New 35 for M Mono and M9

[asiafish]

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I had to sell my 35 Summarit to fund an M9 (my wife was tired of all monochrome for vacation shots), and now I'm in a position to replace it. I also sold my 24 Elmar at the same time, so currently my 50 cron (non APO) is my widest M lens.

 

I didn't like using an external viewfinder, so I'll not be replacing the 24. The question is whether to just pick up another 35 Summarit (I REALLY liked the rendering) and have enough left over for a 28 Elmarit ASPH, or go for the 35 Summicron ASPH and start saving pennies toward a 28 down the road.

 

Other than the 1/2 stop of light, is there anything else gained in the 35 cron ASPH over the Summarit? Is there anything lost? Size and weight are close enough to be a draw.

 

I'm inclined to just get the Summarit and Elmarit and be done with it, but eager to hear and consider advantages of the Cron.

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[Jeff S]

Both great lenses, but if it makes you feel any better, reports here and in reviews suggest that the Summarit doesn't exhibit focus shift like some Summicron samples (mine, and Sean Reid's, at f4-f5.6), and is less flare prone. Neither of these are big issues with the Summicron, which is why I'm perfectly content, but others might.

 

Reports are that a new 35 Summicron will be coming at Photokina, possibly akin to the new 50 APO Summicron.

 

Best approach is to try and see for yourself….using a friendly dealer or rental. Or, since you really liked the Summarit, just buy another one and stop over-thinking this.

 

Jeff

[asiafish]

Both great lenses, but if it makes you feel any better, reports here and in reviews suggest that the Summarit doesn't exhibit focus shift like some Summicron samples (mine, and Sean Reid's, at f4-f5.6), and is less flare prone. Neither of these are big issues with the Summicron, which is why I'm perfectly content, but others might.

 

Reports are that a new 35 Summicron will be coming at Photokina, possibly akin to the new 50 APO Summicron.

 

Best approach is to try and see for yourself….using a friendly dealer or rental. Or, since you really liked the Summarit, just buy another one and stop over-thinking this.

 

Jeff

 

That is the plan, unless there is just something really incredible about the Summicron that I am missing. Hard to tell from galleries as there are outstanding (and crappy) photos all over the place from both.

 

I do know that the Summarit always did well for me.

[CrisRose]

The Zeiss 35/2 is well worth considering

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

 

Reports are that a new 35 Summicron will be coming at Photokina, possibly akin to the new 50 APO Summicron.

 

 

Jeff

 

Care to point a link?

[jonoslack]

I think that in your position I'd get the 35 summarit and the 28 elmarit Asph - so nice to have little lenses, and they do differ in character.

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Jeff

 

Reports are that a new 35 Summicron will be coming at Photokina, possibly akin to the new 50 APO Summicron.

 

I think that was based around a photo of the T on Leica Rumors which has subsequently been shown to be a photoshop job.

[asiafish]

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I think that in your position I'd get the 35 summarit and the 28 elmarit Asph - so nice to have little lenses, and they do differ in character.

 

35 Summarit and 28 Elmarit ASPH it is.

[tom0511]

I think that's a clever decision.

 

I own both plus the 35 FLE und mostly use the 35 Summicron asph but I had never anything to criticize about the 35 Summarit. By the way I have never felt the need to use a hood with the Summarit-youcan save the money and just use it without hood.

[james.liam]

You also might consider the Zeiss 2,8/35, at 1/3 the price of a new Summarit. Like the Summarit, it demonstrates no significant focus shift on digital but has a greater contrasty punch than the Leica. My solution to a similar quandary was to add a Ricoh GR for 28mm and call it a day.

[Jeff S]

Care to point a link?

 

Jono dismissed this this rumor, which continues to receive occasional forum chatter.

 

I should have used the term 'rumors', not 'reports', which makes it seem more real than I intended. I try to avoid this whole prediction/hype thing….whatever happens, happens…in Leica world.

 

My comment was meant to put the OP's dilemma in perspective, i.e., there's always another super thing around the corner…best to get what you know works for you, and be happy.

 

Jeff

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

Jono dismissed this this rumor, which continues to receive occasional forum chatter.

 

I should have used the term 'rumors', not 'reports', which makes it seem more real than I intended. I try to avoid this whole prediction/hype thing….whatever happens, happens…in Leica world.

 

My comment was meant to put the OP's dilemma in perspective, i.e., there's always another super thing around the corner…best to get what you know works for you, and be happy.

 

Jeff

 

Oh that rumour... Yes, its a current summicron ASPH with a ring on like the others to make it look pretty for the marketing shoot.

 

If they ever do update the 35 Cron the trend seems to be bigger and heavier!

[asiafish]

Thanks all. I am in Los Angeles next week and will pick up the 35 Summarit at the Leica store there. I ordered a used 28 Elmarit ASPH which I should also have next week.

 

I had the hood for my last Summarit and found it very useful when using colored filters with the M Monochrom.

 

The Zeiss is probably a great lens, but I prefer to stay with Leica for both the 6-bit coding and what I feel is better build quality.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

Thanks all. I am in Los Angeles next week and will pick up the 35 Summarit at the Leica store there. I ordered a used 28 Elmarit ASPH which I should also have next week.

 

I had the hood for my last Summarit and found it very useful when using colored filters with the M Monochrom.

 

The Zeiss is probably a great lens, but I prefer to stay with Leica for both the 6-bit coding and what I feel is better build quality.

 

Good move. Lighting, composition, film, etc. etc. have a far more significant impact on the final image than lens choice do. You cannot go wrong with any of the Leica lenses.

[asiafish]

Good move. Lighting, composition, film, etc. etc. have a far more significant impact on the final image than lens choice do. You cannot go wrong with any of the Leica lenses.

 

Yup, they are all outstanding, though there are real differences in look, speed, weight and price.

[Jeff S]

If they ever do update the 35 Cron the trend seems to be bigger and heavier!

 

Actually the 50 APO Summicron, as Puts and others note, is exceptional in part because of its small size relative to performance attributes, despite including ashpheric as well as floating elements. In fact, it was in the pipeline for many years in part because the technology wasn't able to deliver that degree of performance and compactness. And I think the updated 35 Summilux-M (FLE) was likewise rather compact in relation to its predecessor, all things considered.

 

The part that has increased enormously has been the price.

 

Jeff

[asiafish]

Actually the 50 APO Summicron, as Puts and others note, is exceptional in part because of its small size relative to performance attributes, despite including ashpheric as well as floating elements. In fact, it was in the pipeline for many years in part because the technology wasn't able to deliver that degree of performance and compactness. And I think the updated 35 Summilux-M (FLE) was likewise rather compact in relation to its predecessor, all things considered.

 

The part that has increased enormously has been the price.

 

Jeff

 

The 50 APO Summicron or any of the modern Summiluxes just don't enter into my consideration due to price. I am more than thrilled with my non-APO 50 Summicron (v5) and 90 Summarit. With the 28 Elmarit and 35 Summarit I will have perfect options for one (35) two (28+50) or multi lens kits and with the high-ISO capabilities of the M Monochrom I'd rather have the extra weight in my wallet than in front of my camera.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

Yup, they are all outstanding, though there are real differences in look, speed, weight and price.

 

"The secret of photography is, the camera takes on the character and personality of the handler." Walker Evans.

[asiafish]

"The secret of photography is, the camera takes on the character and personality of the handler." Walker Evans.

 

The M Monochrom and I certainly get along well.

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[Jeff S]

The 50 APO Summicron or any of the modern Summiluxes just don't enter into my consideration due to price. I am more than thrilled with my non-APO 50 Summicron (v5) and 90 Summarit. With the 28 Elmarit and 35 Summarit I will have perfect options for one (35) two (28+50) or multi lens kits and with the high-ISO capabilities of the M Monochrom I'd rather have the extra weight in my wallet than in front of my camera.

 

Indeed, all my comments about the 'expensive' lenses were merely OT discussion, after I had already offered my suggestion (post #2) that you just get another 35 Summarit (and therefore have money for another lens like the 28 Elmarit if that suits your needs). Everyone is different, but in your case you had already determined what works.

 

Jeff

[dj_61]

The Zeiss 35/2 is well worth considering

 

 

I agree