Advice please re Leitz Summicron 50mm DR Lens

daveproctor · 10-09-2009

I have seen one of these listed on a forum I subscribe to for £250 which looks in fantastic condition

I've read good reviews on the lens, which seems to be a bit of a classic and the price looks reasonable. Can anyone tell me whether the lens, being dual range, will be ok on the M8 as I've heard some people say it won't function on the close range setting on later film M camera bodies

venchka · 10-09-2009

No. The lens requires modification for the M8. I think the close focusing is lost. DAG knows what to do and how to do it. Contact him for all the details. It works fine on my M5.

Most people feel that the rigid Summicron from the same period has the same optics. It would be worth looking for a nice one of those.

Benjamin Marks · 10-09-2009

The lens won't work on the M8 -- the flange is wrong, for some reason. I have one and I have tried it. For the price of the modification to the mount, you can probably get a rigid chrome Summicron, which is of the same era and which will work with the M8. The lens itself is one of my favorites, (very nice color rendition) but I have to use it on film M's, not digi-Ms.

Ben Marks