Smitten by the Summarit 1.5f. Help me Decide.

[raytoei@gmail.com]

I currently have the Canon 50/1.5f.

And I have been eyeing the Summarit 1.5f every since.

the price has been climbing steadily but I can't seem to pull the trigger. Help me decide:

Does the summarit flare ?
Do cleaning marks or scuff affect the images ?
Why do you like the Summarit 50/1.5f ?

And any keepr picture to show me ?

thanks a million.

raytoei

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Light Cleaning marks do not have a noticeable affect, internal haze should be cleaned out.

Softer, and lower contrast than the Canon and Sonnar. Sharp by F4.

Highlights and Shadow Detail- Summarit is the winner.

Wide-Open on the M3.

 

[David Murphy]

I think one needs to spend at least $350, perhaps as much as $500 to get one without any serious glass defects. A few coating scratches on the front element won't matter, but many are dense with scratches or other internal issues. Avoid any with haze or glass separation. By the way, this sort of money can buy a much optically superior lens such as a vintage Summicron or a new Voigtlander Nokton. The Summarit is a very pretty lens however, and a reasonably good performer consider its vintage nature.

 

[tennis-joe]

I have one... I can list it on Rangefinder. I had it cleaned by Sherry but I have too many 50mm lenses. This one also has a hood.
Joe

 

[mathomas]

so based on the responses:

+ Fast Lens
+ Highlights and Shadow Detail
- Can get modern lens based on the price of the summarit
? Softer, and lower contrast than the Canon and Sonnar.Sharp by F4

thanks

Add: lots of Leica "glow". Mine was a very nice example. However, I didn't particularly love the handling of it (infinity lock, stiff focus even after service etc), so I sold it and bought a Sonnar.

Here's a slideshow of some Summarit shots:
http://www.flickr.com/search/show/?q=summarit+-camera&w=76198982@N00&ss=1&ct=5&mt=all&adv=1

 

[Brian Legge]

Here is a good example of what one with a lot of cleaning marks (though nothing deep - the front looks decent until you look through it..) and some internal hazy produces:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=summarit&w=59657594@N00

The color shots are all wide open. The other shots are a mix.

I'm still on the fence about the lens. In some black and white shots the extremely low contrast and glow works nicely. I just don't know if I shoot enough of those shots to justify holding on to it.

 

[raid]

I am moving away from only using vintage lenses to include newer design lenses as a mix.
My Summarit has some defects that result in a special soft focus effect. I decided to leave the lens as is and to spend my money instead on newer lenses.
I already have a CZJ 50/1.5 and a Canon 50/1.5, so the Summarit is not really "needed" if I want a 50/1.5.

My Canon 85/1.5 has now been complemented with a 75/1.5 Lux.

 

[roundg]

I have one of these lens, currently put on sale in a local forum.

Although I know it's a lovely lens, I see little chance to use it. It's too big for my LTM body and on a M? I have a summilux.

And the haze is very common on this lens, make sure you check it carefully when buying.

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Thanks. Keep the comments coming. I am adding it to below:

+ Fast Lens, almost 1 stop faster than the Summar, Summicron, Summitar.
+ Rich Highlights and Shadow Detail
+ Leica Glow (possible due to flare effect)
- Flares like the Collapsible Cron, needs expensive hood
- Can get other modern lens based on the price of the Summarit, eg Nokton
- Soft, especially if there are scratches/cleaning marks, which it is prone to. Sharp at F4.
- Likely to need a CLA, as Haze is common

 

[retnull]

I recommend the Summarit to someone who enjoys/enjoyed shooting Holga. Like the Holga, it is capable of producing a beautiful mess or wonderful accidents. Not recommended to pixel-peepers or someone looking for "vintage but sharp". A Summitar is cheaper and probably more generally useful.