thinkfloyd Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share #21 Posted February 21, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) was just thinking about what miklosphoto was saying about lowlight... it makes sense. Probably, if I'm shooting in poor light (like in my photo above), I can use a flash ala strobist, but in lowlight (as per miklosphoto's decription) I guess a summicron will do well... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 21, 2010 Posted February 21, 2010 Hi thinkfloyd, Take a look here 35 summicron for lowlight?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
lct Posted February 21, 2010 Share #22 Posted February 21, 2010 ...The 35 nokton, and other 35's, are tempting, but I know that even if I get one, I'd still be pining for the summicron. It would be my main (and most likely, only) lens. Given my situation, I'd like to know your thoughts... Ah yes i thought you wanted a fast 35 to do low light photography in the first place. For a single lens i would not hesitate to choose the Summicron 35/2 IV personally. It's been my first 35, i've been using it for 30 years more or less and i've never thought to sell it so far. I prefer the late Summilux pre-asph for its glow, the CV 35/1.4 SC for low light but for general photography the 35/2 IV is still my favourite despite its minor flaws. Smooth bokeh, a bit softer at f/2 but less flare than the others w/o being flare free. Reasonable contrast, good sharpness at f/2.8 and on, the lens tends to unscrew in its mount from time to time (suffice it to screw it again) you won't regret it IMHO. But it won't replace your 50/1.2 for low light obviously. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted February 21, 2010 Share #23 Posted February 21, 2010 I completely agree with LCT's typically astute review of the Summicron 35 f/2 IV, whose strength is its rendering rather than very low light performance. For very low light performance I use the Voigtlander Nokton 35 f/1.2, which is a larger heavier lens but has a particular, very pleasant character of its own with no focus shift. It won't outperform the Summicron or Summilux but it certainly outperforms my Canon 50 f/1.2 in character and sharpness wide open imho so at its price its worth considering. You might consider swapping from your Canon 50 f/1.2 to a Summicron 50 f/2, which has similar character to the 35 IV and can be found cheaply second hand and the Nokton 35 f/1.2. Just a thought. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwskipper Posted February 21, 2010 Share #24 Posted February 21, 2010 You won`t regret that! For an single lens operation, I would vote for the Summicron ASPH. Its a lovable Lens and my favorite one. Regards JUS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashrafazlan Posted February 21, 2010 Share #25 Posted February 21, 2010 One thing I've always been wondering about, are the 1.4 Nokton's sharper than the pre-asph summicrons? Those are the only Leica lenses I can afford, but if they perform on par as the noktons I might be able to save some cash for ir filters Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic108 Posted February 22, 2010 Share #26 Posted February 22, 2010 My recommendation would be to go for the 28mm Summicron. It is easier to hand hold and so you will get more out of it in low-light conditions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted February 22, 2010 Share #27 Posted February 22, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) My recommendation would be to go for the 28mm Summicron. It is easier to hand hold and so you will get more out of it in low-light conditions. +1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkfloyd Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #28 Posted February 23, 2010 I once considered the 28 summicron, but the price... it's too far out of my reach Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 23, 2010 Share #29 Posted February 23, 2010 Thinkfloyd, if you might like the rather short 28 mm focal length and the 28 Cron ASPH is too expensive now, you might want to wait and save for it. Optically, it is the better lens for low light with bright light sources in the frame. It does flare much less than the 35 Cron ASPH (which I like more on the M8.2, as it is not so short). I use the 28 Cron ASPH most of the time without lens hood as a very compact lens. The 35 Cron with hood does not come remotely near to it's performance regarding flare and ghosting. The 35 Cron ASPH though is one hell of a sharp lens across the frame with just no visible distortion, if that is, what you're after (the 28 Cron might be as sharp, but has slight barrel distortion - no issue for me). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkfloyd Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #30 Posted February 23, 2010 I'm a more "tight" shooter, so 35mm will suit me better than a 28mm. Not to say I wouldn't want a 28 summicron some day though I've been thinking of the Cron ASPH as well... I think the price for the pre-ASPH v4 and the ASPH are not that far apart no? How much does a used 35Cron ASPH go for these days? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 23, 2010 Share #31 Posted February 23, 2010 I'm a more "tight" shooter, so 35mm will suit me better than a 28mm. Not to say I wouldn't want a 28 summicron some day though I've been thinking of the Cron ASPH as well... I think the price for the pre-ASPH v4 and the ASPH are not that far apart no? How much does a used 35Cron ASPH go for these days? I have bought my used sample with 6-bit coding, box and papers but some small scratches on the barrel for 1.400 EUR. At the same time, I could have gotten other samples from 1.200 − 1.650 EUR. I based my buying decision entirely on how my sample has been fitting to my other lenses (infinity focus difference). This is (next to the usual checks for clean glass, proper mechanics) the most important point about a lens to buy. The 28 Cron ASPH was around 1.950 − 2.100 EUR at that time. I bought my glass before the last price increase and the nice markup, second hand dealers put on old glass now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkfloyd Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #32 Posted February 23, 2010 Gosh, the ASPH is a little pricier, which means several more months of saving for me I'll see if I can stick it out, if not, it's the 35Cron v4 for me... unless a nice, reasonably cheap ASPH comes my way Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronomaniaque Posted February 23, 2010 Share #33 Posted February 23, 2010 I would not sell the Canon. The M8 is too noisy above 640 iso, and f2/640 Iso is not enough for low light. OK, you can shoot handheld at 1/8 (maybe) but what if you subject mooves ??? On the other hand, 1.2 on a Canon is what you need for low light photography. And a Summicron Asph for the rest :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkfloyd Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #34 Posted February 23, 2010 The various replies has made me think about keeping the Canon. But then, it would take me several months to save up for the summicron. No rush really except that the widest I have is the 50 and I find myself wanting to shoot wider. I guess I should just stick with what I have in the meantime and wait til I have enough funds for the 35. Will be shooting a wedding this weekend and will be using the Canon + M8 for portraits, with the DSLR for wide shots. Thanks for the replies guys. The wait continues... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted February 23, 2010 Share #35 Posted February 23, 2010 Now that you mention it - don't sell your DSLR! I also kept my Nikon for the SLR stuff (still have a Nikon MF film body and a DSLR with glass). There are things better done with a modern DSLR (low light with higher ISO is one example). You also could opt a non Leica glass - many say good word about the tiny Voigtlander 35 f2.5 color skopar. I played with one some months ago, but didn't end up buying it, as the dealer wanted 50 EUR more than the usual new price (!!). He still has it (now 100,- EUR less - hehe). I might pick it up in a mood sometime. The sample, he sells is about 200,- EUR now (clean glass, little scratched barrel, veeeery smooth focus and precise aperture, without hood). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinkfloyd Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #36 Posted February 23, 2010 Yeah, though I sold most of my DSLR stuff, I kept a macro lens (actually close focus, not exactly 1:1 macro) and a walkaround zoom for those times I need wide (it's a 16-50mm) and short tele. Which is why the 35mm on the M8 is perfect for me I won't sell it since I use it for paid shoots to complement the M8. I'm thinking of getting that 35/2.5 skopar or a Nikkor 35/2.5 (if I can find one) in the meantime while I save up for the summicron. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECliffordSmith Posted February 23, 2010 Share #37 Posted February 23, 2010 Hi, I would just like to add another vote for the 35 Summicron ASPH. This is the only lens I use on my M8 and find beyond what others have already mentioned how nicely balanced the lens is on the camera. Also unless you are using the hood you will see no viewfinder blockage which is a bonus. One thing to be aware of is that this lens does shift focus by design. It seems that the later versions are calibrated to tighter tolerances so hopefully you will not notice it. I have an older copy which, while remaining in DOF does shift focus backwards to the point that focussing in front a little can resolve quite a lot more detail. I since got a newer copy and the extent that the shift occurs is truly minimal. My advice would be to test the lens before purchase it at all possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 23, 2010 Share #38 Posted February 23, 2010 You're confused. The Summilux has focusshift. The Summicron has not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECliffordSmith Posted February 23, 2010 Share #39 Posted February 23, 2010 You're confused. The Summilux has focusshift. The Summicron has not. Hi Jaap, While it is true that the 35 Summilux ASPH is capable of shifting focus to levels that would make the Summicron equivalent blush it does not mean that the Summicron does not. Critical focus at F2 with the 35 Summicron ASPH is not the same as at F4. As I said the level of this shift could be so slight that you will not notice it. I hope that is the case for all purchasers of the lens. My first copy of this lens went to Solms twice and there was always significant amounts of sharpness to be gained by focusing in front with the lens as I stopped down. My current copy on a tripod would show no loss of sharpness from F2 until 11 for different reasons of course but there is still extra sharpness to be gained by knowing where the focus has shifted to.There is no way I would have known this, or even looked for it has i not had the first copy. It does not change the fact though, hence I mentioned it and suggested to test the lens before buying if possible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 23, 2010 Share #40 Posted February 23, 2010 Wel I have had the Summicron asph for years and it has not shifted focus once....It may be it has some shift in theory, after all it shares the design with the Summilux 35 asph, but it should be so minor that it can only be seen on an optical bench. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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