Thoughts on this 35/50 pairing?

[JoshuaR]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

A couple of months ago, I posted about wanting to get a second body to go with my M2. Everyone on the forum was very helpful in suggesting different approaches. Well.... things went a bit off the rails. I went from an M2 with a 35 and a 50 to an M2, an M4-P, and an M10 with 28 / 35 / 50 / 75. (CV 28 Ultron II, 35 Nokton II, and 75 1.5, plus Zeiss 50 Sonnar.) I don't think this made my photography any better, but it sure cost a lot of money!

I'm now quite certain that I want to get back to "basics," or at least basics as they are in Leica-land. I'm going to reduce to just the M10 and M2 and to 35/50. Looking back through my archive, it's clear that my best pictures are taken at these focal lengths. After trying a bunch of different lenses, I also know that I want my lenses to be small, and to have focus tabs. I've never owned Leica lenses, apart from my Q2, and I also think I want to shift to Leica if only to get it out of my system. And finally, I'm also happiest when my pictures have a slightly less digital look to them. I'm not after ultimate sharpness. I basically take family photographs, as well as documenting occasional trips I make as a journalist.

I've found a reasonable deal, at a reputable shop, for a recently CLA'd Canadian 35mm Summicron v3 and a tabbed 50 Summicron v4. I'm thinking that these two lenses might be the pair I'd like to simplify to.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts about these lenses as a pair, and on film and digital. Thank you for any insights you may have!

[pegelli]

Both are nice lenses and reading your story you've already figured out that the photographer is more important than the equipment.

M-mount wise I'm currently very happy with just a M2 and M246M, I have more M-mount lenses than just a 35 and a 50 but I think I could survive on those two, even though I would really miss a 90 mm and a 21 mm to have a little more width as well as reach. I think 28 is too close to 35 and 75 too close to 50 to make real sense as a 4 lens kit.

I don't have any direct experience with the lenses you mention (my 35 is a 1961 Summaron 35/2.8 and my main 50 a rigid 1959 Summicron 50/2), but these both work fine both on film and on digital so the two more modern lenses you mention should be fine as well.

 

Edited November 18, 2022 by pegelli

[spydrxx]

It looks like you've overcome your GAS, and are finally concentrating of what works best for you. I think your choice of lenses for what you shoot is fine.

[Bear]

Just curious what's the price your quoted for the 35 cron v3? I'm looking for one as well and trying to gauge the current  pricing. 

[Mute-on]

I say just grab them both.
 

Firstly, tabbed lenses on a Leica M make the experience of using one just that much more convenient and fulfilling. My 50 Summicron is an untabbed V5 and it always feels odd after using my tabbed lenses. Secondly, you can’t go wrong with 35 and 50 on a Leica M. They were basically designed around those two primary focal lengths. Lastly, those versions of Summicron will work equally well on film and digital. 
 

Enjoy!

Edited November 19, 2022 by Mute-on

[grahamc]

Hello .  I have the v3 and v4 versions of the 50mm and 35mm crons. 

I also like to pair my lenses for similarity of rendering ( I gather some people like to pair their lenses up for 'diversity', eg a modern lens with a classic lens ... but I like to match them on similarity)

I match 35:2 v3 and 50:2v3 together (same for the v4s) but the short answer is that yes the 35:2 v3 and 50:2 v4 would work very well together .  If you want a closer / exact match then pair a 35:2 v4 with the 50:2 v4 and the contrast/colour rendering and general 'feel' of the images will be absolutely spot on between the pair. 

Either way a 35:2 v3 is close enough in colour and contrast to the v4 generation to pair as you've suggested.

If you like character lenses you may well be happier with the 35:2 v3 than a v4 as it has a touch more of a classic rendering.  Same with 50:2v3 but it doesn't have a tab.  

You can't go wrong with any of these though and they are all close enough to each other.

 

Edited November 19, 2022 by grahamc

[JoshuaR]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

This is very helpful—because I’ll be consolidating down so much I could afford the 35 v4. I may well wait to do that!

[Jeff S]

There are many old threads (and articles/reviews) on the various 35 Summicron versions.  Besides rendering, be sure to pay attention to ergonomics, construction, size, hoods, infinity locks, etc.  These can be subject to personal taste; I dislike infinity locks regardless of other qualities.  The v.4 so-called “Bokeh King” (debunked, even by the creator of the nickname) has especially been discussed ad nauseam.

 

One of many discussions…

Jeff

Edited November 19, 2022 by Jeff S

[lct]

Mixing v3 and v4 i don't know. I'd prefer two v3 or two v4 personally or 35/2 v4 + 50/2 v5 possibly or other couples of lenses designed at the same period of time. YMMV. 

[Pyrogallol]

My favourite 35 is the Summaron, in all its versions.

[mediumformula]

I think the v4 50mm Cron would be a great choice for your 50.  It has the same optics as the v5 but smaller, lighter, and has a focus tab. 

[grahamc]

11 hours ago, JoshuaRothman said:

This is very helpful—because I’ll be consolidating down so much I could afford the 35 v4. I may well wait to do that!

Great. I think if you are able to, then go for the v4. You won’t regret the pairing with 50:2 v4 tabbed 

[pippy]

On 11/18/2022 at 5:54 PM, JoshuaRothman said:

...I've found a reasonable deal,...for a recently CLA'd Canadian 35mm Summicron v3 and a tabbed 50 Summicron v4. I'd be grateful for any thoughts about these lenses as a pair, and on film and digital...

They are both absolutely superb performers and able to produce results which (IMX) will easily 'outperform' the visual appreciation of practically everyone who might be fortunate enough to view images created with this kit.

P.

Edited November 20, 2022 by pippy