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Summarit S 35mm/45mm - your experience


Deliberate1

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Now that I have my S 006 and 70 mm Summarit, I am looking to broaden the lens quiver. Rather than go long at this point, since I intend to use the camera handheld as much as practical, I am looking at the 45 mm or 35mm options.

I'm more inclined to go with the 35mm because it is further from 70 mm and, frankly, can be had for substantially less than its 45mm sibling.

I understand that the 35mm has the full frame equivalent of a 28 mm length. Those of you who own or have shot this lens, do you perceive any significant distortion or softness and the edges.How do you find the autofocus works with a wider field of view. I have replaced the stock screen with the microprism/split screen. It is terrific for manual focusing, but lacks that helpful center cross-hair. Determining what the camera's precise point of focus becomes less precise because it is covering more real estate. At least, that is how i intuit it. On the other hand, the 35mm has a greater depth of field than the 45 mm and may tolerate a minor focusing error.

Thanks in advance for any observations, suggestions and images shot with either the 45 mm or 35mm that you would care to share.

David

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With digital mediumformat camera's no focus error is forgiven not even for the 24mm. Also with the micro prism screen you can just aim easily at the focus point with the split screen in de middle.

 

On the lenses I can't comment.

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I have the 35mm Summarit-S and I really like it.  I pair it with 70mm and 120mm as a three-lens kit for my S2.  I mostly use the 35mm for landscaping images so I didn't see any distortions that are very noticeable.  Based on Leica's published technical data, the lens has less than 2% of relative distortion close-up and bit over 1% at infinity distance. The last three images here were taken the 35mm: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97024932@N08/albums/72157661404880339.

 

I don't have the 45 Elmarit-S but from what I read, it's an excellent performer and has somewhat different optical characters than the classic 35/70/180 lenses.  I'm thinking about getting a copy, hopefully soon.

 

Cheers,

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Thanks for your kind words.  All hand held and auto focus.  In fact that for the last two images, I was on a camel and shoot these images just like point and shoot. I printed 20 x 30 for the 'cowboy hat' image and it came out pretty good.

 

Cheers,

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I started with 35 and 70, and addded more lenses later.

I find 45 and 100 an excellent combo.

IMO as a "partner" for the 70 the 35mm focal length makes more sense.

Also the 35 is a little smaller and lighter than the 45, and its f2.5 vs f2.8.

 

The nice thing about the 45 is that it is a very nice walkaround do it all lens.

 

The 45 maybe has a little more pop and more saturated color, but I think both lenses are excellent and I would recommend to decide based on your needs of focal lengths.

 

I think 45 and 70 is a little close (even though I use 35 amd 50 mm on the M a lot)

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Leica S + 35 = Leica M + 28

 

Leica S + 45 = Leica M + 35

 

Leica S + 70 = Leica M + 55

 

This is the equivalency. The three S lenses are terrific.

 

A second hand 35mm is more frequently available than a second hand 45mm.

 

But for a little bit more you'll find a 30mm, second hand as well.

 

I would buy this, a 30mm (= 24 in FF), because you can crop the picture and have a final one as if it would have been shot with a 35. The opposite is only possible by stitching

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The 35mm is faster (f2.5 vs f2.8 for the 45mm) and lighter @ 929.86 g vs 1030g so if you want to shoot handheld it makes the most sense ,the 45 is a stunning piece of glass with possibly better IQ as it has an extra element which may mean its better corrected (11/9 for the 35 and 12/9 for the 45mm )

 

Rob

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My 35 Summarit-S came used from Leica Store Miami, saving quite a chunk of change. This is about as wide as I will like for general use; wider gets more specialized IMO. To make up my "threesome" add the 70 and 100mm. Had the 45 been available at the time I would have been tempted to go with that focal length rather than the 35, as that makes quite a large jump down from the 70. But we each have our preferences and ways of shooting, so it's an individual matter. In the end I'm happy with the 35.

 

The 35 is a reasonable size for easy handling but I've replaced the big square hood with a smaller generic metal one. The lens is a great performer... Example here at f/4 shows one can easily put the background out of focus, and smoothly. :)

U77I1409894150.SEQ.1.jpg

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On 35mm full frame, I take 90% of my photos with a 35mm lens. When I switched to the S, partly to save money, I also went with the 35/70/120 combo, but have found the S35 a bit too wide for my taste (and I prefer 24mm-equivalent for a wide angle). I ended up splurging for the S45 after all. I just got it a few days ago and haven't used it much. Here are a couple of pics with it:

 

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1246588/35#13329564

 

Price aside I think the biggest factor is whether you like the 35mm-equivalent perspective. The 1/3-stop and 100 grams and slight increase in bulk are not significant.

 

Either the S45 or S35 feels quite different to me in use than the S70 though. The S+70 combo is for me completely practical and comfortable for spontaneous, handheld shooting around town. I use it like I used the Sony A7R. The 35 and 45 are burdensome (but worthwhile) commitments.

 

The S70 also seems to autofocus faster and more accurately than either on both my S2 and S007.

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I too have used the 50 Lux and 35 Zeiss for over 4 years with the M9 and never once felt that they stepped on each other's toes.

David

 

Agree completely.  35/50/90 is the classic three lens rangefinder kit.  When SLRs became popular it changed somewhat to a 28/50/135 kit mainly because SLR viewing solved most of the restrictions of wide and long focal lengths on RF cameras.  Even in the SLR age, many photographers still like the old 35/50/90 set and those lenses remain popular.  

 

I'm currently pondering a move to the S system (006) and would definitely start with a 70mm lens as I tend to be mostly a 50mm shooter on 35mm format.  I also happen to really like 35mm lenses and would probably lean toward a 45mm lens on the S, though size, weight and price are also a factor and those favor the 35mm S lens.

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I'm currently pondering a move to the S system (006) and would definitely start with a 70mm lens as I tend to be mostly a 50mm shooter on 35mm format.  

The lens is brilliant. Do I want others. Of course. Do I need others. Probably not.

Good luck in your decision. Of all the systems I have bought into over the years, the S is the most extraordinary.

David

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The lens is brilliant. Do I want others. Of course. Do I need others. Probably not.

Good luck in your decision. Of all the systems I have bought into over the years, the S is the most extraordinary.

David

 

The hard part is that I would have to sell off my M-E to get there (keeping the M Monochrom).  If I like the S, I'll probably ditch my Canon system to fund a second lens.

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The hard part is that I would have to sell off my M-E to get there (keeping the M Monochrom).  If I like the S, I'll probably ditch my Canon system to fund a second lens.

I hear you. Not easy to part company with friends. But with the S and MM you would have a very nice quiver. I suggest that you keep an eye out on eBay for S gear. There are several 70's that range widely in price. Some really discounted S bodies as well. Best regards.

David

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I hear you. Not easy to part company with friends. But with the S and MM you would have a very nice quiver. I suggest that you keep an eye out on eBay for S gear. There are several 70's that range widely in price. Some really discounted S bodies as well. Best regards.

David

For anything at that level, I'd rather pay a bit more and buy used from a dealer with warranty.

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For anything at that level, I'd rather pay a bit more and buy used from a dealer with warranty.

Wise, for all Leica gear IMO....not just for warranty, but for any follow-up and for future dealings.  And still buy insurance to cover everything a warranty does not.

 

BTW, Popflash is a reputable CA dealer and has a good history regarding discounted/demo S models.

 

Jeff

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