DR Summicron w/ digital M

[Bike Tourist]

(Sorry if this has been asked before but I didn't find a reference.)

Will the Dual Range Summicron fit the Digital M bodies? Is the gauge between goggles the same so that it lines up in viewfinder? Any issue with the rear element projecting into the body?

Thanks.

 

[Vince Lupo]

It will work in the closeup range and to about 40” (at least that’s been my brief experience with it on my M-D and Monochrom 246). If you look inside the body at about the 11 o’clock position, there’s a protrusion there (might be for the light meter?). It’s immediately to the left of the body’s focusing lever. The focusing cam of the lens will hit that part of the body when you focus beyond 40”. I have read somewhere that the lens might work in the full range on the M10, but don’t take my word for it. I’m not sure if the M10 has that protrusion. BTW everything else about the lens (the goggles etc) lines up fine on the digital bodies.

This was taken with the DR Summicron on my M-D in closeup mode. I did actually try to focus (carefully!) in ‘normal’ mode, but once I felt the lens cam touch that part of the inside of the body, I stopped!


DR Summicron Test MD by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

 

[Richard G]

It works brilliantly with the M9 and the original Monochrom. You have to have it in the normal range and focussed at about 1.5 m to have the focussing cam in the right position to clear the RF roller arm as you mount it. You can use it in the normal range out to about 3m. To get the goggles on you have to pull the lens around the fixed stop on the mount. On my M9 I needed to remove the posterior protruding stabilisation bar in the back of the goggles, but others seem not to have needed to do that. I am puzzled as to how that can be so.

 

[Vince Lupo]

It works brilliantly with the M9 and the original Monochrom. You have to have it in the normal range and focussed at about 1.5 m to have the focussing cam in the right position to clear the RF roller arm as you mount it. You can use it in the normal range out to about 3m. To get the goggles on you have to pull the lens around the fixed stop on the mount. On my M9 I needed to remove the posterior protruding stabilisation bar in the back of the goggles, but others seem not to have needed to do that. I am puzzled as to how that can be so.

Richard, do the M9 and Monochrom have that ‘protrusion’ I’m referencing?

 

[a.noctilux]

Summicron DR needed to be "adapted" to be used on M8/M9/M240 family.


But, when I had tried on the M10 almost two years ago, I can use them on M10 without altering or small "shaving" and they can be used on film M as usual.


So some DR can be used on M10.
But not usable at infinity for some DR with M10 and other digital M.


I proposed a thread at LUF:
https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/269876-m10-can-be-used-with-somni-50mm-dr-full-range/

In each case, to mount the DR on digital M, the focus ring must be set to about 1.5m before mounting it on the M.

 

[Bike Tourist]

Thanks to you all. I should have specified the camera in question is a Type 262. It seems there are special considerations with each body.

 

[a.noctilux]

With my M(typ 262) or M-D, only 10m can be reached with SOMNI Summicron DR.


In this case, Summicron Rigid 50mm should be better choice.
I used SOMKY device with the Rigid lens head to reach 48cm as DR.


Here some infos:
https://rrjphotography.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/leica-sooky-m-close-range-accessory/

 

[Richard G]

Looks like I’m wrong about not mounting the lens already in the close range. That can be done.

Modified for M9 means butchering the focus cam and losing the close range focussing. An unmodified lens is needed to get the dual range.

Vince it is the whole interior housing that will collide with the focus cam beyond 3-4m focus.

Here’s a longer account of mine:

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155503

 

[Vince Lupo]

Looks like I’m wrong about not mounting the lens already in the close range. That can be done.

Modified for M9 means butchering the focus cam and losing the close range focussing. An unmodified lens is needed to get the dual range.

Vince it is the whole interior housing that will collide with the focus cam beyond 3-4m focus.

Here’s a longer account of mine:

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155503

Ah yes, I do recall having extensively pored over that post of yours while I had this DR Summicron (it belonged to a cousin of mine and I was selling it for him on eBay, hence my having it in my possession for a brief time).

Don’t know why I had 40” on the brain - your account is definitely on the mark!

 

[Bike Tourist]

Thanks for the education, everyone! The point is now moot. I bought a v.3 Summicron.

 

[raid]

I also had hopes for using a DR on my M8 or M9, but after reading such threads, I gave up. I still have the Rigid Summicron that I use with the digital M cameras. The DR can be used on M 4/3 cameras as a super duper sharp tele.

 

[jordan.dickinson]

The 50mm Summicron DR worked ok on my M9 years ago, but I kept it in the close focus range. I never really used it this way but did test it out having the same questions as the OP.



the closer focus - 50mm Summicron DR
by Jordan Dickinson, on Flickr

 

[colker]

The 50mm Summicron DR worked ok on my M9 years ago, but I kept it in the close focus range. I never really used it this way but did test it out having the same questions as the OP.



the closer focus - 50mm Summicron DR
by Jordan Dickinson, on Flickr

great shot