Anyone use a Summitar?

[Ash]

Hey all,

I'm considering selling a couple of my russian cameras (as well as some other non-camera stuff) and maybe buying a 50mm Summitar.

Is this a good idea?

Any example shots or links to other threads with some opinions? Frank, I'm looking at you here 😀

Or should I really save for a summicron?? I could get a summitar for both Leicas for the cost of one summicron. Also I do have a jupiter-8, so there's f/2 russian glass to be played with, but I wonder if the summitar would produce quality images?

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[FrankS]

I haven't used it much yet, but here's a portrait at f2. I've read that wide open the lens exhibits softness and less contrast, which both improve considerably when stopped down a bit. Perfect for portraits.

 

[flashover]

Ash I have owned two Summitars. The first a 1951 or 52 version went to Raid. The one I have now is a 1942 Coated version. Both have produced sharp clear images and I have been very happy with them both. I have used them on a IIIc and now on a IIIa and III. I also just picked up a Black J8 and will do a comparison.

 

[Ash]

Thanks John, I'd like to see whether it's worth the money (considering the J-8 could sit happily on the IIIc, but wouldn't be pocketable anymore).

Frank, I'm liking the portrait; I guess you're right, the softness is evident at f2

 

[FrankS]

A single lens with 2 personalities: wide open the lens exhibits softness and less contrast, which both improve considerably when stopped down a bit

Have to say that this pic was 1/25 sec handheld.

 

[Ash]

So this is a lens with good press then?

 

[like2fiddle]

While I don't have any scanned shots to share, I have experienced the same characteristics with my Summitar. I've actually been impressed with its sharpness when closed down a bit. It's a compact lens and a good value IMHO. I recently purchased the barndoor hood but have not tried it out yet. My expectation is that I will like the results even more.

Roger

 

[Ash]

GAH!!!! I just saw a Contax II at a price I can't resist!!!! Dare I buy the Contax instead???

 

[FrankS]

The classic 50mm vented Summicron hood fits on many Summitars as well.

 

[Ash]

The Summitar will HAVE to wait!! :bang:

I just clicked BUY IT NOW to a £150 Contax II with Sonnar 😱

There goes me overdraft... I'm not sure who's gonna be more angry, the bank manager or my parents!!

Right I'm pretty sure all my FSU camera's are now up for grabs, so make me an offer 😉

 

[FrankS]

Cool, Ash! Can you post a link?

 

[David Murphy]

A coated Summitar in good condition is a lens you will not regret buying.

 

[FrankS]

A coated Summitar in good condition is a lens you will not regret buying.

I agree.

Same goes for a Contax! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Contax-11-wit...ryZ15234QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Ash]

Thats the link Frank!

ok I'm crawling my way out of debt... next weekend the Zorki-4k, and Fed-2 are both going to my best friend who has a student loan 😀 ... that's £50 less I need to find!

 

[FrankS]

It looks very nice!

 

[Ash]

Apart from the missing takeup spool... Looks like the one from the kiev will come in handy 😉

 

[FrankS]

You'll like the 50mm Sonnar lens on it as much as you would have liked the Summitar. 🙂

 

[Ash]

I only found the contax because I was looking for a sonnar! 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Nice rear lens cap, then!

 

[Ash]

Hell yea 😀