Leica Summicron 50mm f2 DR - Someone please refresh my memory

peterm1

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I used to own a lovely Leica Summicron 50mm f2 Dual Range (with its goggles) back in the film days. Many years back when I began the switch to digital cameras (bear in mind that mirrorless cameras were not yet available) it became known that the DR Summicron could not be used on the new-fangled Leica M digital cameras due to the cam clashing with baffles or something inside (God help me I am hoping it's not clashing with the sensor). Anyway, when I decided to buy a Leica M8 as one of my first forays into digital imagery I also decided that I might as well sell the Summicron DR to help fund it since I could no longer use it. (As I say mirrorless was not quite around yet although it was very much getting there - perhaps some little mirrorless pocket cams were beginning but I failed to take account of later developments in this arena.) I now shoot mirrorless pretty well exclusively as do probably most of us and my M8 has also gone.

But as a DR Summicron has come up locally, I am considering buying a DR again, to use on mirrorless with a suitable adapter - Leica M to L mount most likely and also to Sony mount as I have a Sony camera too. I only need the normal focusing range of this lens - which (without the goggles) I seem to recollect, and as with other M lenses, starts at 0.7 metres, which is plenty close for me, so its close focus function is not an issue. (Besides I do have a LLLab Leica M to L mount adapter with its own close focus helicoid should I ever be tempted to get closer). What is an issue is for me to make sure that it can be used normally, in its normal range on normal adapters without problems.

Can someone just reassure me (my memory is hazy) that this lens is safe to use on mirrorless systems with adapters and functions to the full range from there to infinity. I assume it is but what's that old saying - "When I assume, I make an Ass out of U and Me". I am pretty sure I have seen others to use it in the manner I propose but I would prefer not to waste my time and money buying one if not. And I definitely prefer not to mount the lens to find that it damages the camera in some obscure way that I have not taken account of.

many thanx.
 
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I am pretty sure I have seen others to use it in the manner I propose but I would prefer not to waste my time and money buying one if not. And I definitely prefer not to mount the lens to find that it damages the camera in some obscure way that I have not taken account of.

'Just double checked DR Summicron with Leica M to L adapter on SL. Works perfectly. No interference whatsoever. 'Can even use the close focusing mechanism on the lens (for those that don't have a helicoid in their M to L adapter) without the goggles by just pressing down on the little ball on the lens while turning the focusing mechanism after shifting to close focusing range. It's possible to release the ball after a single press and the lens will continue to focus in the entire close focus range unless and until it returns to the start of the range, in which case the ball lock releases and returns to normal.

I love this lens. 'Kinda the pinnacle of vintage Leica mechanical engineering and manufacturing IMO.
 
Great lens indeed. You can indeed focus from 0.5m to infinity without goggles. Suffice it to press the bearing ball of the lens to access the close range from 0.5m to 1m. You an even focus from about 0.3m to infinity when using a close focus adapter such as the VM-E Voigtlander adapter for Sony. Happy snaps 😀
 
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