35mm shooter needs help with lens selection

[Prahasaurus]

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I've just ordered my first Leica, a Leica M-A. I love shooting film, always wanted a Leica.  But I'm struggling over the exact lens to use for my new camera. I know it will be a 35mm, but that's about it so far.  I would love some advice from the experts here... :-)

 

First, about me:

 

1 - I will use the camera for travel photography (business travels, vacations) and family photography (wife and kids, etc.).

 

2 - I shoot at night (big city, street lights, dusk, etc.) and indoors (small child) often.

 

3 - I shoot about 90% of the time in B&W.

 

4 - I will likely push my B&W film to 1600 regularly, I love the old grainy look.

 

5 - I really appreciate smaller lens profiles, all things being equal.  

 

6 - Money is not a huge concern for this lens, as it will be my primary shooting lens for decades (hopefully), and I want to make sure it's the right one for me.

 

My initial 35mm lens thoughts (or questions to be answered):

 

a - I appreciate the extra stop on the new Summilux. But the lens seems relatively large and heavy.  I'm worried that it will discourage use, especially on business travels.  

 

b - The Summicron, while smaller, seems a bit too "technical" and "precise."  I rather like the look of older photos (another reason I shoot film), and I'm definitely not looking for technical perfection per se...  I'm also worried f/2 may be a bit limiting for indoor and night use, although it probably should be ok.

 

c - Perhaps an older Summilux or Summicron is the way to go?  Smaller, more character... If so, which?  I'm also worried about using a used lens, as I'm not an expert on lens quality, I don't want to pay a few thousand USD for a lens, only to discover later it's defective. 

 

d - Any tips on how to purchase a used lens to minimize my risk, should I choose that route?

 

Thanks!

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[Mr.Q]

Summilux pre-asph is the way to go if you shoot film and don't mind a softer look.

[Ko.Fe.]

My respect for getting M-A!

 

I would chose lens with good build if long term is intended. And not so heavy.

And one to feel good about. I think, despite some quirks, old Summilux is this lens.

Yet, it doesn't need to be at f1.4 to see how nice this lens is.

 

At f1.4 here is no wife and kinds photography. It is wife or one kid face.

I set it to f8 and bounce the flash. I prefer to photograph them and not to toss it around Internet, instead of photographing them as bokeh and show it here and where.

 

Street photography... Don't be afraid to push it to 3200 with modern BW film.

[B-A-C]

Anything Leica or Zeiss will be good.

[ShivaYash]

Avoid the 1.4 if you like the old look. It’s nice on film but very very sharp. And it’s a beast in terms of weight.

 

I too have the M-A and mainly use the 35f2 pre-ASPH on it. It’s tiny and delivers pleasing results. On a relatively recent trip to India I only took this one lens and one camera... and 40 rolls of film. It was great.

 

 

 

 

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[ShivaYash]

 

1.4 ASPH - I sometimes like this look but it’s not as nice as the pre-ASPH f/2.

 

 

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[blueskyoveraquatic]

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"c - Perhaps an older Summilux or Summicron is the way to go?  Smaller, more character... If so, which?  I'm also worried about using a used lens, as I'm not an expert on lens quality, I don't want to pay a few thousand USD for a lens, only to discover later it's defective. "

 

I would recommend a Summicron 35 mm/2 (2nd & 3rd), a Mandler design.

Here is a link about these 35mm-Crons:  http://www.streetsilhouettes.com/home/2017/3/30/leica-35mm-lenses-5-summicron-versions

For buying used lenses, you should buy with confidence from reputable dealers who have a 3/6-month warranty with a 15/30-day return policy.

[Beena22]

If having a compact lens with an older character are your priorities have you considered a Voigtlander Nokton Classic?

[lct]

Focus shift is much less a problem on film than digital so you may wish to try a Voigtlander 35/1.4 SC. It sort of tries to mimic the Leica Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph w/o the glow (halos around highlights) of the later. I have both lenses. Both are small, well made but also flare prone and both are soft at f/1.4 with a slight avantage for CV as far as sharpness and a strong one for Leica as far as focus shift but the Summilux is not immune from it. I prefer the color rendition of the Summilux but i'm a digital shooter so take what i say with a pinch of salt. About second hand lenses, better choose a late Summilux v2 which flares a bit less than v1 unless flare is an important part of your photography. I favor pro dealers on e**y like these ones personally: https://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_nkw=summilux+35+-asph+-prototype+-%22summilux-r%22+-m5+-m6+-hood&_in_kw=1&_ex_kw=&_sacat=0&_udlo=&_udhi=&_ftrt=901&_ftrv=1&_sabdlo=&_sabdhi=&_samilow=&_samihi=&_sadis=15&_stpos=14600&_fsradio2=%26LH_PrefLoc%3D1&_sargn=-1%26saslc%3D3&_salic=71&LH_SubLocation=1&_fslt=1&LH_SellerType=2&_sop=3&_dmd=1&_ipg=50&_fosrp=1

[Mark Pope]

I think a 35mm Summicron ASPH would be a perfect lens.  I have had mine since I started my Leica journey in about 2001.

[Ecar]

Based on your requirements, I'd go for a Summicron v1 (aka "8 elements"). Small, built like a tank, gorgeous rendering on BW film. With a bit of patience not impossible to find at reputable dealers. Downsides: speed (vs Summilux or f/1.4 CV) and premium prices for good copies.

[Steve Ricoh]

Thorsen Overgaard sent out an email recently (I received this morning) with an extract to an upcoming 'book' (an e-book I expect, as usual practice) 'Composition which lens are you'. Worth reading the extract. I will not link the item here because of possible infringements to his IPR, but if you register with him you should be able to call up the extract.

[Ouroboros]

I think a 35mm Summicron ASPH would be a perfect lens.  I have had mine since I started my Leica journey in about 2001.

 

Agreed.  My modest Leica outfit would be incomplete without a 35mm summicron asph.

 

I'm not seeing a 35mm summilux asph 'look' referred to in the image posted in reply #6 above.  Can someone please explain what it is?

 

I'm genuinely curious to know what I may be missing and not trying to be obtuse.  It's a nice family snap, but to my eye the image has the look of a scanned C41 colour negative, complete with orange cast.  Is there something about the image that can identify the character of the 35mm summilux asph lens?

[Stein K S]

Hi

First I totally agree that 35mm is the one-lens choice.

 

When buying my first Leica (M6 in 1998), I chose the 35 cron. By ¨coincident¨ the dealer sold me a new pre-asph (v4) two years after the launch of the asph without notifying me (At the time was obviously an easy ¨victim¨ being totally new to Leica). However, I lived very happily with this single lens for years. An today... and after a few years suffering from quite some GAS (meaning I now own a number of lenses), this pre-asph V4 is still one of my favourites... and I am today so glad for the ¨mistake¨ done by the dealer 20 years ago.

 

So, if you can live with quite some softness in the corners and ¨glow¨ wide open, 2,0 only and somewhat limited separation,... I guess my recommendation is clear... ;-) At 4,0-5,6 it is just so nice, film & digital.

Edited April 1, 2018 by Stein K S

[adli]

I use the 35 lux pre-asph on film and 35 cron v4 on digital. I also have the 35 lux asph, but find i a bit large for my taste for a walking around lens, the cron and the pre-asph balances better on the camera. In terms of IQ the 35 lux asph is the best though.

[Belle123]

Not sure which Summicron you consider to be too technical and precise? That fits more the modern Aspherical versions, and even more so the Apo 50. I have owned the 35mm and 50mm Summicron v4, non Aspherical, from the start with film and they are lovely and less technical and precise rendering. Classics. Only lenses I need on my M. I do own a few others, but could live without them.

[Prahasaurus]

I'm probably over thinking this...  I will most likely get the newer 35mm Summicron.  By all accounts it's a great lens.

 

One questions, however.  I understand the new lens hood blocks the viewfinder a bit, something that might bother me.  Would a ventilated, rounded lens hood solve that problem?  E.g. something like the Overgaard ventilated shade?

[pgk]

I'm probably over thinking this...  I will most likely get the newer 35mm Summicron.  By all accounts it's a great lens.

As is the Summilux. The earlier 35mm lenses are not as 'good' wide open. If you shoot in cities at dusk I would suggest that their character may soon pale. For such images a current Summilux would be the obvious choice to me. The pre-aspheric is great but has a very odd look wide open - you either love or hate it but I'd suggest a current model would be a fundamentally sounder choice.

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[Prahasaurus]

As is the Summilux. The earlier 35mm lenses are not as 'good' wide open. If you shoot in cities at dusk I would suggest that their character may soon pale. For such images a current Summilux would be the obvious choice to me. The pre-aspheric is great but has a very odd look wide open - you either love or hate it but I'd suggest a current model would be a fundamentally sounder choice.

 

 

The Summilux seems like a fantastic lens, but I'm not a fan of the size and weight.  

[B-A-C]

I'm probably over thinking this...  I will most likely get the newer 35mm Summicron.  By all accounts it's a great lens.

 

One questions, however.  I understand the new lens hood blocks the viewfinder a bit, something that might bother me.  Would a ventilated, rounded lens hood solve that problem?  E.g. something like the Overgaard ventilated shade?

 

Also consider the Cron ASPH V1.  Some great deals can be had an the MTF charts are identical to V2.

 

BTW this lens handles very well.  It's a joy to use.