Christopher Bell Posted July 8, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 8, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Recently bought my M9 w/ a pair of Summarit M's: 35 and 75. Reading reviews online the Summarit-M lenses don't get much love. Did I make a bad decision buying these lenses? Opinions welcome. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 8, 2011 Posted July 8, 2011 Hi Christopher Bell, Take a look here SUMMARIT-M Opinions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
StephenPatterson Posted July 8, 2011 Share #2 Posted July 8, 2011 I'm not sure which reviews you are referring to but most people I know feel the Summarit lenses are great Leica glass. OK, they're not the fastest, but they're a lot less expensive than other Leica lenses. Take them out and use them for several months. If you decide you want faster glass it's not hard to sell or trade up, but I think you will be happy with your results. Congratulations!!!! Enjoy!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted July 8, 2011 Share #3 Posted July 8, 2011 This review should make you feel much better. But, you don't need the reviews; just shoot a lot and see. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiralx Posted July 8, 2011 Share #4 Posted July 8, 2011 I too have the 35 and 75 Summarits on my M8, and M7, and think they are excellent. I sold the 75 Summicron after using both 75s for a while. I usually choose the 35 Summarit or 35 Summilux-ASPH as a general lens depending on the light, and am never disappointed with the former's results. There seems to be a slight consensus that the 35 and 75 are perhaps the best of the four, though that is not to denigrate the 50 - and I have just ordered the 90. I have never understood the comments about less than top-notch build, as they are as fine as any other modern Leica lenses I have (e.g. 50 Summicron, 24 Elmar). The hood caps are better than older pinch ones and I prefer the pouches to the leather cases. Just make sure you hang onto the front thread ring protector, I lost the 75 one but will get another one with the 90 (they will share the hood). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdriceman Posted July 8, 2011 Share #5 Posted July 8, 2011 No, you got a bargain. The Summarit (50) I have used is a great lens. The build-quality comparison is a bit unfair in my opinion. The Summarit is lighter than say a Summicron in the same way that a Mercedes is lighter than a Rolls. I, frankly prefer the compactness and lightness of the Summarit if I don't need the speed of a faster lens. It is sharp and smooth operating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted July 8, 2011 Share #6 Posted July 8, 2011 No worries. They may not be as sturdily built as other Leica lenses, but from a real-life IQ perspective, the Summarits are on par with the Summicrons. Moreover, the 35 and 75 that you have seem to be considered the best of the lot. I have the 75 (briefly used the 35 too) and, despite an initial problem with a loose focus ring that was fixed by Leica, have been very happy with it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicashot Posted July 8, 2011 Share #7 Posted July 8, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Firstly, some great advice so far, so I'll add my 2c... I'd love to give the OP the best advice I can give. A lens is ONLY as good as the PICTURES taken with it. Bad pictures with the best lens in the world OR great pictures taken with a bad lens - which is better? Forget about build quality> Heavier does not mean better. Forget about bokeh> background is more important in focus than it is out. Forget about speed, unless you need it> most people don't, but convince themselves they do. Forget about the snob factor of owning a more expensive lens> an expensive lens is nothing without a master behind it. Are you a master? My point is, find out for yourself by putting your skills to the test. Whatever level your skills are, I bet they won't match the quality of a Noct, Summilux, Summicron, or Summarit for that matter. I've been shooting for many years at a professional level and still can't match my skills to the quality of even the Summarits. If you're interested in turning boring images into a pile of bokeh blur, then a Summarit is not for you. If you want to take outstanding images using the world's most compact and possibly highest resolution camera in 35mm, go out and see what the Summarit can do in your OWN hands - thats why you bought it right? Listening to opinions here about you, your skills and a lens that no one really understands is not going to justify your purchase. Only you can do that. You just spent a lot of money on two great lenses, so go out and see what you can do with them. I can guarantee you one thing- If you exchanged your lenses for Summicrons or Summilux's, your PICTURES will not be any better, possibly worse. Why? Because the faster the lens, the more wide open, boring, substance-less (is that a word?) pictures you'll be taking, resulting in a mush of useless test shots. Go and shoot pictures like they're your last. There is a big difference between better 'files', as a result of better lenses (and we're talking so minimal) compared to better PICTURES, from a photographer thinking more about what goes into the picture, not what bokeh the lens is creating within the picture. Will a Summilux take a better picture than Summarit? Of course not. Lenses and cameras do not take PICTURES, they 'capture' images, or files. The photographer 'takes/makes/creates' the better picture. Catch my drift? IF, you feel you NEED higher speed lenses, then consider the Summicron or Summilux, but if you're honest with yourself, and you don't, then don't let anyone on this forum convince you that your purchases are not valid. Make that decision on your own doing your very best with your new equipment. I know I come off a bit stern, but using the internet as post-purchase evaluation is no good for any consumer, let alone a photographer. Don't just take my words, you can see how I've applied this philosophy to my own work if you look it up ;-) Good luck Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest l34tz Posted July 8, 2011 Share #8 Posted July 8, 2011 Recently bought my M9 w/ a pair of Summarit M's: 35 and 75. Reading reviews online the Summarit-M lenses don't get much love. Did I make a bad decision buying these lenses? Just go out and shoot. It's not the review which takes the picture but you. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted July 8, 2011 Share #9 Posted July 8, 2011 These are great lenses. Blisteringly sharp with high contrast and neutral bias. The 35mm and 75mm are reviewed extremely highly. I have seen a detailed comparison of the 75mm with the app cron and it looks as good to my eyes. Enjoy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted July 8, 2011 Share #10 Posted July 8, 2011 There are loud-mouthed fools around whose precarious egos depend on owning the most expensive gear. They can't brag about what they are, or what they do, so the only alternative is to brag about what they own (or aspire to owning). These people talk and write the Summarit lenses down, of course. Don't listen to them, it makes them think they're important. The old man from the Age of the Box Camera Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 8, 2011 Recently bought my M9 w/ a pair of Summarit M's: 35 and 75. Reading reviews online the Summarit-M lenses don't get much love. Did I make a bad decision buying these lenses? Opinions welcome. Not at all. I can't speak for myself as I don't own any Summarit, but further to many happy campers here in the forum, either Erwin Puts and Steve Huff have only words of praise for these little gems. The only public despise I know of comes from Ken Rockwell. Cheers, Bruno P.S. I have no grudge against Mr. Rockwell. Sometimes he has his points, especially when it comes to older Leica stuff, but I think he's all wrong about the Summarits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
colonel Posted July 8, 2011 Share #12 Posted July 8, 2011 P.S. I have no grudge against Mr. Rockwell. Sometimes he has his points, especially when it comes to older Leica stuff, but I think he's all wrong about the Summarits. Yes, I think Ken's a great resource, but he is wrong (or at least I disagree) in many issues. To name four: 1. Write off of the M8 (they are great) 2. Summarits 3. Only using evaluative metering with DSLRs 4. Only use JPG etc. So read him with some sense of reference rgds Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 8, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 8, 2011 http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/1701302-post52.html My favorite 35 in good light so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
!Nomad64 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 8, 2011 Yes, I think Ken's a great resource, but he is wrong (or at least I disagree) in many issues.To name four: 1. Write off of the M8 (they are great) 2. Summarits 3. Only using evaluative metering with DSLRs 4. Only use JPG etc. So read him with some sense of reference rgds I couldn't agree more. Cheers Bruno Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted July 8, 2011 Share #15 Posted July 8, 2011 Did I make a bad decision buying these lenses? Good grief, no. Those lenses are excellent. But you should see that yourself, hopefully. Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblitz Posted July 8, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 8, 2011 I use the 90mm summarit and find that for my purposes it is a great lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Bell Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted July 8, 2011 Thanks for all of the replies and overwhelming positive feedback on the Summarit's. Yes, it was Ken's site that spooked me.... after reading his Leica lens recommendations I got a case of buyers remorse and I was concerned I had purchased a couple of dogs. I'm not new to photography, but new to Leica and there is a steep learning curve so I am reading everything online. I totally agree that online reviews don't make the photograph. My experience so far has been very good with these lenses. I am a commercial cinematographer by trade, so manual focusing is second nature to me. My frustration with auto focus is what brought me to Leica and the M9. I'd say that 90% of my pics so far have been sharp and usable. I plan to shoot with these lenses for a few months... I am curious to try the 50mm Summicron and compare it. Here is a pic I took with the 75: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/156340-summarit-m-opinions/?do=findComment&comment=1727861'>More sharing options...
colonel Posted July 8, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 8, 2011 Thanks for all of the replies and overwhelming positive feedback on the Summarit's. Yes, it was Ken's site that spooked me.... after reading his Leica lens recommendations I got a case of buyers remorse and I was concerned I had purchased a couple of dogs. I'm not new to photography, but new to Leica and there is a steep learning curve so I am reading everything online. I totally agree that online reviews don't make the photograph. My experience so far has been very good with these lenses. I am a commercial cinematographer by trade, so manual focusing is second nature to me. My frustration with auto focus is what brought me to Leica and the M9. I'd say that 90% of my pics so far have been sharp and usable. I plan to shoot with these lenses for a few months... I am curious to try the 50mm Summicron and compare it. Here is a pic I took with the 75: I'll tell you a secret. I had a 50mm summarit and it took great pictures, but I had this itch. So I put myself down on some Lux waiting lists and eventually got one. There was no real need to get one, just acute Leica sickness! Is the lux much better ? Well having a sharp f1.4 is a blast! Also the lux is slightly sharper then the rit across the range, but really above f4 you won't notice it unless you are an extreme pixel peeper. The colours and timing from the rit was great. I do enjoy having a built in hood in the lux though. nice pic. Why did she forget to take off her PJ's though BTW, have a look at the M9 group in flickr, some great pics with a variety of lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 8, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 8, 2011 Recently bought my M9 w/ a pair of Summarit M's: 35 and 75. Reading reviews online the Summarit-M lenses don't get much love. Did I make a bad decision buying these lenses? Opinions welcome. Christopher, have you tried searching this forum for either of the lenses you bought? If so, you could hardly escape the enthusiastic responses from owners who contribute to such threads. As to your question, surely the answer lies in the quality of results you are obtaining with your two Summarits. Are you satisfied? If not, for what reasons? I have the 75mm version, bought for use on my M8 and have been extremely happy with its performance, both optically and mechanically. I have used the lens hood from new and regard it essential for optimal results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Bell Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted July 8, 2011 David, While I have been happy with the initial results from the Summarit's, I honestly don't have enough experience with the Leica M9 yet to make critical judgements. I like how both lenses fall off out-of-focus. They have a creamy quality which I did not expect. Here's a pic with the 35: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/156340-summarit-m-opinions/?do=findComment&comment=1727982'>More sharing options...
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