Summar 50mm f/2
The first Leitz f/2 lens, offering double the light-gathering of the Elmar. A landmark in 1933; now a vintage curiosity whose rendering reflects its pre-coating era.
Famous for
- Leica's first fast 50mm — the f/2 Summar introduced speed to the Leica system in 1933
- Six-element design; notorious for flare but beloved for its glowing character wide open
Leitz introduced the Summar in 1933 as a premium option above the slower Elmar. At f/2 it was genuinely fast for the era, allowing indoor photography without flash in conditions that defeated the f/3.5 Elmar. The six-element Hektor-derivative formula was not perfectly corrected — wide open the Summar exhibits visible field curvature, soft corners, and a glowing quality around bright highlights that modern photographers call "vintage rendering."
For beginners: Summar lenses are frequently found with haze between the elements — a common issue with uncoated pre-war glass where the cement between lens elements deteriorates over decades. A hazed Summar will look dreamy in a bad way rather than a good way. Clean examples are genuinely usable; they reward slower, more deliberate photography. Do not pay a premium for a hazed copy under the assumption that haze "adds character."
Key specs
- elements groups
- 6/4
- minimum focus
- 1m
Variants & finishes
The Summar 50mm f/2 (1933–40) — Leica's first fast standard lens. Uncoated and prone to flare, but the soft, luminous rendering it produces is sought by film photographers who know what they're getting into.
Market value
Used-market price history is coming soon.
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