payasam
a.k.a. Mukul Dube
I have a PDF file of a magazine article on the Summicrons. Will send to anyone who asks: write to uthappam AT gmail DOT com.
Ron (Netherlands)
Well-known
Since long I have a Summitar, but quite recently acquired many original filters for it, for very decent prices (about Euro 20 each). Indeed most filters come with pressed glass (glass is fixed) and some filters with a detachable ring. The glass itself is 39mm so you can switch glass with the glass of 39mm filters (of course also the IR/UV 39mm for your summicron).
As others I like the rendering of the Summitar a lot, mostly for b&w pictures which provides a really retro picture. I bought my Summitar (1940 edition) about 20 years ago. One should really be careful buying one these days, because as with the summars and summicrons, many have a lot of (very small) scratches (aka cleaning marks), in my view it is not worth buying one with cleaning marks. For summitars also a distinction is made between post-WWII and lenses before: this has to do with the difference of the diaphragm blades (see other threads on this issue).
As others I like the rendering of the Summitar a lot, mostly for b&w pictures which provides a really retro picture. I bought my Summitar (1940 edition) about 20 years ago. One should really be careful buying one these days, because as with the summars and summicrons, many have a lot of (very small) scratches (aka cleaning marks), in my view it is not worth buying one with cleaning marks. For summitars also a distinction is made between post-WWII and lenses before: this has to do with the difference of the diaphragm blades (see other threads on this issue).
raid
Dad Photographer
I have used the rigid Summicron, collapsible Summicron, Summitar, Summar, and Summarit. With vintage lenses, you must count having someone to double check focus/shimming for sharpest results.
My Summarit is an odd-ball lens due to some possible optical flaws, so it would be inappropriate to compare it with my other "Sum" lenses.
The rigid Summicron is a lens that gives me excellent results. I don't want any sharper images. The Summitar is also a great lens overall. The rest has been said above by others.
The one thing common about Leica lenses is their excellent built quality.
Here are some older lens comparison images:
http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=671321
1. Summitar
2. Rigid Summicron
3.Jupiter 3:
4. Canon 50mm 1.8:
5. Zeiss 5cm 2.0 LTM:
6. Nikon 5cm 2.0:
7. Summarit [caution: my example is a softer focus lens somehow]:
My Summarit is an odd-ball lens due to some possible optical flaws, so it would be inappropriate to compare it with my other "Sum" lenses.
The rigid Summicron is a lens that gives me excellent results. I don't want any sharper images. The Summitar is also a great lens overall. The rest has been said above by others.
The one thing common about Leica lenses is their excellent built quality.
Here are some older lens comparison images:
http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=671321
1. Summitar
2. Rigid Summicron
3.Jupiter 3:
4. Canon 50mm 1.8:
5. Zeiss 5cm 2.0 LTM:
6. Nikon 5cm 2.0:
7. Summarit [caution: my example is a softer focus lens somehow]:
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squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Raid, those are great samples, thank you!
raid
Dad Photographer
As you can see, the differences are subtle, and with window light, almost any 50mm lens is "good". The Summicron may have been in need of cleaning, which I did after the lens comparison was done.
These lenses come and go; I sold the Nikkor and got a replacement Nikkor ... etc. The J-3 was exceptionally good [sold]; so I got two replacement J-3 lenses, searching for a super sharp one.
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maxmeabh
Member
My Summarit has been with me some thirty years now. Since Peter at CRR cleaned it I would say that it is extremely sharp in the f16- F8 range where it gets most use and renders a lovely image wide open so it's worth cleaning these lenses. Peter did my 2.8 elmar at the same time and it too is sparkling. I use the Summarit a lot on my M6 and it feels more comfortable than the Summilux.
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Bumped to this thread while trying to find thread I need...
I'm in the third or so week with Summarit. Had Summitar a while ago. Interesting results on b/w, my copy wasn't impressive with colors. It is too big lens for collapsible for my taste.
Have collapsible Cron now, well made, small enough, nothing wrong with pictures. They are very ideal I would say.
Summarit is different beast. Heavy, very heavy. Constriction and handling is high class.
Soft only at 1.5, sharp including 2 and smaller. Most interesting character of the image among this trio.
I'm in the third or so week with Summarit. Had Summitar a while ago. Interesting results on b/w, my copy wasn't impressive with colors. It is too big lens for collapsible for my taste.
Have collapsible Cron now, well made, small enough, nothing wrong with pictures. They are very ideal I would say.
Summarit is different beast. Heavy, very heavy. Constriction and handling is high class.
Soft only at 1.5, sharp including 2 and smaller. Most interesting character of the image among this trio.