Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2

Standard prime lens • Film era • Discontinued

  • Announced:
  • · 1934
  • Production status:
  • ● Discontinued
  • Country of design:
  • · German Reich
  • Original name:
  • · Leitz Summar f=5cm 1:2
  • · Ernst Leitz Wetzlar Summar f=5cm 1:2
  • Order No.:
  • · SUMUS
  • · SUMUSKUP
  • · SUMUSCHROM - chrome-plated
  • Class:
  • · Fast full-frame standard prime lens
  • System:
  • · Leica SM (1930)

Model history (11)

■Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2 [SUMAR, SUMARKUP, SUMARCHROM] [LSM]M6 - 41.00mA36 1933 ●
■Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2 [SUMUS, SUMUSKUP, SUMUSCHROM] [LSM] • CollapsibleM6 - 41.00mA36 1934 ●
■Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summitar 50mm F/2 [SOORE / 11015] [LSM] • CollapsibleM7 - 41.00mE36.4 1939 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [I] [SOOIC / 11016] [LSM] • CollapsibleM7 - 61.00mE39 1953 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [I] [SOOIC-M / 11116] • CollapsibleM7 - 61.00mE39 1954 ●
—Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 for M3 Gold (1 unit) • Collapsible 1956 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [II] [11117, 11118, SOMNI / 11818]M7 - 61.00mE39 1956 ●
—Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 for M3 Gold (1 unit) 1957 ●
—Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [II] [SOSTA / 11018, 11518] [LSM] 1960 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [II] Dual Range [SOSIC / 11918, SOOIC-MN / 11318, 11320]M7 - 61.00mE39 1956 ●
■Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [III] [11817]M6 - 50.70mE39 1969 ●
■Leitz / Leitz Canada Summicron-M 50mm F/2 [IV] [11819, 11825]M6 - 40.70mE39 1980 ●
—Leitz / Leitz Canada Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "Leica 1913-1983" [11819] (200 units) 1983 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "Year of the Rooster" [11825] (268 units) 1993 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "LHSA 25th Anniversary" [11825] (151 units) 1993 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "Colombo ’92" [11825] (201 units) 1993 ●
■Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 [V] [11826, 11816, 11719]M6 - 40.70mE39 1994 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "RPS Royal Centenary" (100 units) 1994 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "Leica HISTORICA 20th Anniversary" [11836] (150 units) 1995 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "Gold Dragon" [11834] (300 units) 1995 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 Gold "King of Thailand" [11833] (700 units) 1996 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 Gold "Sultan of Brunei" (125 units) 1996 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "150 Jahre Optik" [10483] (30 units) 1999 ●
—Leica Summicron 50mm F/2 [11619] [LSM] 1999 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "Kanto" (100 units) 2000 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 Titanium [11624] (500 units) 2001 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "50 Jahre Summicron" [11615] (1000 units) 2003 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "Classic" (500 units) 2004 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 "David Douglas Duncan" (16 units) 2014 ●
—Leica Summicron-M 50mm F/2 Safari [11824] (500 units) 2019 ●
■Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. [11141, 11142]M8 - 50.70mE39 2012 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPHERICAL for RED (1 unit) 2013 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. Titanium (333 units) 2016 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. Red [11696] (100 units) 2016 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. "LHSA 50th Anniversary" (500 units) 2017 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. Black [11811] (700 units) 2019 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. "Leica HISTORICA 45th Anniversary" [11778] (45 units) 2020 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. Titanium (250 units) 2022 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. Gold "King of Thailand" (30 units) 2022 ●
—Leica APO-Summicron-M 50mm F/2 ASPH. "Leica M Edition 70" (250 units) 2024 ●

Specification

Optical design:
35mm full frame
50mm
F/2
6 elements in 4 groups (Double Gauss derivative)
Leica screw mount
46.8° (35mm full frame)
Diaphragm mechanism:
Diaphragm type:
Manual
Aperture control:
Aperture ring
<No data>
Focusing:
Coupled to the rangefinder:
Yes
1m
Focusing modes:
Manual focus only
Manual focus control:
Focusing lever
Physical characteristics:
<No data>
<No data>
Accessories:
Slip-on 36mm
SOOMP
FIKUS / 12530

Source of data

  • Own research.

Manufacturer description #1

From "Why Leica?" booklet (PUB 1213 E-3-34-M) by E. Leitz, Inc., New York:

This recent addition to the LEICA lens series possesses a surprisingly flat field and needle-sharpness, even at its widest aperture, despite its great speed. Built upon entirely different optical designs, the SUMMAR is offered as a combination normal and speed lens of exceptional merit, possessing none of the disadvantages usually associated with "speed lenses". In collapsible mount.

Manufacturer description #2

Ultra-rapid Universal lens for unfavorable lighting conditions, artificial light and press photography; also eminently suitable for all general amateur photography; in collapsible mount, chromium plated. Codeword: Sumus.

Manufacturer description #3

The "Leitz-Summar" F/2,5 cm. is a first-class universal lens. Even at full aperture, this lens gives critical definition right to the very corners. The particularly good chromatic correction is especially important in conjunction with the use of modern panchromatic films. The construction of this lens is such that pictures taken with it have a definite plastic effect. The lens is therefore equally suitable for all kinds of artificial light and Press photography as for general amateur photography.

The "Leitz-Summar" is obtainable in collapsible or non-collapsible mount.

The "collapsible Leitz-Summar" has arrows at right angles to each other on the lens socket-tube, for use when pulling out and locking the lens. On the ring which encircles the lens socket-tube, there is a short line. This line must be flush with the arrow in the longitudinal direction of the socket-tube. The lens can then be drawn out completely, and the second arrow then appears horizontally on the socket-tube, indicating the direction on which to lock the lens. The lens is simply turned right round to the stop and is then securely locked. The aperture figures can be conveniently read from above. When locking the lens, hold only the first milled ring, without touching the milled ring behind, which serves for adjusting the aperture.

The aperture should be set only after the lens has been locked.

From the editor

The SUMMAR 50/2 existed in rigid nickel-plated variant or collapsible variant with nickel or chrome finish. This page is for collapsible variant.

The front element is made from soft glass that could be easily scratched.

The number of aperture blades could be 6 or 10.

The lens was soft at full aperture and vignetting was apparent with colour film.

Notes

  • All LEICA lenses having a focusing lever are automatically locked at the infinity position. This feature enables the camera to be used for infinity scenes and subjects without danger of the lens becoming accidentally out of focus due to unintentional movement. To release the lever for focusing on nearer planes press the knob at the end of the lever.

Other standard prime lenses in the Leica SM system

■Leica screw mount (11)
Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [I] [ELMAR, ELMARKUP, ELMARCHROM] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mA36 1930 ●
Leitz Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [II] [ELMAR] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mA36 1951 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/3.5 [III] [ELMAR / 11010] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1954 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Elmar 50mm F/2.8 [I] [ELMOO / 11512, ELMOO / 11012] • CollapsibleM4 - 31.00mE39 1957 ●
Leitz Hektor 50mm F/2.5 [HEKTO, HEKTORKUP, HEKTOCHROM] • CollapsibleM6 - 31.00mA36 1931 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summar 50mm F/2 [SUMAR, SUMARKUP, SUMARCHROM]M6 - 41.00mA36 1933 ●
Leitz / Leitz Wetzlar Summitar 50mm F/2 [SOORE / 11015] • CollapsibleM7 - 41.00mE36.4 1939 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Summicron 50mm F/2 [I] [SOOIC / 11016] • CollapsibleM7 - 61.00mE39 1953 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Compur-Summicron 50mm F/2 (150 units)M? - ?1.00m 1954 ●
Leitz Wetzlar Xenon 50mm F/1.5 [XEMOO]M7 - 51.00mA51 1936 ●
Leitz Wetzlar / Leitz Canada Summarit 50mm F/1.5 [SOOIA / 11020]M7 - 51.00mE41 1949 ●

Lenses with similar focal length

■Leica screw mount (71)
Canon 50mm F/1.2 LSMM7 - 51.00m⌀55 1956 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.4 [I] LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀48 1957 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.4 [II] LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀48 1959 ●
Serenar / Canon 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 31.00mS.VII 1952 ●
Serenar / Canon 50mm F/1.8 [I] LSMM6 - 41.00mS.VI 1951 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.8 [II] LSMM6 - 41.00mS.VI 1956 ●
Canon 50mm F/1.8 [III] LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀40 1958 ●
Canon 50mm F/2.2 LSMM5 - 41.00m⌀40 1961 ●
Canon 50mm F/2.8 [I] LSMM4 - 31.00mS.VI 1955 ●
Canon 50mm F/2.8 [II] LSMM4 - 31.00m⌀40 1957 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 45mm F/2.8 [C] LSMM5 - 31.00m 1947 ●
Chiyoda Kogaku Super Rokkor 50mm F/1.8 LSMM6 - 51.00m⌀46 1958 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50mm F/2.8 [C] LSMM5 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1954 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50mm F/2 [C] LSMM7 - 61.00m⌀43 1955 ●
Chiyoko Super Rokkor 50mm F/2 LSMM7 - 61.00m⌀40.5 1955 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Color-Skopar 50mm F/2.5 LSMM7 - 60.75m⌀39 2002 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Heliar 50mm F/2 LSM "Cosina 50th Anniversary, Bessa 10th Anniversary" (600 units)M5 - 31.00m⌀39 2009 ●
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F/1.5 Aspherical LSMM6 - 50.90m⌀52 1999 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon 50mm F/1.2 LSMM8 - 63.5 ft. 1954 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon L 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - ?1.00m⌀43 1957 ●
Fuji Photo Film Fujinon L 50mm F/2.8 LSMM5 - ?1.00m⌀40.5 1957 ●
Fuji Photo Film Cristar 50mm F/2 LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 43.5 ft. 1949 ●
Konica Hexanon 50mm F/2.4 LSM (1000 units) • CollapsibleM6 - 40.80m⌀40.5 1997 ●
Konishiroku Hexanon 50mm F/1.9 LSMM6 - 53.5 ft.⌀40.5 1956 ●
Light Lens Lab Noctilucent 50mm F/1.2 ASPH. "1966"M6 - 41.00m⌀49 2024 ●
Light Lens Lab Elcan 50mm F/2M4 - 40.70m⌀39 2022 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-H·C 50mm F/2 LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 33.5 ft.S.VI 1947 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-H[·C] 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 31.5 ft.S.VI 1950 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S·C 50mm F/1.5 LSM (408 units)M7 - 51.5 ft.⌀40.5 1949 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-S[·C] 50mm F/1.4 LSMM7 - 31.5 ft.S.VII 1950 ●
Nippon Kogaku Nikkor-N·C 50mm F/1.1 LSM (211 units)M9 - 63.5 ft.⌀62 1956 ●
Jupiter-8 50mm F/2 LSM
akaЮПИТЕР-8 50mm F/2 [П]		M6 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1947 ●
Industar-61[L/D] 52mm F/2.8 LSM
akaИ-61 52mm F/2.8
akaИ-61Л/Д 53mm F/2.8
akaИ-61Л/Д 55mm F/2.8
akaИНДУСТАР-61Л/Д 55mm F/2.8		M4 - 31.00m⌀40.5 ●
Jupiter-3 50mm F/1.5 LSM
akaЮПИТЕР-3 50mm F/1.5 [П]		M7 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1948 ●
Industar-26M 50mm F/2.8 LSM
akaИ-26м 52mm F/2.8
akaИНДУСТАР-26м 50mm F/2.8 П		M4 - 31.00m⌀40.5 1954 ●
FED 50mm F/2 LSM • Collapsible
akaФЭД 50mm F/2		M6 - 41.00mA36 ●
Jupiter-17 50mm F/2 LSM
akaЮПИТЕР-17 50mm F/2 П		M5 - 41.00m⌀40.5 1953 ●
Steinheil Munchen Quinon 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 30.60m ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2.8 LSMM4 - 33.5 ft. 1954 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2.8 H.C. Close Focus LSMM4 - 31.5 ft. 1955 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2.8 H.C. Close Focus LSM BlackM4 - 31.5 ft. 1957 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2 H.C. LSMM6 - 31.5 ft.⌀40.5 1956 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/2 H.C. LSM BlackM6 - 31.5 ft.⌀40.5 1957 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/1.9 LSMM6 - 30.60m⌀40.5 1959 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/1.8 LSMM6 - 30.60m 1960 ●
Tanaka Kogaku Tanar 50mm F/1.5 H.C. LSMM7 - 32 ft. 1957 ●
Teikoku Kogaku Zunow 50mm F/1.1 [I] LSMM9 - 53.5 ft.⌀54.5 1953 ●
Teikoku Kogaku / Zunow Opt. Zunow 50mm F/1.1 [II] LSMM8 - 53.5 ft.⌀54.5 1955 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor-S 50mm F/2 Type 2 LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀40.5 1958 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor-S 50mm F/2 Type 1 LSMM6 - 43.5 ft.⌀40.5 1957 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor 50mm F/2.8 LSMM5 - 33.5 ft.⌀34 1958 ●
Tokyo Optical Topcor 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 43.5 ft.⌀40 1954 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 53.5 ft.⌀40 1954 ●
Tokyo Kogaku Topcor-S 50mm F/2 "Panda" LSMM6 - 41.00m⌀40.5 1957 ●
Tokyo Optical Simlar 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 43.5 ft.⌀40 1950 ●
Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 51.00m 1953 ●
Yashica [Super-]Yashinon 50mm F/1.8 LSMM6 - 53.5 ft.⌀43 1959 ●
Yashica Yashikor 50mm F/2.8 [II] LSMM5 - 40.90m⌀40.5 1959 ●
Yashica Yashikor 50mm F/2.8 [I] LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀40.5 1959 ●
Yasuhara 50mm F/2.8 MC LSMM4 - 30.80m⌀35.5 2001 ●
Zuiho Honor 50mm F/2 LSMM6 - 43.5 ft. 1959 ●
Zuiho Honor 50mm F/1.9 LSMM? - ?3.5 ft.⌀43 1959 ●
Nicca 50mm F/2.8 Type 2 LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀40.5 1958 ●
Nicca 50mm F/2.8 Type 1 LSMM4 - 33.5 ft.⌀34.5 1958 ●
Taylor-Hobson Anastigmat 50mm F/2 LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 43.5 ft. 1951 ●
K.O.L. Xebec 50mm F/2 LSM • Collapsible
akaSun Xebec 50mm F/2 LSM		M6 - 41.00m 1942 ●
Phenix 50mm F/2.8 MC LSM (500 units) • CollapsibleM4 - 30.70m⌀35.5 1999 ●
Lomography x Zenit New Jupiter-3+ 50mm F/1.5 LSMM7 - 30.70m⌀40.5 2016 ●
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm F/2 T LSM • CollapsibleM6 - 31.00m ●
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm F/2 T LSMM6 - 31.00m ●
Carl Zeiss Jena Sonnar 50mm F/1.5 T LSMM7 - 31.00m ●

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FIKUS / 12530 (1933-1965)

Extendable hood for lenses of focal length 3.5cm to 13.5cm. Outer black sleeve slid over the nickel or chrome graduated sleeve and was locked in position by a set screw. The black lower collar carried the usual clamping ring and screw. Early ones nickel inner sleeve, later ones chrome. Leitz, New York also made an all chrome version. Many variations in engravings: e.g. four focal lengths 13.5cm, 9cm, 5cm and 3.5cm with "Hektor" to the left and "Elmar" to the right of the scale; three focal lengths only with no 3.5cm and only "Elmar" to the left; 13.5, 9 and 5 with two positions for the 5, the lower one having "Hektor" to the left and "Summar" to the right.