Introducing the Leitz 50mm f/2 Summitar Collapsible Lens
What is the Leitz 50mm f/2 Summitar Collapsible Lens?
The Leitz 50mm f/2 Summitar Collapsible Lens is a legendary lens designed and manufactured by Ernst Leitz Optische Werke in the mid-20th century. This particular lens was originally created for Leica screw-mount cameras, known for their precision and exceptional image quality.
The Summitar lens has a focal length of 50mm, making it a versatile lens suitable for a wide range of photography genres, including portrait, landscape, street, and documentary photography. It features a maximum aperture of f/2, allowing for excellent low-light performance, beautiful bokeh, and shallow depth of field effects.
Features and Construction
The Summitar lens boasts a collapsible design, which means it can be compactly folded into itself when not in use, making it incredibly portable and convenient for photographers on the go. This collapsible feature also adds a touch of elegance to the lens’s overall aesthetic.
The lens consists of six elements in three groups, utilizing high-quality glass to deliver remarkable image sharpness and contrast. It also incorporates a unique spherical aberration correction mechanism, resulting in images with exceptional clarity and reduced chromatic aberrations.
Image Quality
The Leitz 50mm f/2 Summitar Collapsible Lens is widely regarded for its outstanding image quality, rendering photographs with rich colors, impressive detail, and smooth bokeh. Its unique optical formula and precise engineering contribute to the lens’s excellent performance, even when used wide open at f/2.
Compatibility and Price
The Summitar lens is designed for Leica screw-mount cameras, such as the Leica III series and other compatible models. It can also be used with modern digital cameras through the use of adapters, allowing photographers to experience its vintage charm paired with modern technology.
As for the price, the Leitz 50mm f/2 Summitar Collapsible Lens is considered a highly sought-after and collectible piece of equipment. On the used market, the lens can range from several hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on its condition and rarity.
Conclusion
The Leitz 50mm f/2 Summitar Collapsible Lens remains a highly regarded lens among photographers, offering exceptional image quality, a compact design, and a touch of vintage charm. Whether you’re a Leica enthusiast or a photographer looking for a unique lens to add to your kit, the Summitar lens is sure to impress with its performance and timeless appeal.
