rramesh Posted January 21, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted January 21, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I should stop visiting, or for that matter even glancing at a camera shop. Â Today I walked into my Leica dealer and tried out the 35mm Summicron (The silver chrome was a perfect cosmetic match with my M9-P silver). Now I am contemplating replacing my CV 40mm with this. Â I feel that this is a great lens for family pictures, groups and the occasional travels as a single lens. Â I did have the sense to walk out without purchasing on impulse. Â Any thoughts on if I should consider this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Hi rramesh, Take a look here 35mm Summicron. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Dannybuoy Posted January 21, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted January 21, 2012 I bought this lens before I even owned my M9. I had to invest in the glass so I then had to buy the camera. Twisted logic, but I owned the camera in less than 2 weeks after. No doubt a fantastic lens, very sharp and lovely contrast and great diminutive size. But I only use it on occasion as I prefer 50mm and one is mounted on my M9 90% of the time (Voigtlander Nokton is preferred over my Lux pre-Asph for the extra DoF). It depends what the price is and if you really need the slightly wider FOV than your 40mm. The quality of the Cron will be better (sharpness and less CA) so you just need to work out what works for you. Many may say "If you own an M9 you should have Leica glass" but I find Voigtlander lenses to be perfectly good for my needs. Â Ultimately, do you regret not buying it? If so then I imagine you'll own one soon :-) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Double Negative Posted January 21, 2012 Share #3 Â Posted January 21, 2012 That would be quite an upgrade, IMO. Sure, you lose one stop in speed - but you gain not only excellent mechanical/build quality but also optical performance. Much less distortion, CA and better sharpness into the edges and corners. You get better framing accuracy (as there are no 40mm framelines) and 6-bit coding as well. Though it is a bit heavier. Â That having been said, CV lenses are great - I own a bunch myself. My favorite is the 35 Nokton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted January 21, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted January 21, 2012 I think you should consider it very strongly, it's a really excellent lens. It's a tad wider than the 40 but a very strong performer right out into the corners. It's my carry-round on an MP as it's so small and convenient to use, I like mine so much I sold my 35 Summilux ASPH about a year after getting it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jneilt Posted January 21, 2012 Share #5 Â Posted January 21, 2012 give it a go...it's not like you can't find another owner for it if you don't like it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted January 21, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted January 21, 2012 The 35 Summicron ASPH was the first Leica lens that I purchased (all Zeiss before) and I have never looked back or regretted my decision. It's a fantastic piece of glass. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gyoung Posted January 21, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted January 21, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) My most used lens since '68 on the M3, and now I have an asph as well. Â Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted January 21, 2012 Share #8 Â Posted January 21, 2012 My instinct is that you should buy the Summicron lens. It will hold its value better and give you all the benefits of owning a complete Leica combination. But I am rather biased. I do not own non-Leica lenses for my Leicas! (Frank confession!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted January 21, 2012 Share #9 Â Posted January 21, 2012 Strange how opinions can differ! The Summicron-M 35 mm Asph sure is a fine lens ... but I think the other choices are even finer. The Summicron actually is the least-desirable 35 mm Leica M lens. I'd rather have the Summarit-M 35 mm when I don't need a particularly fast lens, or otherwise the Summilux-M 35 mm Asph. Â Of course, when the look of the lens is more important than the pictures it produces then nothing will beat a chrome Summicron-M on a chrome M9-P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
microview Posted January 21, 2012 Share #10  Posted January 21, 2012 The Summicron actually is the least-desirable 35 mm Leica M lens. I'd rather have the Summarit-M 35 mm when I don't need a particularly fast lens, or otherwise the Summilux-M 35 mm Asph.  +1, although Summilux is beyond my pocket. Have sold at least three Summicrons, never liking them, and preferred the Summarit although at present I have the ZM 35/2.8. If considering that do get the silver – those chromed rings on the black are an unnecessary eyesore. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fWord Posted January 22, 2012 Share #11 Â Posted January 22, 2012 For most mortals, the 35mm Summicron is the best 'middle ground' between the Summarit and a Summilux. Personally, I can recall the number of times when f/2 was very desirable for closer portaits in low light, and f/2.5 wouldn't cut it for me in those situations. That said, to step up to a Summilux is just a dream for me, and I just don't have the dosh for it. Â Additionally, people debating between the Cron, Summarit and Lux should also consider desired DOF. It's all well and fine to get a lens with a massive max aperture if you can afford it. But would the DOF at that point be too thin for your purposes? Â ALL of them are fantastic lenses, but the question is which one offers the best balance of speed, price and dare I say, 'character' for your purposes. I only look at the first two factors, and even then, price is usually the determining factor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted January 22, 2012 Share #12  Posted January 22, 2012 […] I can recall the number of times when f/2 was very desirable for closer portaits in low light, and f/2.5 wouldn't cut it for me in those situations […] +1. As a happy owner of the 35/2 v4 i needed a more modern lens for color and acquired a Summarit 35/2.5. Great lens indeed but i missed f/2 too often so i ended up to buying a 35/2 asph which has become my default 35 since then. I still prefer the bokeh of the Summarit though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LotharZhou Posted January 22, 2012 Share #13 Â Posted January 22, 2012 I too prefer the F2 speed against the summarit, however the two summicrons I got are not really performing to it's standard, one black and one chrome. Now I am getting the Zeiss biogon instead, the summicron 28mm asph is definitely my better lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted January 23, 2012 Share #14 Â Posted January 23, 2012 I bought a mint used 35/2 because it was a good price and never really thought I would use it much. Â I was very surprised at the quality and it consistently turns in outstanding images. Â It's one of a handful of Leica lenses I would never sell, no matter how hard up I became... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
anabasis Posted January 30, 2012 Share #15 Â Posted January 30, 2012 This is my favorite lens for my M7. It's tiny and a great optical performer. While it's not an f1.4 lens, it is fast enough for any sort of daylight work and it's size makes it a great walk around combination. Â JCA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted January 30, 2012 Share #16 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Your profile signature shows you already own the 35 Summicron. Â Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted January 30, 2012 Share #17 Â Posted January 30, 2012 If you have a few lenses I can't see a 35 Cron not being one of them.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Posted January 30, 2012 Share #18  Posted January 30, 2012 Your profile signature shows you already own the 35 Summicron. Jeff  Apparently, he couldn't resist... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rramesh Posted January 31, 2012 Author Share #19 Â Posted January 31, 2012 Bought the 35mm Summicron over the weekend. Took my camera into the store. Tried it on and walked out with the lens still on and the CV 40mm in the bag. I don't plan to remove the 35mm for several months, at least. Such a nice lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Studio58 Posted January 31, 2012 Share #20 Â Posted January 31, 2012 The 35 Summicron ASPH was the first Leica lens that I purchased and I have never looked back or regretted my decision. It's a fantastic piece of glass. Â Same for me Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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