S
Skinny McGee
Guest
hello,
i am curious about the Summicron Dual range lens, What is it?
Thanks
i am curious about the Summicron Dual range lens, What is it?
Thanks
What is a Leica Dual range lens?
- Thread starter Skinny McGee
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 15
- Views 4K
The 50 Summicron DR is a type one rigid mount lens with two focusing ranges. Optically it is the same formula as the normal Rigid, but in (imagine this) a more solidly constructed mount. It will mount on a pre M6 as any normal lens and fucus as usual with a minimum distance of 1m out to infinity. If using an M6 precaution should be taken to set it to infinity before mounting. The lens also has a close focus range which allows focusing down to .5m I think (double check that). This is not available on M6TTL or M7 cameras due to their taller bodies which block the mounting of the goggles. To get to this second focusing range you must mount the goggles on the lens, which will open an interlock in the mount allowing you to pull the focusing ring out and shift it across a barrier into the close range. This apparently shifts the focusing cam of the lens which allows for additional reach. The goggles provide additional parralax correction and allow for accurate compensation.
The 50 DR Summicron is said to have produced the highest resolution in lens bench tests of any of the 50 Summicrons.
Cameraquest has a nice page on this lens, but the site seems to be down right now.
The 50 DR Summicron is said to have produced the highest resolution in lens bench tests of any of the 50 Summicrons.
Cameraquest has a nice page on this lens, but the site seems to be down right now.
phototone
Well-known
The 50mm Dual Range Summicron is a "M" mount lens that allows you to focus closer than the normal Summicron. Firstly, you have the standard focusing range, just like the normal Summicron, and then you can mount a set of "goggles" on the top of the lens that covers the viewfinder and rangefinder windows, and turn the lens focusing ring to its close focusing range and you can focus considerably closer than otherwise. with full parallex correction. I believe the closest focusing distance is something like 20 inches, or so. Some people consider the Dual Range Summicron to be the "best" 50mm Summicron. Not just for close work, but for overall quality. It is certainly the most robust lens mount of any 50mm rigid Summicron.
denishr
アナログ侘・&#
gandy's "Cameraquest" site seems to be down at the moment, so I'll probably be forgiven for this unauthorized quotation. If I'm infringing any copyrights, feel free to delete this!
This is what Gandy says about DR Summicron 50/2 ("Leica M Lens Users Guide"):
========== QUOTE from Cameraquest site:=============
"The DR lens has two focusing ranges, thus the brilliant name "Dual Range." The DR can ONLY be mounted on the camera without it's "eyes." The "eyes" are a detachable viewfinder which clips onto the top of the lens and in front of the camera's rangefinder/viewfinder. They look pretty much like the viewer built into the 135/2.8 or the M3 versions of the 35/2 and 2.8. Once mounted, the closer focusing range is attained by turning the lens to it's closest normal focusing point. Then attach the "eyes" which clip onto the lens. ONLY at this focus point can the eyes be attached and the closest focusing range attained. THEN pull the focusing barrel out slightly, and the lens barrel can be swung over farther to the left, to get into the close focusing range. It sounds more complicated than it really is in practice.
It is worth noting that many experienced used find the DR Summicron not only their favorite 50, but their favorite lens, period. It has a combination of higher resolution and lower contrast and superb out of focus images. "
============= END OF QUOTE ========
In short, it's an excellent lens, and an added bonus is that (AFAIK) you can focus it closer than any other Leica lens - 19" or 20", depending on the version - without the need for any extra close-up lenses....
If you can get one for reasonable amount, and you like 50mm focal length, get it 🙂
Denis
This is what Gandy says about DR Summicron 50/2 ("Leica M Lens Users Guide"):
========== QUOTE from Cameraquest site:=============
"The DR lens has two focusing ranges, thus the brilliant name "Dual Range." The DR can ONLY be mounted on the camera without it's "eyes." The "eyes" are a detachable viewfinder which clips onto the top of the lens and in front of the camera's rangefinder/viewfinder. They look pretty much like the viewer built into the 135/2.8 or the M3 versions of the 35/2 and 2.8. Once mounted, the closer focusing range is attained by turning the lens to it's closest normal focusing point. Then attach the "eyes" which clip onto the lens. ONLY at this focus point can the eyes be attached and the closest focusing range attained. THEN pull the focusing barrel out slightly, and the lens barrel can be swung over farther to the left, to get into the close focusing range. It sounds more complicated than it really is in practice.
It is worth noting that many experienced used find the DR Summicron not only their favorite 50, but their favorite lens, period. It has a combination of higher resolution and lower contrast and superb out of focus images. "
============= END OF QUOTE ========
In short, it's an excellent lens, and an added bonus is that (AFAIK) you can focus it closer than any other Leica lens - 19" or 20", depending on the version - without the need for any extra close-up lenses....
If you can get one for reasonable amount, and you like 50mm focal length, get it 🙂
Denis
And....
If you don't invision needing the close focusing capability, you may find examples at bargain prices without the goggles.
If you don't invision needing the close focusing capability, you may find examples at bargain prices without the goggles.
zeos 386sx
Well-known
I've read that the dual-range summicrons have a tendency to haze. If you are thinking about buying one and can't inspect it before the purchase make certain there is a return option if the lens doesn't meet your standards.
Because of it's slightly lower contrast this is another lens that is going to be very usable on the digital M. I expect it to get harder to find and more expensive.
Because of it's slightly lower contrast this is another lens that is going to be very usable on the digital M. I expect it to get harder to find and more expensive.
S
Skinny McGee
Guest
No I am not really looking to buy one I was just looking for knowledge of these interesting leica add ons and gadgets .. i have been looking at lens for my M3 and keep seeing these Dual range lens I did not understand what they were. i am looking for something that is more compact (collasible).. I am really interested in the 2.8 elmar 50mm.
Thanks for all the info. i learned something new today. That makes it a good day
Skinny
Thanks for all the info. i learned something new today. That makes it a good day
Skinny
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
The hazing is not exclusive to DR lenses, it's to all old lenses of that period; you have to be on the lookoout for fog and haze. One main cause of this is that many people, in their manic drive to "protect" their gear, they keep it stored, unused for a long time. You have to let these lenses breathe, let the sun hit them with its light to keep them healthy.
Graybeard
Longtime IIIf User
I've had a dual range Summicron for twenty-five years now. I bought it for my first M3 and had it overhauled by Leitz, who replaced the front element because of a coating defect ($85 for a complete overhaul in those days).
It certainly is one very sharp lens. Perceptive colleagues of mine, but with no background in photography (and certainly not members of a Leica hardware cult). have offered spontaneous comments about the resolution in 8x10's shot with the lens.
In the time I've owned the lens, I've never used it for close up work even though I have the goggles. With decent Japanese SLR's going for $50 with first rate optics (read Nikkormat here) I use a SLR for close up work and the M3/DR Summicron for subjects more than three feet from the camera.
This lens is worth having for its performance at normal subject distances. Don't obsess over acquiring a set of goggles to shoot postage stamps or rose blossoms.
It certainly is one very sharp lens. Perceptive colleagues of mine, but with no background in photography (and certainly not members of a Leica hardware cult). have offered spontaneous comments about the resolution in 8x10's shot with the lens.
In the time I've owned the lens, I've never used it for close up work even though I have the goggles. With decent Japanese SLR's going for $50 with first rate optics (read Nikkormat here) I use a SLR for close up work and the M3/DR Summicron for subjects more than three feet from the camera.
This lens is worth having for its performance at normal subject distances. Don't obsess over acquiring a set of goggles to shoot postage stamps or rose blossoms.
jcee
Member
Eyes compatible with Bessa?
Eyes compatible with Bessa?
Hello- Long time no post.
Sorry to bump this old thread, but I just have a question about the Dual Range Summicron 50/2 and felt it would be appropriate to add to this thread.
Do the goggles mount properly on CV Bessa R2A/R2A body? I know that they don't mount on other M mount Bessa bodies, but I haven't read anywhere that they don't go on R2A/R3A either.
My guess is no, in that case, can you still use the close focus range feature without mounting the eyes?
This is on the top of my list of Want-to-use lenses, so I'm thinking about upgrading from my Bessa-R to an M mount Bessa. If the close focus range doesn't work, then I'll just have to forget about it. 🙁
Thanks in advance for any input.
Eyes compatible with Bessa?
Hello- Long time no post.
Sorry to bump this old thread, but I just have a question about the Dual Range Summicron 50/2 and felt it would be appropriate to add to this thread.
Do the goggles mount properly on CV Bessa R2A/R2A body? I know that they don't mount on other M mount Bessa bodies, but I haven't read anywhere that they don't go on R2A/R3A either.
My guess is no, in that case, can you still use the close focus range feature without mounting the eyes?
This is on the top of my list of Want-to-use lenses, so I'm thinking about upgrading from my Bessa-R to an M mount Bessa. If the close focus range doesn't work, then I'll just have to forget about it. 🙁
Thanks in advance for any input.
blakley
blakley
Cameraquest says no, due to "internal body restrictions".
jcee
Member
Yes, I read CQ site thoroughly and saw that comment on R2 and T page, but not on R2A/R3A page.
I suppose it's the same thing. Thank you.
I suppose it's the same thing. Thank you.
jaapv
RFF Sponsoring Member.
No, you can't use the close-up facility without goggles.jcee said:
Jim Evidon
Jim
A 'goggle" question
A 'goggle" question
Are the "goggles" specific to a particular DR lens, or does one set of 'goggles" work for all DR lenses regardless of focal length?
A 'goggle" question
Are the "goggles" specific to a particular DR lens, or does one set of 'goggles" work for all DR lenses regardless of focal length?
pkuglin
Established
It doesn't fit a M5 either...
rxmd
May contain traces of nut
It should.
You can find pictures on Flickr taken with the combination, as well as discussions on sites such as photo.net.
If yours doesn't, what's the serial number on the lens and body? You may have to remove a piece of metal on the goggles to make them fit on the higher body, just like for the M6TTL etc. Leica used to offer this as a service, AFAIK they still do.
Last edited:
