Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2013/02/07

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Subject: [Leica] my friend Karel
From: daveenglish at icloud.com (David English)
Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:52:10 -0800
References: <7C7F24D1-BC0B-457B-947E-4A5AD1C47FA5@icloud.com> <7E212A09-CEF6-4C3B-B7C5-7C5922E4D12B@sfr.fr> <CABNC8SoeG_Et5Cv9YbP63fQPv+pR6gC34rOUPG7vo17fF9+=fQ@mail.gmail.com> <64A8A852-0E58-471E-9F41-26597A0E47BB@icloud.com> <CABNC8SrVNqk=OGepCEiAnG1BR5nsXEcROap5ADhqCfDY_G925w@mail.gmail.com> <09C49F5DEFF64681A846CD1CBE3DC8E8@jimnichols>

Hi Jim,
I guess the version I have is  different configuration from the screw mount 
one. This lens is actually about the same size as my 50mm summicron, just a 
little longer. It has an odd filter size of 43 instead of the standard 39. 
The aperture setting moves smoothly with solid clicks and the focussing is 
also smooth without being loose. It's not as contrasty as the Summicron lens 
but it is about as sharp. I use it mostly for the extra stop it gives me in 
low light since the higher iso with my M9 is iffy.
David


On Feb 7, 2013, at 11:37 AM, Jim Nichols <jhnichols at lighttube.net> wrote:

> I had a screwmount Summarit for a number of years, but it showed signs of 
> mechanical wear, so I sold it.  My impression was that, because of the 
> large diameter of the glass elements and the desire to keep the outer 
> diameter of the lens as small as possible to avoid blocking the finders, 
> they made too many compromises in the aperture mechanism.  The result was 
> rapid wear and loose fits.
> 
> Jim Nichols
> Tullahoma, TN USA
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Cedric Agie" <cedric.agie at gmail.com>
> To: "Leica Users Group" <lug at leica-users.org>
> Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2013 1:25 PM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] my friend Karel
> 
> 
>> If I'm wel informed production started about 1949 and officially ended
>> in 1960 both in Germany and Canada. I received one from a friend, it
>> was a screw type and in near mint condition. I used it on my M-9 and
>> kept it for only a few weeks. Not because it was bad but because
>> Summicrons are much better, even at large openings. Wich is not the
>> case with most Summarits or Summitars etc. It's predecessor was the
>> famous Xenon made in 1936 for scientific and military use. A much
>> cheaper version was the Summitar 50mm collapsibe lens I hated even
>> more.
>> 
>> New glasstypes (high refraction index) developped by Leitz after the
>> war gave revolutionnary advances in optics and photography. This give
>> us the totally new generation of the Summicron and Summilux lenses
>> etc. It even permitted the upgrading of the good old Elmar 50mm 3.5 to
>> the new Elmar 50 mm 2.8 just by using the new glasstypes and without
>> changing any dimensions. A lens I soon was in love with. Same story
>> with the Summaron 35 mm and all other lenses that followed.
>> 
>> If you like or even love a lens and have good results, don't sell it.
>> 
>> Cedric
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 2013/2/7 David English <daveenglish at icloud.com>:
>>> Thank you for your comments, Cedric. The serial number on this lens 
>>> places in the 1953 production year., for whatever that may mean. I used 
>>> the lens on my M3. I had the lens CLA'd  last year and that improved 
>>> it's performance.
>>> David
>>> 
>>> On Feb 7, 2013, at 10:34 AM, Cedric Agie <cedric.agie at gmail.com> 
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> In my opinion you can never judge a lens or camera from the normal
>>>> screen of a PC.
>>>> But these are really good pictures alas made with a lens I never 
>>>> trusted.
>>>> I have to ad that some of the first Summicrons lenses appeared
>>>> disguised behind Summarit markings to see reactions.
>>>> You might deduce it from the serial number.
>>>> Maybe this is one. Or you might have an exceptionally good Summarit.
>>>> 
>>>> Kind Regards
>>>> 
>>>> Cedric
>>>> 
>>>> 2013/2/7 philippe.amard <philippe.amard at sfr.fr>:
>>>>> A very nice portrait of a seemingly very kind person indeed.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Sweet BW tones and sharp when needed too BTW
>>>>> 
>>>>> And such a smile ;-)
>>>>> 
>>>>> Amiti?s
>>>>> Philippe
>>>>> 
>>>>> Le 7 f?vr. 13 ? 09:06, David English a ?crit :
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> today I visited my old friend Karel, a jeweler, craftsman, 
>>>>>> philosopher and
>>>>>> all around good person.
>>>>>> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Mrdavidenglish/Karel.jpg.html
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> I used the M9 with the 50mm Summarit 1.4.
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Whaddyathink?
>>>>>> David
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible 
>>>>> to the
>>>>> eye. Antoine de Saint Exup?ry in Le Petit Prince.
>>>>> 
>>>>> NO ARCHIVE
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Leica Users Group.
>>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Leica Users Group.
>>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Leica Users Group.
>> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Leica Users Group.
> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information



In reply to: Message from daveenglish at icloud.com (David English) ([Leica] my friend Karel)
Message from philippe.amard at sfr.fr (philippe.amard) ([Leica] my friend Karel)
Message from cedric.agie at gmail.com (Cedric Agie) ([Leica] my friend Karel)
Message from daveenglish at icloud.com (David English) ([Leica] my friend Karel)
Message from cedric.agie at gmail.com (Cedric Agie) ([Leica] my friend Karel)
Message from jhnichols at lighttube.net (Jim Nichols) ([Leica] my friend Karel)