Summitar 50mm f2. Leitz product code SOORE. Serial number in the 700,000 range, manufactured in 1949. It features a round diaphragm that renders point light sources beautifully even near wide open. Aperture markings follow the international scale (f2, f2.8, f4...). The helicoid distance scale is in feet.
The Summitar was introduced as the successor to the Summar and later became the foundation for the renowned Summicron. Thanks to its luxurious 7-element design in 4 groups, the vignetting and softness seen in the Summar at wide apertures were greatly improved, resulting in more stable and consistent image quality.
Around 170,000 Summitar lenses were produced, but many surviving examples suffer from deteriorated glass, making clean specimens increasingly difficult to find. On this example, the coating on two surfaces of the front element has been lost, but the glass itself remains in good condition, delivering images with solid character and clarity.
Only minor signs of use are visible, such as light scuffs on the collapsible section and the base. There are no noticeable scratches or dents. Overall, it presents a clean appearance for a Summitar.
Fully overhauled in February 2026. The aperture and helicoid now operate with a smooth, well-damped feel. Rangefinder coupling is also working properly.
As mentioned above, the coating on two surfaces of the front element has been lost, and very slight coating deterioration can be seen near the edge of the middle element when held under a strong LED light. Even so, the glass is quite clean for a Summitar. The results of the test shooting were excellent.
Sample images have been posted in our test gallery. From wide open, the center shows strong, crisp resolution, while the edges render softly, producing the characteristic atmosphere of an old lens. We hope you will enjoy taking a look.
A genuine front cap and a third-party rear cap are included. The front cap for the Summitar is slightly smaller in diameter than the front caps used for other Leitz E39 lenses such as the Summicron, and it is a dedicated cap that does not fit other lenses.
