Where can I get a coated Summar?

Hi,

Got to agree, Summars are for display on cameras in cabinets. Interesting but not for everyday use when you can get Summitars with coating by Leica; meaning 1945 or 46 onwards.

Regards, David
 
Dez said:
Coating changes the Summar from a very low contrast lens with a severe flare problem to a very low contrast lens without a severe flare problem. You might want to look for a good Summitar.

Cheers,
Dez
Click to expand...

I kind of made this realization myself a few years ago when I was thinking of getting a Summar - which has a reputation as a nice portrait lens. Having decided this and already owning a nice Summitar, I just kept the Summitar. I can say though that at some point I purchased a nice Leica 111a that was wearing a prewar (1936) Elmar. Both the camera and the lens had been back to the factory in the 1950s for upgrading including coating of the lens. I found it performed very well as a coated Elmar and being of simple design was somewhat more contrasty than the Summar.
 
David Hughes said:
Hi,

Got to agree, Summars are for display on cameras in cabinets. Interesting but not for everyday use when you can get Summitars with coating by Leica; meaning 1945 or 46 onwards.

Regards, David
Click to expand...

Hmm.

Leica IIIc, Summar 50mm f/2 Leitz coated, Tmax400.

Erik.

14844334727_f8f50df1c9_c.jpg
 
I'll add a Hmm to Erik's Hmm.

I too happen to have a coated Summar which is a very nice lens indeed.

I also have an uncoated version which looks fine but performs as per their reputation...
 
Hmmm again.

Maybe because I am a rubbish photographer there are certain ltm lenses I have never got one with. These include Hektor 50 and 73, uncoated Summar, Xenon, Elmar 35 and Summicrom 90.

For me best results have come from 2.8 Summaron (OK it is a different generation), 50mm Elmar, coated Summar and curiously a 75mm Angenieux.

Others will have had different experiences...but surely the star is always the Elmar.
 
I've neither tried a Xenon 50mm nor an Angenieux 75mm, but with all the other lenses you name I've had satisfying results.

The 90mm Summicron (early type) is one of the best lenses ever made on this earth. Very rare in screwmount however.

Leica II, Hektor 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

9436156724_82042e649d_c.jpg
 
Erik van Straten said:
I've neither tried a Xenon 50mm nor an Angenieux 75mm, but with all the other lenses you name I've had satisfying results.

The 90mm Summicron (early type) is one of the best lenses ever made on this earth. Very rare in screwmount however.

Erik.
Click to expand...

That's because you are a far better photographer than I! I suspect you may also have far more patience.

The LTM Summicron 90 came to me with an M adaptor glued in place, a transitionary lens I guess. It was heavy on an LTM body. Sold it many years ago. From what I remember the glass wasn't that great which might explain my memories of it...

Michael
 
I’ve been following this thread with interest as I have just picked up a very clean but well used IIIb with a chrome, well brassed Summar (both 1938).

The lens is totally unscratched, clear and bright but does have a couple of bubbles and numerous small separation spots.

Over the Christmas period I’m very much looking forward to putting a few rolls of Neopan 400 through it!

Oh, and as an afterthought, aren’t the Summar’s aperture blades a beautiful work of art? 😀
 
Indeed they are. I might add it takes an artists eye, a surgeons touch and Job's patiences if they ever need to be removed and reinstalled.
Brian Atherton said:
I’ve been following this thread with interest as I have just picked up a very clean but well used IIIb with a chrome, well brassed Summar (both 1938).

The lens is totally unscratched, clear and bright but does have a couple of bubbles and numerous small separation spots.

Over the Christmas period I’m very much looking forward to putting a few rolls of Neopan 400 through it!

Oh, and as an afterthought, aren’t the Summar’s aperture blades a beautiful work of art? 😀
Click to expand...
 
Dralowid said:
I'll add a Hmm to Erik's Hmm.
Click to expand...

Me too. My uncoated 1933 Summar is sharp and nicely contrasty. I think the single most important thing is finding one that is in good condition, and its 'reputation' actually comes from poor examples.

Leica IIIa, Summar (1933, uncoated), UV filter, Efke KB25 @EI40, Paterson FX-39:

15074570276_b73b2e6dee_c.jpg


Leica IIIa, Summar (1933, uncoated), yellow (022) filter, Svema A-2SH (original factory, produced 01/2001) @EI250, Microphen:

15780088309_90c2bd8109_c.jpg
 
I've been traveling, now enjoying Lisbon with some friends.

I'm taking the chance to get a really lovely set. Will need some Summaron and hood for the Summar if You know where can I get those?

I'm totally in Love, curiously You never have to think tool is more important than photography itself but after lose lot of passion I've recovered again with the Barnacks, they force You to see and overthink, love that feeling and if You can take good pictures with great technical quality in the small packet possible... What a joy!

To me the Erik Summar images (and the others fellaws) are plenty of quality is simply outstanding how an old lens can deliver such a picture.
 
Hoya makes a modern, multicoated filter which you can put on to protect the front element. They're hard to find but not expensive. I was fortunate enough to buy a clean one and immediately put the filter on to reduce my paranoia about scratching it despite careful cleaning.

Here are a few taken with mine. Evidently I photograph photographers more the than anything else when using it. 😉









Photos of other subjects and at different setting here: https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=summar&sort=relevance&user_id=59657594@N00
 
Brian Legge said:
Hoya makes a modern, multicoated filter which you can put on to protect the front element. They're hard to find but not expensive. I was fortunate enough to buy a clean one and immediately put the filter on to reduce my paranoia about scratching it despite careful cleaning.

Here are a few taken with mine. Evidently I photograph photographers more the than anything else when using it. 😉









Photos of other subjects and at different setting here: https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=summar&sort=relevance&user_id=59657594@N00
Click to expand...


I LOVE the hexagonal diffraction in the second photo... 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Using Leitz Summar 50mm F/2 with coated filters
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
RussPhoto
R
J
Did Nikon really blow Leitz and Zeiss out of the water in 1950? Not quite, but....
Replies
8
Views
527
Erik van Straten
Erik van Straten
R
Where do I get this hood for my Olympus 35RC !
Replies
14
Views
3K
Darinwc
D
Dralowid
Service history
Replies
7
Views
890
ddutchison2
ddutchison2
T
I am looking for a new multi-function home printer
Replies
7
Views
359
Tim Murphy
T
Back
Top Bottom