Quick Question re 50 DR

[Shac]

Can an unmodified 50 DR Summicron be used on an M9 (I don't mean with the close-up goggles - just on its own)
Thanks in advance

 

[JMQ]

The quick answer is NO. You can mount it, but the focusing is very limited, even in the normal mode. The 50DR is my favorite lens, and the first lens I mounted on the M9 when I bought it...good thing I did not break anything.

 

[Shac]

jmq - thank you for the bad news - I too love this lens and do not want to have it modified - c'est la vie

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The other way to use it on the M9 or M8- buy a Rigid Summicron type 1 with bad glass. The Optics Module from the DR unscrews and will screw into the non-DR mount.

 

[Shac]

Thanks for the tip Brian

 

[peterm1]

When I had my M8 in the offing I ended up selling my lovely near mint DR summicron for this reason. At least it helped me pay for the darned M8. And luckily I had another later summicron 50 to use with it. But I still miss that lens - it was so beautifully made. A real gem.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I had this problem then a friend sold me a mint condition rigid 'cron focusing helicoid sans optics module and I swapped it over. Works perfectly.

Of course, now I own another rigid 'cron and the DR as well as the helicoid. Oh yeah, I'm not using the pretty helicoid now, I guess. PM me if you want it.

Phil Forrest

 

[hans voralberg]

I think Sherry can modify it to fit the M8/9

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I think Sherry can modify it to fit the M8/9

Not without cutting the close-range cam. Then the lens is no longer a Dual Range.

Phil Forrest

 

[Shac]

50 Dr

50 Dr

I had this problem then a friend sold me a mint condition rigid 'cron focusing helicoid sans optics module and I swapped it over. Works perfectly.

Of course, now I own another rigid 'cron and the DR as well as the helicoid. Oh yeah, I'm not using the pretty helicoid now, I guess. PM me if you want it.

Phil Forrest

Thanks Phil appreciate the offer - however, I have a rigid cron as well and was trying to figure out whether to sell it or not

 

[johannielscom]

Phil, I sent you a PM on the helicoid, I'll take it if possible.

 

[Ronald M]

You can not freely swap lens cells. They are a matched set with the focus mount.

The last 4 numbers of the lens cell serial are engraved inside the focus mount for a reason.

 

[rogerzilla]

It is sort of usable for people shots. See Ken Rockwell's page.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/50mm-f2-dr.htm

Waste of money on an M9 really; leave it for someone who can use it fully.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have swapped lens cells, shimmed it to work correctly.

I have also swapped front elements to fix a Type 1 Rigid Summicron- but had to bore out the optcal fixture to do it. Again- worked correctly.

It is fairly easy to know when you have the shim set correctly with a Digital camera.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Rigid 'Cron and DR 'Cron optical units may be matched to the helicoid with an engraved number but don't tell that to my m8 or M9 since I can swap two optical modules freely across three helicoids with no focusing error at all. It's spot on at infinity and spot on at close-focus. The ONLY issue I've had is with the aperture index marking not sitting at top dead center when I mix and match.

Basically, if the lens was a DR it's nominal focal length is 51.9mm and it needs to be mated to a helicoid with a nominal focal length of 51.9mm, be it rigid or DR. Leica also made rigid 'Crons in 51.6mm so those helicoids exist but I haven't seen one. If you interchange the two, the focus error will be only slight anyways.

Phil Forrest