How To Clean Summicron 50 F2 Collapsible

GEAR

ReviewPosted Dec 2022

Leica Summicron 50/2 Collapsible

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GEAR

Today we have something slightly dissimilar on the site – a cursory review of a lens that I've had a chance to borrow from a colleague for a bit. Mostly I aim to accept more extensive feel with the lenses I review – I feel it takes fourth dimension to truly get to know whatsoever piece of gear properly – but as there are very few manufactures on the lens elsewhere online I figured information technology would nonetheless be worth it to do a quick write upwards, even if it won't be quite every bit comprehensive as I tend to aim for.

Ok, with that context, let's get into it.

Released in 1953 the collapsible Summicron replaced the 1939 Summitar 50/two (which in plough had replaced the 1932 Summar, Leica's kickoff 50mm f/ii lens). Back then it sabbatum as a mid-speed option between the Elmar 50/three.5 and Summarit 50/i.five. Information technology was produced until 1960 but already in 1956 the rigid Summicron (aka version 2) was introduced, generally superseding the collapsible version.

The Summicron 50/ii Collapsible mounted on the Leica One thousand Typ 262.

Today it's increasingly rare to come across the collapsible Summicron in pristine shape, in detail with regards to the eyes. Both the glass and coatings are very soft and easy to damage. Many copies have scratched front elements, often severely so. Lubricants besides tend to break upward over time, at times leading to internal haze. These are both common issues with lenses from this fourth dimension, so worth keeping in mind with all options of similar vintages.

As adept copies become deficient, prices are driven up. So in extension the question becomes if the collapsible Summicron is a lens best left for the collectors? Or if it has enough going for it to track downward a practiced copy.

Allow'southward break it down and possibly information technology'll become articulate. But first, a summary:

• The collapsible Summicron is very compact for its specifications, specially in its collapsed state. It was bachelor for both LTM and One thousand-mount.→ Specs.
• It'southward an extremely well made, classic looking lens. → Appearance & construction.
• The ergonomics suffer a fleck both due to it being collapsible as well as merely it existence an older lens. Information technology'southward still very usable, though slower to work with than something more than contemporary. → Ergonomics.
• Operation isn't upwards to modern standards but holds up well in a number of regards. The overall signature can likewise expect quite compelling. → Image quality.
• The lens is pleasant in the field. Information technology'southward certainly a lot more usable and capable than the minor size and age would perhaps atomic number 82 you to believe. → In utilise.
• Depending on what you're looking for there are a good few other options to consider. Some both cheaper and easier to get a hold of. → Alternatives.
• In broad strokes the Summicron might non be as well rounded equally some contemporary options, but still very compelling due to a number of strong traits. Depending on your preferences it'll hold a different degree of entreatment. → Determination.

The context of condition

Ok, and then before diving into the full breakdown there's 1 more callout that I want to make. With any lens as sometime every bit this i the condition and life it's lived is ofttimes well-nigh as of import as the lens's initial traits.

The lens I accept at paw is very nice and clean, so I'm certain many copies out there don't perform quite as well for instance. On the other hand there are probably also even more pristine copies that behave even better.

Though that's not to say a pristine copy necessarily performs better than one that's been used frequently. Clean copies might still have problems with the optics (fungus for example, is more than common with lenses that sit unused) and if a copy is well used it might be a bespeak that information technology's been performing well and has been well liked.

Either way this is as much a review of the specific copy I have at hand every bit information technology is one of the Summicron in general.

Specifications

Lens-mount LTM or Thou Mount

Length (collapsed) 40 mm (26 mm)

Weight 244 k

Diaphragm x blades, f/2-f/16, full stops

Elements / Groups 7/6

MFD 1 yard

Filter thread 39 mm

Versions

At that place seem to be a few dissimilar versions of this lens, though online sources are a bit spotty.

What's absolutely articulate is that the lens was first launched for the Leica Thread Mountain (aka LTM) and afterwards came into product with an Thou-mount. So on the used marketplace it's available for either. LTM lenses can exist mounted onto more cameras, though yous demand to factor in an adapter if you want to utilise it on an Grand-mountain camera.

In terms of the eyes things are a chip muddier.

Given the softness of the coatings and glass a protective filter is a must on this lens.

Early versions seem to accept used lanthanum drinking glass. At the fourth dimension this type of glass was used to heave performance in high end lenses. Today it'southward mostly known for being ever so slightly radioactive (less than the background radiations as far equally I understand, though measurable however). This version is apparently somewhat rare and is probably best left to collectors as this blazon of drinking glass is prone to turn slightly yellow over time, impacting both manual and color rendition negatively.

Later copies relies on less exotic glass just on the other hand offers improved lens coating. The formulation of the coatings as well seems to have changed over the production run, which is reportedly almost axiomatic in the color differences betwixt the coatings. It's hard to notice reliable sources on performance differences across versions though.

The lens was available in silver chrome finish. Yet a few copies left the manufacturing plant painted black. These are extremely scarce though and fetch a hefty premium as a issue.

A scrap of trivia is that Henri Cartier-Bresson reportedly counted the lens among his favorites and used a silver copy with a black lens caput. An odd one-off indeed.

Appearance & structure

In its complanate state the Summicron looks like a pretty regular, though very small lens. Once extended however, it certainly looks a bit unusual by contemporary standards with the long, slender barrel in betwixt the wider circumference front and rear lens housings. It'due south still rather compact at this point, simply non hugely different to most other 50/ii lenses for Chiliad-mount.

Here the Summicron is placed between the Leica Elmar l/iii.five LTM on the left and the Zeiss ZM fifty/ii Planar on the right. Collapsed the Summicron is quite small, though not quite as tiny every bit the Elmar (it's really very shut in size to the nice little Voigtländer fifty/two.5 at this point).

 I'll make a few references and comparisons towards the Elmar throughout this review, as I feel information technology's the lens I've used that feels the most similar to the Summicron, as well equally a relevant option to consider due to these similarities.

 Once extended the Summicron is still compact, just the divergence to the modernistic, high performing Zeiss lens isn't really that big. Plus, the Summicron is actually heavier than the Zeiss Planar.

 Some other thing worth noting is that the Zeiss Planar is very close in size to the electric current model Summicron besides as the fifth version, which I have reviewed previously.

Picking it up in that location are a few hitting aspects.

First off the weight. Despite the small size it'south quite heavy, even by rangefinder standards where lenses are mostly made out of metal and glass. A lot of the Summicron's housing is made out of brass rather than aluminium, explaining the heavier than expected weight.

The superb build quality also stands out. The lens is from what many encounter as the gilded era of craft in manufacturing. In terms of materials and tolerances the Summicron is absolutely fantastic.

All moving parts besides feel very prissy and smooth. This detail re-create feels ever and so slightly shy of perfect though. There's a subtle bit of play in the extension mechanism, a hair of stiction when focusing and the discontinuity clicks feel e'er so slightly viscous. It still feels really nice, but I'd wager that a simple tune up would make information technology feel even better. Only I can't really concord this against it as it might've very well never seen a servicing since being put together over half a century ago.

Markings & scales

Markings are engraved and painted black. There are clear and usable scales for aperture, distance and depth of field.

Every bit the lens butt is quite narrow there'due south no place for more than than one distance scale. Then, depending on the re-create, information technology'll either have a metric or feet scale.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics are something of a mixed bag. Non that it handles poorly – it doesn't, but it suffers in some regards both considering of the collapsible design also as for beingness an older lens. At that place are also a few choices in terms of industrial blueprint that makes it e'er so slightly less transparent in apply.

Step one

If you're making use of the collapsibility of the Summicron your showtime stride before shooting with information technology is to extend the lens. This is simple plenty – pull the front end of the lens frontward until it stops and so twist to lock it in place.

If yous were to forget this step, needless to say your images wouldn't turn out. All that you'd run into would exist a blurred, bright circle.

Above the Summicron's cardinal ergonomic features tin be seen clearly – the aperture band on the front end (though annotation the closeness to the similarly ribbed front of the lens), the super narrow focus band with altitude and depth of field scales, too every bit the focus lever with its spring loaded infinity lock.

Focusing

In terms of focusing the Summicron is very similar to the older Elmar, that I've reviewed earlier. Here it really gives away its historic period and compared to more recent lenses it's a chip dull to work with in this regard.

Infinity lock

First off there's an infinity lock. To release the lock you press the spring loaded button on the focus lever and begin focusing closer. One time you move focus back to infinity the lock automatically reengages. I don't run across a whole lot of benefit with the lock* and personally find that information technology gets in my way in regular employ. Not that I couldn't get used to it, just as information technology'south easy to disable the locking pin at service, I would probably opt for such a change if I there was a lens I used oft that had this type of lock.

* The ordinarily cited reason for the inclusion of an infinity lock is that information technology makes it easier to go a better grip when mounting or unmounting a lens. I don't encounter the grip being that much ameliorate though, plus you tin can just as easily move the lever to the end signal of its travel and get that same do good. Possibly I'm missing something here, just to me it simply doesn't strike me as a worthwhile trade off.

Focus throw

If we move on to the focus throw, information technology's very long – a full 180°. This makes precision focus very easy, only because the spec of the lens it feels more than excessive.

Every bit a issue focusing quickly isn't as like shooting fish in a barrel as I would similar in a day to twenty-four hours lens. The position of the focus lever when closing in on minimum focus distances is besides very high up towards the viewfinder, making it like shooting fish in a barrel for your fingers to sneak into view when framing. Plus, it feels a chip awkward.

Overall I would say that one-half the throw length would feel plenty. This is especially the case when also because that the minimum focus distance is 1m rather than the 0.7m that a lot of more recent lenses support with a far shorter focus throw.

The focus lever

Equally for the focus lever itself it's fine. I don't find it every bit pleasant or quick to work with as a concave focus tab. Information technology's also not as easy to use with gloves. Simply it's still pretty comfy and allows you to set up focus distance by feel in one case you become more familiar with the lens.

At that place's ribbing on the focus ring, so information technology's also possible to use that for focusing. It's very narrow however and consequently information technology doesn't give the best grip. For most people I'd wager that the focus lever is yet preferable.

So to sum up, the focus experience with the Summicron feels quite old school and slower in use than many more than recent lenses. That'due south not to say it'due south besides problematic though, it'due south yet pleasant and like shooting fish in a barrel to utilise. I simply personally adopt other approaches and choices here.

Setting the aperture

Whilst the focus feel is decidedly old school, setting the discontinuity feels pretty close to what you'd take with a more modern lens.

Discontinuity band

The aperture ring has a fine ribbing that's comfortably gripable.

A reservation here is that the ribbing but covers two small patches along the circumference, so you often accept to adjust your grip to notice the ribbing.

Some other affair I've likewise had a hard time getting used to so far is that at that place'south very like ribbing slightly further alee on the lens barrel (to aid in twisting the lens head for extending/collapsing). Due to this I personally find it difficult to identify the aperture ring past touch alone. With the camera to my center I sometimes end up grabbing the front of the lens instead.

Click stops

Having click stops for the aperture settings was a new feature in this Summicron. Prior to this lens aperture settings had been stepless, relying only on visual markings.

In this regard the Summicron feels like a contemporary lens, with the chief departure being that there are clicks at full rather than half stops. The distance betwixt stops also becomes shorter as you terminate down, making it slightly harder to work up a musculus memory for changing settings.

And so setting the aperture is an always so slightly less refined experience than with more contemporary lenses. Compared to the Elmar's little front-face lever the Summicron represents a nice step forward though.

In broad strokes

I remember how the ergonomics of the Summicron volition be perceived depends a lot on what you're looking for and what points of reference you're using.

Contemporary lenses mostly take slightly different features compared to the Summicron, making them easier to use chop-chop in many instances.

But if I instead utilise the Elmar as a reference point the Summicron is more applied, mainly due to the much easier to apply discontinuity command.

Then even if it maybe wouldn't be my first option for day to twenty-four hour period utilise, it's still very livable.

Image quality

In terms of performance there are some compromises compared to contemporary options. However they're peradventure smaller than y'all might expect.

Bated from pure operation the overall signature is also quite highly-seasoned in many cases.

Dissimilarity & resolution

In terms of definition the Summicron shows slightly uneven results. In that location'south a deviation depending on the aperture setting of course, but the altitude of focus will as well take an touch on the output.

At mid to far distances

Allow's start with getting some bad news out of the way.

At mid to long distances the Summicron is at times so-and then.

Wide open the central parts of the frame offers a off-white bit of resolution already, though with somewhat low contrast at high frequencies in particular. The midfield looks a chip indistinct nevertheless with both compromised resolution and mid to high frequency contrast.

Global dissimilarity is certainly not loftier but also not quite as low as is common with older glass – let'southward call it moderate. Then not exceptional by modern standards, just however very respectable for the vintage of the lens. I was surprised past how punchy images often look.

Stopping down definition picks up, though perhaps not quite as quickly as you'd expect seeing with a more modern lens.

By f/four things are looking solid in the central areas, but the mid-frame and peripheries are still somewhat indistinct.

Once you lot hit f/8 virtually of the frame looks clear and well divers though close scrutiny reveals that the periphery and corners are still not perfect. F/11 is a chip better but the Summicron will trail modern benchmarks fifty-fifty at this setting.

Still, information technology's quite respectable and a definite step upwards compared to for instance the Elmar 50/iii.v.

At close range

When shot at closer distances the Summicron behaves visibly ameliorate.

It'southward really quite impressively sharp in the center frame already wide open. Resolution is loftier and global dissimilarity is solid. Micro-contrast is decent though a flake of spherical aberration can sneak in and reduce the sense of bite in the rendition of particular at times.

Moving abroad from the center definition drops. The mid-field still looks ok, but towards the peripheries things start to await a fleck muddy.

F/ii.8 sees a slight bump in dissimilarity and clarity overall, merely stopping down to f/four is needed to really come across a noticeable difference. By at present the mid-field offers very good definition and the peripheries expect noticeably clearer (though yet not perfect). Definition in the corners is now decent also.

Once at f/8 the output is only about at its all-time. The entire frame looks skillful with a boost in clarity in the peripheries. Corners are also better and just about as practiced as they'll get hither, though nevertheless non quite perfectly articulate.

These samples and corresponding crops illustrate the Summicron's behavior across the focal range. The example higher up examplifies the slight muddiness that can be seen when shooting the lens broad open up at a altitude. The example below on the other hand is an instance of the crisper definition at closer range, particularly in the center of the frame.

Color

The color rendition out of the Summicron is surprisingly neutral and authentic.

It doesn't split up like hues as cleanly as more recent benchmarks and the saturation is a scrap more subdued.

I've also seen the color response balance off slightly, visible every bit a subtle color cast in the shadows under some catchy situations. It's like to what I saw with the Elmar 50/three.five though to a much lesser degree.

Overall it's a solid, if not quite excellent in this regard.

Bokeh & transitions

In objective terms I'd have to rate the bokeh out of the Summicron every bit somewhat poor.

Out of focus highlights accept on the soap chimera like shape typical of lenses designed with a potent desire to maximize correction of spherical aberration in the focal plane.

As a issue out of focus areas tend to take quite a bit of texture. Bokeh tin withal look quite smoothen, if the groundwork is forgiving. Oft though the advent of doubled lines and an overall messy impression tin can be the result.

A continued trait is that the transition zone can look rather nervous. Sometimes at that place are hints of a double image hither, due to the small only pronounced out of focus circles that occupy this zone.

Equally for the transitions themselves, they're fairly gentle. The focal plane tends to fall abroad smoothly rather than to drop off abruptly.

Out of focus rendering becomes a flake smoother equally the aperture is stopped downward, cutting off function of that strong edge in the bokeh circles with a nicely round shape remaining thanks to the 10 aperture blades. Though of course, the more you lot stop down the less bokeh at that place will be.

Optical vignetting is fairly well controlled without pronounced cats heart effects, though a subtle bokeh swirl can even so be seen at times.

If I were to sum up then, the Summicron is a bit below average in terms of bokeh. At to the lowest degree in objective terms. But, I'd be remiss to not mention that I've found the out of focus areas compelling in terms of character at many occasions. I similar that in that location's a bit of texture and most of the time it's not ended upward as well crazy.

Here the strongly outlined out of focus areas tin be clearly seen. The nervous transition zone tin besides be observed in this sample. In objective terms so, the Summicron does somewhat poorly in terms of bokeh. Though from a more subjective perspective I must say that I often like the grapheme.

Aberrations

A common compromise with older lenses is that the lens coatings aren't specially refined. This frequently results in poor performance with regards to ghosting and flare.

That'due south certainly the example with the Summicron. In even moderately challenging situations you're leap to see pronounced artifacts and loss of contrast.

Information technology's definitely possible to leverage these issues creatively, but it can be problematic for someone looking for more transparent results.

Aside from flare at that place aren't too many problematic bug with aberrations.

There's a bit of vignetting at wider apertures, merely it disappears quickly stopping down.

I've not done extensive testing to pivot down the level of correction for chromatic aberrations and coma, but nothing has been particularly visible or problematic in my cursory time with the lens.

There doesn't seem to be any focus shift to speak of.

Then, aside from the poor suppression of flare I'd actually pin the Summicron as quite well behaved.

Susceptibility to flare is ane of the more than pregnant drawbacks with many older lenses, the Summicron included. In challenging conditions y'all're leap to see issues with flare, often severe ones like in this example.

Overall rendering

It'due south safe to say that the collapsible Summicron renders in a fairly old school way a lot of the fourth dimension. The comparably subdued contrast characteristics, muted color rendition and express flare resistance all contribute to a signature that's clearly vintage.

Nonetheless under the right atmospheric condition information technology's besides possible to get a surprisingly transparent rendering, every bit quite a few performance criteria are still on a high level.

At close range or stopped down sufficiently the collapsible Summicron offers a very clear and natural looking image, though still with a few vintage traits that can often lend images of a pleasant roundness. The impression still won't be that infrequent clarity that some modern glass offers, only every bit that type of await tin sometimes feel overbearing I don't encounter this as as well much of a detriment.

So while there have been occasions where I've establish the Summicron getting in my style with some of its functioning characteristics, there take also been enough of times where I've felt the rendering has contributed to a compelling end result. At times I've even found it preferable to the output of more modern glass. I similar that it can requite a vintage look without becoming likewise overbearing in its classical traits, instead remaining truthful to life.

In apply

The Summicron does fairly well in the field.

As mentioned earlier there are some ergonomic trade offs, so it's not as fast to work with as something more contemporary.

Another aspect that becomes evident in use is that transmission is comparably poor, a mutual drawback of older lenses. The T-stop seems to fall shut to a finish behind the corresponding f-stop, meaning most half of the lite goes missing due to transmission inefficiencies.

As a result of the low transmission it's a scrap less piece of cake to use in lower lite than I expected given the spec. Add to this that I've frequently been dandy to stop down a bit more than than with modern lenses to achieve optimal operation and the result is that I've felt limited by light gathering at a surprising frequency. Peculiarly considering that I've been using the Summicron on the Leica Yard Typ 262, a camera with pretty good high iso performance.

So in utilize then it's certainly very usable and surprisingly practical, though slightly compromised in certain areas. I do feel it's warranted to mention that it's a fun lens to use though. Information technology's very tactile and pleasant to use. And while the involved ergonomics slows me downwards slightly, they've also proven to feel quite engaging from a process point of view.

Before moving on I think at that place's also something to be said nearly working effectually limitations. Perhaps a less practical, more philosophical observation. Because while information technology's always pleasant to utilise competent gear that gets out of your way, equipment that requires you to have a scrap of extra care can actually feel more rewarding at times. It requires you to stay on your toes and not go complacent, to focus, strive for creativity and to leverage shortcomings equally strengths.

To me the Summicron falls in such a category and I practice feel similar it'due south pushing me towards trying my best. When things come together there's an extra bit of satisfaction stemming from the fact that information technology's taken some intendance to attain (a similar rationale is sometimes given every bit a reason to shoot rangefinders in full general, a sentiment I tend to agree with).

So overall and then information technology'southward both a fun and satisfying lens to use, though slightly less practical than some other options.

Use on unlike cameras

I've just really properly used the Summicron on the Leica Thou 262, though hither are some initial thoughts on handling across a few cameras I have at hand.

Leica M3

Every bit they are contemporaries the lens and camera feel similar they go together really well. The M3 is swell for shooting 50mm lenses and the handling is actually pleasant. Depending on ones shooting habits the lower light gathering offered past the Summicron can potentially experience somewhat limiting on picture. Personally I also tend to adopt the output of college contrast lenses on flick.

Leica 1000 Typ 262 (240)

This is a really nice combination. The rest and handling is very pleasant. There isn't whatsoever viewfinder blockage to speak of. The respectable high iso performance offered by the 262 means it's possible to shoot with ease even in somewhat low light. Leica themselves recommend against collapsing the Summicron on their digital cameras, they claim this risks impairment to the shutter. There are plenty of accounts stating that this isn't a problem and that the lens tin be collapsed without effect, though I'd still recommend a chip of caution in this regard.

Alternatives

As 50mm is such a common focal length there will be tons of options to consider. I won't even attempt to offering a comprehensive list, only below are a few top of mind options I think a worth mentioning.

Leica Elmar fifty/3.v

The Elmar is lighter, cheaper and easier to come by than the Summicron. Information technology too collapses down to an fifty-fifty smaller size than the Summicron. Ergonomics are similar between the lenses with an almost identical focus control. On the Elmar the aperture is set using a small lever on the front end face of the lens, a much more fiddly arrangement than the proper ring on the Summicron. In terms of operation it will hinge a lot on the condition of the copy, but from the samples I've had at paw the Summicron easily bests the Elmar. Information technology'due south quite a scrap sharper, improves more than stopping down and has higher contrast. Colour rendition is too better and contrast higher. There are probably better performing copies of the Elmar than my scratched and slightly hazy 1920'south lens though. Nonetheless the Summicron renders in a nicer way and is quite a chip more than practical thanks to the added speed. So every bit a 24-hour interval to day choice the Summicron is the preferable (though more than expensive) option. As a compact, archetype complement to another lens it's a less clear cutting choice. The small size of the Elmar is really compelling and if you become a good copy it'll even so be a capable and competent option.

My total review of the Leica Elmar 50/3.5

Leica Elmar 50/ii.8

I've not had a chance to try this lens, but it looks like a overnice midpoint between the fifty/three.5 above and the collapsible 50/2. It seems a flake easier to find in good condition than the Summicron. Information technology'due south also smaller, and so if I was attack a collapsible lens this one would probably be high up on my list. Non sure that the rendering is quite as nice as the Summicron's though.

Leica Summicron 50/2

The line of Summicron 50's stretches all the way from the collapsible version reviewed here up until current 24-hour interval. At this point Leica are up to the 6th version with different strengths and weaknesses for each.

I accept used the fifth version extensively and count information technology among my favorite lenses. Its performance is in a different league to the collapsible version with much crisper definition across the lath – both contrast and resolution are much higher and more than uniform throughout the field. The color rendition is far more refined and saturated compared to the collapsible version. Flare resistance is meliorate (just not outstanding). Bokeh is rendered in a surprisingly similar style, though it'due south a fiddling scrap smoother with the newer lens. Transmission is also improved. Ergonomics are more than refined and the newer lens is faster to work with.

So what are the reasons yous'd want to opt for the earlier iteration?

Well the compact size when collapsed is certainly compelling. I could likewise certainly see some people preferring the more classical and slightly characterful rendering compared to the rather transparent signature out of the more recent version.

Overall I would say there'south non a bad selection among the Summicrons.

My total review of the Leica Summicron l/2 5

Voigtländer Color-Skopar 50/2.5

If you're smashing on a compact 50 this lens is an pick well worth considering. It'south just about the aforementioned size as the Summicron in its collapsed state. To my tastes the Skopar handles absolutely perfectly – it's very compact just with splendid control points. In terms of performance the Skopar isn't outstanding past contemporary standards, but it's still alee of the Summicron by a comfortable margin. It offers much higher contrast and more even definition beyond the field. While you lose a flake on speed on newspaper, the Skopar's meliorate transmission backdrop means that the difference in actual lite gathering is small-scale. Y'all also gain the power to focus downward to 0.75m. Personally then I find the Skopar the more compelling option, though you practise lose out on that pleasingly vintage rendering signature.

My full review of the Voigtländer 50/2.5

Zeiss ZM 50/ii Planar

Among 50mm M-mountain lenses this is 1 of the easiest recommendations around. Fantabulous performance, build quality and treatment at a very reasonable price. It's a far more than modern lens than the collapsible Summicron and the rendering of course reflects that. Then the reasons to get with the Summicron would be the more classical imaging characteristics and the ability to collapse the lens.

My full review of the Zeiss ZM 50/2

Decision

Pros

• Excellent build quality
• Very compact size when collapsed
• Enjoyable in use
• Frequently pleasant rendering
• Capable of quite high functioning under the right weather condition

Cons

• Operation falls short of contemporary standards with uneven definition across the frame, lower contrast and susceptibility to flare every bit some of the shortcomings.
• Ergonomic trade offs makes information technology somewhat slower to work with
• Hard to notice copies in practiced condition
• Somewhat expensive

Bottom line

To exist honest I was pretty ready to write off the Summicron collapsible already at a showtime glance. It looks and feels quite like to the Elmar fifty/3.five. A lens I've institute interesting and fun to use, only ultimately not too compelling for day to solar day utilize.

With the Summicron though, the proposition changes significantly. The faster speed, surprisingly solid epitome quality and often compelling signature in combination with some ergonomic improvements mean that it feels much more feasible for my general use.

At that place's also something about making the about out of gear that'due south in some means more limited and less forgiving in use that I observe enjoyable.

So overall I've really enjoyed using the Summicron a lot.

Despite that I'yard non convinced information technology would exist a proficient fit for me long-term. At least every bit a day to twenty-four hours lens. There are some compromises in areas I value highly.

I prefer lenses that are faster to focus (useful in particular when I'g trying to keep up with my kids). I also establish myself missing a closer focus ability often. Plus, I prefer slightly better low lite performance (better transmission, a faster aperture or even both).

Notwithstanding, if these aspects are less important in your photography (or if you're bang-up on a complement to another lens) I tin certainly recommend the Summicron as a fun to employ piece of kit with many compelling traits. Especially taking into account that pleasant, slightly vintage rendering.

The remaining caveat would be the relative scarcity and ascent cost of copies in proficient shape. The price nevertheless isn't completely out of premises, merely at its going rate at that place certainly are a number of compelling options. Some of those options area besides far easier to get a hold of, making for easier recommendations for near people. Then unless you're smitten by some specific aspect of the Summicron, it might be a lens that'southward at its most appealing for collectors.

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Return Domicile

Photos in this review were taken using the Leica M Typ 262. Photos of the lens were made using the Sony A7 with the Leica Elmar-C 90/iv. Exif-data is intact. Open up any image in a new window for a closer expect.

Source: http://gear.vogelius.se/-reviews/leica-summicron-50-collapsible/index.html

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