Advice on a 35mm Summilux pre asph

[IWC Doppel]

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I have seen that most are 1m min focus, some (M3) are 70cm and there is a potential issue with the M9.

 

Which lenses are okay with the M9 and are any suitable that do 70cm ?

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[colorflow]

There have been quite a few threads regarding the compatibility of this lens with M8/9. As I recall no definite serial # range except that most later ones work fine with M8/9. Mine is a late German lens which I have used with both cameras. It focuses past the 1M and the 3ft mark (closer). So a minimum distance of around 0.9M.

[cbretteville]

There is a baffle next to the rear element that on some lenses protrude too far to allow the lens to easily focus to infinity on the M8/9. I had the baffle replaced on mine, which has a serial number that was allotted in 1979. The shot below shows the baffle as it was before it was replaced and absolutely no problems using the lens on my M8 afterwords

 

 

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Carl

[menos I M6]

I have two of these, one from the late 70's, where I had to modify the rear element shroud to clear digital M bodies, which focusses to 1m.

I have another one with infinity lock from the late 60's which focusses closer than 1m (~0.8m), which is my favourite of Summilux v2 lenses.

 

Untitled by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

Untitled by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

parked scooter by teknopunk.com, on Flickr

 

The rear element shroud change is an easy fix any good repair shop can do (un-mounting the lens mount, removing of the focus helicoid is necessary to get to the rear element shroud - machining the shroud and repainting the machined surface is a fast fix).

[rickp13]

SN 2679861 needed work on the rear shroud to work on the digital M cameras. modification and coding done by Kamera Service in the NL.

 

greetings from hamburg

 

rick

[sender]

I have one I purchased in the early 1980s, and although I was initially concerned, found that it fit just fine on my M9. I checked that there was no interference as it was focused to infinity, and got lucky. Hope yours works!

[IWC Doppel]

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I haven't found the right one yet and very keen to find one that can get closer than 1m. I have just acquired an E46 pre ASPH 50mm that I will compare to my E43 pre ASPH VII before probably selling my much loved E43 ( I love the look if this lens with its classic hood, I may find it difficult to part with !)

 

My current 35's are Summaron f2.8 and Summilux aspherical (AA). Looking at reports and MTF'S it seems that the Summaron is a little better in the centre than most of the Summicron's from 2.8 - 5.6 and has a very similar MTF fingerprint to the pre ASPH Summilux at 5.6. I am less interested in absolute performance, more about how they paint and render

 

My thinking is to try a few alternative second, smaller 35's and probably stick with two in total, my AA is a definite keeper

[cbretteville]

If I has to choose between my 35/1.4 pre ASPH (aka the hysterical) and the Sumaron 2.8, I would give up the 1.4 in a heartbeat. The Sumaron is, IMHO, one of Leica's finest lenses ever.

Carl

[colorflow]

I also have the preASPH and the AA. The pre does have its limitations - CA and flare wide open. Later versions are supposedly better due to improved coating, but i still see them even though mine was one of the last ones made. Stopped down it draws beautifully. Its color is quite a bit cooler than the AA which in turn is cooler than the ASPH and the FLE. Interestingly mine has a slightly but noticeable wider FOV than the others. I only use mine occasionally when I want a little different look - both in the pictures and the lens itself with its round hood.

[J12]

I have a 35mm Summilux made in the 90s, which I bought a 2 years ago in mint condition. It also focuses closer than 1m. Very close to 0.8m as an approximate measurement. It's either glued to my M9 or M7 and I use it all the time. Initially I had bought it to tie me over until the current 35mm F1.4 FLE was more readily available and don't regret it one bit. I know it gets berated by some, but I've grown very fond of it. The rendering is gentler than modern lenses, while still being sharp enough when stopped down. The total lack of distortion and small compact size of the lens is also something to like. I often shoot stopped down between F4 and F8, and I shoot at F2 in low light more than I do wide open. But it is nice to have the ability of shooting at F1.4 when absolutely necessary. The change of character the lens exhibits wide open is also an interesting thing to play with. I tend to think of this lens as similar to having a classic Summicron, but with faster apertures for emergency use and different effect. Sometimes I even like the flare too. If you like the look of photographs taken with older fast lenses like the 50mm F1 Noctilux and 75mm Summilux, I think 35mm F1.4 Pre-Asph is a good accompaniment to them. I briefly had a 75mm Summilux and have a 50mm F1 Noctilux. These 3 lenses are all I feel I really need, but I might be tempted to experiment with some more modern lenses in the future.

[colorflow]

Yes, this lens has a classic rendering and the so called "glow" with its flare. Here are two examples.

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