Summarit 50/1.5 lens

[tennis-joe]

I was looking through a camera bag and found that I have a Leica Summarit 50/1.5 lens. I don’t think I have used it much and I am looking for feedback on this lens? It is an M mount lens and I will probably shoot a roll with my M-3 Leica.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

It is Leitz own version of the pre-war Xenon 50 f/1.5, with much-improved post-war coating and larger range of aperture.
There are minor differences in shape of the elements, but the basic formula stays the same.

Be sure to shoot it with a hood as it does not like stray light. It tends to glow quite a bit around high contrast areas otherwise.

LTM version on Leica M-E

LTM version on Leica IIIc, Fomapan 100

 

[raid]

Isn't it in LTM and not M? Could be an M adapter is on your lens. I may be wrong here and your lens is in M mount. It seems that the Summarit was sold in LTM and M mounts.

 

[raid]

My Summarit may have some optical issues, but the end result is a beautiful portrait lens. DAG suggested to me not to repair the lens since its rendering of images is uniquely beautiful.

 

[tennis-joe]

The lens has the Red Dot so I’m assuming it is M mount? I haven’t tried to take off the mount because of that.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Probably Native M-Mount.

Check for internal haze, Summarits need to be cleaned every 15 years or so.

It is a good lens, under-appreciated. Tends to front-focus close-up and wide-open, is optimized for F2.8 or so.

 

[raid]

Just enjoy using your lens and don’t worry about the mount.

 

[raid]

Probably Native M-Mount.

Check for internal haze, Summarits need to be cleaned every 15 years or so.

It is a good lens, under-appreciated. Tends to front-focus close-up and wide-open, is optimized for F2.8 or so.

My lens may have internal haze.

 

[tennis-joe]

Raid did you get my answer?

 

[raid]

Raid did you get my answer?

You mean the reference to the lens having the red dot?
Did you send me a message?

 

[MaZo]

As you may know it's capable of some insane bokeh effects.

A7mk3 SOOC jpeg wide open, no PP, downsized only:

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

I like mine. Admittedly, I thought it was underwhelming, initially. But once I stripped and cleaned the glass, and helicals, and re-greased the latter, I liked it a lot more. It is always used with Leitz XOONS lens hood and XOOYL UVa filter attached.

Before cleaning:


Camera: Leica IIIf Red Dial 35mm Rangefinder (1952).
Lens: Leitz 5cm Summarit f/1.5 (1952).
Film: Ilford FP4 Plus ISO 125 35mm black & white negative.
Development: ID-11 1 + 3 20C/20m.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tasman...7690054698193/



Camera: Leica IIIg 35mm rangefinder (1956).
Lens: Leitz 5cm Summarit f/1.5 (1952).
Film: Ilford Delta 100 35mm black & white negative.
Development: Ilford ID-11 1+3 20C/22m.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tasman...7690054698193/

After cleaning:

Camera: Leica IIIf Red Dial 35mm Rangefinder. (1952).
Lens: Leitz 5cm Summarit f/1.5 (1952).
Film: Ilford FP4 Plus ISO 125 35mm black & white negative.
Development: ID-11 1 + 3 20C/20 min.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tasman...7690054698193/



Camera: Leica IIIf Red Dial 35mm Rangefinder (1952).
Lens: Leitz 5cm Summarit f/1.5 (1952).
Film: Ilford Pan F Plus ISO 50 35mm black & white negative.
Exposure: 1/100 @ f/8.
Development: ID-11 1 + 1 20C/11 minutes.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tasman...7690054698193/

 

[Dralowid]

Filter screw in size the same as the 65mm Elmar for Viso if I remember correctly (41mm?). Yes a nice lens but it is quite nose heavy on an ltm camera.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

By mid of 2022 you could find heck a lot of information, reviews about this lens.

The only thing which is worth to mention one thousand and more time - get the adapter for its odd filter and put modern filter on.
Do not ruin the lens without it. The glass is extremely soft.

 

[james.liam]

^^^ What a difference after cleaning!! Raid's copy looks to benefit from one as well ^^^

 

[raid]

^^^ What a difference after cleaning!! Raid's copy looks to benefit from one as well ^^^

I have many clean lenses, but this lens is a great portrait lens now.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Mine was clean from get go. Only one spot of fungus to kill.
Again, cleaning of this lens is not as easy as others. Glass is extremely soft.

I had it on M3. Sold because it was too heavy. J3 does the same for lot less heavy weight and smaller size.

 

[raid]

Mine was clean from get go. Only one spot of fungus to kill.
Again, cleaning of this lens is not as easy as others. Glass is extremely soft.

I had it on M3. Sold because it was too heavy. J3 does the same for lot less heavy weight and smaller size.

I have several J3 lenses, so I am set. I have several Zeiss 5cm 1.5 and one Canon 50 1.5.

 

[james.liam]

I have several J3 lenses, so I am set. I have several Zeiss 5cm 1.5.

A lens for each limb.

 

[raid]

A lens for each limb.

It took many years to get such lenses James. Usually they were inexpensive. I do not own a ZM 50/1.5. I like the older lenses.