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In search for some new gear


dbhughes

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Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a while, and an avid user for the a few years.

 

I currently have an M6 w/ an Ernst Leitz Wetzlar 35mm f/3.5 Summaron and can't complain one bit. I have recently been eyeing a very old model leica to get back to their roots, and toss the 35 that i have on that, making an old combo. Looking at a iiia and f a the moment.

 

This opens up a new lens for my m6 and the 35's are my favorite and i'm set on an f/2. My question is which version to get. Would dropping the cash on the new asph be worth it, I would justify it if I were shooting on an M9 with all it's quality, but is there going to be that much of a difference on film? I would love to cut some corners to save some cash, maybe which of the pre asph's? The problem is I always am told to get the pre asph, but there are so many and I can never tell which is which.

 

Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

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While the 35 Summicron ASPH looks to be a wonderful lens, I'd also check out the two Zeiss options, the 35/2 and 35/2.8. The f/2.8 version is supposed to a be a bit better, but I had the f/2 version for a year and loved it.

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If you are satisfied with your Summaron, I'd say that any Summicron can fit your desire : the best buys can be found in the items from '70s-'80s (V2 and V3); the V4 has been a sort of legend at its times ("king of bokeh") and it's someway overvalued and not so easy to find. Of corse, the non-Leitz alternatives are very interesting for prices, and, in case, there are also the CV of higher apertures (1,4 and 1,2) that deserve attention.

But... a 35 is a "lens for life"... :)... and the Summicron asph is a perfect lens: given the rather recent intro of the new Summilux, some appear also on the user market, usually in very good conditions and at prices under the 2000 Euros tag.

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The latest Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH is a beauty. If you're not set on Leica glass, the Zeiss Biogon T* 2/35 ZM (review) is also a great lens, and for quite a bit less money. I have the latter myself, though I'm debating between the former and the latest Summilux (FLE).

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Sharpness can be over rated. Again, if you like the Summaron, most any 35 Summicron will probably do fine. I have an M2 with a Summaron 2.8 that I like very much, but also an M6 with a version IV 35 Summicron. I have no desire to get the new aspherical. Not sure what it would do for me.

Another thought: have you considered a 35 Summilux? The pre-asherical version sells from $2000 to $2500. This lens has a unique character. It has a lot of coma when shot wide-open and gives pictures an dreamy quality. The coma disappears around 5.6 for general use. Very popular "professional" lens.

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...Try to find a Version IV 35 Summicron if you don't want the sharpness of an ASPH....

 

My Version IV 35 Summicron is every bit as sharp as my ASPH, from f4 onwards at least. At full aperture, the version IV is visibly softer than the ASPH. And the ASPH is more flare resistant. Still, for some reason I use the version IV more often than the ASPH ...

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Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a while, and an avid user for the a few years.

 

I currently have an M6 w/ an Ernst Leitz Wetzlar 35mm f/3.5 Summaron and can't complain one bit. I have recently been eyeing a very old model leica to get back to their roots, and toss the 35 that i have on that, making an old combo. Looking at a iiia and f a the moment.

 

Your current Summaron is an LTM lens then?

 

If you're happy with it, you can always just switch bodies when you need to.

 

Or, look at the Voigtlander Skopar 35 f2.5, a superb little lens, and a bargain for the money. You don't have to worry about trying to find a non-hazy example either.

 

Otherwise yes, a Summaron f2.8 but the non-goggled versions aren't going for that much less than an older f2 Summicron, so if you're going to push the budget you may as well push it that little bit further! If you can find a s/h Summarit that's another option.

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Guest sterlinstarlin

I'd opt for the version III Summicron unless you want the Aspherical. I'd suggest a new Summarit over both of the Summicrons I mentioned if you find yourself willing to go a little slower than f2.

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My Version IV 35 Summicron is every bit as sharp as my ASPH, from f4 onwards at least. At full aperture, the version IV is visibly softer than the ASPH. And the ASPH is more flare resistant. Still, for some reason I use the version IV more often than the ASPH ...

 

Can't agree more....version 4 cron is unbeatable.

Andy

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