A rare Summitar 50mm f2 with an asterisk added to the serial number. Early version. Serial number in the 530 thousand range, made in 1939. Leitz product code SOORE. Circular iris with round aperture blades, continental style markings, meter scale. Four groups and seven elements, uncoated.
The Summitar 50mm is often overshadowed by the fame of the Summicron, yet it is a lens full of classic old-lens character. Compared with its predecessor, the Summar, which was also a fast f2 lens, the Summitar offers improved edge falloff and reduced smearing at wider apertures.
This example has an asterisk immediately after the serial number, indicating that it is part of a duplicated numbering sequence. Research shows that only a dozen or so Summitars with an asterisk have been confirmed.
As for why the numbers were duplicated, it appears that the situation arose because as many as ten thousand Summitars were to be produced in the 520001 to 530000 serial range. When Leitz unexpectedly decided to increase Summitar production, the numbers planned for 530001 to 530500 had already been allocated to the Hektor Rapid cine lens series, resulting in an unavoidable overlap.
There are also Summitars with an asterisk after the name itself, but these are a completely different category, valued as prototypes of the Summicron. Their prices are almost ten times higher and they should not be confused with the present lens.

The collapsible section shows very little wear, and the overall impression is of light use. For a Summitar, which is often found heavily worn and wobbly from years of use, this one has a remarkably clean barrel.
Fully overhauled in 2025. Thanks to meticulous servicing, both the aperture ring and the helicoid offer a smooth, well-damped operation with just the right amount of torque. Rangefinder coupling is spot on, and focusing accuracy is excellent.
Matched with its clean exterior, the glass is also free from cleaning marks and haze, offering a clear and crisp view. You can fully enjoy the distinctive rendering of a non-coated Summitar.
The internal matte-black lacquer used for flare suppression has been carefully refinished as well, promising an even tighter, more contrasty image. Test shots also delivered excellent results.
Comes with original front and rear caps. As a side note, the Summitar front cap does not fit later Summicron lenses.