M modified lens SUMMARIT 40mm
A reviews and photo examples of LEICA SUMMARIT 40mm F2.4 Modified by Ms-optics
Table of contents
Gallery
- LEICA M typ240.
Review
1．Overview
The Summarit 40mm is a modified lens made by removing the lens from the Leica Minilux compact film camera with Ms-optics and attaching it to the M-mount helicoid MS-35 made by Ms-optics.
The M-mount helicoid MS-35 is a common helicoid for lenses with a focal length of around 35mm, and is adjusted during modification to allow focusing by double image alignment at a focal length of 40mm in conjunction with the rangefinder of an M-type rangefinder camera.
The lens barrel uses the original barrel as is, and the rear of the barrel is equipped with 12 aperture springs, a mechanism for changing them, and a focus ring for adjusting the focus position. This helicoid made by Ms-optics is a rational design that is versatile enough to convert various lenses into M-mounts.
The viewfinder frame shows a 35mm frame. The focal length of 40mm can be used without any problems as long as you are aware that it is inside the 35mm viewfinder frame.
At the suggestion of the modder, Mr. Miyazaki, a 37mm diameter, 0.5mm pitch groove part is attached to the tip of the lens for screwing a hood in. From the perspective of the lens, it would be better without this part, but it is reassuring to have it attached to prevent scratches on the front element.
2．Usability
The image quality of the Summarit 40mm is so amazing that it is hard to believe it is a compact camera lens, and the excellent resolution in the center is worthy of Leica’s Summarit name.
The lens is a relatively new lens from 1995, so thanks to improvements in coating technology, it has good resistance to backlight, and it shows no problems even in situations where flare would occur with a worn-out Summicron C 40mm.
When I bought the compact camera Minilux, it cost several tens of thousands of yen. However, as of 2023, the price has risen and it is now out of reach. Film has also risen in price, so what kind of people are buying and using it? It is a mystery. Considering the rise in camera prices, it may have been better to keep it as it was, but by switching to the M mount, it can be used with a variety of cameras, so I will call it a good thing.
The lens I own has the latest helicoid, which makes it easier to attach and remove the lens. The old version of the 35mm helicoid used on my CONTAX G 35mm lens makes it difficult to attach and remove the lens because it is difficult to get a good grip with your fingers. However, the shape of the attachment part of this version has been improved, making it easier to attach and remove.
3．Summary
In conclusion, to sum up the SUMMARIT 40mm F2.4 M-mount modification, by modifying it to be linked to an M-mount rangefinder, it is compatible with focusing by the overlapping of the double image in the rangefinder, and since the M-mount can be attached to most mirrorless cameras, it is highly versatile.
The original lens is a lens for compact cameras, but it can be used without any problems with both film and digital cameras.
About the name Summarit
The Summilux 40mm F2.4 has almost the same lens configuration and diameter as the Summicron C 40mm (4 groups, 6 elements) for the LEICA CL (film camera) released in 1972, so it seems possible to use the Summicron F2.
Leica limited the maximum aperture to F2.4 and named it Summilux. Originally, Summilux was the name given to a bright 50mm standard lens with F1.5, so it is difficult to find a connection between Summilux and the MINILUX 40mm F2.4, and the reason for adopting the name is unclear.
The reason could be that to meet the Summicron specifications at an aperture of F2, the lens would have to be larger than it is now, which would interfere with the autofocus mechanism of the MINILUX? Or that there was hesitation to use the Summicron name for a compact camera?
The only reason that comes to mind for naming a 40mm F2.4 lens as Summilux is the correlation with the aperture value.
Considering the correlation of aperture values, the old Summarit’s maximum aperture of F1.5 is between the Summilux (F1.4) and Summicron (F2) and is therefore outside the normal naming rules.
The Minilux’s maximum aperture of F2.4 is also between the Elmarit (F2.8) and Elmar (F3.5~F4) and is therefore outside the lens naming rules. From this, it can be assumed that the unused lens name Summarit was reused.
When the Minilux was released, the Summar and Summitar with maximum apertures of F2 were also vacant, so it can be assumed that these lens names were avoided because they were strongly connected to the Summicron.
It is interesting to imagine the people and meetings that agonized over whether to give this lens a new name or stick with one of the previous names.
The Minilux’s Summarit was a revival of the name, so it felt a bit special among Leica lenses.
However, in 2007, the 35mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm Summarit series was released, and the Summarit name became established for the lens line that filled the gap between the Summicron (F2) and Elmarit (F2.8) apertures.
Since then, the Summarit name has been used for lenses for the Leica S in 2011 as well, for lenses with apertures between the Summicron (F2) and Elmarit (F2.8).
| Leica S mount (medium format camera) | Leica M mount | |
| Focal length:35 | F2.5(2013) | F2.4(2014)/F2.5(2007) |
| Focal length:50 | – | F2.4(2014)/F2.5(2007) |
| Focal length:70 | F2.5(2012) | – |
| Focal length:75 | – | F2.4(2014)/F2.5(2007) |
| Focal length:90 | – | F2.4(2014)/F2.5(2007) |
| Focal length:120 | F2.5(2013) | – |
Specification
| Items | SUMMARIT | SUMMICRON-C |
| Focal length(mm) | 40 | 40 |
| Max aperture | 2.4 | 2 |
| Min aperture | 16 | ← |
| Lens Construction | 6elements in 4groups | 6elements in 4groups |
| Leaf blade | 12(Ms-Optics add) | ← |
| Min distance(m) | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Lens length(mm) | 21 | 23.5 |
| Max diameter(mm) | 49 | 50 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 37 | 39 |
| Hood | Cylindrical screw-in hood | Wrapper type screw-in hood 12518 |
| Release date | 1995 | 1972 |
| Production numbers | 120,000(Minilux camera) | 54,350(Leica M lens) |
| Weight(g) | 54 | 120 |
Reference links
Update history
- 2025.5.12
- 2024.10.4
- 2024.02.16:Update article
- 2023.12.29:First draft
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