First Thoughts On Shooting A 50mm Summicron f/2 LTM

[chuckroast]

For context, I don't shoot a ton of 35mm but over the 4+ decades I've been shooting, when I did, I mostly used Nikon film bodies and glass. Along the way, I picked up a really clean Leica IIIf and a collapsible Elmar. But ... I always wanted to try a Summi on that camera and recently got one at a reasonable price.

My first experience with this lens was ... well, kind of jaw dropping. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it has a kind of subjective quality that just ... different than say, a Nikon 50mm f/1.4 Ai-S. I shoot only monochrome, so it's not a color rendering thing. Maybe it's the bokeh wide open, maybe it's how the lens processes really long SBR scenes, maybe is just how very sharp and contrasty it is, but it's really something to behold. The one Nikon lens that feels really similar to this is the 35mm f/1.4 Ai-S.

So now the Elmar is up for sale on eBay (or here if someone wants it before the auction gets a bid) and the Summi will stay as the daily driver on the IIIf.

Thoughts?

 

[Rayt]

I am sorry you can see the difference. Now the hobby will be much more expensive.

 

[chuckroast]

I am sorry you can see the difference. Now the hobby will be much more expensive.

Hehe

In the scheme of things, considering what I've spent on 'Blad and LF lenses, this wasn't all that expensive. I also have no particular desire to fill out my stable of LTM lenses. My use of the IIIf is as a walking around/skiing camera and I don't want to burden it with a 35mm or 90mm lens and turret viewfinder.

No, I don't have GAS. No, I don't have a problem. Yes, I can quit whenever I want to, I just don't want to. M'kay

 

[Rayt]

I can stop whenever I want to. Have fun. They are nice lenses.

 

[cliveh]

I would describe the Summicron as a lens that gives perfect rendition and nice to use, but it doesn't have the character of say a 3.5 Elmar.

 

[chuckroast]

I can stop whenever I want to. Have fun. They are nice lenses.

If you like the Summi and also have access to a legacy Nikon film body, both the Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 Ai-S and 85mm f/1.4 Ai-S lenses are worth your attention. They have a lot of that "wow" factor the Summi induces.

 

[chuckroast]

I would describe the Summicron as a lens that gives perfect rendition and nice to use, but it doesn't have the character of say a 3.5 Elmar.

Yeah, my uncoated Elmar does beautiful things with specular highlights. I actually canceled my eBay auction on the lens because I want to keep it for that reason.