Testing the Summitar: some photos

[hoot]

Due to the recent discussions of the Summitar on RFF, I thought I'd post my own experiences with this lens, which will hopefully be useful to anyone considering buying it.

Except for a brassed lens barrel and a few tiny specks of dust between the lens elements, the Summitar I grabbed for cheap on the auction site is mint; even the coating is perfect (I thought it was extremely rare for lenses this old to have survived without any cleaning marks). I haven't yet decided whether or not I want to keep it, but the performance is astounding. It easily beats the collapsible LTM Summicron I used to have, especially in flare resistance.

Below are the test photos I took this afternoon. Sorry about the boring subjects and composition, but I wasn't especially inspired today.

Photo 1: Testing for focusing accuracy. Shot wide open at the minimum focal distance of just under 1m.

Photo 2: Testing for distortion and converging lines. Shot at the minimum focal distance.

Photo 3: Testing for flare. No hood or filter were used.

Photo 4: Testing for shadow detail. Shadows deliberately underexposed, then toyed with levels in PS.

Photo 5: Testing bokeh at f/2.8

 

[xayraa33]

overall , the lens produces some nice results, photo nr. 4 is very pleasing, not too crazy about the bokeh in nr. 5 though.

 

[Doug]

Does #2 reveal a trace of pincushion distortion?

 

[hoot]

Does #2 reveal a trace of pincushion distortion?

Does it? I don't see any distortion in either the horizontal or the vertical lines. Where do you see it?

 

[Todd.Hanz]

The bokeh in #5 is interesting, kinda a double image. The lens looks great performance wise, I would love to see some portraits with an ISO 100 film.

Todd

 

[Doug]

I think I see a trace of pincushion distortion in horizontal lines in the lower half of #2... First there is a dark line in the light wall (?) that runs across the width of the image, passing behind the dark sign. It seems to turn down a bit at each end, confirmed by placing a straight-edge just touching each end... the center area then appears to bulge up a little. Same with the bottom edge of the dark sign; visually it seems concave along that edge, confirmed with the straight edge touching each lower corner, there's a sliver of white visible at center. One assumes these are indeed straight lines in reality. 🙂

 

[taffer]

#5 reminds me of some Helios-103 shots, it could confirm the myth that said lens shares some characteristics with the Summitar.

 

[Skinny McGee]

interesting test thank you

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

seems like a very competent lens ... still trying to figure out if I like the bokeh on #5. thanks for the samples

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I haven't yet decided whether or not I want to keep it

Keep it; take pictures of people with it, wide open. It'll be the last lens you'll ever consider selling.

 

[matu]

The pictures are fine, but is there a bad Leica lense?
Some are underrated, others are prefered, some are old...but is there crap Leica glass?

 

[Doug]

...but is there crap Leica glass?

What a concept! 🙂

 

[FrankS]

Not since the 50mm Hektor, I believe.

 

[hoot]

Keep it; take pictures of people with it, wide open. It'll be the last lens you'll ever consider selling.

My photos are almost invariably of people, but there weren't any around that day (nobody except me is masochistic enough to leave the house in this weather). 🙂

100 ISO film, Todd, now that's a different issue. I prefer medium format and a tripod for film that slow.

Thanks, everyone, for your comments.

 

[matu]

Hoot I find it very interesting that you post this pictures.
Elmars, Summitars and other old Leica lenses are budget friendly not like Summicrons or Summiluxs that are very expensive nowadays.
I'm planning to buy a 50mm for my M6 and I don't know if to buy a CV Nokton or a nice Summitar or Elmar. Fast lenses don't really make better images, lenses tend to have their own character and I believe one must find the one that fits your own style.
I would like to see more pictures, your test shots are really good.

Matu

 

[hoot]

Matu, a used CV lens isn't cheaper than a used collapsible LTM Summicron. I'll post in this thread when I have more pix to show.

 

[matu]

Yes? I thought that anyhing 'Cron cost more.
I really like my 35. But the 50 Summitar or the 50 Elmar are very temtping too. (and thanks to this threads are going to rise it's price)
At the end I'll want them all.
Sorry if this is OT, but the Collapsable Summicron is as good as the rigid? Besides, that if it's old its isn't coated or stuff like that?

 

[hoot]

Yes? I thought that anyhing 'Cron cost more.
[...]
Sorry if this is OT, but the Collapsable Summicron is as good as the rigid? Besides, that if it's old its isn't coated or stuff like that?

Matu,

I got a mint collapsible LTM Summicron for 180 Euros on the auction site. The front and rear lens elements were coated (dunno about the others). Allegedly, the collapsible 'cron is less sharp, and more prone to flare, than its rigid brother. Since I have never been able to afford a rigid Summicron, I cannot verify this claim, but looking at the price difference, it seems to be true. The cheapest rigid Summicron in good condition that I've ever seen went for just over 300 Euros on the auction site.

As for C/V lenses, it's difficult to find any used ones for sale at all. Stephen Gandy has the low-end ones for under $300 brand new, but if you need a lens faster than f/2.5, a collapsible Summicron or Summitar would be your best bet, and would cost less.

EDIT: Or the FSU lenses, of course. The Jupiter-8 is excellent, and I hear the Jupiter-3 can be fantastic if you get a good one.

 

[Beniliam]

Interesting test Hoot.

I like the the photos. Have a creamy bokeh. I like the contrast of the lens. Is perfect for me.
I have many doubts of buy other fast lens. I had in the past the Nokton. Now have the current Elmar. I want to have other fast 50. The Nokton was bulky, but had very good performance. The bokeh maybe harsh in comparation with the Summitar.

I dont know at the end what lens I buy but I cant spent much money...

 

[FrankS]

Here's a shot with the Leica IIIc with Summitar that I had for a bit until the seller jacked up his asking price at the last moment. Wide open f2. I think I missed the focus a bit too near, as parts of her sweater and earring are sharper than her profile, although that mught not be too bad a thing to happen.