Dual-Range Summicron 50mm f2, a later version of the close-focusing Summicron, features a helicoid with both meter and feet distance markings. It has a serial number in the 1.96 million range and was made in 1962. The Leitz product code is 11918. Without the goggles, it focuses down to 1 meter, and with them attached, close-focusing is possible down to about 0.5 meters, while also compensating for parallax. The excellent craftsmanship and smooth operation, characteristic of Leitz products at their peak, are truly mesmerizing.
When using a Leica M3, you often find yourself wishing you could focus closer, and the DR Summicron offers a solution to this. However, please note that this lens cannot be used on digital M-series Leica cameras, as the rangefinder cam interferes with the mechanism. That said, it works without issue on the current M11 series.
If you're using live view or a mirrorless camera, close-focusing without the goggles is possible, though it does require some technique. Feel free to ask if you'd like any tips.
There are some very faint scuffs, but overall it has very little signs of use and a very clean appearance. It underwent a full overhaul, including focus adjustment, in October 2024. Both the aperture ring and helicoid have a wonderfully smooth feel, making even the close-up shooting, which requires precision, stress-free. The rangefinder coupling is spot-on, and focusing is excellent. The goggles have a very slight haze on the round prism, but this does not affect visibility or the rangefinder image.
The glass has a single very faint cleaning mark on an inner element, but this has virtually no impact on actual shooting. Other than that, there are no noticeable scratches or haze, and the glass is beautifully clear. As a Summicron, the glass is in excellent condition. The coating is fully intact across all surfaces, and test shots produced excellent results.
It comes with the original front and rear caps and a case for the finder. A small detail, but the inside of the original rear cap has a GERMANY decal.
