Summicrons-M 35 mm and 50 mm

[Muizen]

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I can purchase 2nd hand, at prices around those for new lenses, a Leica Summicron-M 35 mm fl. 2.0 ASPH (11624) and a Summicron-M 35 mm fl 2.0 ASPH (16092), both are rare because they are in titanium.

I am interested in photography of interieur and exterior architecture (old buildings, churches etc.), landscape, portraits and family happenings.

 

My questions are:

1) Would you buy 2nd hand, but in absolute perfect mint condition, because these lenses are in titanium, or would you prefer new lenses at almost equal prices?

 

2) Would it be useful to purchase both a 50 mm and a 35 mm lens? Or would it be better a 28 mm and a 50 mm Summicron?

 

3) If you could only buy one lens what would you prefer?

Thank you for your advice!

[ianspector]

I bought both of these lenses new a few months ago. I had the 50mm Noct and the 28 and 90mm Summicrons at the time of the purchase. Most of my shooting is at 35mm or 50mm. I know that some of the silver lenses were of brass construction and were thus heavier, but I am not sure the same is so of the titanium models. For me it does not matter at all to use a black lens on a silver M9 and thus I would always buy new from a good dealer and enjoy the warranty.

 

For interiors and exterior of buildings I would go with just the 35 if you had to choose one. Most of my Leica shooting is done at 50mm but it would be way too tight for interiors.

 

28mm would not be my favourite for portraits.

 

Ian

[jaapv]

They are not real titanium -they are titanium-coated. I would not pay the premium if I were to buy them as lenses to use. I would buy good normal used ones and use the money saved for something else. If I had a titanium M9 I might think otherwise

[michael_b_elmer]

My questions are:

1) Would you buy 2nd hand, but in absolute perfect mint condition, because these lenses are in titanium, or would you prefer new lenses at almost equal prices?

 

2) Would it be useful to purchase both a 50 mm and a 35 mm lens? Or would it be better a 28 mm and a 50 mm Summicron?

 

3) If you could only buy one lens what would you prefer?

 

Code No. 11624 is the Summicron 2.0/50 non asph in titanium finish with extensible hood from 1994.

 

Code No. 11609 is the Summicron 2.0/35 asph in titanium finish. I am not quite sure about the year of production, but I guess it is between 1998-2001. The Individual lens number might be a help to find the exact year of production, but in fact, it is not very important.

 

My answers:

 

1) YES, I have bought lots of Leica lenses 2nd hand, it's absolutely no problem at all. Let Leica 6-bit code the lens, if it is not already coded, and Leica will at the same time control the lens and adjust it.

2) and 3) One needs both 50 and 35 mm lenses in my experience. However, your question is too simplified. In your shoes, I would not hesitate to buy the 2.0/35 asph, although personally I prefer my lenses black and have sold my tits . However, I would not invest in a 2.0/50 non asph - a very old lens construction (from 1979) which IMHO is not up to todays highest standards - but instead get a 1.4/50 asph which is one of Leica's absolute miracles.

 

As mentioned I sold my own tits - I think they are too heavy and that the finish does not present any practical advantages over the standard black finish which suits alle Leica cameras, no matter their finish. But many people say that they think that the tit and chrome versions of Leicas' lenses are more durable. In the end it really boils down to a question of personal tastes and preferences, I think.

[lct]

...1) Would you buy 2nd hand, but in absolute perfect mint condition, because these lenses are in titanium, or would you prefer new lenses at almost equal prices?

2) Would it be useful to purchase both a 50 mm and a 35 mm lens? Or would it be better a 28 mm and a 50 mm Summicron?

3) If you could only buy one lens what would you prefer?...

1) At almost equal price, new lenses of course.

2) 35 & 50 or 28 & 50? Matter of tastes. I prefer 28 & 50 personally.

3) Depends if you prefer wides or not. If you do, you will choose a 35 most probably. If you are like me you will prefer a 50 without hesitation. Matter of tastes again.

[lars_bergquist]

Better buy new, and get the lenses factory-coded. The 50mm Summicron is NOT obsolete; its definition is just as good as that of the Summilux ASPH, except at 1.4 ... a speed you do not need for architecture unless you go in for crypts and the like. Focal lengths are largely a matter of personal preference and cannot be decided by anybody else but you, but my guess is that if you do really go in for architecture, you will eventually want something around 24mm too.

 

Both the 35 and the 50mm lenses mentioned are essentially distortion-less, an advantage for architecture. Around 1% barrel distortion is o.k. too, especially in a wide angle lens. If you want to do architecture at top level, you will need a SLR with a shift lens for perspective control.

 

The old man from the Age of the Tilt, Shift and Twist