Summarit 35/2.5 or Summicron m 35/2?

[xxxceli]

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Hi guys,

I was wondering if you could help me on making a choice for a 35 mm lens?

Of course, I read the reviews, the test, went through flickr... but I still can't make up my mind:confused:

The two lenses I'm looking at (Summarit 35/2.5 and Summicron m 35/2) are both second hand, and very similar in price range. The Summarit is in better condition of course.

This would be the last (would I need more?) of my kit (Summicron 50/2 and Tele-Elmarit 90/2.8)

All this on an M6 TTL...

Thank you so much for your help,

Kindest regards,

Celia.

[earleygallery]

Which Summicron? The ASPH is a dream lens, faster, very sharp and contrasty if you like that, but the Summarit is well regarded. Or save a bundle and buy a Skopar, great little lens.

 

Basically there's no right answer! Hope that helps.

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[xxxceli]

I haven't looked into Skopar, nor really came across one to be honest... thank you for the advice, James! I'm opened to suggestions:)

The Summicron is a pre-asph 3rd series judging by the serial number (starting with 248...)...

Edited December 16, 2010 by xxxceli

[earleygallery]

The Skopar is a Voigtlander lens, just to clarify for you. I bought one on the advice of a very well respected Leica using pro, and am very happy with it.

 

Condition is all with older lenses, so check the Summicron carefully.

 

You can find plenty of examples of photos with all lenses if you search the photo forums here.

[xxxceli]

Thank you.

In Japan, they don't really come second hand, that's why I didn't really think about it.

Same goes for Zeiss lenses...

I thought I'd stay in the Leica family;)

[xxxceli]

If it can help someone else, I just found Steve Huff's post on 35mm lenses for Leica...

Picking a 35mm Lens for your Leica M9, M8, MP or M7 | STEVE HUFF PHOTOS

I'm leaning towards the summarit at the moment;)

[Stealth3kpl]

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I think the Summarit would be a very good choice. I've been impressed by the contrast in the images I've seen and it seems very flare resistant. Of course, if you want lower contrast and more flare this isn't the lens to choose.

Pete

[peter_n]

A lot of people like the Summarit, you already have an f2.8 lens so your film choice will cover the Summarit too. I think it has a closest focus of 0.8M, not as close as the 0.7M of the Summicron, but definitely better than 1M. The v.3 Summicron is reputedly flare resistant too, and a better built lens than the v.4. I don't have one but I do use the 8-element v.1 which is a little on the soft side but produces beautiful images. Tough to choose, but I think I would get the lens that gives the closest "look" to your 50 and 90. If your 50 is a rigid or a DR I'd get the Summicron provided the glass was in really good shape and the mechanics seem fine. I don't know what your definition of condition is, but cosmetics don't matter to me at least. Whichever you get, you'll have a fine kit!

[archi4]

The Summarit is more than excellent.

Very very sharp but absolutely not harsh.

Have just been printing some portraits taken wide open and am amazed at the image quality.

[xxxceli]

I don't know what your definition of condition is, but cosmetics don't matter to me at least. Whichever you get, you'll have a fine kit!

 

 

Peter, I am really not bothered by the cosmetics either, as long as the lens does perfectly what it was designed to do:)

 

I am not too sure what you meant by "a rigid or a DR" though...

 

Thank you for your advice.

[peter_n]

I am not too sure what you meant by "a rigid or a DR" though...

Then you probably don't have one Celia. They're older, manufactured between 1956 - 1968, more-or-less identical glass, the rigid had an infinity lock and the dual range (DR) came with "goggles" or "eyes" that sat on a flat platform on the lens base. The "eyes" allowed the DR to focus down to 0.7M. Many people love them including me. Below is a pic of a rigid I used to have, the DR looks fairly similar to it - no infinity lock though.

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[xxxceli]

Oh...! It does look nice!

 

The Tele-elmarit is circa 1969, and the summicron, 1994... if I refer to the serial numbers... so I already messed up in terms of consistency of "look";)

Peter, your point being the summicron should render a softer, less "modern" image?

 

Also, I was fairly curious about the speed: is the difference that noticeable when used on the field. Users experience matters a lot more to me than stats...

I promise I stop pestering you guys after that one;)

[peter_n]

The Tele-elmarit is circa 1969, and the summicron, 1994... if I refer to the serial numbers... so I already messed up in terms of consistency of "look";)

Peter, your point being the summicron should render a softer, less "modern" image?

 

Also, I was fairly curious about the speed: is the difference that noticeable when used on the field. Users experience matters a lot more to me than stats...

No you didn't mess up Celia, if what you have works together for you then that's all that counts.

 

The point about the earlier 50 Summicron was that it renders a picture somewhat similarly to the earlier 35 Summicrons. It is actually quite sharp but draws the image in a way that's difficult to articulate but probably the best way of putting it is that as you go from the center out to the edge it gets less sharp. Film reproduces the effect very nicely but Leica have designed their modern ASPH lenses to be as sharp as possible over the whole of the image area. So yes, the earlier lenses gave a less "modern" image but it doesn't necessarily preclude sharpness.

 

I wouldn't worry about the speed of the lenses; a one stop spread isn't much. Film has a lot of latitude especially the chromographics like Ilford XP2.

[Falstaff]

Some easy reading for information. Not up to date, but not bad either.

 

Leica M Lens Users Guide

 

Falstaff

[01af]

I was wondering if you could help me on making a choice for a 35 mm lens? [...] I still can't make up my mind. The two lenses I'm looking at (Summarit-M 35/2.5 and Summicron-M 35/2) are both second-hand, and very similar in price range. The Summarit is in better condition of course.

I recommend the Summarit-M 35 mm. It's the most flare-resistant lens I ever came across. Sharpness is about equal to the (current) Summicron's. Bokeh is very nice, too.

[SteveYork]

The Summicron is only 1/2 stop faster, but it makes a big difference. Even f/2 is pushing it indoors.

[menos I M6]

If your decision between the two is very close (apart from the obvious price difference, buying both used or the Cron used and the Sumarit new), there is a difference in handling of the lenses apart from their optical character:

 

The Summicron comes with a plastic clip on hood, which has a very tight front opening, securing the front element very nicely from rain, dust and peoples fingers.

I leave mine without the hood's cap in the bag most of the time, which makes handling fairly quick.

 

I also prefer the clip on hood design, as taking the hood off is a lot quicker (also, one has not to fiddle with the external thread on the Sumarit and it's cosmetic protection ring).

 

Despite all this, half a stop more light might be an advantage to some, who constantly run out of light.

For most people, shooting normal stuff, the difference is marginal.

 

I would try, to get a hold of both lenses in person and decide upon their real feel and condition.

This makes a huuge difference and there are big differences from sample to sample, when buying used already (be it Leica, Nikon or, …).

All my second hand Leica lenses have been bought this way, there are big differences (from samples, that ran dry, had mechanical play or simply had a crunchy spot to differences in aperture ring conditions to differences in glass condition).

 

It is a call, that is better answered, having both lenses on the table (buying online, that means, buying both lenses with money back option after specifically negotiating this point with the sellers).

 

Good luck.

[xxxceli]

Thank you so so much for all of your very useful advice!

 

The Summarit is in very good condition, includes the original box front and rear caps, and manual. No hood.

 

The Summicron has minor scratches on the paint but only comes with the front cap and the plastic box (no hood)... the glass is in good condition.

Here is for the cosmetic aspect;)

 

I am one of these people who always seems to run out of light though... I usually use XP2 400...

 

I suppose that actually handling the lenses might help me make up my mind...

 

Kindest regards,

Celia.

[dchalfon]

so go for the summarit. it is a great lens, and as you mention. is in better condition.

you won't regret.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[menos I M6]

Sounds like going for the Summarit and trying some faster film (pushing) then ;-)