DR summicron arrives in the post...issues

[Robin Harrison]

Guys...just bought a nice looking (in the *bay pics) DR summicron. Lovely lump. But...I’ve noted the following:

- Mounts on my M3, but not my M6, or my M8 (I know it won’t focus properly on the M8, but I assume it should mount when focussed at one extremity?).
- Section of lens containing all glass elements unscrews all the way – maybe that’s to aid the closer focussing?
- The aperture selection mark is ~180 degrees away from where it should be, so I cannot visually check the aperture!

And...the glass is hardly spotless.

Anyway...obviously I deserve what I get from buying from *bay and not waiting for one to appear on the RFF forums...BUT...do you think these observations are a) uncommon? b) related?

Thanks,
Robin.

 

[former member]

The optics module is supposed to unscrew from the mount, that is normal.

It is not going to mount on the M8, should on the M6.

The aperture being 180degrees out of phase: could be mismatched optics module with the focus mount. The DR and Type 1 Rigid optics modules are identical. I've done some swapping beofre on parts lenses, someone could have done the same here. If they did not take care in getting things right, ot might not focus with the RF.

 

[jpfisher]

The DR Cron should mount on your M8 when set to the close focus range -- it will not mount when set to the normal focus range.

The head unscrews from the mount by design.

Can't speak to the other issues.

 

[ferider]

On many M6 bodies the DR has issues. Hitting the light-meter with the extended RF cam. This problem is not very documented, but several RFF members had it (maddoc for instance). Even when it works it comes damn close. Be very careful.

With the head out (normal) you should be able to take the aperture ring off and turn it.

 

[N.delaRua]

I use a DR on my M6 and have heard to be careful about it too. It seems to work. Just make sure to mount dismount at infinity.

 

[ferider]

I'm lucky with my M6 as well. Look at yours through the open back-door/film gate and you'll see. Light-meter / RF cam collision happens at focus longer than 1m.

 

[spyder2000]

The optics module that is removable will have the serial number (and the actual focal length) indicated on it. The serial number should match that found on the mount.

 

[DanTalbot]

The aperture selection mark should be visible when you look down at the lens mounted on the camera (see pictures in this article: http://www.cameraquest.com/m50dr.htm). If you can solve these issues, you will enjoy the results that you get from the DR Summicron.

Dan

 

[Robin Harrison]

All - thanks so much for you input. Such knowledgable, honest, concise, and helpful replies are what make RFF great. If I didn't have to get up in 5 and a bit hours, I'd try those suggested checks now, but I think they are better done in a calm and awake state. Thanks again, will report back.

 

[peterm1]

My DR Summicron allows you to see the aperture settings normally when the lens is mounted on the camera body. If yours does not, something is definitely wrong.

The optical cell of this lens does screw off (this is normal - as with any number of early Leica lenses this was a design feature so the lens could be mounted and used on a Visoflex).

When mounting the lens on any camera body, first make sure that the "goggles", if you have them, have been removed from the lens AND that the lens is set to normal distance viewing (ie not to its close range.) When the lens has been mounted on the camera body you can then set the lens to its close focussing range and remount the goggles on the top of the lens.

This lens is beautifully made and takes excellent photos. It is lower contrast than later Summicron lenses, however. It is an absolute shame that without "doctoring," it cannot be used on an M8 /M9 as its lower contrast rendering is distinctly suitable for the digital environment where excess contrast is a problem for digital systems to cope with.

I hope you can get it fixed. I would get some quick expert advice on what is wrong with regard to the upside down aperture scale and, if necessary, return the lens for a refund as it does sound (without having seen it) as if the lens has been disassembled and then reassembled incorrectly.

This may be as simple as the manner in which the front optical cell has been screwed into the main body of the lens. You could try screwing it ioff and then rescrewing it in the opposite alignmment yourself. Or it may be that some bozo has taken the cell apart for CLA and failed to put this important bit back in the right orientation. (I have recently sold my DR - with great regret I might add as it cannot be used on digital Ms - but the point is that this means I cannot now check mine for clues as to the source of your problem.)

I would especially advise considering returning it if in other respects (description of optical quality) the lens has been misrepresented by the seller and the lens cannot be easily reassembled for use. This is what an expert should be able to tell you.