Summar-Rokkor-Canon

[raid]

I have taken some snapshots of my kids yesterday, and I just wanted to see how the folowing lenses perform with average style photography. I deleted a thread I started last night in the Discussion Forum since nobody commented on it. Maybe I should have clarified that it was just a first look at two lenses for me.

1. Summar 5cm/2.0
2. Canon 35mm/2.8

I added to my shooting the Minolta Rokkor 28mm/2.8. I initially were of size 3MB and I used autoadjust in Adobe to make the images look better on a pc screen. The final image files were still slightly too large for posting here.


Here are four photos taken with the Rokkor rangefinder lens:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=606480

Photos taken with the Canon 35mm/2.8:


http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=606479


Photos taken with the Summar:


http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=606483


The kids were moving around a lot, and I was talking with them while trying to take these photos. Framing may have been a problem, but my first goal was to see the optical performance and not composition. I hope that you can see "things" and point me/us to them.

 

[raid]

Maybe someone here who has used one of these three lenses can add his/her comments, in addition to anyone who feels like commenting?

 

[raid]

I was going to delete this thread, but I was advised against it. I hope that some of you find the thread somehow informative.

 

[Ken F.]

Hi Raid,

I like the Summar shots the best. I have one as well, and have become very attached to the smooth look it produces.

Cheers,
KF

 

[raid]

Hi Ken,
The Summar surprised me with its smooth look, as you call it. I refer it as "creamy rendition of faces." I initially bought the Leica IIIc with the Summar so that I only keep the camera but sell the lens, but now I don't think that I will sell this lens.

 

[Ken F.]

Hi Raid,

Yes, creamy is probably a better description of the look. I've has mine for 26 years , never sell it, you'll only want another one at some point. I've made that mistake only once, it cost me a lot more the second time around!

Regards,
kf

 

[raid]

Hi Ken,
I am relatively new to using rangefinders on a weekly/daily basis, and so I have been using once in a while a Summicron 50mm lens (first rigid version) and it never crossed my mind to try out other 50mm lenses until last year when I started trying out other 50mm lenses. The Summar that I got a few days ago looks very clean both optically and cosmetically, so I will not make the mistake of selling it.

 

[Ken F.]

Raid,

That 50 Rigid's a keeper, another one of my favourite lenses.
I've seen your rap sheet of 50's, I must say, you've got quite the collection!

Cheers,
kf

 

[raid]

Ken,
The "collection" happend over several years, and often a 50mm lens would be a part of a trade or buy when I got a camera. I got curious about a collapsible Summicron, so I got one, and then I saw a Nikkor for sale, and I wondered how it was different from the Summicron or an old Canon 50/1.2 I had. Then I read about the FSU lenses, such as the J-3 and J-8 ... and this is my story 🙂
I recently had to get the rigid Summicron cleaned after it didn't do well in a flare test, and now it is back in full shape. It is a great lens indeed.

Regards,
Raid

 

[ericzhu]

Congratulations on getting a good condtioned summar, which is hard to find.

 

[wlewisiii]

Raid,

Why do you have to keep finding good 50s? My budget is whimpering in the corner as it is... 😀

I just missed a beat to $&^& Summar the other night but it was $12.95 up to 5 minutes left :bang: Even with the cost of a DAG CLA that would have made for a cheap one 🙂

Right now I have 4 50s that I really like using. In decending order, Collapsible Summicron (fresh CLA 🙂 ), Canon 50/1.8, Jupiter 3 & Jupiter 8 though in reality all 4 are exquisite lenses that have only thier signature differences to diferentiate them. Unfortunately, due to your tests, I have a list of another 6 I want to check out... and that is not including the ones I'm curious about that haven't been in your tests! (Tested a Summitar yet? And please don't get a Heliar 50/2... :bang: :angel: )

Seriously, thank you for all the work you've done. I really do appreciate it.

Gotta get my butt out tomorrow and burn some film behind that 'Cron. 😀

William

 

[raid]

Raid,

Why do you have to keep finding good 50s? My budget is whimpering in the corner as it is... 😀

I just missed a beat to $&^& Summar the other night but it was $12.95 up to 5 minutes left :bang: Even with the cost of a DAG CLA that would have made for a cheap one 🙂

Right now I have 4 50s that I really like using. In decending order, Collapsible Summicron (fresh CLA 🙂 ), Canon 50/1.8, Jupiter 3 & Jupiter 8 though in reality all 4 are exquisite lenses that have only thier signature differences to diferentiate them. Unfortunately, due to your tests, I have a list of another 6 I want to check out... and that is not including the ones I'm curious about that haven't been in your tests! (Tested a Summitar yet? And please don't get a Heliar 50/2... :bang: :angel: )

Seriously, thank you for all the work you've done. I really do appreciate it.

Gotta get my butt out tomorrow and burn some film behind that 'Cron. 😀

William

William,
The 50mm lenses are fun to use and they don't have to be expensive.
You may want to consider the Nikkor 50/2.0 or the Canon 50mm/1.2 or maybe the ..... 🙂
I have not yet used a Summitar or Summilux or Heliar (it tempts me!)

Regards,
Raid

 

[blakley]

The Heliar is really nice optically, but it's a pain in terms of ease of use. Having said this, Raid, I think you could take great photos using a Coke bottle, so you probably don't really need the Heliar anyway....

 

[raid]

Blakley,
Thanks. One day, I may find and buy a used and not so expensive Heliar just for the heck of trying it out. I still have not used any modern ultra-sharp and contrasty lens yet. Am I missing out or should I be happy with my classic oldies?

Regards,
Raid

 

[Peter Klein]

Raid: Forget the fine points of Summar vs. Rokkor vs. Canon. Your younger daughter is showing signs of wanting to follow in her father's footsteps. She's trying to frame YOU in this one, and she's already got it half figured out 😉

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4501711

Save a couple of cameras and lenses for her, she's going to want them in a couple of years.

If you want to talk lenses, in this situation (photos of kids), I think the Summar is the most pleasing.
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4505530

But for expressions, you can't beat this Rokkor shot:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4501744

--Peter

 

[harry01562]

Nice comparisons, Raid, thank you. I own the Canon and a nice Summar, so I was interested. Your Canon didn't surprise me, and the Summar is a clear winner of a lens. If you find a reasonable Summitar, you can have some fun with it, also. It's different from the normal Summar, and could be very pleasing taking shots of the kids.
In a couple of months I'll be seeing grandson #3 (of 5) off to college. Teenage boys don't make as appealing a shot. My two daughters are now, well, over 21, as they say....
Don't get discouraged if you don't get quick responses to the testing. Many of us read and learn, but don't have anything to really add to the topic.

Harry

 

[raid]

Raid: Forget the fine points of Summar vs. Rokkor vs. Canon. Your younger daughter is showing signs of wanting to follow in her father's footsteps. She's trying to frame YOU in this one, and she's already got it half figured out 😉

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4501711

Save a couple of cameras and lenses for her, she's going to want them in a couple of years.

If you want to talk lenses, in this situation (photos of kids), I think the Summar is the most pleasing.
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4505530

But for expressions, you can't beat this Rokkor shot:
http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4501744

--Peter

Peter,
I try and try with my kids until I get some nice shots. Yesterday, we were at the beach, and I think, I got some very nice photos of my kids. On the other hand, I lost a $500 watch there. This is life.

Regards,
Raid

 

[raid]

Nice comparisons, Raid, thank you. I own the Canon and a nice Summar, so I was interested. Your Canon didn't surprise me, and the Summar is a clear winner of a lens. If you find a reasonable Summitar, you can have some fun with it, also. It's different from the normal Summar, and could be very pleasing taking shots of the kids.
In a couple of months I'll be seeing grandson #3 (of 5) off to college. Teenage boys don't make as appealing a shot. My two daughters are now, well, over 21, as they say....
Don't get discouraged if you don't get quick responses to the testing. Many of us read and learn, but don't have anything to really add to the topic.

Harry

Harry,
I will see if I can one day find a good Summitar. Yes, I do get discouraged at times when nobody comments, and you are right about me not needing to feel that way.

Regards,
Raid

 

[Jungle Jim]

Raid--

Thanks to your posts and pictures I have learned a great deal about how the different 50's have their own signatures. It's also good to have live models to bring out what the lenses can do. Wish I had some daughters to try different lens combinations out but I just have a 19 year old son off to college.
Some of us comment by learning from you and then buying up the next hottest lens that you tested. I think that if I ever do another lens test, it will be with fast lenses wide open and with maybe an older lady model (to see how well each lens hides the wrinkles.) I have heard that Leica's are made for this kind of shooting. I certainly wouldn't want to shoot her with a modern, ultra-sharp and contrasty lens. Good way to get killed by the client!
Anyways, thanks for all of your hard work on RFF. I for one certainly appreciate it. (Now if I could only find the money for a good 50mm Summilux, version 2.)

 

[raid]

Raid--

Thanks to your posts and pictures I have learned a great deal about how the different 50's have their own signatures. It's also good to have live models to bring out what the lenses can do. Wish I had some daughters to try different lens combinations out but I just have a 19 year old son off to college.
Some of us comment by learning from you and then buying up the next hottest lens that you tested. I think that if I ever do another lens test, it will be with fast lenses wide open and with maybe an older lady model (to see how well each lens hides the wrinkles.) I have heard that Leica's are made for this kind of shooting. I certainly wouldn't want to shoot her with a modern, ultra-sharp and contrasty lens. Good way to get killed by the client!
Anyways, thanks for all of your hard work on RFF. I for one certainly appreciate it. (Now if I could only find the money for a good 50mm Summilux, version 2.)

Jim,
Thanks.
I could have used a brick wall or a bottle on a table for my non-scientific tests. I just chose what I would use the lenses for.
I am getting into using lenses wide open.
For potraits, get an old Elmar 90mm/4lens.

Regards,
Raid
They are great (inexpensive) lenses.