colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Share #1 Posted January 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have been persuaded () to get a 35mm for a M8 The choice has come down to a new Summarit vs used Summicron The used summicron is 35% more (coincidence !!) It appears that the advantages and disadvantages are (all extremely marginal): 1. Summicron better corners wide open 2. Summicron extra 1/2 stop light 3. Summicron better build 4. Summicron - buying used means one might loose less money, or nothing at all 5. Summarit - 35% cheaper 6. Summarit - 1 year warranty (6 months warranty on dealer on Summicron) 7. Summarit - Better contrast (mixed messages on this, I would prefer more contrast - its a personal thing) 8. Summarit - no noticeable focus shift, summicron ASPH seems to have between f4 and f5.6 mostly at close range Price is not the main issue and I would prefer the extra light. However the extra light is minimal. The Summarit is cheaper and has outstanding reviews. The absense of focus shift is appealing (although a loss of 0.3 metres of close focus distance) What should I do ? I am really torn Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 30, 2012 Posted January 30, 2012 Hi colonel, Take a look here 35mm Summarit vs used 35mm Summicron ASPH. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
delander † Posted January 30, 2012 Share #2 Posted January 30, 2012 For the M8 think about a 28mm, such as the Elmarit ASPH Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted January 30, 2012 For the M8 think about a 28mm, such as the Elmarit ASPH Jeff appreciate your point At some point this lens might be used on a M9, so decided that 35mm would be more useful for both in addition user wants around 50mm fl (this would be 47mm) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted January 30, 2012 just found this, perhaps the Summarit is also better for landscapes ?: diglloyd - Lenses for Leica M8, Leica M9, M* - Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M ASPH Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 30, 2012 Share #5 Posted January 30, 2012 I've followed diglloyd for a number of years, but finds his photographic reviews to be a bit too focused on the technicalities for my taste (I guess it comes from his approach to Mac advice). Stefe Huff had a nice write-up here of 35mm lenses, which I found interesting. And Luminous Landscape has this page. It comes down to what you photograph and how. Are you predominantly into available light in darkish situations? Then the extra (half)stop could be important. That said, since you're on a digital body, I think you can't go wrong with either even on an M8 but esp. if you're going to get an M9 eventually since you'll then have the benefit of good quality higher ISO. For landscapes, you'll want corner sharpness - Ken Rockwell made a comparison of the Summicrons. Reading Huff's review of the Summarit it seems his view is that it offers a more classical rather than clinical look. I am also considering 35mm at the moment but for me, who uses film exclusively, there's only the Summilux. Good luck with your choice Philip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
matlep Posted January 30, 2012 Share #6 Posted January 30, 2012 The Summarit focuses from 0.8 meter to infinity. The Summicron focuses from 0.7 meters to infinity. Will 10cm really make a difference in real world use? 0.7 vs. 1 metre makes a big difference though. The Summarit is an excellent lens in every aspect, but i do think the Summicrons hold their value better and i like that the summicron has a focusing tab, with the Summarit does not. In the end it is up to you. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share #7 Posted January 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) The Summarit focuses from 0.8 meter to infinity. The Summicron focuses from 0.7 meters to infinity. Will 10cm really make a difference in real world use? 0.7 vs. 1 metre makes a big difference though. The Summarit is an excellent lens in every aspect, but i do think the Summicrons hold their value better and i like that the summicron has a focusing tab, with the Summarit does not. In the end it is up to you. I stand corrected on the 10cm - not that much different It does have a focus tab BTW. The 75mm and 90mm Summarit do not rgds Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 30, 2012 Share #8 Posted January 30, 2012 I've owned both but now have a 'lux so can be fairly objective: 1. Summicron better corners wide open - Ummm its faster so this is inevitable;) but even at 2.5 there's not a lot in it in the real world 2. Summicron extra 1/2 stop light - Yes. useful if needed but this is likely to be occasional unless you shoot at fast apertures a lot in which case the Summicron is a better bet 3. Summicron better build - Both are built extremely well made - you are comparing two high end lenses and there really is not much in it 4. Summicron - buying used means one might loose less money, or nothing at all - Maybe. Reselling is a risk - you might even make money on a future deal or if one of the two is discontinued in favour of a similar priced update, you may lose more on one than the other. 5. Summarit - 35% cheaper - Yes 6. Summarit - 1 year warranty (6 months warranty on dealer on Summicron) - Yes - warrany is useful but .... you should iron any problems out in 6 months 7. Summarit - Better contrast (mixed messages on this, I would prefer more contrast - its a personal thing) - again I didn't notice this .... 8. Summarit - no noticeable focus shift, summicron ASPH seems to have between f4 and f5.6 mostly at close range - I never noticed anything .... Additional pints. The Summarit has exceptionally little flare but distorts more than the Summicron (see Leica's datasheets) which may be important if you shoot architecture at times or seascapes with the horizon near the top of the image. I wouldn't be dis-satisfied with either of these two lenses. IMHO it comes down to cost, size and which you personally prefer (ergonomics, looks, satisfaction). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 30, 2012 Share #9 Posted January 30, 2012 I own both. The Summicron asph is sharper on edges and corners from f/2 to f/4 roughly but its main advantage is speed of course so if you don't need f/2, the Summarit will make you happy most probably as it is one of those rare lenses allying good sharpness, good resistance to flare and smooth bokeh. The Summarit is said to have some significant CA but i haven't noticed it so far on my crop cameras (R-D1, M8.2). OoF rendition is more contrasty with the Summicron asph but the difference is not always noticeable depending upon apertures and subject matters actually. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
matlep Posted January 30, 2012 Share #10 Posted January 30, 2012 I stand corrected on the 10cm - not that much different It does have a focus tab BTW. The 75mm and 90mm Summarit do not rgds Ooops. My bad Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 30, 2012 Share #11 Posted January 30, 2012 Both lenses are contrasty and none of them have the least focus shift in my experience at least. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted January 30, 2012 do you guys know if using a non 6-bit coded 35mm on a Leica M8 results in noticeable colour cast ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgk Posted January 30, 2012 Share #13 Posted January 30, 2012 The Summarit is said to have some significant CA If it does I haven't noticed it. do you guys know if using a non 6-bit coded 35mm on a Leica M8 results in noticeable colour cast ? If it does I haven't noticed it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted January 30, 2012 If it does I haven't noticed it. If it does I haven't noticed it. you are the most comforting member of the Leica forum 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom0511 Posted January 30, 2012 Share #15 Posted January 30, 2012 I have the Summarit and later added a Summilux FLE. The Summarit is a great little lens. I like the bokeh which is very smooth and -from what I have seen in the internet and magazines I would slightly prefer the Summarit bokeh over the Summicrons. I dont believe the Summarit has more contrast than a Summicron, I would assume the other way around. Therefore I would expect the Summicron (like the Summilux asph) to have an advantage in dull dim light, and the Summarit an slight advantage in hard/contrasty light. In your case I would probably buy a new (or slightly used) Summarit. I also find it nice to have a lens in nice condition. Plus if anything is wrong you have guarantee. In my experience you dont need the hood for the Summarit. Its very nice small size and weight. For that reason I even sometimes thought to add a 50 Summarit to my lens collection in addition to the 50Summilux. If you are in daylight and compared to zooms f2.5 is pretty fast aparture, specially since Leica lenses are really good even wide open. The M with a Summarit 35 or 50 is nearly compact size camera 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted January 30, 2012 Share #16 Posted January 30, 2012 A test of the summicron against the summarit was carried out some years ago by Guy Mancuso: Summarit Series 35,50, 90 Sharpness Test - The GetDPI Photography Forums Jeff 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 30, 2012 Share #17 Posted January 30, 2012 do you guys know if using a non 6-bit coded 35mm on a Leica M8 results in noticeable colour cast ? With IR-cut filter on and lens detection On + UV/IR, there is more cyan and more vignetting in non coded 35mm images. This can be adjusted in PP if you shoot raw though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted January 30, 2012 With IR-cut filter on and lens detection On + UV/IR, there is more cyan and more vignetting in non coded 35mm images. This can be adjusted in PP if you shoot raw though. I thought that you musn't put lens detection on without 6 bit coding ? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 30, 2012 Share #19 Posted January 30, 2012 Same to a lesser extent with IR-cut filter on on both lenses and Lens Detection off for the uncoded lens. You might have the feeling that the image has less reds, is colder, but again this can be adjusted in PP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share #20 Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) I have located a new 35mm Summicron in the UK !! 2 year warranty with 6 bit coding, etc. Doesn't seem to be any second hand ones available with 6-bit coding (once you add it in to the second hand price you are only £318 away from new and with a 6 month dealer warranty only) I guess its this or the summarit. Am I prepared to pay almost double the price for 1/2 a stop and less distortion! D@mn Leica maybe. Anyone comment on how easy the Summicron is to focus ? (I like a short throw!) Edited January 30, 2012 by colonel Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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