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Need to make a decision on legendary lens!


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I don't mind idiosyncracies in lenses (so long as I have an alternative option) but you realize all these older lenses are 'characterful' don't you? Meaning they are often very soft wide open and have a narrow band where they are truly sharp. If you want a characterful lens for your M9 I would suggest the 50mm Summitar (which can be collapsed), but if you just want an alternative 50mm with modern characteristics, such as sharp at all the apertures and nice contrast and easy to use, then the 50mm Elmar M is a bargain and blows the earlier Elmars out the water.

 

Steve

 

Which version are you referring to?

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Go and look for a good (both optically and mechanically) Summicron 50 collapsible in M-mount. It is compact, legendary (as it is considered to have started a new era of lens computing using new optical glasses), compact and reasonably fast.

 

Andy

 

Which version?

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Im familiar with all (more or less). I was wondering about the earlier or later production years. I actually heard that the earlier ones have different character than the late ones even thought they are supposed to be identical.

 

Going to that link also reminded me about another lens I was also considering buying (Which Rockwell also reviews negatively for the M9) which is the 21mm Super Angulon. Does anyone have any experience with it on the M9? Is it bad like Rockwell says?

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  • 2 weeks later...
Another older lens I was considering but would like to get feedback on which one to get is a 35mm Summaron. Which is the sharper, better made ones? 2.8 or 3.5? And which ones?

 

A month ago I bought a 1969 Summaron 35mm f2.8 and have been delighted with it's performance and results (M9 and M7). The feel of operating the lens is akin to that of a brand-new lens, totally belying it's age whilst the solid chrome-plated brass material from which it has been hewn(!) is completely unmarked. It will take up residence on my M7 for b&w street and general usage - an ideal partnership. A highly recommended lens.

 

M7, Kentmere 100, Summaron 35mm f2.8.

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Another older lens I was considering but would like to get feedback on which one to get is a 35mm Summaron. Which is the sharper, better made ones? 2.8 or 3.5? And which ones?

 

Summaron 35 2,8 is the best of the two... and a wise guy named JC advised you on it just from the start of this thread... :); the 3,5 is in my heart, anyway, but is rather difficult to find it in the version that goes easily and correctly onto M9 ;) (to say, ungoggled and showing 35 mm frame). A googled 3,5 can be a tasty but not "legendary" choice.

 

One of the previous post quoted the Summicron 50 DR... undoubtly a "legendary", but not 100% usable, practically speaking, onto M9...:o

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  • 3 weeks later...

Don't think I would call it "legendary" ...but I periodically borrow my daughter's old Summicron. It works fine and looks cool as well.

Jeff

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I would consider a Summitar. There were different versions. Post-WWII threre were some coated versions with a round aperture. Earlier were not coated, and at some point post WW-II they switched to octagonal aperture.

 

Mine is Post WW-II with round aperture. It has a very good look. I use it on an M9 but have put an 'O' ring around the barrel to keep it from collapsing all the way - mine touches something just before the sensor. I hate to risk it going further in.

 

A last word - I find it rather daunting buying early lenses without seeing them in person first. So very many are hazy and/or have hundreds of micro scratches on the front, sometimes rear element.

 

Good luck on your quest!

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I agree with Pico on the summitar, a very unique lens. As with most pre 1970 leica lenses the Summitar is prone to hazing and cleaning marks so make sure if you purchase online that they have a good return policy

 

How would you compare the sum Iyar to the collapsible Summicron?

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Mr. Putts put together a now-legendary treatment of Leica lenses a decade ago. He has made the text, but not the figures, available in PDF. I googled llcforweb.pdf and found the following link:

 

http://www.furnfeather.net/books/pdf/llcforweb.pdf

 

A very different approach for character and quality would be to consider the new Summarit lens line. The 35/2.5 and 75/2.5 both receive very high praise, and are acquirable for a reasonable price. Personal opinion - these lenses are at the pinnacle for spherical-optics-only designs, which will yield excellent center sharpness, adequate corner sharpness, and that legendary Leica bokeh for the out-of-focus areas.

 

If you must go vintage & value, then I would recommend:

50/2.0 rigid Summicron (around $1K)

35/2.8 Summaron (around $700?)

35/2.0 Summicron, somewhere between the 8-element (collector) and the series IV (also collector) (around $1200)

90/2.8 Tele-Elmarit, 1980's vintage (around $700)

 

Enjoy.

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  • 3 months later...

Hi all, I'm new to rangefinder and M9-P & 50 Summilux ASPH went home with me once is in my hands. I never have to think whether to bring my camera or not when I went outing, unlike my D700.. I have to admit the weight is putting me off, and people just go away when I bring up the body. You know what I mean.. I like the approach of 1 body and 1 lens for now. Having say that, I am in the hunt for a 35/2.8 Summaron as I really fall for its character. But in my recent search in ebay, I find the price getting more than $1K. Just like to hear some opinion.

 

Happy shooting.

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