Calling V.1 50mm Summilux fans

[Daryl J.]

Since relatively little information is readily apparent online regarding the V.1 50mm Summilux, perhaps it would be good to have people who use one explain and/or demonstrate why they like it.

And yes, this thread is different than ''The V.2 and newer is ''better'''. It's different than ''It's a redone 1.5/50mm Summarit".

It seems like there is a generous skill set on this forum with enthusiastic users by and large and if there is an area to collect Summilux One info, it would be from you all.

And yes, I'm both biased and excited: mine arrived today from Dan Tamarkin.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M5, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.

Full aperture (all shots)

Leica MP, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.

 

[bob338]

I have a V1 Summilux. It's a good lens, but definitely different than the V2 and later. I also have the Summarit it is supposed to be descended from and they are different enough that I will keep them both. It may be that my Summarit is not adjusted correctly, but I like how soft it is.
This was taken this morning with a V1 Summilux on an M9.
L1061983 by lenses*for*sale, on Flickr

 

[Mark C]

I believe that the Summarit was adjusted to focus correctly around f2.8. The focus shift always made it hard for me to get it right wide open. I've always assumed that the Nikkor 1.5 made Leica rethink that approach and that the Summilux was probably factory adjusted for accurate focus wide open. Can anybody confirm that?

I have brief resolution comparison of the V1 and V2 Summilux from an old Camera 35 magazine and there are trade offs in both directions. The V2 was an amaxing accomplishment, and is still a fabulous lens today, but I'm very curious about the V1. I hope to get a chance to compare my V2 to the early one sometime.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The V2 was an amaxing accomplishment, and is still a fabulous lens today, but I'm very curious about the V1.

For many years I've used the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v2, an early model in chrome and aluminium. It is a fine lens, but it shows quite a lot of barrel distortion, due to the fact that coma is corrected to an extreme degree.

However, when I started to scan my negatives, I found this barrel distortion quite disturbing. On a print it is less disturbing than on screen.

Now I have the Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v1. I like it much better. Straight lines! Maybe there is coma, but I do not see it. Sharpness of the v1 is also much better.



Leica M3, Summilux 50mm f/1.4 v2, Tmax100. (See the barrel distortion on the left)

Erik.

 

[weihsuan]

Thks for the photos and information.

I bought a BGN copy from KEH recently, unfortunately full of fungus stain on front and back element. Not sure what happened to KEH. I'm returning it, but still hoping to find a nice copy soon.

Was hoping to compare it with the summarit and v3 lux.

 

[Daryl J.]

How significant is the focus shift of the 1.5/50 Summarit when wide open? And does the Type 1 Summilux also focus shift?

 

[BLKRCAT]

I bought a BGN copy from KEH recently, unfortunately full of fungus stain on front and back element. Not sure what happened to KEH. I'm returning it, but still hoping to find a nice copy soon.

I just want to point out that you bought a bargain condition lens. KEH does have a reputation of undergrading their stuff but bargain means its bottom of the barrel, anything can happen.

I'm not sure what you were expecting buying bargain and complaining about the condition of the lens... If you wanted EX, you should have bought EX.

 

[Mark C]

The focus shift on the Summarit seemed about like with a 50/1.5 Sonnar. I'm okay with that now that I know it is there, but I want it to focus correctly wide open and the Summarit doesn't. I am anxious to hear more about this from the Summilux 1 owners, but there just don't seem to be many on here. Or maybe they are just happily shooting away.

 

[Daryl J.]

Mark,
I have both and although I currently haven't any way to digitally share my analog images I hope to share what I notice.
Cheers,
Daryl

 

[Ronald M]

Never noticed focus shift on my 1.5 Summarit. My use has been 5 kit range @1.5 and landscapes at 15 feet to infinity, F 4 and smaller.

 

[Daryl J.]

@Ronald M: Being just a layman with a camera interest, what is a 5 kit range @F1.5?
Thanks.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

How significant is the focus shift of the 1.5/50 Summarit when wide open? And does the Type 1 Summilux also focus shift?

I took test pictures with small child posing for me on the lawn chair. One of the prints is at my office now. It was no focus shift with Summarit, but glow at f1.5. Specifically at f1.5, not at f2 and smaller.

 

[Daryl J.]

Ko.Fe, thanks.

 

[x-ray]

Thks for the photos and information.

I bought a BGN copy from KEH recently, unfortunately full of fungus stain on front and back element. Not sure what happened to KEH. I'm returning it, but still hoping to find a nice copy soon.

Was hoping to compare it with the summarit and v3 lux.

King Grant, the founder of KEH, sold the company a couple of years ago. I was a customer of KEH almost since day one when They were located in an old house on Spring St in downtown Atlanta. You could go by and ask to see particular items and they'd bring up a selection to the lobby ( living room) for you to choose from. That must have been in the late 70's or early 80's.

Until Grant sold it was true that Bargain was usually EX or better. Of the dozens of lenses and cameras I bought I don't think I had any Bgn grade less than Ex. Since the sale Ive had bargain that was a disaster and Ex that was less than bargain. I purchased a 400 f3.5 Nikkor AIs in bargain grade that should have been AS IS and a 200mm Nikkor AIs Ex grade that had obvious impact damage. The 400 had large deep circular scratches in the front element, 80% of the paint was worn off and the focus rattled and was extremely loose. I purchased a Leica CL and was told it worked perfect and was E+. When it arrived the meter didn't work. In addition they've gon back on their policy of price matching and paying for returns of defective items.

Bgn is 80% and there are 2 grades below that Ugly and AS IS. Your lens should have been AS IS due to fungus. As Is is defined by in acceptable.

Sorry to sidetrack the thread.

 

[Daryl J.]

Good info to have nonetheless. Especially with gear of this vintage. It goes a long way to explain my Leica M4 purchased from there......
The Summarit of mine came from Blue Moon Camera in N Portland and the Type 1 Summilux from Dan Tamarkin. I'm very happy with both purveyors, both lenses, and look forward to enjoying them.

 

[x-ray]

Tamarkin has been excellent to deal with. Only positive experiences.

 

[x-ray]

I've never owned a 50 summilux other than the current asph. What are the differences in v1 & v2 models? Just guessing do the differences only show between 1.4 & 2.8? I'd love to see side by side shots of the same subject. Also how do they compare at the same aperture with the rigid v2 or DR summicron?

 

[Daryl J.]

If I have this right, the V.1 Summilux is the final edition of the Taylor-Hobson 1.5/50mm Xenon lens. The V.2 Summilux is a different design.
V.1. No barrel distortion, low contrast, lots of comma.
V.2. Obvious barrel distortion, higher contrast, low comma.

Erik and others know more and I stand to be corrected.

 

[x-ray]

Would you say the v2 is closest in performance to the v2 summicron?