My first Leica Film Body - thoughts on First Glass. 35APO Sumicron/ 50APO Sumicron

[Giguchan]

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13 hours ago, alainD said:

I recently started film again, with a brand new black paint MP. I decided to pair it with a 35 Summicron v4 and a 50 Summilux v2 (pre-asph).

I’m quite happy with this set-up.

I use my modern lenses on the M10R.

Alain

Great News!!! 

 Best of luck!!

[Giguchan]

22 hours ago, Mute-on said:

This is sensible advice. You don’t need an APO for film.  If you have cash to burn, go ahead, but the benefit over a current model Summicron will be negligible, by all accounts.

I started with a 35, then added 50 (which I never really bonded with, more of a special purpose lens for me), and a 28, which could easily be my only lens.

The choice is yours. 

  I tried to reply before   but somehow i got logged out.

  In short this is indeed very good and solid advice and no.. i wish i had Cash to Burn.  I haven't even spoke to Santa  about this yet.

 Thanks for the reply.

[Topsy]

1 hour ago, Giguchan said:

That's a lotta Glass!!  I'll have to limit my self  to 2  MAYBE 3  but that's pushing it.

I don't routinely carry them all, often only a 35 but when out specifically to photograph I'll have 21, 28, 35, 50, 75 and 135. 28 and 135 I could leave behind I can't remember the last time I used either.

[spydrxx]

I started with an M4 and 35/2.8 Summaron in the 1960s, added a 135/4 Telyt for a NASA assignment, added a collapsible 90/4 a couple of years later for family shots. Finally in the 1990s got a M6 and a 50 Noctilux, then an Elmar-M, followed by a 50 Summilux, a 50 Summicron, a 35 Summilux, and a 400/6.3 Telyt. Basically I've been all over the place....and this was just the Leica rangefinder side, not to mention the Leica SLRs, Canons and Nikons. Today, after trying lots and narrowing my horizons, I'm using and M2 and a batch of Barnacks plus a couple on non-Leica digitals, but with Leica, Voigtlander and old Canon and Nikon glass. If I was in your shoes, having used a 28 for a while on your Q, I think I'd go with BOTH a 35 and 50...Summicrons are fine, but CVs do the job very well on film, as do the old Canon and Nikons if you like less glaring sharpness. Oh, and don't forget the good old 50/3.5 Elmar red scale, IMHI good anytime and anywhere, film or digital. Have fun and good luck in your eventual decision.

[stefanusj]

On 8/23/2021 at 8:11 AM, ktmrider2 said:

I think both those APO lenses are overkill for film.  If you want Leica lenses, the current version of the 35 or 50 Summicron would be outstanding.  However, both Zeiss and Voigtlander are making killer lenses in those focal lengths as well.  The 35f2.8 C Biogon may be the sharpest lens made in 35mm and goes new for less than $900 while the 50 Planar or Sonnar also have a number of fans and cost less then half of the Summicrons.  And although I don't know much about them, remember that Voightlander is making APO lenses in both 35 and 50 focal lengths for a cost of about one tenth that of Leica's APO"s.

Personally, I shoot both the 35 f2.8 C Biogon and 35f1.2 Nokton (and still have less than a new Summicron would cost) and in 50 I have the latest 50 Cron purchased back in the mid 1990's and a new 50f1.2 Nokton which has knocked the socks off lots of Leica lovers here on this site.  

But honestly it would be really, really hard to get a bad 35 or 50 or even 90 among the current offerings from Leica, Zeiss or Voigtlander.

And IMHO the M2 has the BEST viewfinder of any Leica if you like 35 while the M3 has the best for 50.  All other Leica's are just a modest refinement of the classic M2/M3.  Presently, I use an M4 (modern features of film loading and rewinding) while still has the classic German workmanship while my button rewind M2 may be the most elegant Leica body (missing self timer) if you can live with 35/50/90.

 

 

agree... recently i just bought Light lens lab 35mm/f2 v5. i think it will be a fine lens for analogue M. If you really want Leica lens, i suggest Summilux 50mm is an excellent choice.

[kivis]

On 8/23/2021 at 8:38 AM, Danner said:

IMHO, the V4 35mm Summicron is the quintessential film lens.  And, or course, the 50mm Summicron (V3, V4, or V5).

50mm Summicron  (V5) has worked out for me and my M-A. And yes film matters. Tri-X for the last 40 years.

[Giguchan]

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On 8/24/2021 at 3:19 AM, Topsy said:

I don't routinely carry them all, often only a 35 but when out specifically to photograph I'll have 21, 28, 35, 50, 75 and 135. 28 and 135 I could leave behind I can't remember the last time I used either.

You  sound like me  with my Nikon Kit!  I could almost easily  fund my New MP and a 35/50    if i sold all of it..  but i love my D850 and all my Glass  so it stays!

My Nikon kit gets  regular Exercise..  I don't want it to feel left out.

Man you have a lot of Glass.

Edited August 26, 2021 by Giguchan

[Giguchan]

On 8/24/2021 at 1:06 PM, kivis said:

50mm Summicron  (V5) has worked out for me and my M-A. And yes film matters. Tri-X for the last 40 years.

Thanks for the reply.

  I have been hearing a lot about  the different versions.I assumer that these are the non APO lenses?  I have also heard a lot  about Tri-X too.

[a.noctilux]

4 hours ago, Giguchan said:

Thanks for the reply.

  I have been hearing a lot about  the different versions.I assumer that these are the non APO lenses?  I have also heard a lot  about Tri-X too.

First Summicron 50mm was in the market since 1951, and we had some versions untill now (non Apo),

have a look here in Wiki

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/M_Lenses_x_Focal_Length

I have/use from version I to IV/V , ( Summicron 5cm LTM of 1951 to 2k period of production) each IS different but always are (very) good lenses for all type of photography.

 

[RayD28]

50mm and 35mm Cron's.  50mm v4 can be had for about $1,500 and a previous version 35 ASPH for about $2,500.  $4,000 and you get both of the focal lengths you want.  This is no knock on any of the APO's.  If money is unlimited then the APO's if those are what you crave.  

I mention the 50mm v4 because it has a tab and is small and virtually the same optics as the current version.  Plus the money you save can go towards the 50mm 1.4 ASPH that you may want for portraits because of the thin DOF and blur.

My 2 cents.  

[Giguchan]

21 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

First Summicron 50mm was in the market since 1951, and we had some versions untill now (non Apo),

have a look here in Wiki

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-wiki.en/index.php/M_Lenses_x_Focal_Length

I have/use from version I to IV/V , ( Summicron 5cm LTM of 1951 to 2k period of production) each IS different but always are (very) good lenses for all type of photography.

 

This was pretty good reading. Thanks for the Link!  They are lovely Lenses!

[Giguchan]

19 hours ago, RayD28 said:

50mm and 35mm Cron's.  50mm v4 can be had for about $1,500 and a previous version 35 ASPH for about $2,500.  $4,000 and you get both of the focal lengths you want.  This is no knock on any of the APO's.  If money is unlimited then the APO's if those are what you crave.  

I mention the 50mm v4 because it has a tab and is small and virtually the same optics as the current version.  Plus the money you save can go towards the 50mm 1.4 ASPH that you may want for portraits because of the thin DOF and blur.

My 2 cents.  

Thanks for the reply

APO'S  would be nice.

I have read the comments. Since i am using Film I have decided to go with a non APO Glass.  I have read  the  replies here- It just Makes sense. Lots of people  who know a lot more than i said that i will be happier  if i just went a non APO.  It IS overkill and besides  for the price of one APO i can eventually  get TWO of the focal Lengths i will eventually  want.

[a.noctilux]

If you can (or want to), just take classics to begin with, something you can keep or sell later.

Combo(s) I suggest as old time user of those which can enhance 'film use' ( any film, yes ! 😞 )

- 35mm Summicron IV plus 50 Summicron III or IV

- 35mm Summicron I to III (more character to learn to use with 'I' ) plus any of the 50mm Summicron

- or why not 35mm Summicron/Summilux pre-asph. plus 50mm Summilux pre-asph.

 

We have plenty of options of lenses to learn to use, then sell or not after that.

 

No lens or combo can 'do-it-all', buy/sell is the only way to learn/appreciate.

Edited August 27, 2021 by a.noctilux

[Giguchan]

On 8/27/2021 at 5:29 AM, a.noctilux said:

If you can (or want to), just take classics to begin with, something you can keep or sell later.

Combo(s) I suggest as old time user of those which can enhance 'film use' ( any film, yes ! 😞 )

- 35mm Summicron IV plus 50 Summicron III or IV

- 35mm Summicron I to III (more character to learn to use with 'I' ) plus any of the 50mm Summicron

- or why not 35mm Summicron/Summilux pre-asph. plus 50mm Summilux pre-asph.

 

We have plenty of options of lenses to learn to use, then sell or not after that.

 

No lens or combo can 'do-it-all', buy/sell is the only way to learn/appreciate.

Thanks for the reply.

  I see a lot of people  like the the "Cron  more than the "LUX"  I still  have some more research to do.

  Thanks!

[a.noctilux]

32 minutes ago, Giguchan said:

Thanks for the reply.

  I see a lot of people  like the the "Cron  more than the "LUX"  I still  have some more research to do.

  Thanks!

I like the two 😉

then some more choices depending on subject

 

 

[ktmrider2]

And I said it before but there is absolutely no reason not to look at Zeiss and Voigtlander unless you have a Leica fetish.

 

[logan2z]

8 hours ago, ktmrider2 said:

unless you have a Leica fetish.

 

Isn't that why we're all here? 😉

[a.noctilux]

I'm not Leica fetish (I may be wrong), just happy Leica (before that Leitz brand) user, as I use also on/with Leica gear other brands whichever suit me better,

to have the job done, in my view the most important in results than brand name.

Just to cite many brands (not all ! ) that I use, Canon, Contax, Hasselblad, Jupiter, Konica, Komura, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Voigtlander, Zeiss, etc.

 

[Giguchan]

Hello  Good People,

  I wanted to mention that i made the decision and purchased the 35mm  Summilux.  I tried to show the  Box  with the lens  but with the  file limit.. that was nixed.

Thanks for all of the suggestions and replies!

 

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[a.noctilux]

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