pensacolaphoto Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <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></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p><img src="https://photos.smugmug.com/DR-Summicron-EP2/i-9HMTw5j/0/2966x2225/DR--5-2966x2225.jpg" alt="DR--5" /></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_inglis1 Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p>so great watching your family over the years! Hope you have a nice album!<br> Looking forward to your thoughts in this issue!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 <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> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajmohan. Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p>Nice find, <strong>Raid</strong>. I bought mine to marry to my M3, and the results both with the M3 and on my Sony digital, are wonderful. Hope you enjoy yours as well!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Ingold Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <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> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajmohan. Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <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> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p>You really nailed it & your daughter certainly has grown since the last set of pictures. Make sure you keep backups....years from now they will be even more treasured than they are today.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p>Thank you Stephen. I back up all my saved images. I look at the photos each day.<br> My lens was made in 1958, with meters in the distance scale. Is this "Version 1"?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p>Thank you rajmohan. I have never used a Sony digital camera, but I take your word for it being a great match for the DR.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCL Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <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> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shriver Posted August 27, 2016 Share Posted August 27, 2016 <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> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p>Hi Stephen,<br> Thanks. I am actually following your explanations well. I own a collapsible Summicron and a Rigid Summicron, followed by a DR Summicron. These lenses are great lenses overall.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pensacolaphoto Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 <p>It would cost a large amount of money to produce these days a new Summicron DR with the same specifications and craftmanship. The (standard) Rigid Summicron is an amazingly good lens too.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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