Leitz Nahsummicron 2/50mm (closeup Summicron)

[kds315*]

Bought an older Leitz Nahsummicron 2/50mm (closeup Summicron, without "goggles") to use it on my mft Lumix system.

Any experience with that type here?

[Sevo]

The "nah" merely means that its helical and goggles can be set to a second mode in which it focuses between 0.5 and 0.9m. For some reason (presumably framelines or finder magnification?) it will only work fully as intended on a M3, hence many have been de-goggled to be used as a regular Summicron - it does not seem to be any different optically...

[kds315*]

I thought the same, but since I won't use it on a RF camera, it does not really matter.
Mine has been built into a special focusing helicoid which allows infinity up to 1:2 (0.5x)

[LucisPictor]

[FluffPuppy]

[scsambrook]

[kds315*]

Here some shots taken today at my lunch break, Herrmanshof Park, Weinheim, Germany

Lens is based on the "rigid" Summicron and was made around 1961, is single coated and it has been custom built into a special Leitz focusing mount which allows up to 1:2 (0.5x) magnification, about 150mm from front lens, comes quite handy for my needs.

All shot at f2 wide open unless mentioned otherwise. Lumix GH1 body.















How's the bokeh?




Is it sharp?




and, does it have the "Leica glow"??



Wide open it has a fine glow, just one stop closed it gets very sharp. Contrast is quite high, microcontrast fine
if stopped down a bit, colors are great, green gets a bit enhanced, blue a bit supressed.

Well, I ask you to judge for yourself, for me it's a keeper, no doubt.

[scsambrook]

No, you don't want to keep it . . . . anyone can see it's rubbish, total junk, like FluffPuppy said, yo' woz ripped off

But seriously, it is surely one to keep. Any chance of a picture showing the way it's been mounted, please?

[kds315*]

Yep Stephen, I read you

Here how my lens looks like, not a conversion (as I first thought) but originally from LEITZ:





massive and heavy but actually good for macro as it adds stability against shake.

[56 DIN]

looking at the red: this is a strawberry lens - congrats

i think we will see some 1st class flower shots from you both

[FluffPuppy]

[Kram]

Klaus, looks like a very fine lens to me. Nice samples! It's spring there already?!

[kds315*]

Thanks Guys!

Mark, weather is on and off, mostly rain and actually way to warm, next day around freezing point and light snow showers, but the flowers are already in spring mode.

[scsambrook]

Hi Klaus !

That's really unusual (to me!). I wonder if it's actually a factory item ?

Might even be worth showing the pics of the lens on the Leica User Forum to see if anyone recognizes it.

Not often I get jealous, or think about M4/3, but this time . . . . . .

[kds315*]

It's from a friend who is a long time Leica user and collector, I'll ask him where he got it from. He used it for nature film work on his Arri.

A few different ones...

[Kathmandu]

Thats lovely. I love #2 specially-Congrats.

[kds315*]

Just got the confirmation, that this was an original Leitz/Leica made part! not a later conversion. It was sold this way with either a 5cm Focotar or Elmar. There was also that Summicron variant, but was rarely sold due to its much higher price. That helicoid was called "Repro-Schnecke" with original 28mm inside mount to fit that Summicron. There was also a version for the Focotar (39mm) and Elmar.
Leica code was VSPOO, later 16 685 (for the Summicron helicoid), resp. VTROO, later 16 686 (for Summicron) aperture setting unit (I have both mounted around my Summicron lens). [for the 2.8/50 Elmar the helicoid code was VXZOO, later 16608 and the aperture setting unit code was VTOOX, later 16622]. Also see here: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/V

Wow, I got a rare piece obviously!

Here a picture of those helicoids from an earlier Westlicht auction:

(c) Westlicht

[pich900]

These "samples" are realy amazing ...Your lens collection is realy incredible, thanks anyway for sharing your knowledge with us .....

[56 DIN]

i like the last one for playing with colour and background --- perfect

[Esox lucius]

[kds315*]

Thanks guys!

Yes Vilhelm, I also noticed that. It is not only sharp but gives a quite nice depth impression.
The Leitz designers did a good job I have to admit, for a lens that is about as old as I am and
still holds up till today

[GrahamNR17]

You turned up yet another gem, Klaus I might start stalking you

[kds315*]

[kds315*]

P.S.: found the lens schematics


(c) Ken Rockwell

Lens performance (MTF) @f2


Lens performance (MTF) @f4

(c) Erwin Puts

Here what Ken Rockwell mentions about that lens: http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/50mm-f2-dr.htm

[stingOM]

This lens is nothing short of being a "stellar performer"