SUMMICRON 35mm ASPH v1 too modern for me....

[cesc]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi everybody! I willing to know your opinion about which could be a better lens for my tastes... I bought a summicron 35mm asph v1 long time ago,...but I feel it's too contrasty and sharp. I am really in love of the old color photos where the colors are more desaturated and sharp and contrast is less present. I am not sure, if that look of vintage color negatives is also more about the film stock, probably it's slide film what it was more common to shoot back then. I will appreciate your thoughts about this subject

 

Have a nice day!

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[elgenper]

I feel the same.  I happen to own also a beat-up Summicron 35/2 Version 1 (8-lens) from the 60´es that I bought very cheaply sometime around 1980 for use with my M2.  It is just lovely with my M9 and Monochrom 1, and has completely replaced the Asph v1 that I bought with my M9 in 2010, supposing that I needed something "better and newer" than my oldie...  An expensive mistake!

However, those Version 1 ones have become extremely expensive by now, so it may be a tall order to get one.  You would probably need to shell out much more for it than you´d get for the Asph if you sold it now....🤔

Here are a couple with the old one:

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[pippy]

You might benefit from having a read through this litttle lot;

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/326477-summicron-352-8-element-vs-light-lens-lab-352-a-direct-comparison/

Philip.

[elgenper]

3 hours ago, pippy said:

You might benefit from having a read through this litttle lot;

https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/326477-summicron-352-8-element-vs-light-lens-lab-352-a-direct-comparison/

Philip.

Interesting, and possibly a viable alternative for somebody wanting that lens to USE, not just to hoard...  Only, I cannot remember ever seeing bokeh like that in post # 11 from my "genuine" 8 element...

Edited February 16, 2022 by elgenper

[Lelmer]

4 hours ago, cesc said:

Hi everybody! I willing to know your opinion about which could be a better lens for my tastes... I bought a summicron 35mm asph v1 long time ago,...but I feel it's too contrasty and sharp. I am really in love of the old color photos where the colors are more desaturated and sharp and contrast is less present. I am not sure, if that look of vintage color negatives is also more about the film stock, probably it's slide film what it was more common to shoot back then. I will appreciate your thoughts about this subject

 

Have a nice day!

Before spending money on another 35, remember that color saturation and contrast are easily adjustable in post processing...

[Jeff S]

32 minutes ago, Lelmer said:

Before spending money on another 35, remember that color saturation and contrast are easily adjustable in post processing...

Indeed, as well as color profiling for adjusting hues, etc.  
 

Jeff

[pippy]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

45 minutes ago, elgenper said:

Interesting......Only, I cannot remember ever seeing bokeh like that in post # 11 from my "genuine" 8 element...

I couldn't possibly comment on that subject, elgenper, as (unfortunately) I have not shot with the Leica 8 Element lens myself but I believe that Shirubadanieru - the member who posted those sample images - has had considerable shooting-experience of the v1 and is in such a position to make an informed judgement.

Perhaps he will be able to add something to this post himself?

Philip.

[elgenper]

1 minute ago, pippy said:

I couldn't possibly comment on that subject, elgenper, as (unfortunately) I have not shot with the Leica 8 Element lens myself but I believe that Shirubadanieru - the member who posted those sample images - has had considerable shooting-experience of the v1 and is in such a position to make an informed judgement.

Perhaps he will be able to add something to this post himself?

Philip.

Of course I´m not doubting Shirubadanieru´s observations and experience; his valuable contributions here are well known to me well before this.  Only, I have never seen this myself in my own experience, using my gear.  Agree that his comments would be interesting.

[pippy]

1 minute ago, elgenper said:

Of course I´m not doubting Shirubadanieru´s observations and experience; his valuable contributions here are well known to me well before this.  Only, I have never seen this myself in my own experience, using my gear.  Agree that his comments would be interesting.

I, in turn, don't doubt for a second what you say regarding your own experience and I do hope my comments didn't come across as being otherwise.

The only 'Back-to-Back' comparison I've carried-out in terms of boke with the LLL was with a '74 v2 Summilux - and even that wasn't exactly scientifically done (to put it mildly!) - so not quite possessing the same relevance as Al Brown's experience having had both the LLL and his Leitz 8 Element in hand at exactly the same time. And in any case - as we all know - lenses of the same type can vary from one example to the next.

I merely posted the 'comparison' thread as I thought the OP might find it to be of some interest.

Philip.

[a.noctilux]

As Philip, I've seen the comparision (  ...= not convincing for me as decades old user of the 8 element that I have in M3 and M2 types).

LLL can be a good alternative to "8 elem." Leitz for most but copy is just that copy.

this post of flare must be seen as "flaws" or "created flaws" but nothing close to the "right flaws when in good use " of the old original.

I even think that (not scientific ! ) time had done (in wine world we can say "matured") something not predictable.

Differences in two "same lens" that I had observed in mechanic and optic are something not predictable.

 

@Cesc,

have fun to find the 35mm which suits you, if this exists.

I had seen that you are searching 35  Cron IV (KoB?) = a good beginning.

This IV had sadly relayed by hipsters .

 

I suggest to find older 35 Cron II/III to try out.

see this thread

 

[mechanic53]

Your topic is exactly the opposite to mine - which I created a few days ago. I walk around in the rain since some days trying to decide if my 35 v.4 is ok for me or not. Definitely one have to say that v4 is modifying the image into something that reality is not. Question is "is it what you want".

My frustration was that lens behaves _very_ strangle at f2. Since that day I started to use this effect.... . Here is a sample without anything special. More like a battery test, nothing more intended.

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Edited February 16, 2022 by mechanic53

[lct]

My Summicron 35/2 v4 has less acutance and more softness at edges and corners than my Summicron 35/2 asph v1 at full aperture but it is still more contrasty than v1 to v3 as far as i remember. If i were the OP i would try a Nokton 35/1.4 v2 "SC". "MC" is a bit more contrasty with less glow i.e. halos around highlights. Matter of tastes. v1 is even less contrasty but has too much focus shift for my tastes so i will not recommend it.

 

Edited February 16, 2022 by lct

[Jeff S]

39 minutes ago, lct said:

Matter of tastes. v1 is even less contrasty but has too much focus shift for my tastes so i will not recommend it.

 

V.1 referring to 8-element or to ASPH v.1?  You’ve always indicated that your ASPH doesn’t exhibit focus shift (unlike mine).

Jeff

[lct]

18 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

V.1 referring to 8-element or to ASPH v.1?  You’ve always indicated that your ASPH doesn’t exhibit focus shift (unlike mine).

Jeff

v1 of the Nokton 35/1.4 sorry. My Summicron 35/2 asph v1 has indeed little to no visible focus shift, less so than my Summicron 35/2 v4 anyway. 

[cesc]

6 hours ago, Lelmer said:

Before spending money on another 35, remember that color saturation and contrast are easily adjustable in post processing...

I agree with that, and I get your point. But since 6 years now, I decided to stop shooting digital, my work is 8-12 hours in front the computer, so I wanted to go back to film photography and develop my negatives, and that is my passion now, it helps me to do something different and even if it's more money shooting film, for me it's worth it. So if I can get the results more direct from the negative instead of having to spend more hours retouching colors in front the computer... I prefer to buy a lens that helps me to achive that faster. Hope that makes sense

 

5 hours ago, a.noctilux said:

As Philip, I've seen the comparision (  ...= not convincing for me as decades old user of the 8 element that I have in M3 and M2 types).

LLL can be a good alternative to "8 elem." Leitz for most but copy is just that copy.

this post of flare must be seen as "flaws" or "created flaws" but nothing close to the "right flaws when in good use " of the old original.

I even think that (not scientific ! ) time had done (in wine world we can say "matured") something not predictable.

Differences in two "same lens" that I had observed in mechanic and optic are something not predictable.

 

@Cesc,

have fun to find the 35mm which suits you, if this exists.

I had seen that you are searching 35  Cron IV (KoB?) = a good beginning.

This IV had sadly relayed by hipsters .

 

I suggest to find older 35 Cron II/III to try out.

see this thread

 

My first M body and M lens was a M6 classic with a 35mm summicron v4 before Youtubers made rise the prices of this combo...( I still have the photos in summilux ) I feel I want to go back to a classic or vintage lens. I thought that spending more money with a newer asph lens were a good move... but I don't know why, I can stand the perfectness of this lens. Just my opinion of course

[ymc226]

11 hours ago, cesc said:

Hi everybody! I willing to know your opinion about which could be a better lens for my tastes... I bought a summicron 35mm asph v1 long time ago,...but I feel it's too contrasty and sharp. I am really in love of the old color photos where the colors are more desaturated and sharp and contrast is less present. I am not sure, if that look of vintage color negatives is also more about the film stock, probably it's slide film what it was more common to shoot back then. I will appreciate your thoughts about this subject

 

Have a nice day!

I agree.  Though I got my 35 Cron ASPH a long time ago, I never bonded with it.  Now I am using the LLL Cron V1 replica, and Cron V3 and V4.  I did get the latest APO and it is very sharp but use it for close ups.  I also still use the lux ASPH pre-FLE and never got the FLE just from the reports that the bokeh was more busy.

Edited February 16, 2022 by ymc226

[Capuccino-Muffin]

Agree, the summicron 35mm asph v1 is so unexciting. Banal, even. I need a Zest from my optics. Not a photoshop zest, I want it naturally oozing from the lens.

[OSEGAL]

I recommend a pre-asph summilux. I've had the v1 cron asph and now have a german cron v4 and a v2 lux. 

The v4 is not a low contrast lens! it has a bite and a modern rendering, gentler then the asph v1 but not far.

the lux is a different lens. very warm with unique tones.

 

Ophir

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[cesc]

3 minutes ago, OSEGAL said:

I recommend a pre-asph summilux. I've had the v1 cron asph and now have a german cron v4 and a v2 lux. 

The v4 is not a low contrast lens! it has a bite and a modern rendering, gentler then the asph v1 but not far.

the lux is a different lens. very warm with unique tones.

 

Ophir

thanks for the advice! I am going to take a look at pre asph lux images

[a.noctilux]

For me the pre-asph. 35mm Summilux-M is transparent lens,

unique in some demanding situations.

 

Like here, I'm pleased with the "dozen" yellow hues it can register (on good sensor of M8, I admit), but in the past proved this on Kodachrome.

seen in this post

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

 

and here