Bring back the Elmarits

[swamiji]

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I have no experience with Summarit 90/2.5 and 75/2.5 lenses but they have an excellent reputation and my Summarit 35/2.5 and 50/2.5 are among the best lenses in their category if not the very best for their small size with very few exceptions like my favorite Biogon 35/2.8. As for rubber grips, the most famous R lenses had one like the very sought after Apo-Telyt 280/4.

 

 

I don't have experience with the 35/50mm summarits (except for the 50mm f15). So I can't speak for them, and I am not speaking about optical quality, as the 75mm has deservedly an excellent reputation.

 

The problem I see is the idea that these are entry level and separate from the normal Leica lens line. My view a disservice is being done to the summarits and the main lens line, because of this. However, more attention to build quality would have had to be done to accomplish this. Hood design is one example, and there are others.

 

As far as the rubber grip on the APO-Telyt 280, there is no accounting for taste. However when it cracks and flakes off, like on my old Leica/Minolta lens, you would not be so happy.

[lct]

I was lucky enough to have zero issue with my rubber grips (R 280/4, 28/2.8, 35-70/4, etc.) but i don't like them more than those of my non-Leica lenses to be honest. I was not forced to buy them though and criticizing the quality of those excellent lenses for this reason or for the shape of their optional hoods sounds a bit severe IMHO.

[MarkP]

It really does annoy when I hear people complaining about the build quality of the Summarits. Metal vs rubber grips, telephoto lens hoods, and the dirrerent font on the ring around the front element (first-world problem) may be issues for some people.

 

My 21 Summilux ASPH, 28 Summicron ASPH, 35 Summilux ASPH/FLE, 50 Summilux ASPH/FLE, and 75 Summicron ASPH have ALL had to go back to Leica at some stage for warranty repairs and/or recalibration. I accept the tolerances for these lenses are tighter but this is what we pay so much for. My 35 Summarit NEVER had a mechanical problem.

 

The lens was a delight to use and the ergonomics excellent. I really like the modern-design hood (as also seen on the 21 & 24 Summiluxes, 21SEM, 35 Summilux, etc). Yes, perhaps there are some complaints with the 75 and 90 Summarit hoods but at least they are effective which is more that can be said of many of the built-in hoods of the more expensive M-lenses.

 

Regarding the rubber grips - my 28-90 Vario-Elmarit-R has rubber grips and I don't see this 'abomination' affecting it's performance or resale value, not that of any other R lens.

 

In the end I sold the 35 Summarit because:

1. I was using this FL less and less (in favour of 50 and 28) and I already had the 35 Summilux ASPH FLE which I was not going to sell, and

2. my only complaint about the 35 Summarit was that the corners were a bit soft, especially for enlarged landscapes.

[rramesh]

Frankly there is nothing wrong with the Summarits. In fact they are really great lenses at a great price compared to some of the lenses Leica is bringing to market (the 28 Lux comes to mind).

 

What Leica seemed to have made a mistake in was this:

 

• Introducing the Summarit family and positioning it different from the Elmarit.
  
• After all, except for the 90mm there was no competition between the Elmarit-M and the Summarit.
  
• If they had kept the Elmarit name and used it for f/2.5 as well, I think they would have been able to capitalize on the loyal following and not created an impression of a new cheap line of lenses.
  
• The Summarit was differentiated form all other Leica M lenses in the market.
  
• They keep compounding this mistake with each new iteration of the website where Summarit is positioned in a separate product band.
  
  • High Speed Prime for the Luxes which incidentally includes the 28 Cron
    
  • Fast and compact for the Summicrons, Elmars, Super Elmars and the remaining Elmarit-M.
    
  • And then Summarit (go figure)
    

[swamiji]

My Summarit 75 had to go back to Leica twice for repairs, none of my other lenses (except for my MATE) has ever had to go in for service, including both 75/90 APO Summicron, 24/35/50 lux, etc, etc. So as they say YMMV!

[jaapv]

The mistake here is to think that an " Elmarit " means e certain level of lens.

It only means " a 2.8 lens ". There is nothing in the name that denotes quality or price. all Leica lens names mean just the lens speed. Both the cheapest and the most expensive 50 mm lens are named Summicron. Because they are both 2.0 The only exception is the Summarit line, which includes both an 1.5 top-end lens and a series of budget lenses at 2.5. A legacy of Mr. Lee.

[jaapv]

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My Summarit 75 had to go back to Leica twice for repairs, none of my other lenses (except for my MATE) has ever had to go in for service, including both 75/90 APO Summicron, 24/35/50 lux, etc, etc. So as they say YMMV!

 

just read the forum... Mileage certainly varies.

[swamiji]

The mistake here is to think that an " Elmarit " means e certain level of lens.

 

It only means " a 2.8 lens ". There is nothing in the name that denotes quality or price.

 

 

If that was strictly true, then why the unique build quality in the summarits vs any other Leica lens. I won't mention the 50 f1.5 Summarit, and the 50mm f2.8 Elmar, etcetera. Leica is full of exceptions.

 

As I said before, with hood, it's as large as a summicron, and if you remove the hood you must attach the hood ring, or the lens cap falls off. If you reverse the hood the lens cap falls off. If you have never owned one, then you wouldn't understand, it's unique.The optics are great, as good or better than previous non ASPH lenses, but I found the build fragile.

 

My Experience pertains to the 75/90 only, my understanding is the 35/50 is quite different, but I have no experience.

[swamiji]

Modern f/2.5 lenses are called Summarit folks. This has nothing to do with price. See the superb Summarit-S 35/2.5, 50/2.5, 75/2.5 & 90/2.5. Hardly budget lenses IMO.

 

 

True, then it's time for a v2 of the M Summarits, slightly enhanced build, and a redesign of the 75/90 hood... Leica can get rid of the Lee legacy.

[lct]

Modern f/2.5 lenses are called Summarit folks. This has nothing to do with price. See the superb Summarit-S 35/2.5, 75/2.5 & 120/2.5. Hardly budget lenses IMO.

[asiafish]

I have four Leica and three non-Leica lenses. Of the four Leicas, two are Summarits (the 35 and the 90) and both are every bit as robust as my other non-Summarit Leica lenses. Yes, the 50 Summicron and 24 Elmar ASPH look and feel a bit nicer, but the aperture ring on my 35 Summarit is actually the best of any Leica lens I own, and try as I may I can't get either of my Summarits to flare, even without the hood (I like the hoods, robust, secure and excellent protection).

 

My only regret about the Summarit line is that I don't own all of them.

[DigitalHeMan]

aperture ring on my 35 Summarit is actually the best of any Leica lens I own.

 

 

I would agree with that. The focusing on my Summarit is also way smoother than my other more expensive lenses.

[jaapv]

If that was strictly true, then why the unique build quality in the summarits vs any other Leica lens. I won't mention the 50 f1.5 Summarit, and the 50mm f2.8 Elmar, etcetera. Leica is full of exceptions.

 

As I said before, with hood, it's as large as a summicron, and if you remove the hood you must attach the hood ring, or the lens cap falls off. If you reverse the hood the lens cap falls off. If you have never owned one, then you wouldn't understand, it's unique.The optics are great, as good or better than previous non ASPH lenses, but I found the build fragile.

 

My Experience pertains to the 75/90 only, my understanding is the 35/50 is quite different, but I have no experience.

 

There is nothing wrong with the build; these are real Leica lenses with Leica quality, despite what the KRs of this world would have you believe. The relatively affordable price comes from a standardisation of various parts and a partly automated production line which was installed specifically for these lenses.

[Berth]

There is nothing wrong with the build; these are real Leica lenses with Leica quality, despite what the KRs of this world would have you believe. The relatively affordable price comes from a standardisation of various parts and a partly automated production line which was installed specifically for these lenses.

 

I am very seriously considering the Summarit 75mm to add to my 28 / 50 pair. I like the perspective, it's relatively a good value, and frankly my eyes aren't strong enough to accurately focus a 90mm. I don't question its quality.

[Jeff S]

I am very seriously considering the Summarit 75mm to add to my 28 / 50 pair. I like the perspective,

 

Stand in the same place with all 3 lenses…same perspective.

 

Sorry, pet peeve.

 

Jeff

[Berth]

Stand in the same place with all 3 lenses…same perspective.

 

Sorry, pet peeve.

 

Jeff

 

Thanks for your contribution.

[Jeff S]

My pleasure.

 

Jeff

[swamiji]

There is nothing wrong with the build; these are real Leica lenses with Leica quality, despite what the KRs of this world would have you believe. The relatively affordable price comes from a standardisation of various parts and a partly automated production line which was installed specifically for these lenses.

 

 

Have you used the Summarit 75/90

? You speak in generalities.

 

I had the 75mm for about four years and it ended being the least used lens in my kit, plus it spent almost as much time being repaired as it did on my camera. Now I have the 75mm APO- Summicron and it's my most used lens,

[asiafish]

There is nothing wrong with the build; these are real Leica lenses with Leica quality, despite what the KRs of this world would have you believe. The relatively affordable price comes from a standardisation of various parts and a partly automated production line which was installed specifically for these lenses.

 

According to Leica the savings come from what you mentioned, but also from slightly longer minimum focus distance (the only operational handicap of the Summarits) and their (for Leica) modest speed.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[asiafish]

I am very seriously considering the Summarit 75mm to add to my 28 / 50 pair. I like the perspective, it's relatively a good value, and frankly my eyes aren't strong enough to accurately focus a 90mm. I don't question its quality.

 

The 75 and 35 seem to be the highest rated of the four, though I'm guessing the 90 is often ignored in favor of the much-loved Elmarit while the 50 is often ignored due to the Summicron at only a modest price premium.