james.liam Posted May 21, 2013 Share #1 Posted May 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I took the leap after stumblng across a Classic M6 with a 0.85 VF in 8+ condition (cosmetic edge wear, paint wear) but mechanically solid. Was gotten from an authorized Leica dealer for ~ €1100 with a 90-day warranty. Always wanted an M since I was a kid and was egged on by a pro I know who never leaves his home without it. Anyway, I'm in search of a 35 Summicron best suited for film and haven't been able to arrive at a happy medium. From my readings, I see that Version I, sans 'goggles' is a rarely seen, expensive collector's item. Versions II/III are probably not as good as v.I was in many respects, whereas the tiny version IV, aka the (faux) Bokeh king, is nearly as expensive as a used ASPH these days and for reasons that aren't clear to me. The ASPH, sharper than all at least in center resolution seems to have its issues with focus shift and field curvature and is probably best suited for reportage and street shooting. Landscapes appear to be its Achille's heel. Looked at the ZM 35/2 and its wonderful but just too big. The ZM 35/2.8 is fantastic, small and razor sharp but not fast enough, as I intend to use it with slower B&W film. And how can I possibly get a non-Leica as my first M lens?!? Really. Whatever illumination the local cognoscenti might shed upon this, is greatly appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 21, 2013 Posted May 21, 2013 Hi james.liam, Take a look here M6...35 Summicron suggestions. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Tonki-M Posted May 21, 2013 Share #2 Posted May 21, 2013 the 1st version 8-elements summicron is very popular. good character, good sharpness, decent contrast. all in all, a very balanced lens with pleasing draw on b/w film. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted May 21, 2013 Share #3 Posted May 21, 2013 The 35 Summicron-ASPH is a superb lens! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen.w Posted May 21, 2013 Share #4 Posted May 21, 2013 Looked at the ZM 35/2 and its wonderful but just too big.Not to put you off a Summicron, but bear in mind that unlike the Leica lens, you can use the Zeiss without a hood. Compared to a Summicron with hood the size difference is negligible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianUK Posted May 21, 2013 Share #5 Posted May 21, 2013 Greeting James, Congratulations on your M6 purchase! Re 35mm lens choice - what a nice dilema to have If you wish to read my personal assessment of the 35 Summicron Asph used with black and white film it can be found at my blog below. Just go to: About Me>Summicron-M f2 35mm ASPH. Hope it helps... and do let the forum know of your decision. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted May 21, 2013 Thanks Brian. Nice website , BTW. Anyone have comments about v. II, III & IV? Is the ASPH superior despite its failing? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB_tx Posted May 21, 2013 Share #7 Posted May 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) All of the Leica 35 Summicron lenses are capable of excellent results! I got a v2 in 1969 for my M4 and have used it on the M4 and M6 ever since. I also have a v1 for my M3, and a Zeiss 35 f2 as well as Voigtlander 35 1.4 for low light. In normal pictures the Zeiss can appear sharper due to its high contrast, but I prefer the smaller size of the early Summicrons. The v2 is perhaps too small, as it can be difficult to find the small aperture tab with the hood mounted; but it sure is handy to carry and feels great on an M6. It is often available cheaper as well. The Voigtlander can vary sample-to-sample, but mine is quite nice below 2.8. (It's actually good at smaller apertures, but it does shift focus (as do a LOT of fast lenses), so you have to compensate if you are critical. I've had lovely results at 5.6-8.0, but "pixel-peeping" shows best sharpness behind the subjects. My advice: don't pixel-peep!) Don't obsess over reviews. Find a good sample of any of these lenses and just enjoy it, as you can get good results. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted May 21, 2013 Share #8 Posted May 21, 2013 The 35/2 Asph is my favourite lens. I've never noticed any focus shift. Twice I've noticed flare, on consecutive frames using a filter with the sun just off axis. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted May 22, 2013 Strangely enough, here in the US, version IV now commands a higher price than a used ASPH. To those of you who have used both, does this make any sense? Other than the smaller size, my understanding is that the version IV has a veiling haze @ apertures wider than f/2.8, is not as sharp but somewhat kinder on skin tones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagwar.jim Posted May 27, 2013 Share #10 Posted May 27, 2013 The 35 Summicron-ASPH is a superb lens! I can second this! I have been using it on a Leica M7 (also film) and it performs brilliantly. Seriously, you can't go wrong with this one. Lots of photos taken with this lens on my website, including a review of the lens itself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
think Posted May 28, 2013 Share #11 Posted May 28, 2013 I've had a v2 for many years and it's never done me wrong. I wish it could say the same about me. Anyway...it's tiny yet handles very well once you get accustomed to the aperture tab. It's fast to focus and even with its hood attached makes for a pleasant companion. I'm not sure how the v2 compares in price, but I'd highly recommend it for its overall package of handling and IQ. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelwj Posted May 30, 2013 Share #12 Posted May 30, 2013 I was in a similar boat a few months ago, fell into a nice 'user' M6 for a few hundred $. I ended up going with the CV 35/2.5 basically due to cost (found one on sale with free hood $350). I'd always wanted a 35 cron but didn't have the cash. I'm almost there, and will probably get a used asph. My reasoning is that they are generally in better condition for the $, and they all appear to be good enough. It just doesn't seem right not to have a leica on the M6... Enjoy the acquisition, I know I love mine, haven't used another camera since I got it, even developed my first rolls at home last week. Very satisfying for a digital (30yo) kid. Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
}{B Posted May 30, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 30, 2013 I've used a German made silver version 4 35mm for nearly twenty years and have never had any reason to think of changing to the latest version. They do seem to sell for silly money nowadays on the basis that they are the 'King of Bokeh' . I have both Leica and Zeiss 50mm lenses but I get perfectly acceptable results when using a Russian Jupiter 8 50mm lens which cost me a twentieth of the price of each of the other two. Unless you are set on and can afford a Leica lens I wouldn't dismiss other brands. Voigtlander are worth considering as they do an F1.4 Nokton in both a multi coated and a single coated version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
plewislambert Posted July 3, 2013 Share #14 Posted July 3, 2013 I was in a similar boat a few months ago, fell into a nice 'user' M6 for a few hundred $. I ended up going with the CV 35/2.5 basically due to cost (found one on sale with free hood $350). I'd always wanted a 35 cron but didn't have the cash. I'm almost there, and will probably get a used asph. My reasoning is that they are generally in better condition for the $, and they all appear to be good enough. It just doesn't seem right not to have a leica on the M6... " Nobody mentioned the 40mm Summicron from the CL. Erwin Puts gave it a favourable review. I bought one, mount modified to bring up the 35mm outlines, cost about £350 plus £100 later for CLA. It works very well. I sold my 50mm Summicron as I never used it and bought a 28mm Elmarit (for less) which gets used sometimes. The 40mm does most of the work. Philip:) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james.liam Posted July 27, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted July 27, 2013 Nobody mentioned the 40mm Summicron from the CL. Erwin Puts gave it a favourable review. I bought one, mount modified to bring up the 35mm outlines, cost about £350 plus £100 later for CLA. It works very well. I sold my 50mm Summicron as I never used it and bought a 28mm Elmarit (for less) which gets used sometimes. The 40mm does most of the work. Philip:) As excellent and tiny as that lens may be, estimating the frame coverage when what it calls up with modification are the 35 frame lines is a pain. One too many parameters to deal with on an M6 when I'm just becoming accustomed to a RF. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stein K S Posted November 1, 2013 Share #16 Posted November 1, 2013 Strangely enough, here in the US, version IV now commands a higher price than a used ASPH. To those of you who have used both, does this make any sense? Other than the smaller size, my understanding is that the version IV has a veiling haze @ apertures wider than f/2.8, is not as sharp but somewhat kinder on skin tones. Bought the IV new in 1998 along the M6 as my first Leica setup... and this was after the launch of the ASPH...I guess I was a Leica rookie and the dealer never told me about this... when finding out, I have felt somewhat cheated ever after. However, I have learned to love the IV in almost ALL areas... tiny, super sharp when stopped down, the rendering being so pleasant... However, the corners are really very soft wide open and I find this "bokeh-king" to be rather disturbing at times TBH... So... I will always keep this lens... mine is even the very nice silver one. But without " my history" with it, the asph is obviously a better buy at same prize! A lot of words to a short conclusion Stein Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ansel_Adams Posted November 2, 2013 Share #17 Posted November 2, 2013 I use an M6 and film too. My faves are version III and version V (ASPH). The ASPH is superb, that's the one I went for. For the same $$$ as an old version IV I got a virtually new lens that was just a couple of years old and which performs excellently. Not sure why anyone would suggest it is not good for landscapes as it has a very flat focus plane right across the frame (unlike the versions II, III and IV which are soft in the corners wide open). Not noticed any focus shift either with film. Maybe its a digital issue. At the end of the day they are all very very good - just get the best condition one you can with the funds available. I think the version IV has just become the victim of internet hype and prices have risen accordingly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Michel Posted November 2, 2013 Share #18 Posted November 2, 2013 Hi, I don't think that you can buy a poor version of a 35 Summicron. All will give you excellent results. I use a Canadian-made (1962 vintage) Summicron with 'goggles' I have used it with my M3, M4, M6, and now M9, It is my main lens. I wear glasses and the goggles allow me to see the frame more easily. I cannot compare it with lenses that I do not have, but I can tell you that it is a 'better' 35 than my Canon 24-105 at 35, or my 40 mm Voigtlander (for the Canon). So, find a lens in very good condition and use it. That said, if I were to buy a 35 Summicron today I would likely go for the so called FLE. Jean-Michel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smb Posted November 2, 2013 Share #19 Posted November 2, 2013 Summicron IV was 'arguably' the best of the 4 for film. For digital the newer ASPH is better. That is a not so general consensus. I don't think there are that many people around who own all four and the appropriate cameras to to comparative tests (maybe I. Puts). What I am getting at is if you want a 35mm Summicron go for the best price and condition and that will probably be the III. On the other hand, with a 0.85 viewfinder you may find the 35mm difficult to use. Make sure that is the lens that you want for that viewfinder. I, personally, use my 0.85 with 50mm and above. Overall, I think that you will not be disappointed with any of the lenses available for the Leica M system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
imants Posted November 4, 2013 Share #20 Posted November 4, 2013 My Canadian made version suits me fine Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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