How good is the 5cm f1.5 Summarit?

[Prosaic]

Interested in buying an old Leitz 50/1.5 Summarit. Anything I should know before taking the plunge...? Thanks.

 

[Ororaro]

It is one of my favorite lenses, right up there with the Noctilux, 75'lux, 35 lux pre-asph and a few Nikkors.
Character all over the place.

 

[foto_fool]

One of my favorite lenses as well. Like Ned says - lots of character. Technically it is no Summilux, but if you are interested you know that.

I have two examples - one in LTM and the other M-mount. THe M-mount came with really great glass, but needed a CLA from DAG for some internal dust and haze, a little oil on the blades, and slightly stiff focus.

The LTM example has some cleaning marks on the front element, which is farily common. Also some of the external chrome on the aperture ring is flaking off - I have seen this on other examples as well. There is a bit more significant internal hazing. In this condition I bought it for $175 and would sell it for the same.

I've posted a very small gallery of test shots comparing these two lenses here. The LTM appears to be pretty good, despite its flaws.

- John

 

[peterm1]

Very low contrast and soft wide open. But it's sharper and a little more contrasty stopped down. I like mine for color work as I like that pastel look. Great for portraits. This lens divides opinion. Some love it some hate it. I love it. But be advised that you may not like it but if you give it time and use it you will find it a good lens in general. Like all Leitz lenses it has lovely build quality.

 

[Ororaro]

Very low contrast and soft wide open. But it's sharper and a little more contrasty stopped down. I like mine for color work as I like that pastel look. Great for portraits. This lens divides opinion. Some love it some hate it. I love it. But be advised that you may not like it but if you give it time and use it you will find it a good lens in general. Like all Leitz lenses it has lovely build quality.

I think it's really a matter of sample variation because my CLA'd sample is not soft nor does your description fit mine.

That's the thing with such old lenses: In order for all lenses to be equal, I think they need to be CLA'd.

 

[Prosaic]

Real life samples?

 

[elude]

Wide open it is soft. It's part of his character and in my opinion gives the lense all its interest. Especially in portraits.

 

[foto_fool]

Real life samples?

OK: here's some examples with the LTM Sumamrit on a Leica IIIf shot on Efke 100:

- John

 

[photobizzz]

Here is a sample stopped down to f16 on BW400CN

Photo

 

[MCTuomey]

here's an old one, wide open. i no longer have my summarit, but miss it.

 

[OldNick]

I think it depends heavily on the particular specimen that you use. The one that I had showed signs of heavy use, and had mechanical problems as well as the common haze. I traded it for a Summitar, which, for me, was a better lens.