Collapsible Summicron
Today was my first chance to shoot with this collapsible Summicron 50mm f/2 lens on my Leica M2. My normal 50 on this camera is a Hexanon-M 50mm f/2. Isn't the Summi a beautiful piece of engineering? The M2 is wearing a Mr Zhou half-case, now sold through cameraquest.com. Sitting atop my Moleskine notebook.
Oh ... did I mention I'm a lens junkie?
In addition to using my pocket-size ruled Moleskine for personal journaling, I use it to track my film photography. I record what camera body was loaded with what film and, when possible, the dates pictures were taken and maybe some exposure information. If they're B&W shots, I later add which developer I used and the time/temperature of the development. My journal runs from front to back and my photo notes run from back to front. When they meet, I start a new Moleskine..."
Comments and faves
Out to Lunch (58 months ago | reply)
Nah, you're just extremely challenged.
Gene Wilburn (58 months ago | reply)
Hmmm, I thought challenges were supposed to be good for you. LOL
mississaugapictures (58 months ago | reply)
very nice!!! great Picture
That camera looks to be in great shape
aurora_photog (58 months ago | reply)
Sweet kit, Gene.
mr phillip (58 months ago | reply)
That's a sweet, sweet 'cron.
Gene Wilburn (58 months ago | reply)
John, Peter, mr phillip, thanks kindly.
PentaxFanatiK (58 months ago | reply)
It's a great looking lens alright! Seems right at home on the beautiful Leica ;-)
Ira Crummey (58 months ago | reply)
Why did you post this, now I have to clean drool out of my keyboard again.
Gene Wilburn (58 months ago | reply)
Richard, thanks. It's a beautiful lens aesthetically.
Ira, LOL. I do the same whenever I see a delicious camera/lens combo.
Indiana Ivy Nature Photographer (58 months ago | reply)
Neat looking Camera Gene!
Gene Wilburn (58 months ago | reply)
Thanks Indy. It's a classic and shoots like one. One of my faves.
Qcaster added this photo to his favorites. (58 months ago)
trail_artist (58 months ago | reply)
It is refreshing to find another roll film shooter using a classic collectible camera, that hurts to look at it. I wish I had one!!!! I have never been able to afford a Leica, vintage or new; but I sometimes I use my Rollei 35 subcompact 35, older Nikons and a Canon QL17 rangefinder.
When I started out teaching myself photography in the early 70s I also recorded subject, film, camera, lens and shutter speeds and flash settings in a small notebook and then compared my prints against my notes to improve my photography. Now that I paint, I keep painting notes in my Moleskines.
Gene Wilburn (58 months ago | reply)
trail artist, I envy you your painting. And the Rollei 35 and Canon QL17 are great cams. I like older Nikons myself. Didn't get a Leica until I retired :-)
ehmind (58 months ago | reply)
the best camera lens of the world and than always
Gene Wilburn (58 months ago | reply)
ehmind, thanks. Hard to top a Summicron...
tienvijftien (58 months ago | reply)
There is going to be a moment in my life, when I will endulge myself in buying gear as seen above. There is no substitute for age, history and the vintage factor (and I am only 34).
Gene Wilburn (58 months ago | reply)
tienvijftien, I understand totally. I'd been wanting one of these since I was 19 :-)
stephane_marco added this photo to his favorites. (41 months ago)
Mark-B [deleted] (40 months ago | reply)
i actually prefer the 50 sum-collapsible over the 50 sum 4th version rigid. A retired friend of mine, who worked as an optical engineer for Leica, agreed.
i even prefer the 50 elmar-collapsible over the 50 sum rigid, which i'm selling, so that i can purchase an R3a later this year =)
Gene Wilburn (40 months ago | reply)
Good for you! I think you'll enjoy the R3a as long as you don't compare it directly to Leica. It's just a nice rangefinder by itself that happens to use Leica lenses :-)
Change of Focus, giusvio, and gin-boriko added this photo to their favorites.
Marcelo Colmenero (33 months ago | reply)
silly question, but do you use any filter on it? I've read the coating on those is really delicate.
Gene Wilburn (33 months ago | reply)
I never used a filter, but I kept it capped until I was ready to shoot. I treated it gently, knowing the coating was fragile.
dogberryjr, Ɍϔʘ, Onur 77, and elizabeth love ♥ added this photo to their favorites.
mischa.klein (5 months ago | reply)
what do you think about the performance of this lens?
mischa.klein added this photo to their favorites. (5 months ago)
Gene Wilburn (5 months ago | reply)
It had very nice bokeh and was reasonably sharp, but not as sharp as a fixed Summicron.
Out to Lunch (5 months ago | reply)
Did you sell all your 35mm camera gear?
Gene Wilburn (5 months ago | reply)
All I have left is a Nikon F100, a Bessa-T, and an assortment of lenses. Plus a 120 TLR. Still love 'em, but I find digital satisfies most of my needs.
Out to Lunch (5 months ago | reply)
Here its still more 50/50 even though it is very difficult to find film where I am presently working & living.
Gene Wilburn (5 months ago | reply)
It must be annoying to have a hard time finding film. Is mail order an option?
Despite using digital most of the time, I hope to do more film work this year. I miss it.
tzargvidon added this photo to his favorites. (4 months ago)