Leica 5cm f2 Summar 39mm screw fit lens

[hoddy]

Hi

I'm looking for a collapsible LTM lens (actaully to fit a Zorki 4) and have been offered a Leica 5cm f2 Summar for £123 - condition is described as good and fully functional.

I beleive this is from 1937 serial no 404xxx. From an IQ viewpoint will it be compariable to the Jupiter 8 I'm using at the moment and do you think the price is in the right area?

Thanks

 

[siracusa]

It will be an uncoated lens and more prone to flare than your Jupiter 8. It will probably also have lower contrast (I don't know the condition of your Jupiter 8). A Summar for that price is worth it: it is a lovely lens. It is not one that has a modern rendition, but in my subjective opinion it has a lovely rendition. You mention that it is in good condition, but it would be sensible to check for cleaning marks and check for haze with a flashlight if you haven't already (or ask the seller to).

 

[Simon Bruxelles]

The Summar is one of my favourites but it's not an everyday lens, unlike the Jupiter. If it's from 1938 it is likely be uncoated so you need to check condition carefully. The Jupiter may also be a better match for the Zorki. As a user lens the Summar does have limitations and you need to use a proper lens hood but if it's in good condition the results can be excellent. Contrast is generally low even on a clean example. If you decide the price is okay reckon on another £60 - £80 if it needs a service plus the cost of a hood and filters if you intend to use it for black and white

 

[matt_mcg2]

It'll be quite different. A good coated Jupiter-8 assumed it's focusing accurately on the body you are using [which it probably will be as it's an FSU body], will be a more modern-rendering higher contrast lens, and will have smoother and less busy out of focus areas.

However, Summars have a lot of character, and, if you have a good one, they can be very sharp in the centre of the frame and they stop down well. I'd be surprised if the Summar is a better general purpose lens than the J8, but it'll have a very different look. I like my (pre-war but coated) Summar a lot.

I paid about £70 for mine. It's coated, and the glass is in good nick. There's one spot on one of the internal elements, and some fine cleaning marks, but the glass is very nice for a pre-war lens. I got a deal on mine [from a dealer, not ebay], though, as the filter ring is dented. So I'd guess your price is OK if the lens is in good condition.

 

[hoddy]

Thanks for all the replies and info. I decided in the end to let it go as I was not sure about the glass condition but your replies were very helpful