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Summicron DR


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<p>I finally got a DR Summicron. It came to me without its goggles. I already have a Rigid Summicron (or two), and I was curious to check out the claim or myth that the DR is "extra sharp" somehow. I knew beforehand that the DR does not work (well) on the M8 or M9 unless the lens gets modified, but then it loses its unique close-focus capabilities. Until I work out the details on what to do with this lens, I am enjoying using it on an old model Olympus E-P2 M 4/3 camera. The view is that of a 100mm lens, so it is useful for portraits.</p><div>00e779-565085784.thumb.jpg.ebfd29a5d50b235c7a3ee19c618d117e.jpg</div>
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<p>Hello John,<br>

The kids are getting older, and I am getting busier at work too, so the photo sessions are getting briefer and less frequent. Thanks.<br>

The DR without the goggles can be bought for a very reasonable price, and it really performs beautifully on M 4/3 cameras. I am sure that the DR and the Rigid Summicron behave in a very similar fashion if both lenses are well maintained and CLA's as needed.</p>

 

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<p>I believe the lens, version 2, is the same, with a different (IMO, superior) mount. Furthermore the lens itself unscrews from the mount for use on a Visoflex.</p>

<p>I had to buy a rigid version of the Summicron v2 for use with an M9, so I've had some opportunities to compare the two. Neither are as sharp in the corners on a Sony A7 as on the M9, probably due to the thick Sony sensor cover glass.</p>

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<p>Edward, I thought that in general the rigid and DR versions are reported to be sharper in the center and less so at the edge (compared to later ones which show more even sharpness across the frame), and that this sharpness fall-off helps render a 3-D effect.</p>
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<p>Hi Raid - According to Puts, the Summicron II (second version of the 50mm Summicron line), was a new design of the original collapsible Summicron; it came out in 1956 and was produced until 1968 and included both a collapsible mount as well as a rigid mount. An additional variation of the rigid mount was designated a DR Summicron with close focus capabilities. So, to be quite confusing, your DR is a first version DR of the second version 50mm Summicron. I hope this helps. The way I look at it is simply that it is a great and very desirable lens. I owned the original version I, and IV, and found you couldn't go wrong with any of them.</p>
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<p>The Dual-Range optical block was only "selected" for focal length. The DR focusing mount was so complicated that it was only made for one small range of focal lengths. Ones that weren't the "right" focal length for Dual-Range was used in a rigid, for which a wide range of focusing mounts were made for different ranges of focal lengths.</p>
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