Anyone use their Summicron 35mm as their only lens?

[Ray Vonn]

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And is anyone of the view that this lens is all that's needed, whether it be street, landscape, portrait and low light photography photography?  Would be interested to get any views.    

[a.noctilux]

Yes sometimes I only use Summicron-M 35mm (which one * is another story ) for say ...all one day long.

 

But now my preference goes to Summarit-M 2.5/35 that is lighter/cheaper/big IQ and nice handling.

F/2.5 is plenty for digital M and film from 400 ISO .

 

*

2 x "I", "II/or "III", 2 x "IV" accumulated over time and "all asph. sold out"

 

As side note, those are great lenses for everyday.

 

Have a look (and play with the thread) from Adan :

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/288088-comparing-some-35-leica-lenses/

Edited September 25, 2018 by a.noctilux

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[TomB_tx]

I used a Summicron v2 for decades, and it was my main lens after getting an M9. Then tired a few other 35s, and also ended up using a Summarit 35 f2.5 as my main lens on the M10, usually the only lens I take unless I have something unusual in mind.

[Stein K S]

I used a Cron IV only for the first 5 years of my Leica life. While my bag is rather full nowadays, I still use 35 the most... and while a 35 Lux pre-FLE is in my kit, the Cron IV is possibly my number 1 keeper... (of all my lenses...? ,-).

Edited September 25, 2018 by Stein K S

[adan]

It can be - Alex Webb and David Alan Harvey (at various times, for Nat. Geo and/or Magnum) limited themselves mostly to the 35mm (in Harvey's case, the Summilux ASPH because he was shooting slow Kodachrome or Velvia film, often in low light).

 

https://www.davidalanharvey.com/cuba/

 

https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL53Y_H#/CMS3&VF=MAGO31_10_VForm&ERID=24KL53Y_H&POPUPIID=2S5RYDE64RY&POPUPPN=3

 

As did Danny Lyon, in his prison essay Conversations with the Dead: https://pro.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&ALID=2K7O3RHM3U1V

 

Of note: a 35 cropped square is a dead-ringer for the field of view of a Rolleiflex 6x6 75/80 - note that Lyon intermixed some actual Rollei pictures with his Leica pictures.

 

For me, a 35 is my "third lens," filling the gap nicely between a 21 and a short tele (75/90/135).

[lct]

As i "see" in 50mm it can only be my second lens, the third one being 75 or 90. Now the 35 is certainly my first APS lens but it won't be a Summicron there necessarily, rather a Summilux 35/1.4 pre-asph or a 7artisans 35/2 that i use more and more curiously.

[semi-ambivalent]

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It can be - Alex Webb and David Alan Harvey (at various times, for Nat. Geo and/or Magnum) limited themselves mostly to the 35mm (in Harvey's case, the Summilux ASPH because he was shooting slow Kodachrome or Velvia film, often in low light).

 

William Albert Allard, himself no NG slouch, called the 35 "my workhorse". That was for one of his R4s but he had a 35 for a couple M6s as well.

[jaeger]

is it an iPhone camera concept? 

[JDFlood]

That was exactly my plan. Given to cost of the M10. But it did not last long. In addition I use a 50mm f 1.4, 28mm f 2.8, 90mm f 4... although I have a 75mm f 2.5 and a 21 mm f 2.8 I don't use those much. I just love them and carefully purchased each to perform a function. Like the most expensive the 50mm Summilux for really thin depth of field on a slight tele, 35 f2 for street and everyday use, the 90mm for a tele, unbelievably light weight and small, and I love the 28 f2.8 for wide, incredibly light, small and sharp. 

[Jeffry Abt]

The 35mm cron is on my M10 90% of the time.

[Mr.Q]

The 35mm cron is on my M10 90% of the time.

Same here.  I also have a 21 SEM, 50 LUX, and 90 MEM for the other 10%.

 

So to answer you're question --- yes, the 35 cron is the only lens I really NEED.

[Ko.Fe.]

First, for some of us it is still relevant to ask - film or digital. Because from here we could provide the view OP was asking about.

Second. this question was asked in the broader range not so long time ago here. 

14 pages thread:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/272774-is-35mm-all-you-really-need/

 

Since, I don't know if OP is interested in film, I will only tell for now what after getting into modern rangefinders I use 35 lenses predominately.  Street, reportage, environmental portraits. 

As for Summicron in particular it also needs more details from OP. Which Summicron 35 version?

[sml_photo]

I have gone weeks at a time with my 35mm Summicron on my camera (M-P 240).  Never took it off for our entire trip to Cuba, too.  Eventually one "sees" the view of a lens after using it exclusively for a while.  I like that.

Having said that, I DO try to change lenses from time to time to explore a different creative perspective.  (The 28mm Summicron is on my camera at the moment!)

[Gregm61]

Far from the only lens. Today being typical, I have a two body setup in a Fogg B Minor bag, consisting of an MP240 with 35mm f1.4 FLE and M246 with 35mm f2 ASPH fitted, with a 21mm SEM and 75mm f2 APO ready for either if I want a super wide or short tele alternative. 

 

It needs to be a really necessary change for me to switch to either of the other lenses, but I'll do so in order to get a worthwhile subject.

[35mmview]

The 35 Cron is my only Leica lens and is peramently glued to the front of my camera.

[adan]

Of note, the original Konica Hexar AF came with a "35-Summicron" clone literally glued to the front (not interchangeable). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konica_Hexar

 

As does the Fuji X100 series (23mm - 35mm "equivalent" on APS) - which kicked off the entire X line. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fujifilm_X100

[Frase]

I used to have for my M9 28, 35, 50 and 90mm Summicrons but found I always used the 35 so sold the rest now 99% of the time I have a 35mm Summicron on my m9 and a pre aspherical Summilux 35mm on my m4, if I want something longer or wider I use a DSLR.

[designdog]

When I first got my M10 the 35 Summicron was on it 90% of the time. This lens has been replaced by the Zeiss 35 Distagon, which is the best lens I own for my Leica Ms.

 

When I want a light, high quality lens for an extended period I rely on the 28 Elmarit. Lately I have been coupling that with the new Voigtlander 50mm 1.2 Nokton, even though I also own the 50 Summilux...

[Ray Vonn]

First, for some of us it is still relevant to ask - film or digital. Because from here we could provide the view OP was asking about.

Second. this question was asked in the broader range not so long time ago here. 

14 pages thread:

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/272774-is-35mm-all-you-really-need/

 

Since, I don't know if OP is interested in film, I will only tell for now what after getting into modern rangefinders I use 35 lenses predominately.  Street, reportage, environmental portraits. 

As for Summicron in particular it also needs more details from OP. Which Summicron 35 version?

 

Hi Ko.Fe., it's digital for me (M-E).  I was referring to any Summicron version really, but since posting the question I have purchased and am awaiting a Summicron version 4 (yes, I know it's not *really* the king of bokeh nor the sharpest).  Also have Zeiss lenses in the 21mm and 50mm focal lengths, but instinctively, I do feel as if the Summicron will be spending most time on the camera.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[budjames]

My Summicron 35 ASPH is on one of my M10 bodies 100% of the time. This combination replaced my Fuji X100F which I sold after buying the Leica.

 

Regards,

Bud James

 

Please check out my fine art and travel photography at www.budjames.photography or on Instagram at www.instagram.com/budjamesphoto.