M8 and Summicron 50/2 close focusing?

[Stieglitz]

The PDF user's manual for the M8 says that the Summicron 50mm/F2 close focusing lens can't be used with the M8. I've searched everywhere and can't find any further details as to what they mean. I checked with one smart dealer who thought it mean the Dual Range Summincron because that won't work in the viewfinder. I don't think that's what Leica means at all --I think it's because the lens extends too close to the sensor and can damage it. But also I've not heard of a Summicron known as the "close focusing" --several iterations do that. But then again I'm not expert on all models of the lens let alone what is meant by Leica here.

Please let me know what this means --my M8 will arrive momentarily and I would hate to break the camera by using what to me is a "regular" Summicron 50/2 lens.

Thanks very much,
Stieglitz
(my first post here, too)

 

[LCT]

The current Summicon does not protrude dangerously at all.
Your Leica rep is right (dual range Summicron).

 

[Ben Z]

IIRC the close-focus (aka Dual Range) Summicron has some issues with certain M6 models (has to be set at infinity before the lens can be mounted or something like that), and also some of them can't be mounted on an M6TTL or M7 (due to the higher top) unless the spacer tab is removed from the rear of the google eyes. Perhaps one or the other or both applies to the M8 as well. Please don't take my word and wreck your M8s guys, but I would go easy and see if it will mount. I certainly can't see any reason it wouldn't work in normal mode, with the googles detached, cause that way it's exactly like the rigid model.

Oh, yes and according to the manual the google eyes will block that "little blue window" (which the manual only says is to adjust the brightness of the finder display).

 

[Grober]

Stieglitz,

Welcome to the ward!

-g

 

[Stieglitz]

thanks everyone

thanks everyone

...very helpful. I'm also very impressed with this forum --both with regard to the cordiality among members and the substantive discussions. Thanks again.

 

[foxwhelp]

Can confirm -- the M8 doesn't seem to work with the DR Summicron at all -- not even without the goggles. Sigh. Such a nice lens...

The PDF user's manual for the M8 says that the Summicron 50mm/F2 close focusing lens can't be used with the M8. I've searched everywhere and can't find any further details as to what they mean. I checked with one smart dealer who thought it mean the Dual Range Summincron because that won't work in the viewfinder. I don't think that's what Leica means at all --I think it's because the lens extends too close to the sensor and can damage it. But also I've not heard of a Summicron known as the "close focusing" --several iterations do that. But then again I'm not expert on all models of the lens let alone what is meant by Leica here.

Please let me know what this means --my M8 will arrive momentarily and I would hate to break the camera by using what to me is a "regular" Summicron 50/2 lens.

Thanks very much,
Stieglitz
(my first post here, too)

 

[LCT]

Looks like the 'cron dual range touches something when focussed at infinity.
See:
http://www.leica-camera-user.com/87463-post7.html

 

[foxwhelp]

Closer than infinity -- it'll mount when focused down to a meter, but you cannot turn the ring very far at all before it grounds out. And, as one might expect given this is the source of the problem, the close range isn't a problem at all -- it'll turn nicely without complaint through the close range. Spacer on the goggles does need to be removed.

Comparing the M8 to my M3, it looks like, where the baffles in the M3 kind of slope gently back to the film plane there's a short sharp square cutoff near the lens mount on the M8 and I think that's what it's hitting. Probably the reason they say you can't collapse any of the collapsable lenses as well.

Looks like the 'cron dual range touches something when focussed at infinity.
See:
http://www.leica-camera-user.com/87463-post7.html