Summicron 50 f2 v4

[Ko.Fe.]

What I like about the lens is its 100% freedom of distortion combined with an incredible sharpness (not visible in scans online) and contrast. However, it can flare completely unpredictable.

Erik.

Thank you, Eric!

Another great RFF Member also mentioned it earlier about unusual sharpness of this lens. I really have to work more this lens on M3 and get it on the prints, because my scanner is basic one anyway.
I guess, I didn't noticed how good it is on distortion, because here is no distortion 🙂 And contrast is just not too high and not too low. Which is what I need.
But flare... nothing scares me after Jupiter-12. 😀

 

[Ko.Fe.]

No film exposures with this lens lately, but with M-E.
f5.6, print on Ilford Galerie Smooth Pearl inkjet paper (8.5x11):

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M2, Summicron-M 50mm f/2 v4, 400-2TMY, Perceptol.

Erik.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm still trying to learn this most intriguing lens I ever have. Lesson I learned today - skip 100% crop view, it is crap always... just look at the final image.
If I do it this way, it blows me away...

 

[Richard G]

The Canadian black tabbed Summicron was relubricated when serviced for the back focus bur hardly seemed need it. Soon it will be forty years old. It’s always on the Monochrom and it is currently working perfectly.

This was ISO 320 at 1/1000s so presume was f5.6 but may have been f4:

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Once I'll get M-E back, I will relub mine and re-check for focus accuracy. Right now its only stiff in freezing temperatures.
Recently I was scanning, printing bw negatives and sharpness of this lens is something which feels like over sharping.
It just came to my mind what instead of trying to find out how to deal with it on 8x10, I should see if I'll benefit from it on larger prints.
Usually this is were sharp MF lenses starting to show the difference. I'm eager to see if V4 could match it.

 

[rfaspen]

I find my v4 summicron gives images that on first glance don't appear "biting sharp". But, when I look closer (even pixel peep😱) I can see that the lens is truly stunning sharp but that sharpness just doesn't present itself in high contrast like the Zeiss Planar did. Almost deceiving. Maybe this is what's meant by micro-contrast? I don't know, but I do know that I get wonderful images from the v4 that are unlike modern crispy-contrast wonders, and definitely not muddy, blurry, soft as ice cream in July.

I absolutely love my v4 -- I think its a 1989 model that originally had a "bearclaw" focus tab. I had it changed out for the "half moon" tab when it was with DAG. This lens is currently my "reference" lens among all the 50's I own.

 

[Erik van Straten]

iiiiiiiiiii