Leica Compur-Summicron 5cm f/2

Leica Compur-Summicron 5cm f/2

The Leica Compur-Summicron 5cm f/2 is a rare factory-built screw-mount Summicron with an integral Compur leaf shutter. It was developed for photographers who needed electronic-flash synchronization faster than the Leica IIIf focal-plane shutter could normally provide. Surviving examples and auction records date the special lens to approximately 1954 and 1955.

The central shutter was synchronized for 1/100 and 1/200 second. In its intended arrangement, a special release arm coordinated the lens and camera: the Leica focal-plane shutter was set to B, the mechanism opened it, and the Compur shutter controlled the exposure. The lens can attach through the Leica screw mount, but full use of the central-shutter system depends on the correct release linkage and camera setup.

The optical unit belongs to the first Summicron generation and uses the period seven-element, six-group construction with an f/2 maximum aperture. The diaphragm is recorded here with the ten-blade specification of the contemporary collapsible Summicron. E39 front accessories are associated with the early 5cm Summicron family. Exact external dimensions and weight are omitted because surviving special assemblies and their fittings are not consistently documented.

Leitz Auction records describe metre-scale and feet-scale examples, often engraved “Germany.” Contemporary auction literature reports production of only about 150 lenses. The Compur-Summicron was a specialized solution rather than a normal catalogue replacement for the collapsible Summicron, and no dependable regular Leitz codeword is entered for it.

Optical qualities

Rendering

The optical character follows the early 5cm Summicron family: useful central resolution at f/2 with moderate contrast, gentler edges and a smoother transition into defocus than later rigid Summicron designs. Stopping down improves contrast and field uniformity. The leaf-shutter housing changes the mechanical operation rather than the basic purpose of the Summicron optical unit.

Condition is especially important. Internal haze, cleaning marks, shutter contamination and inaccurate aperture or shutter timing can have a larger practical effect than small sample differences. A complete functional assessment should test the optics, diaphragm, Compur speeds, synchronization contacts and release linkage separately.

Collectors should verify the integrated shutter assembly, scale type, engraving, serial-number period and any accompanying IIIf release arm. A standard collapsible Summicron fitted to an unrelated shutter or adapter should not be assigned to this profile. Matching camera-and-lens outfits, original caps and documented provenance are particularly significant for this low-production variant.