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New 35mm Summarit 2.4


fmil

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My next lens purchase will be either the 35mm Summarit or the Voigtlander 35/1.2 ASPH Nokton II. I like the speed and the shallow DoF of the Nokton, but the Summarit will no doubt be sharper, probably significantly sharper.

 

My decision will probably come down to extra cash availability (or lack thereof). I'm still not 100% convinced that if the money was there, I'd get the Summarit. The 35mm Nokton is an intriguing lens.

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I own a Summarit 35mm f2.5 and the Nokton f1.2 II. The CV is one of the best Leica M lenses ever made, regardless of manufacturer IMHO.

 

At f2.8 the CV is ahead of the Leica in terms of overall resolution and will remain there until middle apertures when they become the same. This is not because I have a bad Summarit - I don't - but because a good copy of the CV is an absolutely astonishing performer. My jaw hit the floor when I saw what mine could do on my Monochrom at f1.2, never mind f2.8 and beyond.

 

Both have incredible bokeh and I think that they make a wonderful pairing. The CV for speed and the Summarit for compactness. The CV has a rendering that is second to none IMO, in the 25mm focal length. The only penalty is size and weight.

 

I shoot only in B&W, but will venture that in colour, contrast and saturation will be lower on the CV.

 

FWIW the CV 35mm f1.2 is also pretty darned good on the A7R. Mine surpasses the 35mm Sonnar FE at the edges after f5.6 and matches it on centre from f2.8.

 

My next lens purchase will be either the 35mm Summarit or the Voigtlander 35/1.2 ASPH Nokton II. I like the speed and the shallow DoF of the Nokton, but the Summarit will no doubt be sharper, probably significantly sharper.

 

My decision will probably come down to extra cash availability (or lack thereof). I'm still not 100% convinced that if the money was there, I'd get the Summarit. The 35mm Nokton is an intriguing lens.

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My next lens purchase will be either the 35mm Summarit or the Voigtlander 35/1.2 ASPH Nokton II. I like the speed and the shallow DoF of the Nokton, but the Summarit will no doubt be sharper, probably significantly sharper.

 

My decision will probably come down to extra cash availability (or lack thereof). I'm still not 100% convinced that if the money was there, I'd get the Summarit. The 35mm Nokton is an intriguing lens.

 

I was looking to get an inexpensive 35 and decided on the Nokton 35 1.2. It's an amazing lens in spite of its size but it's fast.

 

Others considered.

 

  1. Summicron 35. Would have been my top choice but could not get one within my limited budget.
  2. Summarit 35 2.4 and 2.5. Sharp and just as good as the Summicon. If price were the same between both versions, I would consider the 2.4 as it uses 46mm filters and has a better hood design.

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Many thanks for your insights, batmobile. I will likely opt for the 35 Nokton II, all things considered.

 

It is not as compact as the 35 Summarit, but I have a 28 'Cron that fills the role of a compact and light wideangle lens. The 35 Nokton is close to the 90 'Cron APO in terms of weight, which is about the upper limit in terms of comfortable weight and bulk (IMO) - yet it is a full half pound lighter than the 0.95 Noctilux.

 

I did have the first version of the 35 Nokton a few years back and sold it, which I came to regret. When I replace it with the new version, I won't make that mistake again.

 

In the end, the attraction of the 35 Nokton II for me is the shallow depth of field and the bokeh. From all I have read, it is a stellar performer that can be bought for a song compared to any of the new Leica M lenses.

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My local dealer just posted a photo showing this new lens next to a 35mm Summicron IV / 7 elements...

 

Instagram

 

The Summarit is not as short as I imagined.

 

Yes, as the picture shows, the Summarit is a relatively compact lens (relative to the higher speed ASPH 35s), but more or less every spherical 35 for Leica M or SM I am aware of is smaller, some considerably so (e.g. CV Skopar 35 II, Canon 35 f2).

The good news is that in the case of the Summarit, the hood makes quite a difference regarding size, but in normal lighting conditions there is no penalty in leaving it off, while you would probably prefer or even need to leave it on the lens with some of the older 35mm designs.

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I think the new Summarit is great. The E46 matches al my other lenses and the weight is considerably lower than my Summilux 35. So when I want to travel light I go with it.

 

Sharpness is really good. Also quite nice boké in certain situations.

 

Looks a lot better than the old one :)

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Did you take comparative shots? Just curious.

 

No I don't have the old one anymore. Sold it a couple of months ago.

But since it optically is the same I expect them to be equal.

My comment was on the lens it self and the outer aesthetics rather than the optical ones.

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My local dealer just posted a photo showing this new lens next to a 35mm Summicron IV / 7 elements...

 

Instagram

 

The Summarit is not as short as I imagined.

 

I would have my answer if I were the OP: the 35Cron IV.

At least I would never buy the Summarit 2.4 for 500$ more. But I see buying new Leica lenses the same as buying a new car: I must be really convinced that this is unique and so good that I cannot wait for a secondhand version.

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I like much the Summicron 35/2 v4 as well. Been using it for 20+ years but it has more flare and more focus shift than the 35/2.5 and the latter can remain very small with non regular hoods like that of the Summicron 40/2 for Leica CL (pic: 12518 hood & 14191 hood cap). Won't fit the current 35/2.4 though and better refrain from screwing the hood directly into the lens as they have not the same filter thread.

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Hitherto I've used my Leica M as my digital R solution (with EVF2 and R-M adapter) which works very well with my R lenses for the static subjects I usually photograph.

 

However, I've just taken delivery of a "revised" Summarit-M 35/2.4 to use when I would like to travel light using it as an M camera proper. Haven't yet had chance to use it in anger, but I just wanted to say it seems to be very well made, and gives no impression of being built down to a price (maximum aperture apart of course).

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Looks pretty cool with the Summilux hood as well :)

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