Leitz Summitar 2/5cm
The Summitar 2/5cm is a fantastic high quality lens, made in holy Wetzlar. You can learn more about the history at Ken Rockwell. If you interested how this lens performs on a digital Leica, you can go to Steve Huff.
All pictures taken with Leica M3 and Summitar 2/5cm. B&W developed in Xtol. Scanned by meinfilmlab on Fuji Frontier.
I have a coated version, build in 1949 with 10 blades and feet distance scale. The fingerprint of this lens is very unique. You get a swirly bokeh, that is why some users prefer the collapsable Summicron instead. But the Summitar is very sharp in the center wide open with lower contrast. I could not believe how sharp it is until i saw my enlargements at 20x15 cm.
At f2.8/4 you get a good amount of contrast and at f 5.6/8 it is very saturated like the rigid chrome Summicron.
This lens particular shines in portraiture work. Draws beautiful tones in Black and White and gives you muted colors with color negativ films. You get very nice results with Fuji Superia 200/400 and C200, or Kodak Ektar.
I use the original Summitar filters like UVa and Yellow. They screw nicely into the front and you can easily add the Leitz hood IROOA. With this hood i never had any flair issues. You can use the Leitz SNHOO to E39. Adds a bit of length so I prefer the Summitar filters.
This lens goes for around 250 € - 400 €. If you like a unique, vintage look, that is your lens. I would not recommend it for landscape and architecture work unless you don't want a clinical sharp image. But for portraits it is fantastic and pleasing.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy shooting.
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