What's the meaning of "Dual Range" in reference to older M lenses. Thanks in advance. Regards, Richard Fulco

-- Richard Fulco (calcinc@mn.rr.com), March 09, 2001

Answers

There was only one "Dual Range" lens (also known as a "Near Field" lens) - the 50/2.0 Dual Range Summicron. For a very good look at it, go toStephen Gandy's web site:

http://www.cameraquest.com/m50dr.htm

A very well made (read heavy) lens that has a wide following even today.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul_chefurka@pmc-sierra.com), March 09, 2001.

Count me among the fans of the DR. Its close-focusing abilities allow me to get shots that wouldn't be possible with any of the other Leitz 50mm's.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), March 10, 2001.

Dang, Mike. Where do you find all those girls? ;-)

-- Bob (robljones@home.com), March 10, 2001.

I meet 'em at cafes, bars, galleries, parties; sometimes friends or acquaintances introduce me to them; sometimes I meet them just hanging out on the street taking photos. And sometimes they're professional models like the one above. : )

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), March 10, 2001.

Mike, the other guy asked the more interesting question, but mine is, how come there is so little perspective "distortion" or "big nose effect" in this 50mm shot? Certainly looks more like a 75mm perspective, if the picture is full frame which it appears to be. Or maybe I'm just plain wrong in terms of what the 50 can do in portraiture, though clearly the model has her head turned slightly, and is not head on to the lens...

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 12, 2001.

To specifically answer the question....

The RF in a Leica M3 will only allow focusing with a standard 50mm lens to I believe one meter.

For closer focusing, Leitz developed a lens mount in which the RF cam surface is "stepped" at the usual closest-focus point; in operation, you pull out on the focus ring and turn it past the stop, then let go and focus normally in the close range. Moving the focus ring past the stop, onto the stepped area, pushes the RF roller in a bit so the RF will still function.

Of course the RF would be inaccurate, thus the companion piece to the DR Summicron, the "goggle eyes."

That changes the distance the RF "sees" so that it correlates with the actual focus of the lens.

The RF in other M cameras will allow normal focus closer than the M3, therefore the DR isn't needed.

-- John Hicks (jbh@magicnet.net), March 12, 2001.

Mani,

The shot was definitely made with the 50 DR--I remember both going to get the eyes for it and the experience of being right in her face while shooting. This model has rather delicate features which allowed me to get away with getting so close. Even in this shot, the size of her forehead is a bit exaggerated.

-- Mike Dixon (mike@mikedixonphotography.com), March 12, 2001.

Further to the DR 50...

Does this lens require the eyes to be fitted for use beyond the close up range?

Thanks...

-- Craig Zeni (clzeni@mindspring.com), July 28, 2001.

No, to the last post. You have to remove the eyes in order to return the lens to its normal (about 3 feet to infinity) focusing range. There's an interlock to prevent using it in close range without the eyes, or far range with them.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), July 28, 2001.