Cover photo by tk
Creators who love photography share their stories with their cameras. Each 'beloved equipment' reflects their life views and values. In this series, tk, who uses the Leica Summarit 50mm f1.5, makes an appearance.
"When I first learned about this lens, it was like being struck by lightning," says tk. The dreamy atmosphere at wide open, the resolution when stopped down, and the flare and ghosting that appear in backlight. Captivated by the depiction of this Summarit 50mm f1.5, which cannot be obtained with modern lenses, tk decided to purchase it without hesitation. Without autofocus, what is the beauty of this lens that cannot be measured by specs alone? We explore its charm.
Photo by tk
Leica Summarit 50mm f1.5 Basic Information
The Leica Summarit 50mm f1.5 is an old rangefinder lens introduced in 1949. It offers a soft, dreamy depiction at wide open and exhibits resolution comparable to modern lenses when stopped down. With a 6-element, 4-group Gaussian design, it is prone to flare and ghosting in backlight, creating a unique nostalgic atmosphere. Nowadays, it is often used with mirrorless cameras via adapters and is a highly popular lens.
A Lightning Strike Encounter
I encountered this lens in a YouTube video. The moment I saw the sample photos, I was convinced, "This is the kind of photo I want to take." It was like being struck by lightning.
Photo by tk
I decided to purchase it without hesitation, and the feel of it in my hands was also striking. The cold, hefty metal texture, the weight that fits comfortably in my hand. The moment I attached it to the camera, I strongly felt, "I want to shoot with this lens."
An Ambiguous and Beautiful World Not Found in Modern Lenses
The charm of this lens cannot be measured by specs alone.
At f1.5, it provides a depiction reminiscent of old movies, with a softly blurred, dreamy quality. While maintaining a core focus, it offers a soft, bleeding depiction. The interplay of light enhances the nostalgic atmosphere.
Photo by tk
However, when stopped down to around f2.8, it shows surprisingly sharp resolution, which is also a feature of this lens. The detail is depicted so well that it feels like a different lens. This contrast might be what makes this lens unique.
Imperfections as Beauty
Of course, it lacks the comfort of modern lenses.
There is no autofocus, and it is very weak against backlight. Flare and ghosting occur relentlessly. However, that is the charm of this lens. It is precisely because it is not perfect that there is beauty created by chance.
Photo by tk
Embrace the light boldly, enjoy the flare, and savor the softness of slightly missed focus. This lens is not just for sharp images, but a tool to enjoy photography more sensorially.
Photos That Evoke Memories
I intend to continue taking photos that evoke memories with this Summarit 50mm f1.5.
Photo by tk
Not too clear, not too perfect, like a dream world. Scenes that overlap with past memories, familiar yet unseen. I will continue to pursue the ambiguous and beautiful world that only this lens can capture.
INFORMATION
cizucu Certified Creator
Capturing ordinary yet never-to-be-repeated moments of daily life.
cizucu: tk / @tk
Instagram: @zekkei_pics
