Leitz 5cm f2 Summitar

[lxmike]

Hi I have just picked up a leitz 5cm f2 Summitar, I have used in the past a summar and that was really soft. I would appreciate members reviews and if possible images they have taken with the Summitar. thanks in advance

 

[Bingley]

A good starting point might be to look at this thread:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65248

 

[Bingley]

I've got a 1949 coated Summitar, and recently got it cleaned by Sherry Krauter. It's a little soft wide open, but by f.4 or so sharpens up considerably. Like the collapsible summicron that replaced it, it's a moderate contrast lens, and it really shines w/ b&w, although I read somewhere that Leitz designed it at least in part w/ color film in mind. It flares easily, so it's best to use it w/ a hood. It's a superbly built lens.

Here's recent sample photo, post-cleaning, on Portra 400 NC:

 

[lxmike]

Thanks fhats very helpfull indeed

 

[Bingley]

Here's a bw w/ the Summitar, shot at f.4 IIRC:

 

[lxmike]

thanks, great shots by the way mate

 

[sleepyhead]

Here are some Summitar shots of a friends wedding on film, they are all shot wide-open, except the one of the Bridemaids, which I think was a bit stopped down:

 

[Bingley]

Yaron, I admired those wedding photos when you first posted them some time ago, and it's great to see them again.

Postscript to my posts above: I sold the coated Summitar to another member here, but early this year picked up a lovely uncoated, pre-war sample in the Classifieds. This one may be the keeper for me.

U.C. Davis by bingley0522, on Flickr

 

[raydm6]

Don't forget a good lens hood 😀

 

[ray*j*gun]

+1 on the Barn Door hood. Coated or not these lenses need the hood...its a different lens when using it!!

 

[ray*j*gun]

Besides look how cool that hood looks....no one will mistake it for a digi.

 

[raid]

I should do the same! Use that master hood and let everyone worry what it is.

 

[Erik van Straten]

This one is with the collapsible Summicron. I think the Summicron is better than the Summitar, but it is very hard to find in good condition.

Leica II, Summicron 50mm f/2 collapsible LTM, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[swoop]

I had one once upon a time. Very cool looking lens and it was amazingly sharp at f4 for a 50+ yr old lens.

 

[HuubL]

Love it when old threads come back to life.
Recently shot with a coated 1952 Summitar (round iris) on a Leica IIIb.

 

[raid]

 

[sleepyhead]

Yaron, I admired those wedding photos when you first posted them some time ago, and it's great to see them again.

Postscript to my posts above: I sold the coated Summitar to another member here, but early this year picked up a lovely uncoated, pre-war sample in the Classifieds. This one may be the keeper for me.

U.C. Davis by bingley0522, on Flickr

Thanks Steve. I have some newer pictures (mostly colour) with the uncoated Summitar. I like the colours it gives.

I think you'll be happy with an older, uncoated one, it has a bit more character than the newer Summitars. I have a 50mm Elmar-M for when I want a modern look.

 

[Bingley]

Love it when old threads come back to life.
Recently shot with a coated 1952 Summitar (round iris) on a Leica IIIb.

That's gorgeous, Huub!

 

[je2a3]

@f2 + Leitz 12585 hood