paperman Posted January 25, 2015 Share #1 Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd like to add a 35mm for a two-lens kit for travel (the other one is my loved elmarit-m 90mm last type). I have the chance to buy these lenses more or less at the same price: - Summicron 35mm type IV (last production made in germany) - Summicron 35mm ASPH. - Summilux 35mm type II (last production made in germany) I shot with a M9, most for travel reportage. What suggestions, pros and cons of each lens? Any other lenses? Thanks, Alberto. Edited January 25, 2015 by paperman Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 Hi paperman, Take a look here Which 35mm?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted January 25, 2015 Share #2 Posted January 25, 2015 35mm ASPH, it's the best one overall unless you have an inclination to the softer classic look. The ASPH doesn't mean you can't have the classic look, you just do it in post processing, but it's harder to do it the other way, make an old lens look like a new one. Steve 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ulrik Posted January 25, 2015 Share #3 Posted January 25, 2015 In a two lens travel kit I would want to have one fast lens. My favourite for 35 mm is the Voigtländer 1,2/35 II (I can't comment on any Summilux though). Ulrik Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Russell Posted January 25, 2015 Share #4 Posted January 25, 2015 I own the IV and its a nice lens but the ASPH is so much better. That would be my choice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 25, 2015 Share #5 Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) Any other lenses? If not the Summicron ASPH (the one I use), consider the Summarit. It is a fine lens as well, with even better flare control and no reported focus shift. An updated version (f2.4 vs f2.5) was recently introduced, so prices on former version may be especially good. Jeff Edited January 25, 2015 by Jeff S Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nr90 Posted January 25, 2015 Share #6 Posted January 25, 2015 (edited) Another vote for the summicron asph. Pros: - Focus tab - Size / weight - Sharp - Leica resale value Cons: - Obviously not as fast as the summilux / nokton 1.2 / zeiss 1.4 Another member (jip) of this forum recently posted his review of the 'cron 35 asph. Have you seen it? http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m-lenses/360433-review-leica-summicron-m-1-2-a.html See: Review: Leica Summicron-M 35mm f2 ASPH. Edited January 25, 2015 by Nr90 adding link Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJH Posted January 25, 2015 Share #7 Posted January 25, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Wouldn't the summilux take the same size filters as his 90? This seems to matter to some people but not for me as it takes to long to faff around with swapping filters over for some however it seems a big deal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 26, 2015 Share #8 Posted January 26, 2015 The Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph is a very special lens giving soft results with halos around highlights at f/1.4 while it is sharp from f/2.8 to f/16 and is seriously prone to flare. It is my favorite 35 for soft portraits but i would not advise to buy it w/o trying it beforehand. The CV 35/1.4 SC flares even more and my sample suffers seriously from focus shift. Both 35/2 v4 and 35/2 asph will match your latest Elmarit 90/2.8 but if you like the sharpness of the latter you will probably prefer the 35/2 asph. The Biogon 35/2.8 will match well your Elmarit 90/2.8 as well. The Summarit 35/2.5 also but it is softer on edges and corners and i have no clue about its current 35/2.4 version. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 26, 2015 Share #9 Posted January 26, 2015 Wouldn't the summilux take the same size filters as his 90? [...] The latest Elmarit 90/2.8 (11807, 11808, 11899) takes E46 filters while the Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph takes E41 filters up to serial number 2166700 and Series VII or E49 filters as from serial number 2166701. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enbee Posted January 26, 2015 Share #10 Posted January 26, 2015 I just have 35 summicron asph and I can tell you - it has been an amazing lens for me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 26, 2015 Share #11 Posted January 26, 2015 Wouldn't the summilux take the same size filters as his 90? This seems to matter to some people but not for me as it takes to long to faff around with swapping filters over for some however it seems a big deal. For the difference in price between the Summilux and Summicron you can buy a lot of filters in many different sizes. But I would guess only two or three 39mm would be the normal requirement to mirror any used with the 46mm thread of the Elmarit. And then he wouldn't need to swap filters at all! Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 26, 2015 Share #12 Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) If those are your prices you might want to consider Zeiss 35mm f2 or even the new f1.4. They are very sharp. Have a nice warm character and are quite close to flat field. The Summifron ASPH is a very good lens with a great character but there is focus shift which appears to reduce the resolution at certain apertures and also it's field curvature make it more or a street lens then a landscape one. It does have the typical Leica neutral sharpness when you nail it. The Summilux FLE mentioned above is one of my favourite lenses ever, but it's price tag is rather high. It's sharpness across the range and it's ethereal bluish character is knockout for my taste. Lastly I have used the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2 II and it's fantastic. The downside is slightly more weight then a Leica lens and also you have to buy the hood separately but otherwise it's very well made, good looking, lovely warm character with very sharp and a bit of a bargain There is a dearth of lenses for 35mm in the Leica space so its great fun. Bank on trying more then one Edited January 26, 2015 by colonel 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Russell Posted January 26, 2015 Share #13 Posted January 26, 2015 Colonel, your comments surprise me. I have done extensive testing with the Cron ASPH and found ZERO focus shift. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted January 26, 2015 Share #14 Posted January 26, 2015 I've never noticed focus shift with my 35/2ASPH. pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 26, 2015 Share #15 Posted January 26, 2015 Sean Reid reported mild focus shift with his sample from f4-f5.6, and mine exhibits the same. It has been discussed here many times. Jeff 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted January 26, 2015 Share #16 Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Yes it has, particularly, if not solely post-sean reid. However, as I say, I've not noticed it with mine, so it must be pretty negligible. I wouldn't want it to put someone off buying it. I shoot film, but when I was new to my M9, pixel peaking away, I didn't notice it. I'll just add that I shoot sunny 16, which means, when it's sunny, my camera is set to 1/1000 and either f4 or f5.6 for my Portra 160. The vast majority of sunny photos I've taken are at these two apertures because I am lazy. I have not noticed focus shift. Pete Edited January 26, 2015 by Stealth3kpl 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antonio Russell Posted January 26, 2015 Share #17 Posted January 26, 2015 I see. That would chime with my experience also. I couldn't find any focus shift at all. Seemed like a very precise and well made lens. p.s. Pardon my ignorance but what does "post-sean reid" mean? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 26, 2015 Share #18 Posted January 26, 2015 Yes it has, particularly, if not solely post-sean reid. However, as I say, I've not noticed it with mine, so it must be pretty negligible. I wouldn't want it to put someone off buying it. I shoot film, but when I was new to my M9, pixel peaking away, I didn't notice it.I'll just add that I shoot sunny 16, which means, when it's sunny, my camera is set to 1/1000 and either f4 or f5.6 for my Portra 160. The vast majority of sunny photos I've taken are at these two apertures because I am lazy. I have not noticed focus shift. Pete Yes Very difficult to spot on film. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted January 26, 2015 Share #19 Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) The Summilux FLE mentioned above is one of my favourite lenses ever, but it's price tag is rather high. It's sharpness across the range and it's ethereal bluish character is knockout for my taste. The FLE has extraordinary parabolic shaped field curvature, so much so that I find it increasingly frustrating and unsuitable for stopped down landscape work. For "reportage" and "documentary" (pretty unhelpful terms but I think most people will know what I mean) type work, the lens is remarkably good. Edited January 26, 2015 by wattsy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 26, 2015 Share #20 Posted January 26, 2015 If compactness is a concern, then the 35mm Summilux (not ASPH) is a serious contender. As mentioned before, it has a dual personality: very pleasantly soft wide open, sharp otherwise. BTW, whether made in Germany or Canada, it is the same, very good lens in all respects. . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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