Collapsible Summicron 5cm F2

[Assaf]

there's a copy for sale , with SN 1116XXX
I don't know anything about it, but it seems nice and good for me (and my future silver ZI)
A few questions:
1) How old is it?
2) Does it have flare issues?
3) How's the look and character of the images it produces? I'm primarily shoot color negative. Is it something like modern Summicrons or something older and softer?
4) How's the ergonimics? Handling the focus, aperture, etc


thanks and cheers
Assaf

 

[kully]

If you google 'leica lens serial numbers' you can find the age. 1953. Googling 'Leica serial numbers' will bring up links to tell you ages of bodies too.

I had one, it was nice but I didn't get on with the focussing and I can't remember whether it collapsed or not into my Bessa body - so you should perhaps check if it collapses into your ZI.

I had the IROOA hood and it was scratch/haze free - I didn't think it was flare-y.

I sold it and decided to keep my CV 50/1.5, easier focussing and an extra stop of light.

 

[Harry Lime]

1) How old is it?

50-60 years old.

2) Does it have flare issues?

Yes and no. It has more flare than a modern lens, because it's only single coated. But it is a pleasant glow.

You may see flare if you shoot in to the light, due to internal haze that has built up over the decades. I had my copy fully serviced by Leica and this made a huge improvement.

3) How's the look and character of the images it produces? I'm primarily shoot color negative. Is it something like modern Summicrons or something older and softer?

I produces a very classic look. Henri Cartier-Bresson used a collapsible Summicron from the mid 1950's until the end of his career, so take a look at some of his work. Contrast is moderate, colors are less saturated than with modern glass. Very sharp from about f5.6 up. Useable at f2, but don't expect miracles. This lens really shines, when shooting black and white.

4) How's the ergonimics? Handling the focus, aperture, etc

Depends on the user. The only thing that bothers me is that unlike a non-collapsible lens, you can't just set it to 3 meters and expect focus to stay there (within reason). So, I use a small piece of black cloth tape to lock it at the distance I want for scale focusing. On the other hand the big advantage is that once collapsed it allows you to comfortably carry an M body in your jacket pocket.

Here's the thing you need to know about this lens. The coating on the front element is VERY SOFT. You will have a very had time finding an example that does not have wipe marks. The good news is that unless the damage is excessive and deep (scratches) it's not a big deal. Damage to the rear element is a lot more serious. When you clean this lens use fluid and the gentlest touch. I basically rely on the weight of the wet tissue to do the work and drag it around the element.

Overall it's a great lens. Just keep in mind that it is almost 60 years old and while the performance is very good, it's not as good as later versions of the 50 Summicron. Basically your pictures will have a 1950/60's look.

 

[hans voralberg]

Can't say anything better than what Harry did!

 

[Assaf]

Wow, thanks a lot all of you!
Harry, you are something else
I think I'll go for it
one last thing : did anyone collapse it into a Ziess Ikon?
I searched for an anwer, but what I understood is that it's probably not an issue but no-one tried it.

cheers
Assaf

 

[payasam]

I'd recommend that you get the proper SOOFM hood for it.

 

[Rui Morais de Sousa]

Collapsible Summicron 5cm F2

Hi Assaf,

I have a colapsible one from 1955 and a rigid one from around 1980 (with tab and 50 already engraved).
After many years of use, I can't really say wich one I prefer.

Just love both of them. Using one or the other, depends more on my mood or convenience, if one is more at hand. It is not a choice based on quality issues...

I always shoot using a hood, so I never had big problems with flare.

I think that if you use it frequently, you will get quickly used to the handling. Setting aperture is somewhat harder then on a rigid one, because of the smaller size, but you get the advantage of a small packet. The aperture form is almost round, what (at least theoretically) gives nice bokeh.

Very well made, after 53 years mine still looks very young.

Nice lens!

Cheers,

Rui

 

[Erik van Straten]

An ideal hood for it is the 12549 ring model shade of the Elmar-M.

I've heard that Cartier-Bresson's 50mm f2 collapsible Summicron was multicoated at the factory. Does anybody know more about this?

Erik.

 

[kully]

I'd recommend that you get the proper SOOFM hood for it.

Payasam, you should look for the IROOA hood, it is much more manageable than the SOOFM (which I find comical in it's size and shape )

I always believed the SOOFM was contemporary to the Summitar lens and the IROOA to the Summicron (although they are exchangeable between the two).

SOOFM:

IROOA:

 

[Harry Lime]

An ideal hood for it is the 12549 ring model shade of the Elmar-M.

I've heard that Cartier-Bresson's 50mm f2 collapsible Summicron was multicoated at the factory. Does anybody know more about this?

Erik.

I think that's a myth. Bresson likeed his prints and negs relatively flat and low contrast. He wasn't much of a technician either. I highly doubt the subject ever crossed his mind...

 

[Harry Lime]

Hi Assaf,

I have a colapsible one from 1955 and a rigid one from around 1980 (with tab and 50 already engraved).
After many years of use, I can't really say wich one I prefer.

I have the collapsible, Dual Range (opticallt the same as Rigid) and current.

I prefer the DR/Rigid over the collapsible. For one I feel it has better ergonomics. The overall performance of the DR/Rigidis is very, very high, but it draws like a classic lens.

 

[colker]

I think that's a myth. Bresson likeed his prints and negs relatively flat and low contrast. He wasn't much of a technician either. I highly doubt the subject ever crossed his mind...

absolutely. He was probably more concerned about taking good pics.

 

[pkuglin]

Why spend the $$$ on the IROOA ? Just get a cheap one from heavy2star. Cost $15 verses >$75. It has a 39mm thread mount.

I have one a few serial numbers away (still 1953 mfg date). It has a radioactive element (really) My is totally clean - no haze, scratches etc and cost $230 in the used dept at my local camera store. I also use a light yellow filter on it sometimes.

 

[Rui Morais de Sousa]

Hello Harry,

I also find the Dual Range very appealling. I've never used one, but if one day the opportunity comes by, I think I will give it a try...
Kind of curiositiy!

I fully agree with you about ergonomics, but that's the price of pockability...

About the build quality, I aprecciate that old kind of feeling of solidity it gives. I think that I just kind of like "heavy" gear.

How do you like the image quality of the DR in close focusing distances? (Have you ever compared it with the Elmar 65mm? Is any one of them good/acceptable for copy work? Don't like my Micro-Nikkor 55mm that much...)

Cheers,

Rui

 

[Erik van Straten]

I think that's a myth. Bresson likeed his prints and negs relatively flat and low contrast. He wasn't much of a technician either. I highly doubt the subject ever crossed his mind...

Maybe he wasn't much of a technician, but he definetely choose to use the Summicron collapsible only. In any case his lens was customized. The movable part was finished in black paint. On most pictures that exist of him using the lens he didn't use a shade. Maybe the story of the multicoating is true.
Finally, he gave it away, together with his M6 and later it was sold at an auction.

Erik.