Question re sharpness of Summicron-R 35 f2

[robgo2]

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I am using this lens on an SL, and I love its rich colors and beautiful rendering. Beats any other 35mm that I have ever used in those regards. However, I find that I cannot get sharp edges and corners even at f8-11. At wide apertures, only a smallish central zone is sharp. Overall, it is much worse at infinity than close focus.  Is this normal behavior for the lens, or might it need adjustment.? I have a sense that it might be slightly decentered with the left side being softer than the right. I really want to keep the lens, but I am concerned that its usefulness will be limited.

 

Thanks,

Rob

Edited April 30, 2018 by robgo2

[Locutus]

The corners on the 35 summicron-r version 2 never get sharp. However i dont find that on my sample the rest isn't good, its sharp all over except for the last 3mm's.

 

As i usually shoot it for close in things at f/2 - f/4 i usually dont have anything in focus in the corner so it isn't a issue. But admittedly its the big failing off this lens.

[Steve McGarrett]

If you mean the very far corners, it should be normal with the v2, like I've said a few days ago. It's a lens more suited for reportage than for landscapes, as a rule of thumb.

 

However, if it's much softer on a side than on the other side, it means it's decentered and/or misaligned. Try an upside-down or a Gletscherbruch or similar test to be sure.

Edited May 1, 2018 by Steve McGarrett

[robgo2]

I also noticed that my copy does not reach infinity focus until f4. It definitely needs a tuneup. I will send it to DAG for CLA.

 

Thanks for the responses. I certainly agree that the Summicron-R 35 is better suited to street and reportage than to landscape photography. For the latter, I have the ZM 35 f1.4, which is almost too sharp for portraits.

[alan.y]

I read that the corners of the Summicron-R 35mm v2 don't get sharp due to field curvature. This seems to be borne out by the MTF curves here: http://www.overgaard.dk/pdf/Summicron-R_35_mm_Technical_Data_en.pdf

[Steve McGarrett]

Yes, there is no doubt about it.

However, Leica's official MTFs stop at f/8, while corners keep improving till f/11.

[robgo2]

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Well, I received my CLA'd lens back from DAG Camera yesterday and have been busy testing it today. Overall performance is much improved compared to before service. My impression is that the Summicron-R 35 f2 (v2) is a very special lens. It produces images with extraordinary depth, even more than my ZM 35 f1.4, which is renowned for 3D pop. The Summicron does not pop. It renders tones smoothly and colors richly. Bokeh is absolutely lovely. According to my testing, the lens is better when focusing at near to medium distances than it is at far distances. Also, corners remain a bit soft at f11. Therefore, the lens is not ideal for landscapes, although it is more than adequate for those who do not obsess about corners. OTOH, it is a better choice than the ZM for photographing people. I plan to use it for shooting on the street and with family and friends. I know already that the Summicron will not disappoint, though my skills as a photographer undoubtedly will.

[Musotographer]

I've only had mine a little over a week, so haven't had much chance to see what it can do, particularly in the close to medium field where it appears to really shine, but I did take it out late the other evening on my M10 (10.45pm, St Petersburg) and I am delighted with it. This was at f2 or 2.8 - it may not be quite as sharp as my R 80/1.4 when closed down a bit, which is my standard in this respect, but it seems pretty good to me..... It's not the easiest to focus beyond about 5' as roughly 90% of the focus throw is taken up with 0-5', leaving very little play for 5' to infinity.  Gorgeous colour.

 

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Edited June 1, 2018 by Musotographer

[robgo2]

I've only had mine a little over a week, so haven't had much chance to see what it can do, particularly in the close to medium field where it appears to really shine, but I did take it out late the other evening on my M10 (10.45pm, St Petersburg) and I am delighted with it. It may not be quite as sharp as my R 80/1.4, which is my standard in this respect, but it seems pretty good to me..... It's not the easiest to focus beyond about 5' as roughly 90% of the focus throw is taken up with 0-5', leaving very little play for 5' to infinity.  Gorgeous colour.

 

L1002878.jpg

 

I am using mine on an SL (typ 601,) so focusing is quite a bit easier with an EVF than it would be with a rangefinder. I could not agree more about the colors. They are gorgeous.

 

Here is a portrait taken at f4.

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Edited June 1, 2018 by robgo2

[Musotographer]

Splendid - I must try it for some portraits. Of course, being an R lens it's not rangefinder coupled, so I have no choice but to use the 020 EVF, which isn't perfect - I'm sure it would be easier with the SL's stellar EVF. Closer focusing is no problem at all, it's just distance which can be tricky. 

[robgo2]

Yes, the Summicron-R is excellent for people pictures. After all, v2 was designed by Walter Mandler. My understanding is that there is no M equivalent of the R 35 f2, i.e.no M lens with the same optical design.

Edited June 2, 2018 by robgo2