Leica 35 Summaron ƒ/2.8 for the Monochrom?

[james.liam]

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Already have the 35 Summicron ASPH and a ZM 35 C; am fond of both. I've been offered a Summaron ƒ/2.8 in EX condition (am awaiting its arrival for inspection); original caps and IROOA hood, all for $1100. For those in the know, is this the going/fair rate? And a question for Monochromistas,...is this a meaningful addition to what I already have, or needless redundancy?

[jaapv]

Not very cheap..... The lens as such is sure to perform well.GAS is all about rationalization

Edited January 29, 2015 by jaapv

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[Stealth3kpl]

I paid £450 for mine but it has the bakelight(?) cap for the hood rather than a lens cap.

Pete

[james.liam]

Not very cheap..... The lens as such is sure to perform well.GAS is all about rationalization

 

I paid £450 for mine but it has the bakelight(?) cap for the hood rather than a lens cap.

Pete

 

Did seem a bit generously priced, though on eBay the asking is higher still. Thanks for the heads-up on this. GAS is always a lurking malady but don't need to be foolish with a non-essential purchase.

[M9reno]

As to the price, much depends on whether its the screwmount version of the lens, which is rare (and for which that price is more than fair), or the M version, which is common.

[james.liam]

As to the price, much depends on whether its the screwmount version of the lens, which is rare (and for which that price is more than fair), or the M version, which is common.

 

This one's an M.

 

Don't understand the point of collecting lenses (and after a while, fungus). Leave that to a museum.

[otto.f]

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I think that about $ 800,= is possible with this lens and there is no need for 1100. It's a great lens and especially for B&W. Some people don't know what nervous bokeh is , but this one has a real smooth background unsharpness.

Edited January 29, 2015 by otto.f

[A miller]

I think you are on the right track to seek out old glass for the MM. I used my 28mm summaron (as well as my 50mm elmar, which is also a screw mount version) extensively with the MM and the results were very unique.

 

I think the price is on the high side. I paid about $700 for the 28mm summaron, which is more rare. It was in mint- condition.

 

If the lens is in great shape, you might just write off the extra hundred bucks and be happy with it. If, on the other hand, a fair price is necessary, I'd take a pass and keep looking.

 

Is it possible that the hood is adding to the price? I know the hood for the 28mm summaron is by itself over $500, which is insane. I don't have the hood and don't feel like I need it.

 

Have fun!

[otto.f]

You don't need a hood that much for the Summaron either because it is so beautifully constructed with the lens within a black funnel

[james.liam]

Is it possible that the hood is adding to the price? I know the hood for the 28mm summaron is by itself over $500, which is insane. I don't have the hood and don't feel like I need it.

 

Have fun!

 

The hood was $90 of that price.

[M9reno]

This one's an M.

 

Don't understand the point of collecting lenses (and after a while, fungus). Leave that to a museum.

 

Neither version is necessarily to collect. The screwmount version can be used... on screwmounts as well as M cameras.

[Lenshacker]

That is about 3x what they sold for 10 years ago. It's a fine lens, very nice rendering, same optical formula as the Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5 in Leica thread mount. Which sells for ~$300 and is very nice on the M Monochrom. i kept the Nikkor, sold the Summaron.

 

One 35 lens that surprised me on the Monochrom- the Nikkor 3.5cm F3.5, mine was made in 1949. This is a Tessar formula lens, very similar to the 35/3.5 Elmar but is hard-coated.

 

Edited January 30, 2015 by Lenshacker

[james.liam]

It's a fine lens, very nice rendering, same optical formula as the Nikkor 3.5cm F2.5 in Leica thread mount.

 

I did not know this. Fascinating. So why did you ultimately keep the Nikkor?

[Rick]

James,

 

I purchased a new version of the m-mount type in 2012 for $1,699. Really nice lens. Sharp centrally. Not as sharp in the mid and corners, but this lens has a very smooth look in those areas. And, it is still pretty sharp across the whole frame.

 

I believe the nice look outside the central area may be because of the low level of astigmatism in these mid and corner areas that make it look so smooth, even though the contrast is not at the level of modern lenses in these areas.

 

I think you could get a copy a little cheaper, but the price is ok if it is in good condition.

 

Rick

Edited January 30, 2015 by RickLeica

[a911s]

You did OK. The IROOA hood in EX condition is nice to have and worth more than $90. The 2.8 Summaron has gone up in price, but there are still bargains to be had. I bought one NM with the screw mount base for less than $800 as a buy it now in 2013. It was hard to see the screw in the photos and it was not advertised correctly.

 

Love this lens!

[james.liam]

You did OK. The IROOA hood in EX condition is nice to have and worth more than $90. The 2.8 Summaron has gone up in price, but there are still bargains to be had. I bought one NM with the screw mount base for less than $800 as a buy it now in 2013. It was hard to see the screw in the photos and it was not advertised correctly.

 

Love this lens!

 

That's the thing; I have no way of knowing whether it is high or low; eBay is the land of dreams & delusions for sellers as the prices are bumped 15% or more beyond reality. I know folks paid (a lot) less in recent years but things do change over time. I'll see what it looks like since I have 14 days to turn it around. My present inclination is to send it back.

 

Just to shed perspective on this madness, CameraWest in California has an 8-element 35 Summicron in 9/10 condition listed for $4k . Certifiably insane.

 

The Nikkor 3.5cm/2.5 is also interesting but will need an LTM > M adapter, kicking that up another $100. I didn't know that it is the same optical design as the Summaron. How curious. Wonder what the story behind that is.

[Lenshacker]

I did not know this. Fascinating. So why did you ultimately keep the Nikkor?

 

I sold the Summaron for twice the cost of the Nikkor. I sold some lenses off to fund the M9 and M Monochrom.

 

Most of the shots in this album are with the M9, and a few quick tests on the Monochrom:

 

 

LTM version on the camera, the S-Mount version came on a Nikon S4 that I picked up 20 years ago.

 

nikkor_35_f25

 

Both the Nikkor and Summaron are classic 1:2:2:1 Planar formula lenses, as per "Photographic Lenses", Neblette, 1965. I use a "Voigtlander" (Cosina) LTM to M Adapter that I bought used for $40. The quality is as good as the Leica originals, which I have several of. The newer adapters are often in better condition than the Leica adapters. Personally, I would pass up the Summaron at $1100. $600, would be more tempting. There are other lenses available at much less cost. The 35/1.7 Ultron- I have the LTM version, bought for $350 with the Voigtlander adapter. The new M-Mount version will be less than the Summaron that you are looking at.

Edited January 30, 2015 by Lenshacker

[joeswe]

That's the thing; I have no way of knowing whether it is high or low; eBay is the land of dreams & delusions for sellers as the prices are bumped 15% or more beyond reality.

 

Of course you have, just do a search for "sold items" and you will see what prices items have been actually sold for. This is one of the few things I still use Ebay for, as there is nothing comparable for items that are traded through classifieds here on LUF or elsewhere, when only the buyer and seller know the actual price paid.

[james.liam]

Of course you have, just do a search for "sold items" and you will see what prices items have been actually sold for. This is one of the few things I still use Ebay for, as there is nothing comparable for items that are traded through classifieds here on LUF or elsewhere, when only the buyer and seller know the actual price paid.

 

Thanks for that tip. I forgot about that search option.

 

Looks like $800-1000 is the norm without goggles, and lens sans hood; several from outside the US and thus liable to customs. $1100 is then on the higher side of the present day going price.

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[250swb]

And a question for Monochromistas,...is this a meaningful addition to what I already have, or needless redundancy?

 

I can see you are aware of potential folly. Personally I think what you have covers most bases, and my choice would be to save a ton of money and buy a 35mm Color Skopar that makes the combination pocketable and easier to justify. It's a great lens, as are all the Skopar's, and I prefer mine to carrying my Summicron. True it isn't as great as a Summicron, but it has a charm equal but different to the Summaron.

 

Steve