LOVE the Summitar.
LOVE the Summitar.
I've been working - almost exclusively, now - with a later Summitar ("hex iris", for those of you that keep track of that sort of thing). Can't seem to get enough of it. I got a great hood arrangement from a fellow here on RFF, using a Tiffen Series VI adapter with a dedicated Summitar thread and a Kenko Series VI vented hood. There's a UV filter in there, somewhere, too. Turns out to be functional AND smart-looking. Round hood, although I haven't yet wrestled terribly with flare.
As folks have pointed out, a push-on Series VI adapter would do nicely, too. There are also Summitar thread --> E39 adapter rings out there.
I really like what this lens can do wide open in low light, which of course complicates the flare issue when point sources are around. However, the results so far have been sharp where I want them to be. A recent example (Delta 3200 @ EI1600):
I've also got a round-iris Summitar, an earlier model, but I can't really tell the difference in performance...they say it's mostly a question of bokeh, but I think the signature (pardon the term) is very similar. The round iris is in need of a CLA, and then I'll probably decide between the two, and sell the other. Anyone have useful round vs. hex experience?
Because of my unabashed love for this lens, I'm leaning toward a Summar just for kicks...and, of course, a collapsible Summicron is inevitably in my future, as well.
Cheers,
--joe.