It has been about 5 years now any everything still looks great. The end result was a crystal clear lens with higher contrast than when I started. The foil around the edges was so the lens itself didn't get too warm, and the foil across the element was to reflect light back thru the elements after it entered the end pointed at the sun. I wrapped the outside of the lens and the outside of, alternatively, the front and rear element with aluminum foil, rubberbanded the lens to a flat on a tripod, and aimed it at the sun for about 8 hrs/day for about 3 weeks. I have a Super Takumar which had this affliction (not heavy, but definitely noticeable). Anyway some people like the discoloration, as in the case of B&W, they say it acts like a yellow/orange filter. The discoloration typically is caused by, I am told, the effect of the radioactivity on the cement used to join the elements. For all practical purposes you get more radioactivity from wearing a watch or even just daily exposure to the elements.but some people freak out at the word "radioactivity". The radioactivity is caused by the use of thorium/lanthanum in the early 1950s to improve the characteristics of faster lenses. Now, it seems like many collectors have a sample that is not performing up to specs, so it is not in high regard as much as the later Summicron 50 series.Īll I can say is that to my eyes I would prefer this one (in perfect functional condition) to the Summicron III, not for its sharpness, but for its overall rendering qualities.Īnd, these qualities combined with being the smallest (collapsed) and lightest Summicron 50, make it one of my favourite Summicrons. I think that if this lens would have had a front glass elment as hard as that of the 35 Summilux, its reputation would have been much better. So even on the M9, I would not hesitate to use it wide open. The first two stops are excellent and completely in line with the typical Summicron qualities.
It certainly is a bit less sharp in the corners compared to the rigid Summicron or DR, but certainly on the cropped M8, differences are very small. I happen to have one in pristine condition, with only minor faults caused by a starting pitting corrosion that were stopped when Will van Manen gave it a CLA. And I think that even repolishing and coating will not fix that. Because the front glass is soft as chalk, one cleaning swipe with a cloth can be enough to ruin it.
The difficulty with this lens is to find one without cleaning marks.
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