Summarit 35 f2.5

[david_murray]

Hi,

I am just about to buy an M8, I haven't ordered it yet and only have three more days before the rebate offer finishes. I am procrastinating over which lens to buy.
Money is an issue, as I am stretching to get an M8.
Has anyone any knowledge of using the summarit 35 as their main lens?
Also has anyone got a picture of the lens complete with the lens hood to show, I would like to see what it looks like with the hood, and can't find one on the net anywhere.

I prefer the 35mm focal length on a 1.3 crop camera, as I use that focal length on my MK3 all the time. I like the way it slightly compresses the image, yet allows the subject to breathe leaving space. I don't care for the wideangle perspective, so i know i prefer a 35. I just need to make a decision asap as time is running out.

Your time is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
David.

[Bo_Lorentzen]

David,

You said money is a object, and that you like the 35mm. may I suggest taking a long hard look at one of the CV 35mm lenses.?

I have a 35mm 1.4 from CameraQuest.com which I quite like. its in-expensive and easy to get into. clearly this is not a Leica lens, but it will cap that M8 nicely for a while until ou make up your mind on the Leica lenses.

[andit]

Hi David,

I'm in much the same position as you, except that I'm looking at a 50mm. I was also looking at getting a new Summarit or a used Summicron and asked what the forum members thought. While it is true that you do get a new warranty with the Summarit Lens (and in this case the Summarit is Coded), the Summicron version has been proved and tested. These are some of the best lenses ever made - by any manufacturer. Do yourself a favor and have a quick look around the used market - you should be able to pick up a mint used version (circa Mid 80's age) for the same price as the new Summarit. Coding of the Summicron Lens (is needed for lenses 35mm and wider) is just a short trip to Leica who can then also CLA the lens.

Andreas

[michali]

David- I recently went through the same process regarding which 35mm lens to buy.
As mentioned by Andreas lenses from 35mm and wider should be coded, so in my view this excluded the Zeiss and Cosina/Voigtlander. I also didn't want the aggravation involved with shipping the lens to Leica for coding and customs etc.

I checked out Sean Reid's, site a subscription site, (worth every penny), where he reviews the various 35mm options, the Summarit did very well in his review. Welcome to ReidReviews

Also got a tremendous amount of feedback from this forum after posting the question,which 35mm lens to buy?

So I went out and bought a Summarit, no regrets at all! Here some of the first pics taken with the lens.

[luigi bertolotti]

Go for the Summarit...CV can be a smart alternative, but imho when one decides for M8, it's a pity not to have a Leica lens as prime buy. Summarit 35 (which I haven't, but have the Summarit 75, and like it a lot) has always had good reviews everywhere; the only alternative could be to be so lucky to find a used, fine Summicron asph at a price not too higher... but I suspect is not easy to find.

[Herman.]

It's the only lens I could afford.It's perfect for me.

Herman.

[jpattison]

Hi David,
Read Erwin Put's review, he rates the 35 Summarit highly...

Summarit range

"Summarit-M 2.5/35mm
This lens is for all intents and purpose flare free. Even shooting with the sun at oblique angles does not induce flare or veiling glare. At 1:2.5 branches against the clear sky have a faint dark grey color where stopped down you see an intense black. Secondary reflections are also absent, even with the sun shining directly into the lens. The Summarit in this respect is better (but not by a large margin) than the Summicron 2/35 asph."

There's a picture of the hood on page 8 of the brochure... (not on the lens, though)

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/pdf/Su...rochure_en.pdf


John

[Ivar B]

Based on various tests and whar users have reported, it may be correct to say that the best lenses in the Summarit range are the 35mm and the 75mm. I believe Puts argues that the Summarit 35 is at least as good as the Summicron, and 2.0 vs. 2.5 is probably of no consequence in 99 % of all cases. The Summarit 35 is also very compact.

[akiralx]

It is optically a good lens and pretty compact - I had one until recently but have sold it after moving to the Zeiss C Biogon. The one annoyance is the unscrewing lens hood - mine even fell off once.

[microview]

Originally Posted by akiralx

It is optically a good lens and pretty compact - I had one until recently but have sold it after moving to the Zeiss C Biogon.

So what do you think of the Zeiss lens?

[david_murray]

I'd like to thank everyone for their time in replying.
I know my question was basic, but your replies have given me food for thought.


David
______________
Murray Photography

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by david_murray

Hi,

I am just about to buy an M8, I haven't ordered it yet and only have three more days before the rebate offer finishes. I am procrastinating over which lens to buy.
Money is an issue, as I am stretching to get an M8.
Has anyone any knowledge of using the summarit 35 as their main lens?
Also has anyone got a picture of the lens complete with the lens hood to show, I would like to see what it looks like with the hood, and can't find one on the net anywhere.

I prefer the 35mm focal length on a 1.3 crop camera, as I use that focal length on my MK3 all the time. I like the way it slightly compresses the image, yet allows the subject to breathe leaving space. I don't care for the wideangle perspective, so i know i prefer a 35. I just need to make a decision asap as time is running out.

Your time is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
David.

The 35 Summarit is a very good lens, as are the CV 35/2.5, 35 Summicron and 35/2.0 Zeiss (I'll leave the faster lenses out of the equation for now). The two Leicas are coded, of course, and the LTM version of the CV can be easily and durably coded by just using an LT-M8 adapter (no need to send any part of the lens anywhere). Coding the Zeiss is more involved.

On a pure formula of optical performance per dollar, the CV 35/2.5 probably wins. But it certainly would not be a mistake to buy the 35 Summarit and that option would gain you Leica's build quality - which normally is exceptional.

If one gets away from splitting hairs (and especially if he or she likes more moderate contrast lenses) all four of the Summarits can be good choices.

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by michali

I checked out Sean Reid's, site a subscription site, (worth every penny), where he reviews the various 35mm options, the Summarit did very well in his review. Welcome to ReidReviews

Thank you. I think of those tests every time I see lens posts like this but, obviously, I'm not the right person to say what you've said. But I'm glad you did.

Cheers,

Sean

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by david_murray

Hi,
Also has anyone got a picture of the lens complete with the lens hood to show, I would like to see what it looks like with the hood, and can't find one on the net anywhere.
David.

Reproduced by the permission of the author/photographer...The first three lenses are M mount. The last has a Milich LT-M8 adapter mounted.

[david_murray]

Thanks again everyone, and thanks Sean, I appreciate your lengthy reply and the pictures.

I ordered my M8 today with the Summarit 35.

Thanks,
David
________________
Murray Photography

[Mauribix]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

Reproduced by the permission of the author/photographer...

hihihihi

[batmobile]

akiralx,

How would you compare the Biogon-C and the Summarit?

Rgds

[batmobile]

Sean,

Afre you planning to test the 35 Biogon C?

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

Reproduced by the permission of the author/photographer.

We would expect you to post a copy of the written release with that

[sclamb]

The Summarit-M 35mm was the first lens that I bought with my M8.2 (for budget reasons also). I pretty soon followed with the Summarit-M 75mm, and they are both extremely good performers. The combined savings over the Summicron versions lead me to the Elmar-M 24mm f/3.8, which is mid-bogglingly good wide open.

Simon