone to flare and absolutely must be used with hoods. Easily the most efficient hood is the SOOPD, but if you get the spring clip type it must match the groove on the lens barrel. Other things to watch out for are soft coating and soft glass, both easily damaged. If you have the serial number you can check when it was made by going to www.forloren.dk/lbf/leica_lens_serial.htm. I'm not so sure that the fellows were made up to the late 1950s.

Mike Wood · 02-23-2006

I found the Summitar to give very pleasing portraits, but my example has a slightly hazy rear element under a bright light - maybe this accounts for the low contrast I get.

Here's a couple of examples:

Ferry

Pooch

OldNick · 02-26-2006

Here is an informal portrait cropped from a frame taken at a rehearsal supper, where there was little chance to get the best framing while seated at the table. Taken with a Leica IIIf and 5cm Summitar, C41 film, exposure recorded as 1/50 at f/2.8.

doubs43 · 02-26-2006

Daniel, those are tack-sharp and really show what the Summitar is capable of doing. I've owned one (made in 1951) for 35 years and it's as clean as you're likely to find. It takes an outstanding image.

Dino, Mike and Jim have also posted some excellent examples of Summitar work. If it weren't for the Summicron and it's stellar reputation, the Summitar could well be the Leitz lens that carried the company reputation on high.

Oddly enough, I just won another Summitar on ebay this evening and it's a 1950 vintage. I'm told it has no cleaning marks and is in excellent condition. We'll see when I get it in a week or so.

Walker

ZorkiKat · 02-28-2006

Hi

I must have gone through five Summitars and each was unique. One had the tendency to distort at the corners- for instance, pictures of grouped people would have those at the sides seem to lean towards the centre. Must be due bad lens repair, but I've seen this "look" in old pictures from the 1950s.

Like what the others said, the Summitar seem to be soft at full aperture. They go fine at around f/4. Personally, I don't find them spectacular or interesting. The Jupiter-8 and Canon 1.8 seem to do better at bigger apertures- and at almost any setting for that matter.

I've kept two- a war-time uncoated version with the 'old-style' f-stops (2, 2,2, 3,2, 4,5...) whose smallest f-setting is f/12,5 but its aperture blades actually move beyond this mark for some unmarked, smaller f/ size. This lens came with a war-time Leica IIIc. Another Summitar is a coated 1950s which I keep for the sake of having one...

The uncoated Summitar is very interesting. It shoots with low contrast, but otherwise does OK, even for colour. See attachments below.

Then, I read somewhere that there were Summitars marked with an "*". These were supposed to be Summicrons.

Jay

FrankS · 02-28-2006

Jay, that Summitar cat picture is beautiful! It would make a lovely postcard or one of those blank folded cards that you can write whatever you want inside. Great image.

pshinkaw · 02-28-2006

This was scanned from a 5X7 enlargement. It required some buring-in to bring out the cross. Leica IIIf, Summitar.

-Paul

pshinkaw · 02-28-2006

Sorry, forgot to click on "upload"

-Paul

rolleistef · 02-28-2006

The summitar style is truly unique. It's a kind of mix between very contrasty pictures and nearly "lith" (well, it's a bit exagerate) effects.
I think this kind of picture is impossible with today's lenses, computer-calculated and mechanicaly-ground, it's why I particularly like the old lens effect (for instance my '59 Tessar)

doubs43 · 02-28-2006

I'll soon be able to compare my '51 Summitar to a '50 Summitar that I won on ebay Sunday. I hope to have it by this time next week. It's supposedly in excellent condition and without cleaning scratches. I'll see when it gets here.

Walker

ZorkiKat · 03-01-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankS

Jay, that Summitar cat picture is beautiful! It would make a lovely postcard or one of those blank folded cards that you can write whatever you want inside. Great image.

Thanks Frank.

I might have to re-evaluate my priorities and specialise in pet photography instead. Cat photography for that matter!

Jay

Brian Sweeney · 03-01-2006

Just some basic info:

The Summitar is the classic 1-2-2-1, 6 element in 4 group Planar formula lens. It replaced the Summar, and was designed to reduce the light falloff at the corners present in the Summar. The Summitar was introduced when color slide film becoming popular. Sometime in the 40's, it was available "coated". Mine is from ~1946, and is quite sharp. When I got it, the front element had what looked like cleaning marks, but proved to be the beginning of fungus. It cleaned right off using an ammonia based cleaner. The coating was completely undamaged. Great shots, need to scan.

Jeff_S · 03-01-2006

Here is another Summitar pic. I have been very happy with mine, even wide open.

Good luck,

Jeff

Huck Finn · 03-01-2006

The original Summitar was discontinued in 1953 & was replaced with the Summicron. What we know as the collapsible Summicron form the 1950s was originally issued as a Summitar* in 1950 in two batches with serial numbers 812242-812323 and 812341--812360.

If you tell me the serial # of the one you're looking at, I can give you more information, but there aren't dramatic differences among any of these three.

Post-war versions have coating. Leica offered to apply coating to earlier versions as a service, so some of them have it as well.

Huck

Huck

flipflop · 03-01-2006

Thanks to all for repsonding and posting pics! I will be getting the lens today in the mail...hopefully. When I get it I will post the serial! Thanks alot. This summicron on the site has me wondering if I should sell this and grab summicron while I have the chance to get one for such a cheap price.