Summilux 35mm pre ASPH

[Guest JMF]

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The 35 pre-asph summilux (from 1978) was the first M lens I bought along with my M8 and still is one of my favorite lenses.

It delivers great colors and changes character from soft wide open to a sharper lens at f2 already.

 

You'll need a hood to hold the filter. No problem to find Series 7 filters on the web, even a UV-IR one, reversed they fit the 12504 hood.

 

Have a look at the old lenses and M8 threads, there are quite a few shots shared here on LUF.

 

No issues with focus and it delivers on film at f1.4 as well .

You may check out my flickr, quite a few in this set were shot with the 35 pre asph lux and M8:

 

ducha na rua by JMF_, on Flickr

 

na Cidade de Deus by JMF_, on Flickr

 

cheers

JM

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[plewislambert]

You could save yourself some money and buy a CV 35mm Nokton, more or less a copy of the Summilux, same 'glow' wide open and it even comes in two versions, multi coated and single coated so you can go 'retro max'.

 

Steve

 

Hi!

Voigtlander lenses in my experience are not as durable nor as sharp wide open as similar Leica lenses. The black enamel lenses go brassy quickly and the chrome ones are better in this respect.

 

When my cheap 1970s 40mm Summicron needed the iris diaphragm re-connecting to the aperture ring and was sent away, I bought a 35mm Voigtlander, which I was keen to sell as soon as the Summicron was returned. I like the Leica lens a lot.

 

The only exceptions in my opinion are the 12mm, 15mm, 21mm, which perform respectably if you use Cornerfix and maybe some noise reduction. I have no idea what such a trio would cost if made by Leica.

 

I did have a Voigtlander 25mm and sold it when I bought the 21mm, which I like. I had the f1.9 28mm Voigtlander and replaced it with a 28mm f2.8 Elmarit (about 1980), which is sharper and more contrasty, but cost more.

Philip

[mobeyone]

Superb :0)

[lct]

Oh, I forgot to mention that on most 35 summilux pre asph lenses, there is a black bakelite shroud that needs removing before you can mount it on the M8

No problem with my "German" copy.

[Guest JMF]

No problem with my "German" copy.

 

Oops I deleted my previous post, I had to get that rear shroud off on my 1978 Canadian copy.

 

About the flare:

Teo lolipop flare by JMF_, on Flickr

 

cheers JM

[mobeyone]

Is flaring really an issue?

[lct]

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If you shoot against the light flare is indeed an issue i'm afraid.

[250swb]

Hi!

Voigtlander lenses in my experience are not as durable nor as sharp wide open as similar Leica lenses. The black enamel lenses go brassy quickly and the chrome ones are better in this respect.

 

I agree, many CV lenses, such as the 28mm Skopar are not as sharp as either the Elmarit or indeed the 28mm Summicron at comparable wide open apertures they are sharper, corner sharpness in particular. But that doesn't help much if you are worried about using a lens and rubbing a bit of paint off.

 

Durability is in itself an issue, but if a CV 35mm Nokton lens lasts only a third as long as the comparable pre Summilux, given it is a third the price, then it will take most people into their retirement before the second one needs to be bought, unless again cosmetics are an issue for you, and you really ought to see the worn condition of many Summilux's to wonder if such a stance is a justified objection.

 

Steve

[mobeyone]

Question I now ask myself is do I need a 35MM....

 

Love the 50 Lux... I think in smaller spaces the 35MM will be better?

 

Should I?! Either way its a fab example and most definitely a keeper... ideally for a second body and I dubt I will have the chance to buy one again like this moreso at the price.

[pico]

Question I now ask myself is do I need a 35MM...

 

 

Only you can know, and by experience. We all have gone through some uncertainty which if viewed with optimism is a path to wisdom and certainty.

 

Choose a lens. We can help you avoid poor opportunities, bad deals. Use your chosen lens a lot! I am bold enough to say you cannot make a bad photograph due to the particular Leica lens you choose.

[topoxforddoc]

I like my copy (an early 80s Canadian lens) a lot. It's tiny and is my favourite walk around lens on my M9 - fits in my coat or jacket pocket.

 

Here are my shots from Oslo last month, using this combo.

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[mobeyone]

See, I have the 50 firmly in front of my M8, never let me down but the framing has from time to time caught me out a little and ive always in the back of mind thought if only I had a 35...

 

The size is a massive factor as is the build etc. I am wanting to have a go at weddings and portraits at some point and will almost certainly need the 35.

 

Do I dont I...

[luigi bertolotti]

35/2.8

 

Again it's the look of the old leica that I want bad these two seem to be what I an looking for.

 

Given that we are dealing of 35s... imho the best in terms of "oldstyle look" and usability is the first Summicron 35 (8 elements) : I used it a lot on my M8 (not to speak of my old film Ms), and , differently from Summilux, you can use it wide open with good confidence. Fine item to handle, too, and with no problem of UVIR filter (std E39) and hood (lot available, original or not)

[friedeye]

It's a wonderful lens with a unique signature. But, for you, as an M8 shooter and using it as your only 35, not a practical buy. It's expensive, soft wide open, and has significant barrel distortion. And, even if you can live with that, it will be nearly impossible to find an IR filter.

 

My advice would be to buy a more modern lens, CV, Zeiss or Leica, where filters are readily available. I'd also consider a 28mm lens -- which, with the M8 crop, would be close to a full frame 35.

 

Then, if you still have the itch for a classic 35 that blooms, buy the pre-asph lux as your second 35. Never hurts to have more than one.

 

Cheers.

[Guest JMF]

All,

 

I am in the process of buying a summilux 35mm pre ASPH.

 

I want the 1.4 and I want an old look to this frame to couple with my 50 lux ASPH.

 

Both will be used on my M8.

 

Any thoughts on the 35mm pre ASPH? I had a cron ASPH but for some reason didn't get on. I love the 50 lux and feel this 35 lux will be a good buy.

 

Need your help and thoughts please.

 

Maybe it's time to quote the original post ...!

 

 

Given that we are dealing of 35s... imho the best in terms of "oldstyle look" and usability is the first Summicron 35 (8 elements) : I used it a lot on my M8 (not to speak of my old film Ms), and , differently from Summilux, you can use it wide open with good confidence. Fine item to handle, too, and with no problem of UVIR filter (std E39) and hood (lot available, original or not)

 

I agree with Luigi, the 35 V1 Cron is a brilliant lens as well, yet usually with a higher price tag than the 35 pre asph summilux.

[lct]

It's expensive, soft wide open, and has significant barrel distortion. And, even if you can live with that, it will be nearly impossible to find an IR filter

Sorry but it is indeed expensive, soft wide open but it has almost zero distortion and E49 filters are easy to find.

[Guest JMF]

One more shot wiith the 35 summilux pre asph, this time on film, Ilford 3200, at f2

 

www.sunrisethefilm.com by JMF_, on Flickr

[Ernstk]

Oops I deleted my previous post, I had to get that rear shroud off on my 1978 Canadian copy.

 

cheers JM

 

I'm a bit worried by this. I have the Canadian version that I use on my M2 and M8 and I haven't had to remove any shroud.

 

Where exactly is the shroud and what does it look like?

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[Guest JMF]

I'm a bit worried by this. I have the Canadian version that I use on my M2 and M8 and I haven't had to remove any shroud.

 

Where exactly is the shroud and what does it look like?

 

It's the circular shroud protecting the rear element, apparently a little file job cures the problem.

 

 

Quoting jappv from another thread on RFF:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35369&highlight=shroud+summilux

The problem imo is that the lens mount on the M8 seems to have slightly tighter tolerances than previous mounts. Some lenses with the banjonet lugs slightly out of tolerance or slightly knocked out of line in use may have problems mounting which did not show up on earlier cameras. I had the problem with a Visoflex. Two minutes with a small file solved the problem.Not that I recommend filing down Summiluxes. If you get your lens coded it gets a new flange and the problem is solved automatically.

 

Here a drawing I had saved from yet another thread about what has to be filed to allow the lens to mount and focus freely:

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[Ernstk]

Thanks, that's very helpful.

 

I'm guessing that not all Summiluxes need this? Mine definitely works fine without this modification. It is a Leitz Canada lens with serial number 2221xxx.