Description
Leica 50mm f/2 Summicron-R lens professionally converted to Leica M bayonet with full RF coupling from 0.67m to Infinity.
Aperture is clean and oil free. Mechanically, the lens underwent a complete overhaul and service. Internal parts were modified, new parts were created, all to assist the conversion of the lens over to Leica M mount with full RF coupling. In the process, the helicoid was re-greased with synthetic lubricants, as was the aperture control. Both are very smooth to use now. The lens is able to focus accurately from 0.67m to Infinity at all apertures when using a Leica rangefinder camera. The lens would also work on Voigtlander Bessa and Zeiss Ikon rangefinder cameras aswell. The hood underwent a ‘ventilation modification’ which has us CNC machine a semi-circular, which prevents viewfinder blockage when using the rangefinder camera. Viewfinder block is actually not that bad, its about the same as the 50mm f/1.2 Noctilux ASPH with hood. Rangefinder focus is spot on accurate from MFD to infinity. Lens reaches true infinity at the focus hard stop, which correlates also to infinity on the RF patch. Lens comes with its original hood (modified for rangefinder usage), with a custom made hood cap by us.
Lens also comes with a rear M cap, and a original Series VI Leica UV filter along with original filter retention ring. Sample images shown taken with this the 50mm Summicron-R on a Leica M240 using the rangefinder. Lens is extremely sharp corner to corner when stopped down, yet retains its beautiful vintage rendering when shot wide open. People have commented that the Summicron-R gives medium format like tonality and depth. The Summicron-R has much less vignetting then the Summicron-M lenses, as the internal elements are about 40% larger in diameter then the M versions.
Sample shots are either f/2 or f/8 aperture.