Summicron-R 50mm f2. How good is this Leica SLR lens and is it worth the money? 

Bought a Leicaflex with 2 cam Summicron in 1973. Still have it with the original boxes, sitting idle for the last 35 years in my closet. After seeing your video, I took out the camera and have been enjoying shooting black and white with Tri-X all over again. Thanks for the inspiration.

This is exactly the review I wanted to see for this lens. Well done. Someday I hope to add this to my lens toolkit. Thanks again, Simon!

When I was stationed in Wiesbaden in the mid 1960s I had an opportunity to take part in a 3 day class at the Ernst Leitz factory in Wetzlar. The class started the history of the Leica cameras and lenses. Next the class moved on to the M series cameras and lenses where I got to use the then current M2 and M3 with 35, 50 and 90mm Summicrons. We went for a walkabout in Wetzlar shooting with the Leicas which was a lot of fun. Next we got to see the brand new Leica R SLR and lenses. Of course Leica was way out of my price range at the time and even now. A couple of years later I found an M2 that had a Dual Range Summicron 50mm f/2 in a pawn shop. I used it for awhile and then had it CLA'd at the Leica factory repair shop on Long Island. I used the camera for 50 years before selling it after moving to digital. As a Still Photographer I had spent a lot of time with my hands in developer processing film and prints. Digital was a revelation. I enjoy watching your videos. Thanks!

Thanks Simon for this informative review on the less loved and often ignored Leica brother of the M series. I thought it was interesting that the rendering is reminiscent of two lenses: the Ricoh XR Rikenon and the Helios-103. Despite a different optical formula, the Japanese RICOH XR RIKENON 50mm F2 (the original XR Rikenon L and XR Rikenon only, not the later RIKENON or XR Rikenon P) does look quite similar to the results produced by the Leitz. The two versions to get are made by Tomioka and remain a cheap lens since it’s so widely available so I wonder if Simon would be interested in comparing the two lenses given the Rikenon’s almost high reputation as the Japanese Summicron in Japan. The Helios-103 is also a fine lens in the Contax-RF mount. The rendering does look quite similar to the Summicron but that’s to be expected I guess as it shares a very similar if not identical (copied) design. The relatively costly mount adapter is quite the different, some might say uncomfortable, experience for mirrorless cameras only, but it’s also a lens to look out for.

I've been on the fence about buying a Summricon f2. This was one heck of a video. After seeing this video, I am going to stick with what I have. The Summitar works just well. This was one hell of a video presentation.

The 50mm Summicron-R was Leitz first lens with the ‘higher contrast for more perceived sharpness’ theory in lens design. And in general from your review it still has a positive over-all optical quality that is pleasing for a vintage lens. Built quality is up there with the best and it is very robust. I’ve used it on my Leicaflex cameras when I had them, and still have my v3 50mm Summicron for the M-series which brought the basically same glass over to the rangefinder camera. That M-series lens I have had for over 50 years for film and now more often used on a digital Leica SL. I sometimes forget how much I enjoy this lens, but when I do use it I am reminded and even find myself amazed how good the image quality is. I think of it as bridging vintage and more modern look, sharp with very smooth out of focus transitions and not busy bokeh that hold shapes. Not an ultra fast normal lens, or exotic in rendition, it does the job. Lens coatings are of yesteryear and that may be its weakness, but then that is part of its natural color or B&W tonal charm. On a Leica film camera you’re locked into limited choices obviously, but with adapting to a digital camera there are so many options of vintage glass with ‘character’ and low price. The used prices for Leica lenses are not on the low side, but if having a Leitz lens is something on the checklist a vintage R-series is the more affordable option.

Great video thank you. I’m in a very fortunate position in that my father in law ( who has been collecting cameras for the best part of 60 years) has gifted me all of his Leica film cameras and lenses. I’ve actually been gifted two copies of this lens ( a bit of overkill ) I’m struggling to let go of one copy. When paired with my Fujifilm bodies it’s just wonderful.

I was excited when I saw that your next superlative video was going to be about this lens. I’m much more of a video person, but even i had heard of these lenses. I’m an avid thrifter and found this lens mounted on its camera for $10. Since then I’ve weighed whether to sell it or modify it to work with my speedbooster. You’ve given me a lot to think about - thank you!

Another excellent review. Appreciated the back story of the lens. I was quite excited that you were testing a Leitz Summicron. First of all, thanks to Leon for loaning you the lens. I was very interested in your onion - given your extensive knowledge and experience with vintage lenses. Was the 'Leica look' real or just hype. I've studied your images from this lens on Flickr - and yes, the rendering is indeed wonderful. The Bokeh is very pleasing and artistic. The lens has a lovely character wide-open and lack of color fringing is a real plus. However, I'm not sure if this would be enough of a reason to track down and purchase this lens - given that I already own a bunch of vintage 50mm lenses, most faster and some slower. For me, the main reason would be to own a piece of history. The importance of Leitz can't be overestimated. Indeed, some of the crazy prices that are being paid at auctions defy logic.

Glad to see another video from you!

This is one of my favorite legacy lenses. I am routinely happy with the results I get on the Leitaxed copy I have. I think overall, the Leica R glass is still somewhat overlooked on modern sensors. Yes, they do have a premium for the Leica name. But they also share the qualities of Leica lenses in other mounts.

I learned from a friend and pro wedding photographer to put a UV filter on it, series 6, and it actually improves performance unlike any other lens I tried. The proper ELPRO close focus lenses work without destroying the image unlike the cheapo single element ones.

Always nice videos. Great review of this lens.

I love your videos. You’re like the david attenborough of vintage lenses

Nice video! 😊👍 I tested the gen II this year and came to similar results. Very good performance. f2 is not a disadvantage, because faster f1.4 are often very soft wide open and become better and maybe comparable to the Leitz at f2. But the prices are too high compared for what you can get otherwise. 😊

Good review. The natural question that comes to mind is of all the 50's that you have tested which would you like to have in your collection. I love my Summicron for its rich colour and look. Overall its a very balaced lens. As a general walkabout lens I wouldn't hesitate to have only this lens in my bag like my Contax 50 1.4 c/y mount.

Well this was interesting. I personally am experiencing considerable joy from using a lot of fast 50's lately and the question about f2 being fast enough was easy to answer. Yes! Absolutely! However the other qualities are definitely worth noting and whilst like yourself there are many more lenses that I would like to have before this one, I shall be keeping an eye open from now on.

I was very interested to see your video as these are the fundamental questions. I have used a lot of 50-58mm lenses from 1.2 to 1.4 & found that most perform to a certain level. I did not find the Leica special in this respect. The f2 lenses at their time were cheaper & sometimes sharper than faster lenses. It also depends what kind of a sensor one tries them on. Then there are subjective preferences. I love the yashica cy f2 - the voigtlander ultron. One of my favorites is the old canon fl lens. Some of the 1.4 lenses stopped down can give a very good combination of artistic bokeh & sharpness. Also some of the newer manual lenses at this price point perform very well so pricewise it does not work for me. I do think Leica played a very important role in lens & camera development at its time. It was a pioneering company like Zeiss & Voigtlander so I do not belittle the name. However the choice one has now is so huge. Take the modern comparison. The samyang 45mmf1.8 probably would sell cheaper at a sale. Its small - better coatings and a very nice rendering. Then there are several modern mf lenses with more blades & designed for certain kinds of bokeh for digital sensors. From a heritage perspective the leica makes sense but for value it does not do it for me

I owned a Leica R lens but I found the focus ring ever so slightly sticky. When making micro movements. When I asked a question about it on the Leica forum I was told that the tolerances are so tight on the Leica R lenses that a CLA probably wouldn’t improve the performance. I tried the Contax CY mount lenses from the same era and I found the rendering similar enough and I preferred the ergonomics. They are also a little cheaper. I now have a nice set of Contax lenses:) Part of the high price on these lenses (Leica and Contax CY mount) is due to their popularity with video shooters who modify them for cine work and collect an entire set of lenses with very similar serial numbers for consistent colour reproduction.

definitely a lens to look out for, enjoyed your review

Very enjoyable video- thank you. I wonder how the OM Zuiko 50 f2 macro would compare? It is supposed to have a special rendering at normal distances as well as the close focusing ability. Bokeh is much better than the 50mm/3.5 under most circumstances.

It's result looks like East German lenses. Zeiss DDR also produces warm tones. I wish you compare it with one of those.

Simon I am wondering if you could do a video explaining all the confusing numbers on vintage lenses. Example look at a lens, there is a main number and then a bunch of numbers to the left and right.

nice and throughly review , for the same price my pick would be pentax-a 50 1.2

Didn’t Leica license this lens to Minolta in return for being allowed to use the Rokkor 35-70mm design for the R System?

Superb video as always....Looks like a solid lens. Now wondering about getting one for my Leica SL..? If it will adapt ?

I always wondered how the summicron does against the Topcor 58 f/1.8.

How would you compare it to the RE Auto Topcor 58mm f1.8 ?

A fantastic video. I also use the Sony A7 to test my lenses and out of camera. For interest, what creative style setting do you use and prefer as your baseline? And do you tweak/adjust at all (in Camera)?

Would love to see a comparison between this and the Ricoh XR Rikenon 50mm f2 "poor man's Summicron".

i like the Leica R series as they are also easily adapted to SLR cameras such as Canon.

Thanks for another great video. Love the images, but the lens is a bit on the expensive side. Would not say no to one as a present though! 😊

nice review .. somehow color rengering reminds me a lot my rokkor-x 50mm

For that price, the first alternative will be a 50mm f1.4 EX DG, from Sigma. Secondly, a M42 Super Takumar f1.4 I don't find a particular reason for buying a specific Leica glass, but having a leica camera in my set, only for the joy of shoot it... there are plenty of options... Do you want it cheaper, but yet tack sharp?Industar 61 L-D 50mm f2.8 is the answer.

I rather like f2 lenses -even if I only have an old Nikon 50mm f2 ... curiously the number of photos actually in focus is far higher than with my f1.4's!

Does someone know what filter size thread is this lens?

TOPCOR!

Yup, it’s the poor man’s Cooke Speed Panchro ser II.