Where is the Black 28mm Summaron?

[roelandinho]

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This is all purely hypothetical. Let’s say someone would like to try the ridiculous (f/5.6?!) new-old 28mm Summaron, but only has black cameras and doesn’t like the conspicuous look of shiny silver lenses on black cameras. And suppose he or she is located somewhere in Europe and doesn’t like to pay import taxes. Where would he/she be able to buy the black version of this very underwhelming and overpriced lens? Thank you. (I’m asking for a friend.) 

[pedaes]

If you want a sensible answer for a 'friend' to a simple question, are all your nonsense adjectives about a very good lens, that many of the members here own and enjoy, necessary?

Any Leica Dealer on any continent or in any tax jurisdiction can order the lens for your 'friend'  - seems so blindingly obvious I am not sure why you are asking . If they just want to try it, the finish dosn't matter, does it.  But if you don't understand the 28mm Summaron I suppose that answer is also obvious....simples.

IF you do want to try and understand the lens this might help 

 

Edited February 6, 2021 by pedaes

[roelandinho]

26 minutes ago, pedaes said:

If you want a sensible answer for a 'friend' to a simple question, are all your nonsense adjectives about a very good lens, that many of the members here own and enjoy, necessary?

Any Leica Dealer on any continent or in any tax jurisdiction can order the lens for your 'friend'  - seems so blindingly obvious I am not sure why you are asking . If they just want to try it, the finish dosn't matter, does it.  But if you don't understand the 28mm Summaron I suppose that answer is also obvious....simples.

IF you do want to try and understand the lens this might help 

 

Well, it seems to be unavailable everywhere I look. I am specifically looking for the black version. I am sorry for the adjectives, I was desperately trying to be funny. Obviously I am interested in this lens myself...

[pedaes]

14 minutes ago, roelandinho said:

am interested in this lens myself..

Sorry not to get the joke.

It was brought out in matt black as a 'limited edition', but that seemed strange and Leica has a track record of stretching limited editions. That said, just checked and none of the main UK dealers have one. Why don't you contact the store at Leica Wetzlar and check if it is available, although any of the main dealers should know or be able the check easily.

Have you seen the 28mm Summaron photo thread in the M Lenses sub-forum?

Good luck in your search - should be fun!

[Guest]

Several dealers have already asked to buy my black copy.
So this will be my first lens to speculate on a future premium.
But before that I will take photos with it intently.

[frame-it]

4 hours ago, roelandinho said:

This is all purely hypothetical. Let’s say someone would like to try the ridiculous (f/5.6?!) new-old 28mm Summaron, but only has black cameras and doesn’t like the conspicuous look of shiny silver lenses on black cameras. And suppose he or she is located somewhere in Europe and doesn’t like to pay import taxes. Where would he/she be able to buy the black version of this very underwhelming and overpriced lens? Thank you. (I’m asking for a friend.) 

this one ?

https://leica-storebando.co.kr/product/leica-summaron-m-28mm-f56-matt-black-paint-finish/5620/

 

[roelandinho]

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9 hours ago, pedaes said:

Sorry not to get the joke.

It was brought out in matt black as a 'limited edition', but that seemed strange and Leica has a track record of stretching limited editions. That said, just checked and none of the main UK dealers have one. Why don't you contact the store at Leica Wetzlar and check if it is available, although any of the main dealers should know or be able the check easily.

Have you seen the 28mm Summaron photo thread in the M Lenses sub-forum?

Good luck in your search - should be fun!

Thank you! It is marked as “unavailable” or “sold out” everywhere I looked. I’ll try contacting Leica directly. I was hoping some stores would still have it in stock or it would be offered for sale somewhere second hand. 
 

Yes, I’ve browsed to the image thread. I think I know what to expect image quality wise. It’s mostly the handling (quite a difference to most other M lenses apparently) that I’m wondering about, and also how much of a limitation it would be in practice to have f/5.6 as the maximum aperture (I shoot 400 speed film, but frequently do push processing to iso 1600). 

[roelandinho]

8 hours ago, mnutzer said:

Several dealers have already asked to buy my black copy.
So this will be my first lens to speculate on a future premium.
But before that I will take photos with it intently.

Sounds like I should have gotten it immediately after the announcement... 😕

[roelandinho]

7 hours ago, frame-it said:

this one ?

https://leica-storebando.co.kr/product/leica-summaron-m-28mm-f56-matt-black-paint-finish/5620/

 

Yes, that’s the one. 

[wattsy]

Leica will probably make some more if it has been a good seller. They are still making the nice 50 Summilux-M ASPH in the black chrome finish years after introducing it in a limited edition of 500.

I suggest you buy the silver version now and consider trading for the black one at a future date if/when it comes back in stock and if the colour of the finish is something that still bothers you. Better to have a lens in hand that you can use.

[roelandinho]

12 minutes ago, wattsy said:

Leica will probably make some more if it has been a good seller. They are still making the nice 50 Summilux-M ASPH in the black chrome finish years after introducing it in a limited edition of 500.

I suggest you buy the silver version now and consider trading for the black one at a future date if/when it comes back in stock and if the colour of the finish is something that still bothers you. Better to have a lens in hand that you can use.

I do hope they’ll produce more. It seems that current owners of the black version are holding on to it. 
 

I also hope the rumoured new 35 Summaron 2.8 will come in a black version as well as the classic silver... 

[blacksinner]

this shop has one in stock

https://peterpitstop.com/products/leica-summaron-28mm-f5-6-black-edition

[fotografr]

This is one of those marketing decisions by Leica that I just don't understand. There are far more black M bodies sold than there are silver chrome, yet they decided to make the black 28 Summaron in very limited numbers. To me this makes no sense. 

That said, I really don't mind the look of the silver 28 on my black M bodies, but I've never been fussy about such things. I just want performance and the little Summaron does that wonderfully.

[pedaes]

4 hours ago, fotografr said:

marketing decisions by Leica

I guess as a 'heritage' lens they replicated the original finish, as there weren't any black versions first time round.

[fotografr]

1 hour ago, pedaes said:

I guess as a 'heritage' lens they replicated the original finish, as there weren't any black versions first time round.

Makes sense I guess.

[ianman]

On 2/7/2021 at 8:11 AM, roelandinho said:

how much of a limitation it would be in practice to have f/5.6 as the maximum aperture (I shoot 400 speed film

None.

[Guest]

If your taking pics of your kids/grandkids during a woodland walk you will need ISO  800 or 1600 where i live to get decent shutter speeds at f5.6 so there are times when the slow speed summaron can be limiting.

[Danner]

"I’m wondering about, and also how much of a limitation it would be in practice to have f/5.6 as the maximum aperture (I shoot 400 speed film...)"

I shoot ISO 400 film with my 28mm Elmarit in the f 8-16 range as my (currently) primary street shooting lens.  No limitation at all. In fact,  you'll have and extra stop (f5.6) in a pinch.

[blacksinner]

start shooting in the mid day at f5.6 and as the day become darker the you know your limitation. each person has different skill though, so its hard to ask the limitation in general. its better to set your own benchmark. 

overpriced summaron black? ah yes, welcome to Leica world. please check out the price of the new ASPH Silver noctilux 50mm f1.2 nowadays. its around $US 100K. but this is the market we live in right now, not only Leica though, many other luxury product has such similar behaviour. i guess more people can afford expensive stuff nowadays. Cheers

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[LeicaS2]

I initially wanted the black version too, but found it unavailable. I wanted black on an all black M.

Subsequently, I have come to prefer the silver. When people I am photographing see the camera lens, they are convinced it is on an old film camera and totally relaxed. They ask if I have my own darkroom. A black lens would not have quite the same reaction. I am no longer looking to trade for a black replacement.

It also looks good on a Reporter.
 

So I agree with an earlier post suggesting you start with silver while waiting for black. You may forget your desire for black.

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