Even though I am only going out to collect a loaf of bread I always take a camera with me. And if you are reading this, I imagine you do the same.
Today I was armed with my early Leica M8 (2006) and a very early 5cm Leica Summar f1:2 from 1934. No coatings and the usual evidence of cleaning marks on the front. But so what. If I had been around since 1934 I would expect to have some marks as well.
Any way, as you know this lens is a low contrast lens and can flare like a bitch if pointed towards the light. So don't do it. Or, you can cheat and shield the front element with your hand. A simple and effective workaround.
This lens can be used as a complimentary portrait lens as it does not have the biting ly sharp characteristics of today's lenses. Like wise today's lenses cannot replicate the feel and bokeh of this lens. It can, depending on the situation exhibit a wonderful out of focusness. Perhaps the Summitar has borrowed "it's" look from this lens.
Makes you wonder. Here I am, composing this in 2014, hoping that someone might stumble across it via the wonders of the interweb to look at images taken with a lens made in 1934. Strangely, I suspect this 80 year old lens will still be producing images long after I (we) are long gone.
Anyway enough rambling, here are today's images. Straight off the chip, no fiddling about.
