LEICA DR SUMMICRON M 50mm
Standard lens with close-up mode
A review and Photo example of the DR SUMMICRON M 50mm F2.
Table of contents
Gallery
- The sample photos were taken with a LEICA M6 + KODAK E100VS + NIKON COOLSCAN-V
Review
1．Usage
As you can see from the exterior photo, the DR Summicron is a lens with glasses attached. The glasses of the DR Summicron are removable and are made differently from other 35mm lenses with glasses.
The main purpose of other 35mm lenses with glasses is to expand the 50mm viewfinder frame of the M3 to 35mm, and the minimum shooting distance is 0.65m, which is shorter than the 0.7m without glasses, but it does not have the close-up shooting capability of the DR Summicron.
The silver chrome exterior of the lenses from this era has a very beautiful matte finish, unlike modern lenses with smooth painted surfaces, probably due to the surface finish. The knurling of the focus ring is also elaborately made in a way that is not possible with modern lenses, and it is a lens that gives you satisfaction to own. Since many lenses were manufactured, there are many in good condition, and if you look around a bit, you will find one that you like. Before 2010, lenses with glasses were sold quite cheaply, but in the 2020s, they have increased in price like other lenses.
When attached to a camera, lenses with glasses spoil the lightness of a rangefinder camera, but they give the camera a mechanical and heavy feel. With the grip and glasses attached as shown in the photo, the entire camera becomes quite heavy, and it is a bit difficult to hang it around your neck, but it is definitely noticeable.
When using it with a mirrorless camera via a mount adapter, it is basically a nuisance. However, if you remove the glasses and take close-up shots, you need to change the lens mode to close-up mode and then move the helicoid while pressing the ball at the connection between the lens and the glasses, which makes it a hassle to take pictures. As of 2024, various companies offer mount adapters with auxiliary helicoids, so it is more convenient to use them. Since the lens part of the DR Summicron is fixed and the focus position is adjusted by moving the helicoid, there is no difference between using the auxiliary helicoid or using the close-up mode. With a mirrorless camera, there is no problem with the focus as long as you use the EVF.
When I was using a film camera, I liked using this because it allowed me to take close-up shots, but I never used it with a Digital M because the stopper part gets in the way when attached. The Map Times column by Map Camera states that close-up photography is not possible with the digital M, and Leica Wiki states that the DR version cannot be used with the M8 or M9.
As my use of film cameras has decreased, I have stopped using lenses as well, so I sold them. If I were to get a film M again, this is a lens I would want to get along with it.
2．Overview
The DR Summicron is a lens that allows close-up photography up to 0.48m by attaching glasses (close-up adapter) to the Summicron 50mm. The gimmick is mechanical, and when the glasses are attached to the lens, the ball on the lens side is pushed in, allowing the helicoid to move to the close-up area. If the glasses are removed from the lens, the focus range is from ∞ to 1m, and it can be handled the same as a normal lens.
The stopper part on the glasses is set to match the overall height of cameras before the M6, so for cameras with higher overall heights due to the addition of electronic parts after the M6-TTL, the glasses stopper gets in the way and glasses cannot be attached. If the stopper is removed, the lens can be attached to the camera, and although I have not actually tried it with the M6-TTL, there should be no problem using it. This is why you can see used DR Summicron glasses with the glasses stopper removed.
When I had this lens, I did not have a Hexar R, so I do not know whether it is possible to attach it and use it, but I assume that it is possible to attach it and use it if the stopper is removed.
3．Differences
The first-generation Summicron came in two varieties, a retractable one and a fixed one, and the fixed one comes in a version with and without glasses, meaning there are three different lenses in total. The lens configuration is the same for both lenses, with seven elements in six groups, but in the article by Nakamura Fumio on page 84 of “Leica Lenses of the World,” it can be seen that the DR Summicron has the same lens configuration but different lens elements.
As both are old lenses, it is thought that the image quality is largely influenced by individual differences due to the condition of the lens.
Specification and Competitor
| Items | SUMMICRON(Retractable) | DR SUMMICRON | SUMMICRON |
| Focal length(mm) | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Max aperture | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min aperture | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Lens Construction | 7 elements in 6 groups | 7 elements in 6 groups | 6 elements in 4 groups |
| Aperture blades (Diaphragm) | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Min distance(m) | ∞〜1.0 | ∞〜1.0 | ∞〜0.7 |
| With goggles(m) | – | 0.9〜0.48 | – |
| Lens length(mm) | – | 43 | |
| Max diameter(mm) | 47.8 | 53 | 53 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 39 | 39 | 39 |
| Hoods | SOOFM / ITDOO / IROOA | SOOFM / ITDOO / IROOA | Build in |
| Weight(g) | – | 339 | 240:Black 335:Silver,Titan |
| Goggles weight(g) | – | 52 | – |
| Release date | 1951 | 1956 | 1978 |
| Production numbers | 253,314 | ? | 1977-2005 94,573+ |
Reference links
Update history
- 2024.11.5
- 2024.02.20:Update article
- 2022.04.29:First draft
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