Leica R Summicron-R 50mm f/2.0 Leitz

Leica R Summicrom-R 50mm 2.0 Leitz-1

Leica R Summicron-R 50mm f/2.0 Leitz. If you’re looking to purchase this lens I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. It helps me if you purchase it through one of these links here in this review. When you purchase through these links it financially enables me to devote time to develop this site further. Thanks for the help! -Todd

Leica R Summicrom-R 50mm 2.0 Leitz-2

Barrel
Metal

Weight
9.3 oz (266g)
Built in Retractable Lens Hood

Focus Ring
Rubber on Metal.

Close Focus
20 feet (0.5 meters).

Filter Threads
55mm, Metal

Aperture Ring
Metal.

Diaphragm
6 blades stopping down to f/16.

Mount
Leica R Metal Mount.

Made in
Canada


f/2 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/8

 

100% Crop

f/2 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/4 | f/8

 

Corner at f/2

Corner at f/2

Sharpness

f/2 Nicely sharp for wide open with only a little softness, and a little chromatic aberration and pretty good contrast.
f/2.8: Sharpens up a ton with fantastic contrast and almost no chromatic aberration.
f/3.5: Very sharp.
f/4: Sharper yet.
f/8: The beginning of a little diffraction.

Vignetting

There is a little bit of vignetting at f/2 and quickly clears at f/2.8 with only a hint at f/3.5 and gone by f/4

Bokeh

The blur is pretty decent and only a little distracting but because this lens is contrasty it seems to highlight some bokeh which can look a little distracting.

f/2 Bokeh

f/2 Bokeh

f/2 100% Crop Bokeh

f/2 100% Crop Bokeh

Distortion

Amazingly straight with very little visible Barrel Distortion.

Recommendations

On MF Camera
Optics:         ★ ★ ★ ★
Mechanics:   ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ergonomics: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Usefulness:  ★ ★ ★
Availability:   ★ ★ ★
Overall:         ★ ★ ★

On AF Camera
Ergonomics:  ★ ★ ★ ★
Overall:         ★ ★ ★
Out of 5

This lens is great, sharp when shot wide open with only a little chromatic aberration. Built like a tank with a retractable lens hood, this heavy but solid lens feels amazing to shoot.
There is very little vignetting but more barrel distortion then I had expected.

This lens still fetches for a few hundred dollars and I’m not convinced it’s worth that. However it is one of the best 50mm f/2 lenses out there as expected. I would just have trouble spending this much money on a manual focus f/2 lens when you can buy an auto focus f/1.4 lens for the same price. But if you want one you can’t go wrong. This lens is fantastic and built to last forever!

 

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My hopes are to take the time to continue developing this website with more test photo based reviews. If you are ever interested in purchasing this lens or other photography equipment please do so through these links here in this review. I always check Adorama and Ebay for good deals. This helps support my family and allows me to take more time for the site. The best part is this site is free for you and I link good deals I find!

Sometimes these links will actually give you better deals then typical retail prices! I personally buy from the links I have listed whether looking for new gear or fun old stuff. I can personally attest to their good & safe service from years of experience. Thanks again to you, our readers, for supporting us! -Todd