Musings with the Summicron R

[Airy]

I found this lens at a shop in Paris (rue de Suffren), already adapted to the F mount, which means: no electric contacts, not even a link to the diaphragm, manual closure of said diaph and stopped down metering after having focussed wide open.

The lens has lots of qualities - good color (very slightly cold), very good IQ wide open, little LoCA, very little bokeh outlining, low distortion, acceptable vignetting, good performance at short range too. Short, the pictures look natural and detailed. I feel the breeze circulating in there, so to say.

Only the coatings show their "age" - the lens flares more than recent ones would. As I use to say, it is a good lens for overcast days and will bring grayish scenes to life.

A few samples from these last few days :

[Airy]

a few more (f/2, f/6.7, f/2.8 respectively):

[Airy]

two more (f/2 or f/2.

[Fons Baerken]

Looks a fine lens!

[Airy]

Yes, really. Beats the Voigtländer 58/1.4, especially bokeh-wise, even though it is certainly not at the level of the 58/1.4 G.

[Akira]

All images carry typical Airy-esque atmosphere.

If I remember correctly, you've already had a 50mm Summicron-R.  Is this your second sample?

[Airy]

If I remember correctly, you've already had a 50mm Summicron-R.  Is this your second sample?

No, it is the same one. The late design (there were two optical formulas).

[Airy]

Here's one of the reasons I like this lens: blacks remain black even wide open, or at least gray-ish (no purple haze - if so, it means you backfocussed). See the musical score.

[pluton]

Good imagery from the lens and the photographer.

[Akira]

No, it is the same one. The late design (there were two optical formulas).

Thank you for the explanation.  I used 50mm and 90mm Summicron-M lenses during the film days and liked their humble but solid character, which can be surely felt from your images.  Obviously, the characters of you and the lens have a good rapport.

[Airy]

Not sure about commonalities between the -M and -R versions though. I have no experience with Ms.

[John Geerts]

Yes, really. Beats the Voigtländer 58/1.4, especially bokeh-wise, even though it is certainly not at the level of the 58/1.4 G.

Very pleasing shots with the Summicron. But I do miss the 'bite' of the Voigtländer...

[Airy]

time for an A/B test then...

[Arne Hvaring]

Since Nikon has no good 50 mm (in my and Thom Hogans opinion;)) I Leitaxed one of my Summicron R lenses a few years back. The lens shows very good resolution and is generally pleasing, my only "complaint" is a slightly desaturated/weak/dull colour rendition compared to the best of current offerings. Reminds me a bit of the excellent 1,8 50 mm Ais of roughly the same vintage.

[Mongo]

quite a decent lens from all accounts and really like  some of your sample images. It is sometimes like treasure hunting to find an older or modified lens from another purpose that brings a unique character or set of features to an image. Found old Schneider Kreuznach 150mm f5.6 (which Mongo added a T mount for Nikon) to produce wonderful portraits ........ but nothing else.