M9 + Summicron DR Compatibility ?

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ali_baba

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My mom has an old Summicron DR which I neglected to pilfer for use on my M8. She used it with her M2R for macro work shooting silverwork sometime before I was born.

I'm wondering if someone knows if this will work on the M9?

Also - Will it work on the M7?

Thanks!

Jesse
 
It works on the M7. On the M8 and M9 the internal baffle gets bound with the rear part of the lens - you can mount it in macro mode only, or get it modified to fit, but then you lose macro capability.

Marty
 
Shame the DR Summicron does not work without adapting on digital Ms. About 10 years back when traveling in Europe I found a near mint one and bought it. I ove the build quality. It is startlingly beautiful. But I would hate to have it chopped to work on a digital cam.
 
I am not sure which part of the Summicon DR 50mm lens is the problem.
At first I thought that the lens extends too far into the camera, when focused at infinity, and would hit the shutter, but that appears not to be the case.

Has anyone had this lens modified, and used it on the M8??

I got this note from Don:

Yes, I can machine the close focus cam off your D.R. Summicron 50mm lens, cost is $65.00. A complete overhaul to the lens costs $150.00 & then an additional $40.00 to machine the close focus cam off (while overhauling lens), $18.00 for return shipping,

regards,

Don
DSAG camera repair
2128 Vintage Dr
Oregon, wi 53575
 
It does not work even on some M6 bodies due to the close focus cam hitting the light meter cell. Grinding the close focus cam will prevent this but make it useless below 1m focus.
 
Attention:swapping focus modules is not that easy,because the exact focus-lenght may be different.
And grinding down a DR is a sin.
 
Most of the DR and Rigid optics modules are 51.9mm, and the cam is indexed to cover it. The M-Mount gives the ability to use an indexed cam, was more difficult with thread mount for alignment. Slight differences in focal length, up to ~0.5mm can be accommodated with shimming the optics module in the focus mount.
 
This is exactly what I did. I got a rigid summicron lens that had the glass and aperture parts removed for an earlier repair. I unscrewed the optical module from the rigid and placed my optics from the DR in there. It works perfectly.
When I want to use the DR on my M8, I have to swap the optical unit and mount the DR in close focus mode. This is a much better option than butchering one of the most unique and finest lenses that Leica has ever made.

Phil Forrest
 
I have just bought a DR Summicron. I put it in the close focus range before mounting it on the M9. The whole of the close focus range is available and it works perfectly. I did have to remove the stabilizing bar on the rear of the close focus viewfinder attachment, but that does not affect functionality at all. I can't even mount it in normal range mode, whereas some say it will be fine between 1m and 4m. I didn't want to explore it much further, as even if it would mount, letting it focus too far towards infinity might damage the baffle of the camera.
 
The DR 50mm can be modified and will work well on the M. The near range will be something like 19"-21" or so. It should not bind inside the camera because the near cam would be milled off. It will provide a wonderful modification of an old classic lens for use on a new camera technology (LV).
 
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