Summicron LTM vs Summar LTM vs Summitar LTM

[MIkhail]

I found a collapsible Summicron (version 1), which didn't have a damaged front element, and after service by Don Goldberg, it is a great lens. Moderate contrast (people say low, but I don't see this), no distortion. It is a lovely lens, with wonderful rendering. If you get a SOOKY close-up adapter for your Leica III, then you have the equivalent of the DR lens. The equivalent for the M3 is the SOMKY. However, the front lens glass and coating of this lens is extremely soft, and it is hard to find an undamaged one. This lens requires a UV filter to prevent damage to the front element glass. I don't have experience with the other lenses that you mention. If you find this lens with an intact front element, then it is worth getting.

Other options that you may consider are the Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/2 or f/3.5 LTM lenses. These are modern, and very sharp. However, at f/2, that lens has a bit of veiling flare and spherical aberration that makes it wonderful for portraits.

I also have a Jupiter 3+ LTM, which is the modern remake of the Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5. Classic, yet modern at the same time. Very small too, for an f/1.5 lens.

Incidentally, I have Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/2 right now on sale.
It’s a modern enough lens to be sharp but collapsible and with smooth bokeh to have a “look” of AKB-wannabe 🙂
Solid and small.
Contact me if interested.

 

[MIkhail]

If you shooting street, as you mentioned, then I would assume you are probably doing the "f/8 and be there" number. In which case any of those lenses you listed, and others, will be equally fine. In fact, almost any 50mm lens from major name will be fine for that.

 

[Ronald M]

Coated lenses are superior. More local contrast.

Summicron is lowish contrast, softish at 2.0, and the colors newer get saturated. Other were worse.

DR and Rigids were a big jump better over all 3, at least mine were.

Get a bayonet later mount if possible.

 

[Robert Lai]

Don't get a bayonet mount if you want to put the lens on your Leica III.

 

[David Hughes]

"Can't I just keep swapping the Elmar, or have I gone too far to turn back?"

Hi,

No one has ever bought just one Leica item and then stopped...

Regards, David

 

[jusxusfanatic]

Heh, sounds good! Thanks guys 🙂

Gonna go for the cron l39 ltm since it's more balanced

 

[MIkhail]

"Can't I just keep swapping the Elmar, or have I gone too far to turn back?"

Hi,

No one has ever bought just one Leica item and then stopped...

Regards, David

😀
😀
😀
It's like potato chips.

 

[jusxusfanatic]

Thanks guys 🙂 gonna get a summicron 50mm f2 l39 ltm~ my final decision

 

[Daryl J.]

....and then there will be more.
Excellent decisions all.

 

[FrankS]

I think you'll love that lens. I have the M mount version.

Summar is vintage, good for romantic pictorial and nudes. Glowy highlights.

Summitar has that odd filter fitting. I had one once. More similar to Summicron than to Summar, but with extra swirly background and bokeh character.

 

[jusxusfanatic]

Hmm, I like swirly backgrounds! I heard that the summitar has that too before

 

[FrankS]

Have you seen this site? Gives the rudimentary info.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/50mm-f2-summitar.htm

The filters are a bit of a hassle to obtain. Not impossible but not as readily available as other filters.

 

[splitimageview]

There are adapters to use 39mm filters on Summitars.

I was lucky enough to pick up a Leitz yellow for one today, from my local camera store, $5!

 

[jusxusfanatic]

Have you seen this site? Gives the rudimentary info.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/50mm-f2-summitar.htm

The filters are a bit of a hassle to obtain. Not impossible but not as readily available as other filters.

Yea 🙂

Tbh, the summitar sounds good, and it has a longer description than the summicrom LTM 😂

 

[Robert Lai]

You should also know that the very first of the collapsible Summicrons were labelled as "Summitar *", with a star behind the name. This was Leica's way of test marketing the lens.

 

[jusxusfanatic]

You should also know that the very first of the collapsible Summicrons were labelled as "Summitar *", with a star behind the name. This was Leica's way of test marketing the lens.

Never knew that!

 

[Mr_Flibble]

....and then there will be more.

Oh Yes. It's a vicious circle leading downward into Leica Insanity.😀

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I would have said that the Summitar evolved into the Summicron.

A lot of lenses have individual names but are really gradual developments of older (rivals) lenses. Cooke's triplet is a good place to start if looking for originals.

Regards, David

PS Saw a Summitar * for sale ages ago and wished I was rich for once.

 

[David Hughes]

😀
😀
😀
It's like potato chips.

Hi,

That had me baffled and then I remembered this:-

https://www.indy100.com/article/thi...tain-has-gone-surprisingly-viral--WkxJmGT_NDx

and that you mean 'crisps' when you say 'chips'.

Regards, David

 

[MIkhail]

Hi,

That had me baffled and then I remembered this:-

https://www.indy100.com/article/thi...tain-has-gone-surprisingly-viral--WkxJmGT_NDx

and that you mean 'crisps' when you say 'chips'.

Regards, David

You were thinking of fish and chips, I understand.
I cannot stop at one with them either.