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When you said the Summarit flare easily, you were not kidding! I watched this video before I purchase this lens last week and did my first shoot with it today, it is a flare monster! It has so much character, and I cannot be happier with this purchase. Thank you for your video as always, Matt!
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom great suggestion as always! Even though it was clean upon arrival, when I shot into light yesterday, there are some “dust spot” in the glare. I will give it an inspection
Great review! I see the “Leica Look” (yeah yeah, I know) as being like this with Zeiss lenses being more sharp and contrasty. I don’t generally use a RF for bokeh because you can achieve so much more focusing closer with other gear, but the way you shot it, the out of focus areas look fantastic.
Good review Matt! I have this lens which I bought after seeing Bellamy from JCH recommend it and looking at photos taken with it on Flickr. Some of those photos were your Matt! It was the first Leica lens I bought (I understand that it’s actually not a Leica designed lens). It is soft wide open so I rarely use it since I got a great deal on a used 50mm f1.4 ASPH. I mostly leave it on my Monochrome with an orange filter for when I want to shoot B&W.
Matt, I've really enjoyed your lens reviews so thanks for taking the time to do them. I own the Leica Summarit 50mm f/1.5 and when I purchased it, I had some of the fogging issues I've seen in some of the photos you've shared. After a good thorough cleaning the fogging is gone on mine. I did the same on my Summicron 5cm f/2, which as you know, is much sharper then the Summarit.
Thanks Richard, mine looks clear to look through I just think the fogging look is the flare on mine. I know they do suffer though. I haven’t used mine a lot other than when I first got it for the M9 as I prefer sharper lenses like the Summicron as you mention. The DR is old but excellent! :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Hey Matt, Richard has made a GREAT point about fogging due to haze or even slight haze within lens elements, which is very prevalent with most vintage lenses. You will be surprised how much haze one have in their lens if they would shine a light from the opposite end. I had bought a few vintage lens thinking that they were clear looking through the lens. When I shined a light from my mobile phone from the other side, my mouth dropped when I saw the amount of haze that was visible. Since then, I had those vintage lenses cleaned, lubed and adjusted and I was floored at the clarity, as well as, true optical quality that these lenses were supposed to be viewed like they were when they were new. I advise everyone to shine a light through all your lenses from the opposite end to see how clear your lenses are. Don’t be fooled by just viewIng your lenses any other way.
I own the 50/1.5 Summarit in LTM. Mine is in fair condition but suffers from some haze inside. None-the-less it is still useful as a wonderful soft portrait lens. Bokeh renders beautifully.
Hello Matt, thx for great video! it helps me alot to understand how exactly my lense work (soft and flare) but for me its too much, ive noticed its have the fog so im gonna try to clear it first then try again to shot and then gonna decide to swap or not for summilux some day mb
Hi yes mine was too much too so I recently got it professionally cleaned. Highly recommended with these old lenses and makes a big difference. Search the lens on my Flickr and recent photos are after cleaning. Much more useable now.
I had this lens few years ago. Loved it but due to the weight and function, I sold it to fund the 50 Summicron IV because I preferred the tab focus, and also shooting at f2 I could get more acceptable shots. By the way, this used a 41mm filter. It was hard to find any because 41mm size is rare but I had a Heliopan on mine.
Junr34 Thanks for confirming about the filter size, that will help others reading this. Yes hard to find! Yes a Summicron is a much more useful lens all round hence I don’t use this lens much now (I have too many other more useful lenses).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom You're lucky to have had the original Leica brand filter though. Looks nicer than mine which was black filter. What was attractive about this lens was the amount of aperture blades and at that early Leica days for me, the swirly bokeh was really cool, but again, shots were way too soft. Yeah, I'm one of those who preferred the IV over the V Summicron because mainly just for the tab focus. But there's also the -50g of the hood, and just slimmer profile. Leica system in the early days was about compactness, right? Nowadays, they got all those fast demons, well if the job calls for it.
Matty mate, I love your photos with this lens. I have a copy with the original UV & yellow filters. As for not being sharp, your photos looked sharp enough, what did Cartier Bresson say? Sharpness is a Bourgeoisie concept ! Modern lenses can be Too sharp especially when photographing women. High resolution lenses & mega pixal digital cameras show Every imperfection.
I have this lens since last year and paid $500 for it in LTM mount, and prices increased since. Like you, I have a mint copy with E41 UV filter. The filter thread is the only thing I dislike with this lens. Stay away from the overpriced dedicated Leica hood for this lens - get a cheap metal lens hood with E41 thread instead. Otherwise it has become one of my most favorite 50 mm lenses. My copy is fairly sharp wide open (not as sharp as my more modern 50/2 Summicron pre-ASPH) but gives a sufficient amount of contrast. The big benefit of this lens is its bokeh - it is unique. This Summarit lens has nothing in common regarding lens design with the newer Summarit lens versions from Leica. In fact the 50/1.5 Summarit is not per se a conventional Leica lens design but instead built on an improved 50/1.5 Xenon lens design by Taylor Hobson. One often overlooked special characteristic of this lens is its UV light transmittance - it could be very interesting to be used on a full-spectrum converted mirrorless digital camera for UV-photography! Another little detail I like about this lens: the IR focus mark on the distance scale. Thanks for your advice which kind of adapter ring to get - so far I didn't get one yet (just ordered them for the filter sizes I have).
Martin's Analog Photo Channel Hi Martin, great information and I like you positive vibe for this lens too. I have quite a few lenses so I don’t give this lens much time or love now. I find it too soft for film and I like film so it rarely gets used. Thanks for confirming the 41mm filter size. I said that in the original video but had no evidence so cut it out so not to mis-inform. Yes 40.5 filter ring fit which is useful. Interesting about the original design so thanks for that and people might find the UV bit interesting. Yes I notice on older lenses I’ve looked at more recently that they have the IR mark. Good point to mention, thanks.
Hi @Matt Osborne, First time I comment one of your great videos. Keep it up! Have you had any chance to try the new Voigtlander Nokton Vintage 50 f/1.5 Asph II? I'm asking because, from what I read online, wide open it delivers a swirly bokeh and a relatively soft image due to spherical aberration. I'm curious to know then whether it's somehow reminiscent of this old lens, with the advantage of being really sharp from f/2.
Hello thanks for commenting. I'm not sure if you have subscribed yet but I posted that 50mm video a few weeks ago so you can check it. It is a great lens but not up close to a subject.
Hi Matt! I recently got this lens for my M11 camera and I have notice how the lens does not focus right at long distances ( landscapes ) It is fine focusing when close to subject but not a landscape far away. It won't lock the focus at all at far distances. Is this normal or something I can do to adjust this? thanks!
Hi, if you’re seeing this when using liveview then it’s a lens issue, if via RF only it could be the camera. More likely the lens. You can get a lens calibrated to a camera body.
As far as I know, is this lens also very well known for its swirly bokeh. A little bit like a petzval lens design that lomo uses. Can you confirm that?
Hello Matt very interesting , also your photos are good and they let me thinking about my own 50 mm 1.5.....I bought in India 30 years ago and used a lot then ...now I have been using it again and I am surprised about how soft and no contrast it is ...the front lens has many small scratches...it is probably a little yellowish ...not sure ...Do you think it is worth to make the front element repolish ? Where , if you happen to know...My photos are far from the result you get with your lens, mostly in terms of sharpness. Greetings Julio
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Hello and thank you for your comment ...I have tried the lens with a CL and Fomapan 200 and the results were VERY good ..so diferent from my test with Kentmere 100 and Leica IIIF , which is a pity because using that camera is a JOY ...I can use it with other lenses..Could it be that the film is bad ? Greetings from Julio
Caldera My Canon 50mm f1.4 is much ‘better’ in that it produces sharper more contrast modern looking photos and i can use it on film cameras. The Summarit is far too soft for me to use on film, hence no examples in video. In my next wave of lens videos I will cover the Canon’s in more detail but see the Canon video for a few examples (in lens playlist)
@@wilfredshum3703 hi sorry I was struggling to locate your reply. Found it! Yes my worry is you have to pay + 25% ish import tax so you may be able to find it cheaper in the US.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom True, so I will try to find one in USA. By the way, have you tested the first version of 50 mm Summicron collapsible? Is it safe to use on digital M? Thanks.
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When you said the Summarit flare easily, you were not kidding! I watched this video before I purchase this lens last week and did my first shoot with it today, it is a flare monster! It has so much character, and I cannot be happier with this purchase. Thank you for your video as always, Matt!
I had mine cleaned and it's much better no. Shine a light through it and look for haze.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom great suggestion as always! Even though it was clean upon arrival, when I shot into light yesterday, there are some “dust spot” in the glare. I will give it an inspection
Like your videos as always. More importantly, you've taken some nice pictures with the lens.
Thanks Kevin!
I think it is often the case that strengths are also weaknesses.
Thanks for the review.
Great point Brad and thanks.. yes the relates to many of my videos I think!
Great review! I see the “Leica Look” (yeah yeah, I know) as being like this with Zeiss lenses being more sharp and contrasty. I don’t generally use a RF for bokeh because you can achieve so much more focusing closer with other gear, but the way you shot it, the out of focus areas look fantastic.
Thanks! Yes I use Nikon SLR too to get in closer.
Great video and I did not knew the old summarit had such a high apeture.
Black cat Thanks Stefano, yes but it’s nothing like a modern Summilux, perhaps closer to the first Summilux lenses - softer and prone to flare.
Good review Matt! I have this lens which I bought after seeing Bellamy from JCH recommend it and looking at photos taken with it on Flickr. Some of those photos were your Matt! It was the first Leica lens I bought (I understand that it’s actually not a Leica designed lens). It is soft wide open so I rarely use it since I got a great deal on a used 50mm f1.4 ASPH. I mostly leave it on my Monochrome with an orange filter for when I want to shoot B&W.
Thanks G, yes it was one of my first Leica lenses too and like you I tend to use sharper lenses now instead!
thanks for another cool video
Thanks Nik! Another video coming later :)
Matt,
I've really enjoyed your lens reviews so thanks for taking the time to do them.
I own the Leica Summarit 50mm f/1.5 and when I purchased it, I had some of the fogging issues I've seen in some of the photos you've shared. After a good thorough cleaning the fogging is gone on mine. I did the same on my Summicron 5cm f/2, which as you know, is much sharper then the Summarit.
Thanks Richard, mine looks clear to look through I just think the fogging look is the flare on mine. I know they do suffer though. I haven’t used mine a lot other than when I first got it for the M9 as I prefer sharper lenses like the Summicron as you mention. The DR is old but excellent! :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Hey Matt, Richard has made a GREAT point about fogging due to haze or even slight haze within lens elements, which is very prevalent with most vintage lenses. You will be surprised how much haze one have in their lens if they would shine a light from the opposite end. I had bought a few vintage lens thinking that they were clear looking through the lens. When I shined a light from my mobile phone from the other side, my mouth dropped when I saw the amount of haze that was visible. Since then, I had those vintage lenses cleaned, lubed and adjusted and I was floored at the clarity, as well as, true optical quality that these lenses were supposed to be viewed like they were when they were new. I advise everyone to shine a light through all your lenses from the opposite end to see how clear your lenses are. Don’t be fooled by just viewIng your lenses any other way.
@@gradycarter1298 Thanks Grady, wise words and thanks.. I must admit I don't do this enough.
I own the 50/1.5 Summarit in LTM. Mine is in fair condition but suffers from some haze inside. None-the-less it is still useful as a wonderful soft portrait lens. Bokeh renders beautifully.
Thanks Rod, yes I had to get mine cleaned last year too.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I have one too. But there is small white dot inside the lens. What is it? Anay idea?
@@BrewsterPgonzales619 if it’s not dust/ debris it could be fungus
Hello Matt, thx for great video! it helps me alot to understand how exactly my lense work (soft and flare) but for me its too much, ive noticed its have the fog so im gonna try to clear it first then try again to shot and then gonna decide to swap or not for summilux some day mb
Hi yes mine was too much too so I recently got it professionally cleaned. Highly recommended with these old lenses and makes a big difference. Search the lens on my Flickr and recent photos are after cleaning. Much more useable now.
ottimo video
Thanks!
I had this lens few years ago. Loved it but due to the weight and function, I sold it to fund the 50 Summicron IV because I preferred the tab focus, and also shooting at f2 I could get more acceptable shots.
By the way, this used a 41mm filter. It was hard to find any because 41mm size is rare but I had a Heliopan on mine.
Junr34 Thanks for confirming about the filter size, that will help others reading this. Yes hard to find! Yes a Summicron is a much more useful lens all round hence I don’t use this lens much now (I have too many other more useful lenses).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom You're lucky to have had the original Leica brand filter though. Looks nicer than mine which was black filter. What was attractive about this lens was the amount of aperture blades and at that early Leica days for me, the swirly bokeh was really cool, but again, shots were way too soft.
Yeah, I'm one of those who preferred the IV over the V Summicron because mainly just for the tab focus. But there's also the -50g of the hood, and just slimmer profile. Leica system in the early days was about compactness, right? Nowadays, they got all those fast demons, well if the job calls for it.
I borrowed one from a friend, and I have been on the slow hunt for one ever since
John Roberts They give a very vintage look but I don’t use mine much. Most of the images shared were pretty old.
Matt Osborne Send the lens to me for a long term loan, I will send it back when you need it again ;-)
Matty mate, I love your photos with this lens. I have a copy with the original UV & yellow filters. As for not being sharp, your photos looked sharp enough, what did Cartier Bresson say? Sharpness is a Bourgeoisie concept ! Modern lenses can be Too sharp especially when photographing women. High resolution lenses & mega pixal digital cameras show Every imperfection.
Dfin glide thanks! Yes so true about modern lenses. Vintage lenses on modern sensors or modern lenses on film is the way to go for me! 😊
I have this lens since last year and paid $500 for it in LTM mount, and prices increased since. Like you, I have a mint copy with E41 UV filter. The filter thread is the only thing I dislike with this lens. Stay away from the overpriced dedicated Leica hood for this lens - get a cheap metal lens hood with E41 thread instead. Otherwise it has become one of my most favorite 50 mm lenses. My copy is fairly sharp wide open (not as sharp as my more modern 50/2 Summicron pre-ASPH) but gives a sufficient amount of contrast. The big benefit of this lens is its bokeh - it is unique. This Summarit lens has nothing in common regarding lens design with the newer Summarit lens versions from Leica. In fact the 50/1.5 Summarit is not per se a conventional Leica lens design but instead built on an improved 50/1.5 Xenon lens design by Taylor Hobson. One often overlooked special characteristic of this lens is its UV light transmittance - it could be very interesting to be used on a full-spectrum converted mirrorless digital camera for UV-photography! Another little detail I like about this lens: the IR focus mark on the distance scale. Thanks for your advice which kind of adapter ring to get - so far I didn't get one yet (just ordered them for the filter sizes I have).
Martin's Analog Photo Channel Hi Martin, great information and I like you positive vibe for this lens too. I have quite a few lenses so I don’t give this lens much time or love now. I find it too soft for film and I like film so it rarely gets used. Thanks for confirming the 41mm filter size. I said that in the original video but had no evidence so cut it out so not to mis-inform. Yes 40.5 filter ring fit which is useful. Interesting about the original design so thanks for that and people might find the UV bit interesting. Yes I notice on older lenses I’ve looked at more recently that they have the IR mark. Good point to mention, thanks.
Hi @Matt Osborne,
First time I comment one of your great videos. Keep it up!
Have you had any chance to try the new
Voigtlander Nokton Vintage 50 f/1.5 Asph II? I'm asking because, from what I read online, wide open it delivers a swirly bokeh and a relatively soft image due to spherical aberration. I'm curious to know then whether it's somehow reminiscent of this old lens, with the advantage of being really sharp from f/2.
Hello thanks for commenting. I'm not sure if you have subscribed yet but I posted that 50mm video a few weeks ago so you can check it. It is a great lens but not up close to a subject.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I missed that one. I couldn't ask for more!
Just scored one at eBay, hope I vil like it as my 35 & 75 rits 2.5
Congrats! This is a different Summarit as I'm sure you know but it's got a lot more character. Nice bokeh too.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom exactly what I look after, get rid of perfect "sterile iPhone like clarity" (of course with huge reservations)😄
Hi Matt! I recently got this lens for my M11 camera and I have notice how the lens does not focus right at long distances ( landscapes ) It is fine focusing when close to subject but not a landscape far away. It won't lock the focus at all at far distances. Is this normal or something I can do to adjust this? thanks!
Hi, if you’re seeing this when using liveview then it’s a lens issue, if via RF only it could be the camera. More likely the lens. You can get a lens calibrated to a camera body.
As far as I know, is this lens also very well known for its swirly bokeh. A little bit like a petzval lens design that lomo uses. Can you confirm that?
Alexander Kirsch Hi no I think the lens for swirly bokeh you think of is the Summitar* LTM f2 lens. I will cover this in a future video.
Hello Matt very interesting , also your photos are good and they let me thinking about my own 50 mm 1.5.....I bought in India 30 years ago and used a lot then ...now I have been using it again and I am surprised about how soft and no contrast it is ...the front lens has many small scratches...it is probably a little yellowish ...not sure ...Do you think it is worth to make the front element repolish ? Where , if you happen to know...My photos are far from the result you get with your lens, mostly in terms of sharpness. Greetings Julio
Thanks Julio! I'm no expert on this but yes scratches will give low contrast. Try a hood? Mine needs cleaning too. I've not looked into it yet.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Hello and thank you for your comment ...I have tried the lens with a CL and Fomapan 200 and the results were VERY good ..so diferent from my test with Kentmere 100 and Leica IIIF , which is a pity because using that camera is a JOY ...I can use it with other lenses..Could it be that the film is bad ? Greetings from Julio
@@julioaqua yes try the same film in both cameras for a fair test 👍🏻
The filter size is 41mm apparently, just ordered and will confirm
Hi Philip thanks! I've not used mine for a little while as always testing different lenses.
Just to say the filter size for this lens is 41mm. Just received a heliopan version.
@@Phil.Austin thanks for confirming Philip, much appreciated.
Comparison with the Canon LTM 50mm f1.5?
Caldera My Canon 50mm f1.4 is much ‘better’ in that it produces sharper more contrast modern looking photos and i can use it on film cameras. The Summarit is far too soft for me to use on film, hence no examples in video. In my next wave of lens videos I will cover the Canon’s in more detail but see the Canon video for a few examples (in lens playlist)
Matt the filter size is 41mm & the original lens hood is as dear as poison!!
Thanks, yes I realized after when later shopping to buy a filter! Many thanks
Sorry, how much the original filter for this lens?
Check eBay for prices (that's what I do when I'm looking to buy)
Allthough not an allrounder, it is one of my favourite, of which I will not part ever.
Thanks yes it is quite a unique lens and good ones will only get more difficult to find so worth keeping I think! :)
Saw this lens today here in germany with m adapter for 995€. grrrrrrrrr
Yes sadly most prices are up since Covid
Matt, Have you sold this lens already? I want one with such character.
Hi Wilfred, no I still have it. I had it professionally cleaned this summer. I guess I could be open to offers. Are you in the UK?
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I am in USA. Any issues?
@@wilfredshum3703 hi sorry I was struggling to locate your reply. Found it! Yes my worry is you have to pay + 25% ish import tax so you may be able to find it cheaper in the US.
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom True, so I will try to find one in USA. By the way, have you tested the first version of 50 mm Summicron collapsible? Is it safe to use on digital M? Thanks.
@@wilfredshum3703 it should be safe yes, I use other collapsible M lenses on the M240, I’ve not used that exact lens.
Do you want to sell it?
Hi Warren, message me on Instagram if you use it @MrLeicaCom, I can be open to offers yes.