35mm Summicron OR Summilux ASPH? (lastest versions)

[DanBaker]

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Im currently shooting the M (typ 240) with the 50mm Summilux ASPH and love it but im also wanting a Leica 35 to replace my voigtlander 35mm 2.5

 

I have been looking at the latest Summicron and Summilux 35's but unsure which to go with!.. any advice?

(Id be using it for both my personal work; street shooting + portraits and also for commercially shooting weddings)

 

Dan

[Guest Marc G.]

Do you need f/1.4? If not (and I assume you don't) just go for the Summarit.

[JeTexas]

I find the 28 Cron and the 50 Lux complement each other very well whereas a 35mm doesn't quite get wide enough for situations where I can't use the 50.

 

Of course, I'd buy myself a 35 Lux FLE as well if the budget allowed.

[lct]

Do you need f/1.4? If yes the Summilux FLE is the best with a somewhat harsh bokeh though.

If not, do you need f/2? If yes the Summicron asph is the best with a smoother still contrasty bokeh. My favorite 35 at f/2 personally.

No need for f/2? Then go for the Summarit it is a great little lens that i like much as well but beware that corners won't be sharp below f/4-f/5.6.

[Bill W]

As said by another, I would be tempted to go a little wider to compliment my 50. A 28 Elmarit is great and a 24 Elmarit also.

[DanBaker]

I find the 28 Cron and the 50 Lux complement each other very well whereas a 35mm doesn't quite get wide enough for situations where I can't use the 50.

 

Of course, I'd buy myself a 35 Lux FLE as well if the budget allowed.

 

Thanks for that.. although Im now looking at the 28mm now as well! You make a good point about the 50 and 35 being too close.

Maybe my set up will end up being a 28, 35, 50 & 90

[dugby]

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Hi .. I have a similar initial M240 setup to you. I started with 50 Lux/FLE (also have ZM planar 50) and always intended to have 35Lux/FLE as my main lens, which I just bought....and am very glad, and do NOT find it too close to my 50.

 

I have a friend's 35cron, and wondered if i should have got it instead or even the 28cron. But no , both FLE lenses are superb for my use.

 

The 35 FLE stays on the camera for all uses, if i need wider, where possible I take a couple steps back.

 

The 50 FLE is for more intimate shots and i feel paints a very unique image, that the 35 FLE cannot.

 

I really dislike changing lenses so felt that the two FLE's was my best compromise in my pseudo attempt at being a one lens M shooter.

[lct]

...You make a good point about the 50 and 35 being too close. Maybe my set up will end up being a 28, 35, 50 & 90

I don't find 35 and 50 being too close at all. Probably the most classic set with 90 since the fifties but 28 is a nice complement indeed for those who don't need wider.

[BrianUK]

DanBaker,

 

Rent / borrow your suggested shortlisted lenses?

 

It's not all about field of view. Physical size, mechanics and handling should be taken into account. They make such a difference using a M, as I'm sure you're aware.

 

Whatever your decision, let us know how you get on, and your thoughts and experience.

[DanBaker]

Hi .. I have a similar initial M240 setup to you. I started with 50 Lux/FLE (also have ZM planar 50) and always intended to have 35Lux/FLE as my main lens, which I just bought....and am very glad, and do NOT find it too close to my 50.

 

I have a friend's 35cron, and wondered if i should have got it instead or even the 28cron. But no , both FLE lenses are superb for my use.

 

The 35 FLE stays on the camera for all uses, if i need wider, where possible I take a couple steps back.

 

The 50 FLE is for more intimate shots and i feel paints a very unique image, that the 35 FLE cannot.

 

I really dislike changing lenses so felt that the two FLE's was my best compromise in my pseudo attempt at being a one lens M shooter.

 

Yeah that sounds very much the same as me, I always wanted to buy the 35 Lux as my first and main lens and have the 50mm as a back up for those special portraits. But due to the budget at the time I went with the 50 first.

Do you have any online exaples from your 35 and your friends cron?

[wattsy]

You really have to spend some time with the lenses yourself. Photograph the kind of things that you want to photograph, look at prints, etc. Looking at photographs on Flickr and other websites isn't enough IMO and it doesn't provide any answers to questions about ergonomic differences between the lenses. At a minimum, at least get yourself down to the Mayfair shop (or a well stocked dealer who isn't worried about you taking a lens out of its box) and try out the lenses on your camera.

[DanBaker]

DanBaker,

 

Rent / borrow your suggested shortlisted lenses?

 

It's not all about field of view. Physical size, mechanics and handling should be taken into account. They make such a difference using a M, as I'm sure you're aware.

 

Whatever your decision, let us know how you get on, and your thoughts and experience.

 

 

I would like to rent / borrow the lens especially before investing such a large amount of money but its not always possible (maybe if I lived in or around London but in my neck of the woods the extent of lens rarely goes beyond a nikon/canon 18-55mm kit lens)

I will probably take advice from others and read the reviews and just make a purchase much like I have done with the new M and the 50mm I bought.

I know what you mean about the feel of the lens too, this was one of the reasons I was looking at the Cron rather that the Lux.

 

Whatever I end up buying Ill write a review and post the images on my blog.

[wattsy]

Dan, I think it'll be worth your time and money to get down to London and try the lenses out at Leica Mayfair. Being able to demo the various lenses and bodies is one of the reasons for the shop's existence and there is never any pressure to buy. In my experience the staff are happy for you to go for a wander outside and try out any of the lenses on your own camera. Buying the 'wrong' lens can be an expensive mistake to make, especially if you are planning on buying it new (the second hand market is soft at the moment and you'll take a large hit of £500 or more selling a 'new-in-box' used Summicron or Summilux).

[DanBaker]

Dan, I think it'll be worth your time and money to get down to London and try the lenses out at Leica Mayfair. Being able to demo the various lenses and bodies is one of the reasons for the shop's existence and there is never any pressure to buy. In my experience the staff are happy for you to go for a wander outside and try out any of the lenses on your own camera. Buying the 'wrong' lens can be an expensive mistake to make, especially if you are planning on buying it new (the second hand market is soft at the moment and you'll take a large hit of £500 or more selling a 'new-in-box' used Summicron or Summilux).

 

 

Thanks for that Ian. I dare say thats where I will end up and was the place where I purchesed my M body from - found the guys there very helpful! Next time im in London I will be calling in and have a play with the lens.

On a different note.. Love the work you have on your website, you have a great 'free' style of shooting and partically like your image of the American gas station! - Inspiring stuff!

[semi-ambivalent]

Thanks for that.. although Im now looking at the 28mm now as well! You make a good point about the 50 and 35 being too close.

Maybe my set up will end up being a 28, 35, 50 & 90

 

If you add a 21SEM to that you'd be golden.