DR Summicron

M

MXP

Established
Local time
7:38 PM
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
167
View My Gallery
I have read a lot of this lens. Now I got one myself. But no M3 yet.....I will receive it soon.

Do you all use it as just a normal 50mm lens?

I also have the macro attachment for the M3. So how is the close up performans of the lens? ......any examples? ......it only goes to 0.5m ....so not really a macro....but it is well corrected that close?
 
Indeed the DR is a fine normal lens for all the usual purposes. The viewfinder attachment "goggles" allows RF coupling down to minimum focus, also dealing with the parallax issue. The lens has excellent close-focus performance.

The coupled close focus is unique, as many of the new Zeiss ZM lenses also focus to 0.5m, but they lose RF coupling at some point between .7m and 1.0m depending on the camera.
 
not macro no, just quite close for an rf.
standard slr fifties normally focus to about 45cm's or so they would bring you somewhat closer without the hassle of mounting the goggles.

the DR is a true gem, imo. i pretty much just used mine as a standard, shot a couple of frames up close just to see how it did and was not at all disappointed (no examples at hand i'm afraid..).
 
What is the price level of such a DR summicon? .....my was at the $800 range......maybe at bit to high but is was very clean.......
 
I'm trying to sell a very very nice one at $450, with eyes. See the RFF ads.

I did a quick check on ebay before setting my price, and thought it was at the lower end of the scale, but not "bottom scraper" pricing.

Vick
 
Vickko said:
I'm trying to sell a very very nice one at $450, with eyes. See the RFF ads.

I did a quick check on ebay before setting my price, and thought it was at the lower end of the scale, but not "bottom scraper" pricing.

Vick
Click to expand...
Somehow I missed that and still can't find it.... and I've been looking for one for a while. Would you please PM me details or a link to the ad?
 
I love my DR Summicron. I find it a very sharp lens. I find focusing close-up with the goggles a bit tricky if shooting wide-open. Sometimes moving slightly forward or backwards works better than using the focusing ring. I usually rotate the focusing ring to get it close then move my head back or forth a little bit to fine focus.
 
Close-up samples

2156358406_847831d8f9.jpg


2464634210_9326df3fa0.jpg
 
It's a nice lens but quite heavy compared to the regular or collapsing versions of the same lens. The lenses were specially chosen because they were exactly 51.9mm focal length. This meant that they didn't have to make a variety of different helicals because not all 50's are exactly the designed target focal length. Other Leitz 50's have a very slight cam ground into the ring in the rear that contacts the rangefinder arm's roller. This allowas them to get precise rangefinder adjustment for the individual lens. This system wouldn't work with the dual-range.

If you have a 90mm lens you can probably get by without getting the D.R. Summicron. The actual area covered by a 90 at it's closest focussing distance is exactly the same as you get with the D.R. Summicron with the eyes attached.
 
Not trying to hijack the thread - I have DR Summicron that I use, but it appears to be a bit soft and low on contrast.
The front glass element has some scratches (common on these lenses, I've heard) and there appears to be some light haze inside.

Is it worth the cost to send the lens in to be cleaned or should I live with the "glow"?
 
I had my DR cleaned by DAG about two years ago and it's as clean as a whistle now, I think I paid $80 including shipping back to Europe. If the lenses are free from scratches it's probably worth it.

I just sold it for €325 ($440) sans eyes, I just didn't use it.
 
Got mine with goggles, caps and yellow filter for 250 euros. Quite a bargain! It looks used but still nice. Glass is perfect.

Never used it in close-up really, but it is simply the best lens I have ever used. Period. It gets things out of 35mm that nothing else can match so far.
 
Al Kaplan said:
It's a nice lens but quite heavy compared to the regular or collapsing versions of the same lens. The lenses were specially chosen because they were exactly 51.9mm focal length. This meant that they didn't have to make a variety of different helicals because not all 50's are exactly the designed target focal length. Other Leitz 50's have a very slight cam ground into the ring in the rear that contacts the rangefinder arm's roller. This allowas them to get precise rangefinder adjustment for the individual lens. This system wouldn't work with the dual-range.
Click to expand...

If what you say is true, how can these other focal lenghts 50's work with the SOMKY device, Al? SOMKY's work perfectly with ring no 16508 and rigid Summicrons with detachable lensheads, no matter what exact focal length these lensheads have.
BTW, as far as I know, there are no DR's around with "collapsible" Summicron lens cells built into them. Maybe apart from prototypes, these do not exist.
The SOMKY has the same goggles as the DR Summicron. In fact a normal rigid Summicron (detachable lenshead) with a SOMKY and ring no 16508 will do the same job as a DR.

Erik.
 
Last edited:
Everywhere you read that the DR is much heavier than the rigid. On p. 131 of the Hove Pocket Book the weight of the rigid is given as 285gm and the DR as 400gm. Quite a difference. I have both and to me there doesn't seem to be much weight difference, if any, between the two lenses. I'm wondering if that DR weight includes the goggles.
 
Vickko said:
I'm trying to sell a very very nice one at $450, with eyes. See the RFF ads.

I did a quick check on ebay before setting my price, and thought it was at the lower end of the scale, but not "bottom scraper" pricing.

Vick
Click to expand...

That is a very good price for a near mint one. It is probably sold quickly. So you can get a real nice Leica lens for this amount. I got my at a physical shop and here prices is a bit higher than at ebay etc. But I like that I can see what I get and can also try it......and deliver it back within 2 month if I don't like it. So I had to pay a "little" more for this. Then it was box'ed also......an expensive box... 🙂 .....but I am quite happy as the glass is 100% perfect. So perfect that I am not using it before I get a filter for it 🙂
 
I pulled my ad.

I was inspecting the lens for another party and found cleaning marks and coating degradation on the lens.

I am trying to find a new price for the lens. It is really unfortunate, because the cosmetic condition of the barrel is very good.

I will photograph it tonight for a couple people who expressed interest in it.

$450 may have been a good price for a mint one; but one with coating and surface degradation? I don't know. I see a few that sold on ebay for less than $200 for just the lens alone. I may even separate the lens and finder, and sell them separately.

...Vick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom