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Need to make a decision on legendary lens!


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Welcome to the forum !!! 1K$ for a FINE Summaron 2,8 is not such an exaggeration (see this good european dealer : https://www.leicashop.com/vintage/summaron-2835mm-p-262.html) : of course, it's ok only if you really want a lens of a certain oldstyle character... otherwise, even staying on Leica lenses, the modern Summarit 35 can be a better choice, in the same price range.

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Thanks Luigi. I must say I like Summarit 35 too, feel so well on my fingers. From the searches online, it present a look between Summaron and modern Summicron, from what I have seen. The taste is alright for me, and you nail me right on the price for Summarit 35, as compared to Summaron. My mind is on the fence right at the moment.

 

I did went on to search others, and C Biogon caught my attention. I like how it render compare to Summicron.

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i are often using:

Summaron 3,5/35, both schrewmount and bayonet. It is a nice, sharp and small lens.

The summarit is good stopped down on 5,6 or so. But it has not high contrast. Full open on my M 8 it is very soft and does not resolve fine details.

The summitar is good stopped down. Full open it is not as good as my dual range summicron.

The elmar is ok in my opinion.

Yours sincerely

Thomas

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Thanks for sharing, Thomas. Very nice thread and I have picked up a lot of information, still fresh in mind.

 

I did check on Summaron 3.5, seen many brilliant images produced from it. Well within my budget. I am lucky to have offer for the following lens (from highest price to lowest):

 

1) a used Summaron 2.8, in very good condition.

2) a used Summaron 2.8 (with googles type for M3), still trying to find out if the viewfinder is removeable.

3) a used Summaron 3.5, in very good condition.

 

I have yet to decide, but might just opt for the first one since I have been looking around for a good one.

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Thanks for sharing, Thomas. Very nice thread and I have picked up a lot of information, still fresh in mind.

 

I did check on Summaron 3.5, seen many brilliant images produced from it. Well within my budget. I am lucky to have offer for the following lens (from highest price to lowest):

 

1) a used Summaron 2.8, in very good condition.

2) a used Summaron 2.8 (with googles type for M3), still trying to find out if the viewfinder is removeable.

3) a used Summaron 3.5, in very good condition.

 

I have yet to decide, but might just opt for the first one since I have been looking around for a good one.

 

The Viewfinder ("googles") of the Summaron - M3 type must NOT be removed : it makes the lens unusable (doesn't focus properly) : goggle unit can be not appreciated (it eats away part of VF luminosity/clarity and makes the lens harder to carry) but on ANY non M3 body works anyway correctly... activates the 50mm frame which is enlarged to 35mm FOV, RF works properly as usual.

Glad you consider the Summaron 35 3,5... :) a lens I like too... the cheapest to buy usually are the screw mount versions with "old" A36 front size... which gives some issue regarding filters : the later versions with std. E39 front thread (be them SM, BM, M3 goggled) are a better buy... they (probably) have also a better coating than old A36 : BUT... there is a version, common to be found, which is in Bayonet Mount, ungoggled, but with 50mm frame activation : was made for M3 with external VF... better to avoid it even if it can be modified to activate 35mm frame (a simple small filing, but a pity on an original item); the best buy, probably, is the E39 version in screw mount... with a SM/BM adapter for 35mm eveything goes ok.

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Thanks Luigi, really appreciate for your inputs. Now I can narrow down my search, and I learn more too.

 

Now either the (1) or (3) E39 SM version. So far many are indeed selling the M LTM version. Seems like all the version looks the same. Will do more search before I pull my trigger for (1).

 

Cheers

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@John, and Luigi

Thanks for the heads-up. Made me realize that my search in ebay is not thorough enough, which is kinda strange, though I include international option too. Will search again. And yes, the price is on the high side but is on my watch list now. The SM type fetch a high price, not just the Summaron but others as well. I suppose is the low quantity they produced that causes it.

 

Luigi, noted the frameline issue. Thanks again for the reminder. :)

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