RichardM8 Posted October 16, 2010 Share #1 Posted October 16, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, As some of you know from my other thread I'm on the fence to buy an M9. I have set my mind pretty much on the 35 Cron f/2.0 as the first - and probably for a long time - only lens. I know the 35 focal length from my current X1 and a 35 Zeiss prime I had with my Canon SLR. For what I do I think it's one of the most versatile focal lengths. Now my dilemma. From the extensive reviews of both Erwin Puts and Sean Reid that I both regard highly, I learned that the Summarit lenses are exceptionally good performers regardless of their price. Especially the 35 Summarit. Erwin Puts even states the 35 Rit is better than the the 35 Cron ASPH. Sean Reid says that the 35 Rit is one of the best performers in the group test of medium fast 35s including the Cron ASPH. The difference in speed is obvious, f/2.0 vs. f/2.5. Worth noting is that the 35 Rit tests show that it's actually f/2.4. Does anybody know if a 0.4 step in aperture could or will translate to a step in ISO? (for instance, say for a given shutter-speed f/2.5 will require ISO 1000 while on f/2.0 ISO 640 wil give the same shutter-speed?) The difference in price is obvious too. Here in NL a 35 Cron costs the same as a 35 and 50 Summarit together... This is not to be sniffed at considering the M9 already leads to a nice crater in your wallet. Any thoughts and/or experiences? Thank you in advance! Richard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 16, 2010 Posted October 16, 2010 Hi RichardM8, Take a look here Why not another lens question thread? :-). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
elgenper Posted October 16, 2010 Share #2 Posted October 16, 2010 OK, me again.... I did buy the Summicron 35/2 Asph new with my M9, and I have to say i´m rather underwhelmed. First, it backfocussed right out of the box; back to Solms, where it stayed for 2 months. Then, last week, the outer focussing ring suddenly came loose from the focus helicoid proper. So, it´s on its way to Solms AGAIN... Possibly extreme bad luck, but even while I had it in working order, resolution wasn´t all that great. And the demo one that my dealer loaned me wasn´t better. If I could, I´d just return it and get my money back. My almost 50 years old Summicron 50 rigid performs far better, and I now use it most of all my lenses. My equally old Summicron 35 Ver. 1 is very soft wide open, and less contrasty when stopped down, but resolution is easily equal to that of the new 35. So, except from my whining, what´s the moral? Start buying one or two cheap, old Leica lenses and try them out; you´ll soon learn what works for you. And the IQ may well be sufficient for you to keep them permanently. (As a positive aside, I also have a new Summicron 75 Apo Asph, which is just fabulously good!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted October 16, 2010 Share #3 Posted October 16, 2010 f/2 - f/2.4 is roughly a half stop, so it means that you need a ½ stop ISO correction to compensate, i.e. 200 i.s.o. 160, 100 i.s.o. 80 etc. If you need 1000 ISO for the f/2.5 then about 800 ISO for the f/2, conversely If you need 640 ISO for the f/2 then about 800 ISO for the f/2.5 should do it. I would seriously consider 2nd hand lenses, they are just fine for normal mortals and then you should be able to go for faster lenses. The one thing a summarit cannot do is is give the same DoF isolation as a f/2 or f/1.4. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardM8 Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted October 16, 2010 Yes I've read about the backfocus thing with the 35 Cron. I don't know how this translates to everyday use though. I forgot to mention, while it makes absolutely perfect sense to do, I'm not a s/h guy. Never have and probably never will. I can't really explain it though... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted October 16, 2010 Share #5 Posted October 16, 2010 I forgot to mention, while it makes absolutely perfect sense to do, I'm not a s/h guy. Never have and probably never will. I can't really explain it though... Which will make dr. Kaufmann very happy;) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted October 16, 2010 Share #6 Posted October 16, 2010 I can strongly recommend the Summarit 35. It is a beautiful little lens. Small, sharp, very nice contrast and lovely OOF rendition. On my M8, this lens was almost permanently attached. I would suggest that you also get the matching lens hood. It's a good solid & effective hood. Additionally, it improves the look of the lens, and it also fits the Summarit 50. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardM8 Posted October 16, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted October 16, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I know Stephen, I know... Tnx Nicole. But on the M8 the 35 goes towards a 47 and roughly speaking, taking the best part of the image circle. Is that comparable when used on the M9? While I talk about a 35 Cron, I'm about 70% sure. The other 30 whispers a 50 Cron in my ear... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_hog Posted October 16, 2010 Share #8 Posted October 16, 2010 Have a look at some of my recent pickies on my Flickr. Some done with the 35 Summarit. I love it. All sizes | Svartsengi | Flickr - Photo Sharing! All sizes | Opnun í i8 | Flickr - Photo Sharing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted October 16, 2010 Share #9 Posted October 16, 2010 Hi Richard, Don't worry about any problems with a Summarit on full frame. I used it on my M7 too. All of the Summarits are designed for full-frame. The same as other Leica lenses. If you can live with the half-stop speed difference, you can get a great lens and save a lot of money. Believe me, you won't be disappointed with the results from these lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
d2mini Posted October 16, 2010 Share #10 Posted October 16, 2010 Yes I've read about the backfocus thing with the 35 Cron. I don't know how this translates to everyday use though. I haven't. Maybe that's why my 35 cron asph is perfectly sharp? It was my fist lens for my M9. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
likalar Posted October 16, 2010 Share #11 Posted October 16, 2010 I haven't. Maybe that's why my 35 cron asph is perfectly sharp?..... So is mine. Silly sharp. I wish I had the lighter, black anodized version, tho. Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotomiguel Posted October 16, 2010 Share #12 Posted October 16, 2010 I live under the curse of 35 mm. Which one to buy? I think I will never have a 35mm. Even when I know that I need one. I was thinking in the summilux but the cron or ufff how nice is the summarit for its price. I'm blocked. No final decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_tribble Posted October 16, 2010 Share #13 Posted October 16, 2010 Cron v.IV, Cron v.IV, Cron v.IV If you can find one it's an awfully good little lens. As someone who has been known to lust after the "best", I'm not convinced that the Cron Asph would give me more than I have with this. Bought it 20 years ago and it's the lens cap on the M9... I had it on the camera while out for a walk this afternoon - lovely October light in London. There's a small set on Flickr - N.B - the first 6 images were slightly cropped to give a wider aspect ratio - it suited the subjects. And the guy under the bridge was practising his didgeridoo... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_w Posted October 16, 2010 Share #14 Posted October 16, 2010 Hi Richard There was a good review published when the Summarits first came out -- Leica M8 and Summarit-M Lenses Review - photo.net might help with your deliberations. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeiterWinkel Posted October 16, 2010 Share #15 Posted October 16, 2010 Hi, shortly before my M9 arrived I got a very nice deal for a 35 Cron, just one year old, 6-bit code, perfect condition. I'am really satisfied with the lens, it's sharp without back- oder frontfocus. It shows a beautiful bokeh, and superb colors. I'm very happy with the M9 and the 35 Cron, a perfect start into my life with the rangefinder:) A few pictures can be seen in my flickr gallery, e.g. this one: Cheers, Thomas from Germany Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD700 Posted October 16, 2010 Share #16 Posted October 16, 2010 50; Summicron! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckw Posted October 17, 2010 Share #17 Posted October 17, 2010 I have the 35 Summarit and find it to be an extremely capable lens. For some reason the Summarits have not become popular lenses, perhaps because of their pricing as "budget" Leica lenses. As recommended above, I would recommended purchasing the hood (which does not come with the lens) if you go for the Summarit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorkilB Posted October 17, 2010 Share #18 Posted October 17, 2010 Hi Richard take a look at a 24mm here Leica-camera.dk | LEICA M9 Ringlander thorkil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adli Posted October 17, 2010 Share #19 Posted October 17, 2010 +1 Cron v.IV, Cron v.IV, Cron v.IV If you can find one it's an awfully good little lens. As someone who has been known to lust after the "best", I'm not convinced that the Cron Asph would give me more than I have with this. Bought it 20 years ago and it's the lens cap on the M9... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFV Posted October 17, 2010 Share #20 Posted October 17, 2010 There is truth to all answers, yet... There is one thing that is not mentioned. DOF. That is one of the most interesting qualities of fast lenses. To separate the subject from the surroundings is sometimes the difference between good and sublime. In 35mm I would try to get the shallowest DOF I can get my hands on. Personaly I would go for the Zeiss 35mm and a Summicron 50mm both new should be close to the price of the Cron 35mm. I have had great results with the Zeiss and the Cron 50 is only second to the 50 Lux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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