35mm summicron vs 35mm summilux

[01af]

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Maybe I'm not understanding you ...

No. He didn't understand you.

 

 

... the minimum recommended speed for a 35 mm is approx. 1/30 s, while for a 50 mm it is approx. 1/50 - 1/60 s on your average shutter speed dial. No?

Basically you're right ... except the difference in the longest hand-holdable shutter speeds between 35 mm and 50 mm corresponds to approx. half an f-stop, not a full one.

 

On the other hand, shorter standard lenses, such as 28 mm or 35 mm, are more often used indoors; longer standard lenses, such as 50 mm and 75 mm, are more often used outdoors. So if this kind of user profile applies to you then it might make sense to have a 35 mm Summilux and a 50 mm Summicron or Summarit.

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[Borbarad]

I don't have the 35mm lux but the cron. Its a great lens (the Summarit might be a good lens but didnt like the built quality).

 

But the actual choice should be what lenses do you want and what's your main VOF. For me the 50 Lux is(will be) the main lens and therefore there is no real need for the fast 1.4 35mm Lux......, but then why not have both..........

 

B

[peter_n]

I used a the first version Summilux 35 ASPH for years and liked the results very much, although I found it a bit awkward to use for some reason. Then I bought a Summicron ASPH and immediately liked using it more, then got an 8-element v.1 Summicron which I really love. I eventually sold the Summilux as I didn't really need the extra stop (you can always use faster film too), I now use the v.1 mostly as I like the look from it. You can see the size difference in the attached pic, all lenses have filters and hoods. The Summilux has a 3rd party hood as the supplied hood was ridiculous.

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[jsjxyz]

This topic is used to be my dilema seveal months ago.

 

As I owned 35 cron asph with 75 summilux.

 

Then I sold my 75 lux to get a 35 lux fle which I believed THE perfect lens, optically and mechanically. Then I sold my 35 cron since the weight of 35 lux Fle is also not heavy at all like my 75 lux which now I am also using 75 cron aa

 

Jsj

[lars_bergquist]

Basically, you are safe whichever Leica M lens you buy – because if you find later that you needed a slightly wider, or narrower, field of view, or an extra f-stop, then you can divest yourself of the old optic at very little actual loss to you.

 

So, to quote the immortal Alfred E. Neumann: "Who? Me worry?"

 

LB

[algrove]

I used a the first version Summilux 35 ASPH for years and liked the results very much, although I found it a bit awkward to use for some reason. Then I bought a Summicron ASPH and immediately liked using it more, then got an 8-element v.1 Summicron which I really love. I eventually sold the Summilux as I didn't really need the extra stop (you can always use faster film too), I now use the v.1 mostly as I like the look from it. You can see the size difference in the attached pic, all lenses have filters and hoods. The Summilux has a 3rd party hood as the supplied hood was ridiculous.

 

So who makes the "third party hood"? Thanks.

[jamesk8752]

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Basically, you are safe whichever Leica M lens you buy – because if you find later that you needed a slightly wider, or narrower, field of view, or an extra f-stop, then you can divest yourself of the old optic at very little actual loss to you.

 

So, to quote the immortal Alfred E. Neumann: "Who? Me worry?"

 

LB

 

Not to be pedantic, but I believe the expression was actually "What? Me worry?" (source: Google)

 

Regards, Jim

[lars_bergquist]

I stand corrected.

 

LB

[peter_n]

So who makes the "third party hood"? Thanks.

S&W makes the hood and it's sold by eBay dealer heavystar.

[ALD]

Just got my 2010 Summilux 35mm asph with FLE, new.

 

What a beautiful object.

 

Now i need a camera to mount it on as I sold my M8 Leica. Am awaiting the M10 or a reasonably priced M9. I am using the LX5 Pana-Leica at the moment.

 

The Summilux 35mm will be a welcome main lens while the Zeiss 18mm Distagon will stay in my collection while I evaluate the limits of each lens.

 

Thanks for all your comments.

 

Basically my reasoning went like this

I could buy the summicron and have 1 less f stop and a less perfect lens which is smaller and lighter. The smaller and lighter was appealing.

However bought new the price is about $1300 less and won't be as desired "down the ages" as the Summilux.

 

If I bought used then I would always worry that I would get posted a lens with scratches or something worse

 

So when an offer presented itself to buy a new summilux 35mm FLE thats what I did.

 

It has made me experience being very happy!

[01af]

So when an offer presented itself to buy a new Summilux-M 35mm Asph FLE that's what I did.

Good idea.

[philipus]

I don't have the 35mm lux but the cron. Its a great lens (the Summarit might be a good lens but didnt like the built quality).

 

I've been intrigued by the Summarit. I also noticed the build quality is slightly, but only very slightly, lower than the Summicron. It's basically the focus ring (at least on the one I looked at) which feels different. To me that would not be important provided it holds its own against the Summicron asph. For some 1000€ less that half stop may not be so bad.

[MarkP]

I've been intrigued by the Summarit. I also noticed the build quality is slightly, but only very slightly, lower than the Summicron.

 

Hi Philipus,

 

sounds very Ken Rockwellish. Specifically in what way were you concerned about the Summarits 'very slightly, lower' build quality beyond a focusing ring with a different feel?

 

As I recently posted in another thread on this topic, I have the 35 Summarit which gives wonderful images with that more traditional/older' look compared with the new fast FLE lenses. I specifically bought it for IQ, compact size, and price advantage over the Sumicron (which I could also afford).

 

I also have for comparison those lenses that some consider to be of 'better build quality', ie 21 Summilux ASPH, 28 Summicron ASPH, 35 Summilux ASPH, 50 Summilux ASPH, 1.0/50 Noctilux, 75 Summicron ASPH and 90 Macro-Elmar).

 

Yes, the Summarit is much cheaper, weighs less, has an excellent new design hood, has a lighter un-damped focussing ring (less glass and no FLE to move around) which is very easy to use compared with any of its more expensive peer (Summilux FLE), almost never flares, and gives excellent IQ.

 

The price is lower because it only has to be built to perform well to f2.5 and therefore doesn't need exotic glass) and uses modern production methods.

 

As someone commented in the other thread, even at it's current price it is an outrageously expensive lens 9compared with other lens brands) for a fixed focal length of 35mm. We have all become price-blind with exotic Leica glass!

 

I have not taken it apart, but short of that there is NOTHING to suggest inferior build quality. It is one of the few Leica lenses I have owned that has NOT needed to be returned for warranty repairs/or adjustment.

 

Regards,

Mark

[lct]

....For some 1000€ less that half stop may not be so bad.

Depends how much you need f/2 actually. AFAIC i use the Summicron asph in most cases as my favorite aperture with the M8.2 is f/2. I realized this after having bought the Summarit but i still prefer the latter for its smoother bokeh though.

[Neil Salton]

I've been using a Summicron ASPH for the last year and keep on being surprised by what i see. Do I need an extra stop? - Not really (at least for my shooting preferences). I'll just keep on practicing and think it'll be quite some time before the type of lens makes a significant difference for me

[philipus]

Hi Philipus,

 

sounds very Ken Rockwellish. Specifically in what way were you concerned about the Summarits 'very slightly, lower' build quality beyond a focusing ring with a different feel?

 

As I recently posted in another thread on this topic, I have the 35 Summarit which gives wonderful images with that more traditional/older' look compared with the new fast FLE lenses. I specifically bought it for IQ, compact size, and price advantage over the Sumicron (which I could also afford).

 

I also have for comparison those lenses that some consider to be of 'better build quality', ie 21 Summilux ASPH, 28 Summicron ASPH, 35 Summilux ASPH, 50 Summilux ASPH, 1.0/50 Noctilux, 75 Summicron ASPH and 90 Macro-Elmar).

 

Yes, the Summarit is much cheaper, weighs less, has an excellent new design hood, has a lighter un-damped focussing ring (less glass and no FLE to move around) which is very easy to use compared with any of its more expensive peer (Summilux FLE), almost never flares, and gives excellent IQ.

 

The price is lower because it only has to be built to perform well to f2.5 and therefore doesn't need exotic glass) and uses modern production methods.

 

As someone commented in the other thread, even at it's current price it is an outrageously expensive lens 9compared with other lens brands) for a fixed focal length of 35mm. We have all become price-blind with exotic Leica glass!

 

I have not taken it apart, but short of that there is NOTHING to suggest inferior build quality. It is one of the few Leica lenses I have owned that has NOT needed to be returned for warranty repairs/or adjustment.

 

Regards,

Mark

 

Hi Mark, as my post makes quite clear, my impression is based on having held and tried the lens, admittedly once and for a short time. So I'm not peddling Rockwell's opinions. Also, I'm not "concerned"; I merely noted the difference in build quality. The Summarit is evidently a competent lens and, as I've understood it, for all but pixel-peepers, and provided one doesn't need a (slightly) faster lens, there's little reason to get one of the more expensive 35s. I certainly agree with you that price-blindedness affects lots of Leica users.

[MarkP]

Hi Mark, as my post makes quite clear, my impression is based on having held and tried the lens, admittedly once and for a short time. So I'm not peddling Rockwell's opinions. Also, I'm not "concerned"; I merely noted the difference in build quality. The Summarit is evidently a competent lens and, as I've understood it, for all but pixel-peepers, and provided one doesn't need a (slightly) faster lens, there's little reason to get one of the more expensive 35s. I certainly agree with you that price-blindedness affects lots of Leica users.

 

I was wondering what you thought but the Rockwell line was meant to be in jest.

Sorry, I forgot to add the smiley face / grin at the end of that sentence.

 

Regards,

Mark

[skinnfell]

Lets try to put up a few pros and cons:

 

35 Cron Pros:

 

• Smaller
  
• Cheaper
  
• Lighter
  
• Less finder blockage
  
• Cheaper hood
  
• Faster focusing
  
• Easily available (some may say this is a disadvantage)
  

35 Cron Cons:

• max F2
  
• slightly less sharp at wide apertures
  
• some say less pleasing bokeh
   
  

 

35 Lux Pros

• Max F1.4
  
• Sharper at wider apertures
  
• some say more pleasing bokeh
  
• Easy to sell
  

 

35 Lux Cons

• Price
  
• Weight
  
• Size
  
• Blockage
  
• Super expensive (but good) hood
  
• Harder to find
  
• Slower focusing because of floating element and more critical apertures
  

 

 

Its only you who can decide if these make the extra five grand "worth it".

 

PS: Also consider the 35 summarit if you are on a budget. Remember you can almost get three of these for the price of the lux. Unless you shoot ALL the time at F1.4 (like some do) it might be a good choice too.

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[Double Negative]

It's worth mentioning two other alternatives which are both quite good and have their own following - the Voigtländer 35mm f/1.2 Nokton and Zeiss Biogon T* 2/35 ZM.

 

Of course, there's also older versions of the Leica lenses - the "Type IV" or "Bokeh King" Summicron for instance or the "pre-ASPH" Summiluxes.

 

Always nice to have options.

[Jeff S]

PS: Also consider the 35 summarit if you are on a budget.

 

Reducing this to cost alone doesn't do the Summarit justice. E. Puts rates it higher than the Summicron here. And other comments above attest to its superiority in some areas like flare resistance.

 

I've owned the Summicron for years, but wouldn't hesitate to get a Summarit as a new buyer. As another example, the Summicron (my sample as well as Sean Reid's) exhibits some focus shift from f2.8 - f4 (nothing to worry about in prints, but it's there), and one needs to spend a lot for the Summilux FLE version to overcome this, while the Summarit exhibits virtually none.

 

Cost is just a bonus if one doesn't need the extra speed.

 

Jeff