28mm Summaron Lens Hood Question

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I'm seriously considering buying a 28mm Summaron, primarily I guess simply because of it's size as I do dislike large lenses on M cameras not only for their ergonomics but also for the viewfinder blockage that most of the faster M lenses gift to a M user, especially so at the wider focal lengths. My question is about the included lens hood, it appears enormous compared to the lens itself, so in use on the Summaron does this lens hood block the viewfinder too?

Apart from going "hoodless" and solving that problem completely has anyone found a simpler, smaller, lens hood to replace the one included with the lens purchase?

Edited March 15, 2021 by petermullett

[UliWer]

The hood for the lenses modern version is not the same as shown here, but it is not larger. It may seem large, but it's not much bigger than the - rather small one - for a 35mm Summicron. The 28mm Summaron's hood blocks less in the viewfinder for 28mm than the 35mm Summicron's hood does for 35mm. 

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[fotografr]

I rarely use the hood on mine but that's mainly because it makes it more difficult to focus. My fingers are constantly mistaking the tightening screw on the hood for the focus knob on the lens.

But to answer your question, the hood only blocks a very small portion of the viewfinder. It's barely noticeable.

[UliWer]

vor 15 Minuten schrieb fotografr:

My fingers are constantly mistaking the tightening screw on the hood for the focus knob on the lens.

You are not alone.

[Guest]

 

14 minutes ago, UliWer said:

You are not alone.

 

31 minutes ago, fotografr said:

I rarely use the hood on mine but that's mainly because it makes it more difficult to focus. My fingers are constantly mistaking the tightening screw on the hood for the focus knob on the lens.

But to answer your question, the hood only blocks a very small portion of the viewfinder. It's barely noticeable.

fotografr & UliWer     Thank you both for this, all good to know. I wish the black version was still made/available but now even if you can find a black copy it'll be selling for stupid collector's prices I am sure.

It probably odd to many on the Forum but I've been trying to decide whether to get a 28mm Summilux to complement my two existing 28's, ( Elmarit and Summicron............28mm is easily my favourite FL ), but it was the VF blockage of the Summilux that has stopped me from going that route so far, hence the interest in the Summaron now. It certainly ticks the "size" box! I would have gone for a VC Color Skopar if I could find one, but they're hen's teeth now, however the Summaron has other advantages so I guess it's on my list to try to find now.

In regards to the hood, if I still find it too big I could always slice it down I guess. I've a workshop that could tidily do that.

How do you both like it's "look" and handling?

[fotografr]

I really like the little lens a lot. It's razor sharp and has very good contrast--some say a bit too much but I don't think so. I actually have both the Summilux and Summaron and except for very low light situations prefer to go out with the Summaron. Superb optics, very good color rendition. I highly recommend the lens, especially for the price. You can find very good used copies for around $2000. In terms of handling, my only issue is what I mentioned above with focusing. With the hood off it's no problem at all. Having such a small maximum aperture, the lens usually has nearly everything in sharp focus.

Edited March 15, 2021 by fotografr

[Phil_P]

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Really like this lens for it's output and it's size and never use the hood which went straight back in the box on opening. The front element is recessed quite far back.

Still have to concentrate, as it's so small, not to get an otherwise perfect shot spoiled with a finger creeping over the front. Fantastic as a carry anywhere day time lens.

[poli]

I also really like the lens, but don't use it enough. Don't know why. However, when I use it, the results are always too my liking.

Never used the hood...

[alainD]

48 minutes ago, petermullett said:

It probably odd to many on the Forum but I've been trying to decide whether to get a 28mm Summilux to complement my two existing 28's, ( Elmarit and Summicron............28mm is easily my favourite FL ), but it was the VF blockage of the Summilux that has stopped me from going that route so far, hence the interest in the Summaron now. It certainly ticks the "size" box! I would have gone for a VC Color Skopar if I could find one, but they're hen's teeth now, however the Summaron has other advantages so I guess it's on my list to try to find now.

I've settled on the 28 Summaron and the 28 Summilux. The way they render is very different. I love the Summaron, this is one of my most used lenses. I use the Summilux when I want subject separation.

Alain

Edited March 15, 2021 by alainD

[a.noctilux]

Peter, a good complement for another 28mm (I have some to choose from).

Very nice and comfortable lens for me.

Never use the hood, though E34 filter size choice is a joke.

Two silver 5.6/28 here in France in pre-owned ( I'm not connected to sellers):

http://www.summilux.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=98913

http://www.summilux.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=98920

[Ouroboros]

@petermullett28mm on 35mm film and full frame, or equivalent in other formats, is my most used focal length.  I have three 28‘s that I use on my Leica MP; f2 summicron asph, CV color-skopar f3.5 and the 28mm summaron-m.

Of those, the 28mm summaron-m is far and away my favourite and is the only lens of any that I own that I do not use a lens hood with.  The front element is deeply recessed and the hood is not a necessity, imo.  I say that as an inveterate lens hood user.
 

The 28mm summaron-m is a fantastic little lens, with and without it‘s dedicated hood.  It embodies the spirit of Leica M photography for me; small, unobtrusive, beautifully constructed and has a recognisable signature.

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

@petermullett28mm on 35mm film and full frame, or equivalent in other formats, is my most used focal length.  I have three 28‘s that I use on my Leica MP; f2 summicron asph, CV color-skopar f3.5 and the 28mm summaron-m.

Of those, the 28mm summaron-m is far and away my favourite and is the only lens of any that I own that I do not use a lens hood with.  The front element is deeply recessed and the hood is not a necessity, imo.  I say that as an inveterate lens hood user.
 

The 28mm summaron-m is a fantastic little lens, with and without it‘s dedicated hood.  It embodies the spirit of Leica M photography for me; small, unobtrusive, beautifully constructed and has a recognisable signature.

Thank you Ouroboros, I appreciate your post on the lens and I think it will fit well with my other two 28's. I found a nearly new Summaron-M for sale yesterday and bought it today, it should be in my hands in a week or so after I return from a trip abroad.......Looking forward to trying it out!

[Ouroboros]

43 minutes ago, petermullett said:

Thank you Ouroboros, I appreciate your post on the lens and I think it will fit well with my other two 28's. I found a nearly new Summaron-M for sale yesterday and bought it today, it should be in my hands in a week or so after I return from a trip abroad.......Looking forward to trying it out!

I hope you enjoy using the 28mm summaron-m as much as I do!

@Steventake a look through the thread dedicated to images made with the 28mm summaron-m

Edited March 16, 2021 by Ouroboros

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, Steven said:

Amazing, let us know how you get on with it. M10D + 28 Summaron is a sexy combo. What are the other 28s you have ? 

May I know ask for a comparison between the 28 Elmarit and the 28 Summaron ? 

Bonjour Steven........I have the 28mm Elmarit, ( a true "jewel" of a Leica lens ), and the 28mm Summicron ASPH f2. Also I have the excellent 28mm Summilux on the Q v1 but although the Q is a fine camera I still don't like using an EVF so it doesn't go out too much.......28mm is my favourite FL on a M and I think the Summaron will fit in the kit just fine.

I really like the f2.8 Elmarit for it's size on a M, the f2 Summicron ASPH is arguably a "better" lens according to some but I can't seen too much difference that matters to me to be honest and I also don't like the VF blockage with the Summicron's lens hood in place so I don't use that lens much mostly favouring the Elmarit. I dislike large lenses my M's, handling and balance for me tends to be more important than aperture, resolution and bokeh........

I do wish the 28 Summaron was a black version but they are all too rare and stupidly priced because they are "collectable", anyway we'll see how it goes with the Summaron when I get back at month's end, it's certainly the right size!.

[a.noctilux]

Steven,

you may know now that each lens has it's own plus/minus point(s) to use/appreciate or not.

To answer your question Summaron/Elmarit 28mm from my (weird) point of view:

- when I take one of my lens, I try to "live" with that lens to produce what I have planned (or not) to take pics of

- Summaron-M has some "old characters" to learn to know while Elmarit-M asph. is just a "good/nice" modern lens

- each one is different

- Elmarit-M asph. is easier to use as it's character(less) can be trusted in most case, while the Summaron-M can have some flaws

to learn to use as vignetting, flare in contre-jour to begin with

 

this "easy" one for example taken with Summaron-M can be also taken with Elmarit-M or other 28mm

 

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M-D+Summaron-M 28

 

 

This follow pic however would "only" be from Summaron-M for it's flare/contre-jour rendering

 

 

[Ouroboros]

6 minutes ago, Steven said:

Summarit ? That exists ? Couldn't find such a thread... 

Mobile phone typo, I corrected it! 🤣

Edited March 16, 2021 by Ouroboros
iPhone thinks a summaron is a summarit!

[a.noctilux]

For me, as I also appreciate the Summicron-M 28mm for longer than those two lighter challengers,

it's the two of course.

They are so "cheap" comparing to other Leica lenses that owning the two doesn't hurt.

Edited March 16, 2021 by a.noctilux

[a.noctilux]

2 minutes ago, Steven said:

It hurts mentally. 

My dream in life is to own less lenses than I do now ! I suffer from owning too many lenses 🤪😱

I know that for decades.

But if I separate between owning/using, I feel much better.

I own more than I can tell, but I use much less than most.

Edited March 16, 2021 by a.noctilux

[Guest]

1 minute ago, Steven said:

Awesome, merci for your answer. Looking forward to hear your thoughts on the Elmarit vs the Summaron. I am on the market for a compact 28 to complement my summilux, which I use mostly on my SL so the weight is finely balanced. But for the M, I'm looking into the Elmarit or the Summaron. 

Pros of the summaron: Price + Size + look of the lens + rendering. 

Pros of the Elmarit: the extra versatility with the wider aperture. 

Honestly Steven you really can't go wrong with the 28mm Elmarit. If I didn't have either the Summaron or the Elmarit I'd buy the Elmarit first. The Summaron is more of a "niche" lens in my thinking, I am happy to have found one and bought it but only because I have the other two as back-up choices.

I feel exactly the same regarding the Summarit lenses by the way, ( and there's no 28mm Summarit, just 35/50/75/90 ), they are wonderful lenses on the M cameras too, small light and discreet and not too shabby in performance either. I'd look at those too if you like your M's to be more svelte.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[a.noctilux]

Steven,

Many of us took the "plunge" buying some nice gear, using the gear for a while ...

then with Leica gears when selling after some use can

be a good choice if finance permits.