LEICA SUMMILUX R 50mm (I) E55
Summilux with built-in hood and improved lens barrel
A review and Photo example the SUMMILUX 50mm F1.4 (Type I)
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Table of contents
Gallery
- EOS-1DsMKIII / LEICA SL / LEICA Digital Module R
Review
1．Overview
The Summilux R 50mm is a bright standard lens for the Leica R.
This lens, which has a lens configuration of 6 groups and 7 elements called Type I, has several variations with minor differences in the design, but the biggest difference is that it can be broadly divided into early types with a hood that is added later and later types with a built-in hood. The basic lens configuration of the lens is the same for both early and later models, but the lens coating is thought to differ depending on the year.
The filter for the early model is a type that inserts a series filter inside the hood, while the later model has a 55mm (E55) that screws into the front. The built-in hood of the later model is short and not very practical.
The lens I own is made in 1989 with a ROM terminal, and the lens coating of Summiluxes from that time is a beautiful amber color. The final aspheric surface of the Summilux 50mm M-type released in 1992 was also beautiful with a similar coating color. However, the coating is not perfect, and purple fringes may be noticeable around the subject when backlit.
The early models were manufactured with 1, 2, and 3 cams, and the only ones with ROM terminals were modified lenses. Lens colors were black and safari. The later models were manufactured with 3 cams, R cams, and ROM terminals. Lens colors were black and gold.
2．Usage
It also works well with film cameras of this era, and I’ve uploaded examples of photos taken with a LEICA R8 + monochrome film to the gallery.
Despite the aforementioned drawbacks, it’s one of my favorite lenses, just like the Summilux-R 50mm for the E60. Compared to the Summicron-R 50mm, the lens is heavier due to the increased number of lens elements, and it feels more solid in the hand. It has a quality that can’t be experienced with modern plastic lenses.
3．Add Info.
Some R-mount lenses can cause lens errors when used with EOS cameras equipped with 35mm full-frame sensors, but this lens was able to be used without any problems with the EOS-1 Ds MKIII.
Specification
| Items | SUMMILUX R E55 | SUMMILUX R E60 | SUMMILUX M 3rd |
| focal length(mm) | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Maximum aperture | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.4 |
| Minimum aperture | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Aperture blade | 6 | 8 | 12 |
| Lens Construction | 7elements in 6groups | 8elements in 7groups | 7elements in 5groups |
| Min distance(m) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.7 |
| Lens length(mm) | 50.6 | 51 | 55 |
| Lens Max diameter(mm) | 68.5 | 70 | 50 |
| Filter Size(mm) | 55 | 60 | 46 |
| Weight(g) | 395 | 490 | 380 |
| Release date | 1989~1995(Model 1777) | 1997~2005 | 1992〜2005,2006 |
| Production numbers | 4,149（Late） 35,322（Early+Late） | 2,700 | 18,132 (1992-2005) |
Reference links
- All about the R-type Leica / Author: Shinichi Nakamura / Edited by Asahi Sonorama Ads by Amazon
- SUMMICRON-R 50mm F2 Leica wiki
- LEICA Wiki SUMMILUX-R 50mm F1.4 E55
- LEICA Wiki 50mm f/1.4 Summilux-R II E60
- LEICA Wiki 「SUMMILUX 1.4/50-3rd」
Update history
- 2024.12.16
- 2024.02.16:Update article
- 2022.02.07:First draft
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