Review of LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 (Safari green olive)

For the provided lens LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 many thanks the store ProFotoSale.

In short

LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 is a classic lens of the film era for SLR cameras with a Leica R mount. It has a very high quality build and good image quality. In the photography community it is considered one of the best “fifty dollars” for SLR cameras. LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 has very pleasant bokeh and “pleasant” color rendering.

There are several subversions of this lens (optical design 7/6, period 1970-1995[1998]):

• LEITZ CANADA SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50
• LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50
• LEICA SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 E55

Basically, the subversions differ in the type of built-in hood and the method of transmitting the aperture value to the camera (the so-called 2-cam/3-cam models), as well as the color of the body. Some copies were produced in Canada (ELC - Ernst Leitz Canada / LENS MADE IN CANADA), some in Germany (ELW - Ernst Leitz Wetzlar / LENS MADE IN GERMANY).

Very important: Around 1997, the lens was replaced/added with a new version of the LEICA SUMMILUX-R 1: 1.4/50 E60 (R/ROM subversion) with a different 8/7 optical design.

Some Leica R-mount cameras, as well as lenses for these cameras, were developed/manufactured jointly with Minolta. As a result, the opinion was firmly established that the Leica R is “not quite a real Leica.” Leica is also more associated with mirrorless/rangefinder cameras, and much less often with DSLRs, the Leica R and Leica Leicaflex series.

Main technical characteristics of LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50:

Name of instances from review	LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 2900558
Basic properties	Lens designed for full frame film cameras Manual focus only Automatic aperture control (with suitable cameras) Metal case Multi-coated optics (although there is no MC marking) Leica – inscription on the cover 3-cam (coupling method for transmitting aperture value to camera) Video review here
Front Filter Diameter	55 mm, metal thread for filters
Body materials	All parts of the lens housing are made of metal
Focal length	50 mm
Diagonal viewing angles	45° for full frame cameras
Zoom ratio	1 x
Designed by	for film cameras with Leica R mount
Number of aperture blades	6 straight (not rounded) petals
Tags	markings on the focusing ring with focusing distance in meters and feet, there are marks for 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.2, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 10 meters and an infinity mark (white marks m 19 [which means 19?]) + 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 inches, 3'4", 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 25 feet and infinity mark (orange feet marks) A ring with aperture values, there are marks for F/1,4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16. You can set one additional intermediate value between each pair of numbers + a white dot mark for reference DOF scale for F/1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 16 LENS MADE IN GERMANY from the back of the lens red dot on the metal part of the mount for installing the lens convex volumetric red dot for lens installation
Diaphragm	from F/2 to F/16. The lens has an aperture control ring
MDF (minimum focusing distance)	50 centimeters, maximum magnification ratio 1: 7
The weight	403 grams (measured, only the lens itself)
Optical design	7 elements in 6 groups. The lens does not use special optical elements. The image is clickable.
Lens hood	Built-in, telescopic, retractable, metal
Period	The model was produced from 1970 to 1995 (1998). Later replaced by the LEICA SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 E60 model (R/ROM subversion) with a different 8/7 optical design. The review copy was most likely manufactured in 1978 (based on the serial number)
Manufacturer country	LENS MADE IN GERMANY, lens made in Germany
Price	In the used version. approximately 900-1500 USD

LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 is based on the common optical design of a double Gauss lens with 7 elements in 6 groups. At that time, most similar lenses used the same basic optical design, for example, Super-Takumar 1: 1.4 / 50.

Assembly, control, focus

LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 made with high quality. The diameter of the filter is 55 mm. The focusing and aperture rings are non-rubberized, metal with “sharp” notched edges. The focusing ring is narrow, 13 mm wide. During intensive work, the focus ring may rub the skin on your fingers; most likely, this is due to the poor pitch of the notch ribs of the focus ring.

This review shows the LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 version with the rare “olive green Safari” body color; this body coating may peel off in some places (example).

There is a built-in retractable telescopic hood, which consists of one section. During its extension there is a pleasant characteristic click. The lens hood does not fit securely. To extend the hood, remove the front protective cover. In the active position of the hood, access to the light filter is lost.

The middle part of the body, on which the depth of field scale indication is located, also has notched ribs on the sides. At F/1.4, the ribs almost coincide with the ribs of the aperture control ring on one side, and at F/16, on the other.

In one place the bevels of the lenses are poorly blackened.

The focusing ring of the LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 rotates approximately 270 degrees (3/4 of a full rotation). During focusing, the front lens (together with the thread for filters) moves forward by 7 mm, but does not rotate. Focusing is pleasant and smooth.

On the body there is a focusing distance scale in meters and feet and a depth of field scale. There is no tag for working in the infrared spectrum.

LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1: 1.4/50 has a slight 'Focus Breathing' effect (changing the viewing angle while focusing). When focusing towards the MDF, the viewing angle decreases.

Focus peaking with LEITZ CANADA SUMMICRON-R 1:2/90 and Sony α7 III, Sony a3500 works well at F / 1.4.

Sample photos (Full Frame)

The pictures in the gallery were taken with a camera Canon EOS 5D (Full Frame, 13 MP), which has already become a “digital classic,” and an adapter Leica R -> Canon EF.

Original RAW photos (Canon '.CR2') can be download / watch this link (60+ photos, Google Drive gallery). Video review here.

Results

LEITZ WETZLAR SUMMILUX-R 1:1.4/50 – classic, high quality. In six words – LEITZ WETZLAR LENS MADE IN GERMANY.

10 main advantages

1. retractable built-in hood
2. quality assembly
3. Smooth and pleasant focusing
4. ease of adaptation to modern mirrorless systems and mirror systems
5. good resolution at open and closed apertures
6. multi-coated optics, good performance in side light
7. beautiful body color (olive green “Safari”)
8. LENS MADE IN GERMANY
9. beautiful bokeh (example)
10. many/some users consider this lens to be one of the best “mirror” “fifty dollars”

10 main disadvantages

1. only 6 (six!) aperture blades
2. heavy weight (more than 400 grams)
3. the Safari green olive green body coating may peel off (example)
4. The hood does not lock well in the active position; when the hood is installed in the active position, the front protective cover flies off, and access to the filter is lost
5. there is no tag for working in the infrared spectrum (quite strange for a classic manual lens from the 70s)
6. The bevels of some lenses are poorly blackened
7. small amount of chromatic aberration
8. significant artifacts in backlight (example)
9. other minor optical imperfections, such as vignetting at F/1.4
10. high cost on the secondary market (as for an outdated conventional “mirror” “fifty dollar” on a “regular” “planar-like”/”Gauss-like” 7/6 scheme). Modern, cheaper solutions for other mirror mounts, for example, Irix 45 / 1.4, ZEISS Milvus 50/1.4 in many ways they will be significantly better than the lens from the review

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Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram