50/2 DR Summicron on M7?

M

matu

Guest
For the wise or older (in wisdom) Leicaphiles.
Have seen this lense and It's very tempting.
The question is if this lense will work well on newer cameras.
I understand that was available for M2 and M3 bodies, so the eyes should work on 0.72x and 0.92x viewfinders.
Karen Nakamura`s site says that the lense colides with the curtain when the lense is set to near range focus.
Was a good performer?
A friend of mine that own's a M7 with a 0.58x viefinder is very interested, he works taking pictures outdoor to little creatures in the rainforest (he is biologist).
Someone has experience with this lense?
Will it work without the eyes?
and last but not least will it work on my M6 with 0.72x viewfinder?

Thanks a lot

Matu
 
The DR is a very good lens. Optically it is superb, and another lens for 35mm cameras will never be made again of the build quality of the DR. It is a heavy solid lens.

I have mounted and used the DR without eyes on my M6TTL. The eyes will not mount on the TTL and surely the M7 due to the higher top due to the meter. I think they will mount on the M6 Classic. I have been careful though to only mount it on my M6 while it is focused to infinity. That is the warning I read.

A good page from Gandy.

http://www.cameraquest.com/m50dr.htm

I just read this page and it says to not mount it on an M6. I may not do that again. For what it is worth the Rigid type 1 Summicron shares the same optical formula as the DR, is very well built, and can be found cheap. I bought mine for $325 I think in excellent + condition after it had been CLA'd.
 
Some may not

Some may not

http://nemeng.com/leica/012b.shtml

Hello:

There are reports that some versions of the DR may have mounting problems *(see link) Always try to mount at infinity. The spectacles make the apparent position of 50mm framelines fov correspond to close focusing range in all M finders. It works as a normal 50mm without the spectacles.

yours
Frank
*no problems on M3, M4, M6 in my hands
 
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Thanks Rover, hadn't seen the Cameraquest Page.
Wondering what lense can be used for macro photography.
 
How retro

How retro

Hello:

How retro are you willing to go? A Visoflex 1 and novoflex bellows will take the lens element of your 90mm Elmar.

I also have a Sooky close up adapter for collapsible Summicron-but this might be considered eccentric?

yours
Frank
 
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I loved the DR on my M3. If I still had it and it wouldn't work in close mode on a later M body, it would be reason enough for me to have an M3 or M2 body to support it.

Earl
 
I like my beater DR Summicron very much, but it is regrettably harsh on aging faces I've found. Eyelessly, it mounts well on my M4 and my R2A, though I've read that it's not supposed be mounted on the Bessa. I paid a high $375 for mine - cosmetically rough but functionally excellent (no CLA needed).

Here's a scan I've got handy - f2 at 1/30 (Tri-X) - my son as "artist" at a school function:
 
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matu said:
Wondering what lense can be used for macro photography.
Click to expand...

for cheap, not on a Leica. I looked into this for my M7 and ended up getting the new 90mm Elmar Macro. It's not really macro since it has a maximum magnification of 1:3 (with adapter) - enough for what I want though. I got it used from BH 9+ for $900, I think. The adapter is $845 - might get it for xmas. Then you'll probably need a flash to get enough DOF.

This is one of those instances in which I think that digital P&S does very well. The small sensors inherently give a greater DOF and digital is nice since I usually throw away a lot of "macro" shots due to shake or OOF. I've seen some really nice shots taken with a Canon G series and a flash on a homemade flash bracket. Then again, that might be too practical ; )
 
Great lens! I just got one recently and it fits and works great on my MP. I highly recommend it.
 
The DR mounts fine on my M6TTL, *if* I mount it when set on infinity. If it's set closer, something binds (probably the "close" half of the dual-range cam touches against something in the camera). The lens works perfectly in both the close and normal ranges.

The close-focus "eyes" will obviously not work on a Bessa, because the windows are not in the same places as the Leica M.

There are two versions of the close-focus "eyes." At least one of them has a black metal "stop" that fits over the top of the "classic" shaped M cameras. The M6TTL and M7 have a slightly higher top deck, and the stop is too low, preventing you from mounting the eyes. Solution: If your "eyes" have the metal stop, remove it. Just a couple of minutes with a small screwdriver does the trick. I bought my "eyes" separate from the lens, and the one I chose did not have the stop. But I tried another pair, which was out of alignment. It did have the stop, and I could see that removing it is very simple.

There's more detailed information on Stephen Gandy's site. He says that some DRs may not mount on some M6's and above. So if possible try before you buy, or get a "return if it doesn't fit" agreement.
http://www.cameraquest.com/m50dr.htm

Hope this is useful.

--Peter
 
I have a DR 50 with eyes that work on my M7. The lens works perfectly with and without the eyes. Although the M7 is 'taller' than previous Ms, i removed the small 'bumper' on the goggles, and they now mount easily. There is a slight non-alignment (vertically) of the rangefinder patch when using the goggles, but i haven't found that to affect focus accuracy.

This reply isn't meant to reflect that All DR Eyes will fit all M7s. I had read that some may not, and was pleased to find that my set does work.

BTW - i think i'm going to be selling the DR, though. I have three 50mm lenses, and would prefer to put $ into an uncovered focal length....
 
Mr Gandy's page talks about the DR not mounting on early M6s...I have an M6 from the second production batch that matches most of the details of his definition of 'early'...I took the time to really look at it when I mount my DR on the M6. The distance between the lens' close focus cam and the baffling around the meter cell is very VERY close. If not mounted focused at infinity it just flat won't go on the camera...but once mounted on it works fine, eyes included. It also mounts right up on an M7.

And it's a hell of a lens, too...get one with good coatings and have it cla'd and fall in love :)
 
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