a classic lens from over 60 years ago | Leica 50mm Summicron Rigid
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 21 ноя 2023
- Trying out the classic Leica 50mm Summicron Rigid. This one is in rough shape, but is it still good?
Shop with KEH: shrsl.com/4m23j
DAY24: Get 5% off your first order on KEH!
DAY24-SELL: Get a 5% bonus when you sell your gear on KEH!
These are affiliate links to KEH Camera, a sponsor of the channel. Simply purchasing through these links and using my discount codes, you’re supporting the channel with no additional cost to your purchase. It’s greatly appreciated.
WEBSITE: www.mattdayphoto.com
INSTAGRAM: / mattdayphoto 
Кино
The infinity lock was designed for thread mount lenses (LTM), so you can lock the lenses while unscrewing the lens from the body.
💯 correct
Yeah that’s what I assumed since I own a Canon rangefinder with screw mount and I would instinctively lock it to unscrew it off the body.
Also helps in some cases to hold the lens in place while seting the aperture. Lock, set the aperture, then focus. Otherwise, you'll focus, set aperture, then re-focus because you just rotated the lens out of focus.
Thank you! That makes perfect sense.
@@mattdayphoto Same applies to my CZJ Sonnar F/2 50mm that I was shooting with for the first time today on my Contax II. Takes a little thought to adjust to.
A cool, reversible trick to override the infinity lock is to cut a tiny piece of the red straw you get from a can (like WD40 or compressed air) and then cut it lengthwise so as to make a tiny collar. Snap the piece right over the pin from the locking mechanism. It now glides right past the lock, and even adds a little red flare to match your Leica logo. Cheers!
Interesting! Would have never thought about a workaround like that.
You can also unscrew the infinity lock from underneath
I had the dual range version on my M2, and loved the ethereal, almost liquid background when I shot wide open.. But my true favourite is the Summarit 50mm 1.5.. It's soft, it flares, but I've never enjoyed shooting with any lens as much; and I've never been as satisfied with the results as with this summarit...
So glad I purchased the Leica Rigid from KEH. It was categorized as bargain condition but was honestly shocked on how great it looked with no haze or fungus whatsoever!
To compare the buttery smoothness, detail lacking the aggressive sharpness of the Planar was amazing. Could definitely tell the difference right away...!
I’ve had the dual range with goggles for 15 years. Serviced by DAG twice. It’s one of the best built lenses I’ve ever seen. The goggles are a bit annoying but there’s no need for them on an SL, just push down the little ball that sticks out and continue rotating. Focuses much closer than .7m. I don’t feel like the DR or the Rigid had a lot of glow, it’s there a bit at f2 but what’s great is the smooth extended shadow detail you get with it’s slightly lower contrast. I wouldn’t call it a character lens as I would the 35 summilux v2 or the Zeiss sonnar. I also have the collapsible which is similar but def a bit more glowy wide open. The vintage Elmar collapsible is the glowiest of all 50s I have tried lol
Yeah I agree. Really lovely and glows only occasionally.
I have this lens along with the 50mm 1.4 and both are great! The 1.4 is just a tad softer at 1.4 but it has that dreamy look as well
I grabbed one of these and a 35mm Summaron 2.8 for $800 in VG condition a few years ago. What a steal. The Summaron is probably my favorite 35mm on BW when I can use 2.8. If you ever get a chance, try one. It’s the best made leica lens I own and just has the perfect level of contrast and the falloff just hits right. Those intangible traits that make you fall in love…
I have heard great things about that one! If I remember right, that's the 35mm that Nathan just recently got as well.
@@mattdayphoto if you can find one it’s worth trying. Plus, it’s build quality is addicting. It’s hands down the best build Leica lens I have.
The 35 Summaron is for sure a lovely lens. I have a goggles version for my M3 and a standard one for everything else.
I also have a 35mm Summaron (w/goggles).
Even tho I don’t use it anymore since I got my 35mm KOB cron. I still am reluctant to sell it cuz the Summaron has soooooo much character for how limited it is. Totally worth the money.
I love my DR 50 Cron favorite 50 ever!
This and the 35mm Pre-A Summilux are similar in that they both have a 2-in-1 feel to me, where wide open there's a ton of character, but stopped down they're amazing performers. Picked this up for a great deal and to this day it's a lens that I won't sell for all the reasons you mentioned.
A modern lens might offer more sharpness than another modern lens, but they usually don't have their own unique looks like these vintage designs do.
I bought a Canon 50mm f/1.4 LTM for around $250 in excellent condition. I highly suggest one of those as it won't break the bank. It is super sharp wide open with a dreamy swirl bokeh and really compliments the digital sensor of my M10. It has similar construction in terms of the infinity lock and only being able to focus down to one meter though.
I use the Voigtlander 50mm 1.5 ii for this same reason! At 1.5 it's dreamy and swirly, but by f2, it's much cleaner and more standard looking, but with a little character. It's like some of the other comments have said: a 2-in-1 lens that allows interesting character wide open, or more standard use just one stop down.
That’s a lens I’ve never tried! I’ve had 35s and 28s from Voigtlander, but never a 50. One of these days I’ll try one out!
Perhaps a good idea is to also try the CV 50 1.5 Heliar. That one could render somewhere similar to Leica rigid.
Nice review! I owned the DR version for a while but found the dual range functionality very annoying when trying to do a portrait shoot as i just kept hitting the point between ranges so it was goggles on, goggles off, goggles on... figured it was never going to be my go-to lens with that limitation so sold it. I later bought a much cheaper collapsible version 1 in average condition. Love the images from the V1 and even though it only collapses by a few millimetres it does help when trying to get it into a small bag or jacket pocket. I generally use a more moderm lens with 0.7m focus now for photoshoots but happy to use the old V1 for everything else! It's got lots of character and is sharp and contrasty in most situations apart from the obvious shooting into the light that it gets a bit washed out
I am currently addicted to the steel rim reissue. Beautiful glow wide open but very summicron like by f2. It's actually sharp at f1.4 as well but just glowy depending on the lighting. It's fascinating lens to play around with and see what creates what results.
That's one I've never tried but I've always been curious about it! Really unique look.
@@mattdayphoto I wasn’t sure what to expect when I rented it for a weekend. But I fell in love with it lol. It’s really a two in one lens. Kind of amazing.
I really thought you would keep this lens and was curious which gear you would let go - you really have an amazing discipline regarding GAS :)
To be honest I'm struggling the temptation during this black friday week and window shop a lot on camera gear, just still resisting the trigger.
After seeing your video I might buy an Z to FD adapter to adapt my FD 50mm on the Zf.
Thanks for an other great video - it's really relaxing listening to you talking about photography / gear :)
Sometimes I wish I didn't follow that rule, there are so many cameras that I wish I still had. 🤣
Speaking of which, that Zf is one that I really want to try out. I've had to resist the impulse purchase. I imagine adapting lenses and using native Z-Mount Voigtlander glass would be a lot of fun with it.
Great video and beautiful results. Liking the black background setup! (I miss the hominess but it's fun for a change)
Thanks Phil! I’m always so indecisive with how I film things and while I’m figuring out what I wanna do next, I figured the all black would work in the meantime. I just got a retractable black backdrop, it works great!
Great interim solution, and since it's retractable you can crack it out from time to time if you feel like it. I don't think there has to be one set look. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Great review! I've got the dual range version on my M3 and it makes you feel, like you are Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The only full format lens that I like even more, is the Meyer Optik Görlitz Biotar 58 1.5 MKII.
Using that on an M3 has to be a lot of fun!
Just thinking of getting one of these for my M3 but the Voigtlander Nokton VM 1.5 II is definitely starting to look like the better choice for me
great price for that lens, you should check out the 50 summarit 1.5 that thing is ✨
Yeah man I absolutely love this lens, I’ve been using the Dual Range consistently since mid-2021. I’ve used it on personal and paid work. I made a RUclips video about it where you can see a bunch of sample images. The character is kinda goldilocks to me. Sharp where you want it and dreamy bokeh where you want it, and then practically a modern summicron at f/8-11. Since I got an M240 I sheared off the close focus cam to use it with that (divisive move, I know). Close focus is actually pretty clutch for product photography which I’ve used it for on my Fujifilm cameras and gotten beautiful results. It’s only now that I’m kinda craving a very modern rendering 50 for my M cameras. But yeah, love the v2 summicron
I’ve been looking at one to get, a mate of mine loves his on his typ 246. I have the typ 246 and a silver 50mm cron f2 v5, which I love. I wouldn’t mind having this 50 as well
Dual Range lens: the dual range cam hits the inside of some modern cameras (confirmed on my M8) so you can't get anywhere close infinity focus. I believe it was designed for the M3 (and works perfectly on my M3). Great review!!! I purchased a KEH Ugly Summicron rigid but the front element had tons of very deep scratches so I might be sending it back since the contrast is so low with those scratches. The Elmar I got (also KEH Ugly grade) had fogging but front element is in good shape.
I just ordered the Rigid to replace the Zeiss Planar 50mm f/2 on my Leica MD262. The Zeiss was becoming much too sharp and wanted a softer lens. As for the infinity lock, I shoot mostly landscapes at infinity only to find out the focus ring can move making the photos out of focus...!
i think the infinity lock is a holdover from LTM lenses (the Summicron type 1 was made for LTM and M mount) so you could lock it when screwing it in and out.
Ahhh, that makes sense! Thank you!
The Dual Range was my ride or die on film, so knew I had to get the rigid when I got the monochrom but the flaring is much more heavy handed with the monochrom I've found. So it's very interesting to see how this lens performs on the SL2, seems like color images make it a more subtle pleasing look. Should be getting a SL soon so will see for myself.
I get that. The flare in black and white definitely doesn't have the same kind of appeal or look to it.
Which monochrom did you have (or still have) please?
The m246 based on the m240@@MykeWinters
@@jacobmurphyphoto the model I have as well. Great camera, love how it renders
Hey Matt, great video. Filmed part of the film about the Eritrean cyclist with a M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Biotar 58mm f2 from around 1946, colors are muted and brownish but it's a great lens used in the right circumstances and if you know why you are using the lens. Love
On the DR I wonder if the close focus work without the goggles. This was honestly my first lens, or the DR was, then I sold it pretty much right away. Now that I have an M11-P I am curious about the DR again. I loved the rendering if I remember.
I shoot with this lens from time to time, both on M2 and M10. I called the special character "the rigid glow".
It definitely glows!
I originally looked at getting one of these in LTM mount as I have Canon P's, but they're hard to get hold of in LTM as most are the collapsable ones.
I ended up going for the Canon 50mm 1.4 instead. Really really good lens, though i dont use it much as I tend to shoot with the Canon 35mm 1.8, it has very swirly bokeh wide open and close focusing, almost too much. I'd hate to see it on the faster 35mm versions lol. I think there's a f1.5 and maybe a faster one
I would love to have your feedback on the Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1.0... :-)
Ahhh the old faithful! I prefer the DR I think, but unfortunately it doesn't fully work with my M9 so I also now own a Rigid, and man... there's nothing quite like the character of the early crons! Thanks for the video, Matt!
Thank you for watching! I wish the DR would work on my M6 TTL, I would love to try it out.
@@mattdayphoto it worked on mine? I used it on my 0.85x TTL! It just wasn’t flush
@FrankDavalos That’s what I get for trusting forums! Haha. I was told that the height of the M6 TTL being just a few millimeters taller would prevent it from working. I’ll see if I can find a copy of the lens and goggles from KEH!
I also had the DR and the Rigid, so that I could use either on film or digital (M9, 246). I heard the current digital Ms don’t have the infinity issues with the DR. Sold the Rigid
@@lonerangefinder3974 the DR def has the infinity issue with digital M’s. Can only focus from 1-4M unfortunately
It's actually quite surprising how all the dust/scratches/smudges don't really impact the final image, there was a video about it from DPReview as well
You need to try the Japanese Summilux after this one.
The Canon 50mm f1.4 ltm is a fantastic lens if you like vintage character!
(And the f1.2 or f0.95 version are even crazier but are way more expensive)
I think the idea behind the infinity lock is to make separating the lens from the camera body easier.
The results on SL2 are bangers. I would assume a very great sensor will elevate a decent vintage lens. I observe the same on my gfx. I like this old lens on modern camera format, would be interesting to see more like this occasionally, Matt. Something like the tiny Summicron 40mm would be interesting.
You can definitely get even sharper results with a sensor like that, but it also doesn't hide flaws or missed focus as easily as film does. So it's a trade off. I'll continue doing videos like this, I appreciate you watching!
Ive been using the Leica 50mm Summicron Dual Range version. Matched to my 1961 Leica M3. Both are 60yo and I took it to Rome and Florence 2 years ago.
Amazing detail and texture on the photos. But more amazing that the negatives would’ve looked exactly the same 60 years ago.
The quality is amazing.
@anthonygenesis
try the 50mm cron r 1st version. It's renders like this lens but has a much closer min focus distance.
Nice video
❤ Great video, awesome lens! Often vintage lenses are like those rare gems 💎 Their character can never be replicated. MATT, ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE END OF 2023 BOOK REVIEW? Often I rewatch your old videos reviewing photobooks. I wish you made more of them (I’m aware of discontinued Fotobook Friday project, and if only you provided some narration! I enjoy it very much when you offer your comments. I like what you said once that you don’t flip through the book, that it takes awhile to DIGEST the book 👍 I can totally relate to that. Often I won’t even touch a new book once I bring it home. I let it sit on a shelf a bit. And when I’m in the right mindset I would reach for it.
More book videos before the end of the year! I might do a “Top 5 of 2023” or something along those lines!
I have tossed around the idea of buying a lens like this, just to try it out. When I bought my M3 I purchased a new Zeiss planar 50 for it which I love but it is clinically sharp sometimes almost too sharp. I kind of want to see what the Leica glow is really like but want to try something that does not drain my wallet. 😀
I had the Planar years ago, my first 50mm for my M6, and it was definitely about as perfect as you can get for a 50mm.. But nothing that really stood out about it. Not necessarily a bad thing, but these lenses do have something more unique to them.
A Leica M2 with a 50mm Rigid is the combo I learned photography with. They belonged to my dad, who eventually gave ‘em to me for my 15th birthday. (He preferred his Retina IIc folder ‘cuz it fit neatly in a jacket pocket.) I no longer have the M2, trading it in toward an M3 long ago, but I still have the Summicron. Never CLA’d, still focuses dead-on.
Wow can’t believe you gave away your dad’s camera. Should have just bought the M3. Should buy it back
@@Zetaphotography I still have the Retina IIc. That’s the camera my dad treasured.
I have my dad's 35mm Summaron f2.8 along with the 50mm Elmar f2.8 collapsible, and 90mm Elmarit, plus his M2 without the selfie timer, all of these were made before I was a born and I'm 56, they create the, dare I say it, "Leica Look".... todays modern lenses make the image so clinical looking, almost too sharp and color perfect, nothing wrong with that but there's something about the glowy soft contrast look of these older lenses that just make the images feel better, at least to me.
I totally get that! I'm really happy with the results on the SL2 but I have a feeling I'll love the HP5 photos even more.
Hi Matt, great video! where can I get that T-Shirt?
Thanks! Right here: brainbusterinc.bigcartel.com/product/dangerous-tee-white-version
My good friend, Michael Watson aka Brainbuster, makes and sells them!
Thank you! @@mattdayphoto
Wow ❤️❤️❤️
Estie and Traveler's NB?
I’ve had nearly all 50’s from Leica and third party M mounts and the Rigid v1 has always been one of my top 3 lenses for the character it has. I’ve also had a great experience buying ugly rated KEH lenses.
Love to hear that!
Suspecting this to be a gem despite its condition. Edit: Not bad, I wonder how it would do for night time street work?🤔
I imagine that glow would look amazing at night with street lights!
The 40mm summicron is so similar
My guess for that lock would be so that the user wouldn't over rotate it and break the lens, who knows. lolol.
Someone just mentioned that it's so you can unscrew the lens (on the Leica Screw Mount cameras) without turning the focusing dial. Makes sense!
First babyyyyy!
Get rid of the DEMENTIA adds for FJB ...already !! 🤮 Okay ..... YOU TUBE