50mm Summicron Dual Range ?'s

[JOCO34]

Hello everyone, I've got some questions. I have a 50mm f2 DR lens that is in great shape and I want to use it on my new M240. It was my go to 50mm on my M2 and I really like using it. I just sent it off to DAG Cameras for a CLA and to have the rear helicals reduced in size so to fit the M240 internal geometry.

Here are my questions;

1) Will the lens focus with the rangefinder or do I need to use Live View or the EV finder?

2) Will the modified lens still work with my M2?

3) With the rear helicals reduced will the lens still be dual range or just like a normal 50mm lens?

4) Since the lens was not in collectable condtion anyway how much have I ruined and future value of the lens (not that I will ever sell it)?

OK have at me!!

 

[ferider]

For all practical purposes it will function like a 50mm rigid.

A pity to modify it really. You could just buy a rigid instead (one of my favorite 240 lenses).

Roland.

 

[JOCO34]

For all practical purposes it will function like a 50mm rigid.

A pity to modify it really. You could just buy a rigid instead (one of my favorite 240 lenses).

Roland.

I debated not modifing it but it is not really a collector lens and the mod is internal plus I really will not sell this lens as it was my first lens on my first Leica, an M2 which I bought new. Both the M2 and the 50mm have seen lots of use, careful use but still it's not a shelf queen. Having it function on a modern digital Leica just makes me feel connected to my past. BTW I also have a Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f1.5 ZM but while it has a simiar 1930-40's look it's just not the same.

 

[ferider]

It's your lens, no need to justify 🙂

It will do really well on the 240, you'll see.

 

[Trius]

Loved my DR on an M3 - if it gets good use on another M, all is good.

 

[JOCO34]

Thanks all for the comments. The lens is off to DAG for the work and when it returns I will do a review and let you know how it turned out.

 

[bucs]

I was going to recommend to sell or trade it for a rigid summicron

You wont have to spend money. In fact you may even earn a bit from the trade 🙂

 

[JOCO34]

I was going to recommend to sell or trade it for a rigid summicron

You wont have to spend money. In fact you may even earn a bit from the trade 🙂

I did think of that but since I already have a great 50 in the Zeiss Sonnar 50 f1.5 I really did not want another 50mm just to have another lens. This lens was my first Leica lens and I just love the old film look it produces. Keeping old Leica equipment going and producing good photographs is kind of important to me.

 

[Richard G]

You lose the close range. I use my DR unmodified on digital Leicas, including in the near normal range, the latter with great discipline so as not grind a shelf out of the interior of the camera.

 

[raid]

Richard: why don't you write up a report on how you use the DR unmodified on digital M cameras.

JOCO: Good luck with your modified DR on the M 240.

 

[JOCO34]

You lose the close range. I use my DR unmodified on digital Leicas, including in the near normal range, the latter with great discipline so as not grind a shelf out of the interior of the camera.

I have no discipline, just get too excited shooting. When you say I lose the close range does that mean the lens will not focus or the internal rangefinder can't focus? Could I use live view to focus?

 

[k__43]

I did think of that but since I already have a great 50 in the Zeiss Sonnar 50 f1.5 I really did not want another 50mm just to have another lens. This lens was my first Leica lens and I just love the old film look it produces. Keeping old Leica equipment going and producing good photographs is kind of important to me.

a bit contradicting .. "keeping it going" by removing an essential functionality ?
A rigid is exactly the same lens (same look etc.) swapping yours for the rigid (thus being able to use it on the M240) is making you money while sending it to DAG costs you. The rigid would get you the exact same "old film look". Actually what you do is you make a rigid out of a DR with worse ergonomics (focus and aperture are closer together on the DR making space for the goggles).
If you love the lens so much why are you damaging it?

 

[a.noctilux]

I have no discipline, just get too excited shooting. When you say I lose the close range does that mean the lens will not focus or the internal rangefinder can't focus? Could I use live view to focus?

With the shimming of the focussing coupler, only close focus using rangefinder is affected.
If well executed, as mine, rangefinder can be used with my M 262 in close range from just under 70cm to 48cm.
Only not RF coupling from 90cm to 70cm.

You could use the LV in the close range as before.

I have also the Rigid but prefer the DR in use (I have one DR not modified and one DR modified for digital M 🙄).

Regards,

Arnaud

 

[JOCO34]

If you love the lens so much why are you damaging it?

Well you always hurt the one you love!

First off I'm not a collector but a photographer. Second it's about the image not the shiney bits. For me the lens is now functional as opposed to Leica Industrial Sculpture. If the lens was like new with box and caps I may have not modified it but it's been used by me since I bought it new in the last century.

 

[Richard G]

I have no discipline, just get too excited shooting. When you say I lose the close range does that mean the lens will not focus or the internal rangefinder can't focus? Could I use live view to focus?

Yes, it will focus but not with RF coupling, so live view would work. I'm afraid I know very little about that and don't know how practical it would be.

 

[raid]

How would a modified DR's close-up features work on the M9 which does not have LV? It won't work. Right?

 

[Austerby]

I'm not sure I fully understand what is being discussed here: I have a DR that I use on my Sony A7ii in both normal and macro mode. It hasn't been modified in any way.

I mount it on the VME Close Focus adaptor to give even more close focus ability.

I've not seen the need to modify the lens in any way, so can someone please explain why a modification is needed for it to work on the M240?

 

[a.noctilux]

Austerby,

Summicron DR has the rangefinder coupling cam that is too far in the rear.
So digital M since M8 has the chamber with less room to accommodate the rear of DR.
Mounting the DR on those digital M is impossible (or a sort off) in normal range, but usable in near range. as is.

 

[peterm1]

Had one in nearly mint condition (with eyes) and sold it rather than modding it. I just could not bring myself to do it. Maybe the next owner modded it, maybe not but I could not. Its each persons call. Shame the digital Ms were not designed with it in mind as they are really nice lenses. Jewels really.

 

[teddy]

I don't see the benefits of ruining a lens when you can swap it. Sell it and swap it for a Rigid Summicron.