Summicron-M 35mm f2 Leitz Canada v3 vs Newer versions

[hirohhhh]

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I'm on a trip and I needed a small 35mm lens, and I went to the local camera store and purchased Summicron-M 35mm f2 Leitz Canada V3. Based on serial number I figured out it's v3 and made in 1973. I had an opportunity to shoot a bit this afternoon and I can say it's a good lens. I have the newest Summiluxes 28 and 50 1.4, and in comparison to this one, I can't see a much of a difference, except the obvious one stop. Can someone point out what would be improved in the newest versions, and how does it compare to the same lenses made in Germany? What would I get if I paid $3000-4000 for the new one, instead $1000 for this one?

Edited January 2, 2023 by hirohhhh

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[pippy]

20 minutes ago, hirohhhh said:

...What would I get if I paid $3000-4000 for the new one, instead $1000 for this one?...

A lens which does pretty much exactly the same thing; just differently.

Hope that helps!

P.

[spydrxx]

No valuations on this site. However you might check completed Ebay auctions.

[frame-it]

10 minutes ago, pippy said:

A lens which does pretty much exactly the same thing; just differently.

 

nice answer Love it.

 

im always fascinated by the nit-picking of how lenses render..what difference does it make when shooting mostly zoned in at f5.6 or f8 on a rangefinder?

at f1.4-f2.8 i can understand there will be differences

easy of use, focus tabs, appearance, shape, brass or chrome, # of elements, coating..aren't those differences  generally more important?

Edited January 3, 2023 by frame-it

[hirohhhh]

20 minutes ago, pippy said:

A lens which does pretty much exactly the same thing; just differently.

Hope that helps!

P.

Are you referring to the character of the lens? I didn't had a chance to see my photos with cron 35 on the computer yet, nor to compare them with my expensive summiluxes, but I was wondering if there's a difference in the coating, or the hardware/glass quality? Or is it much cheaper simply because it's old lens, and there are couple new generations made after.

I never had a vintage lens, and I purchased this quickly, on the go, so I'm not familiar with how those lenses were made before vs the new ones. Looks pretty much the same to me

Edited January 3, 2023 by hirohhhh

[pippy]

You have bought a superbly designed 50 year old lens. It will render as such. More modern lenses with a similar specification will render, also superbly, in a more modern fashion.

Hope that helps!

P.

[Jean-Michel]

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1 hour ago, pippy said:

You have bought a superbly designed 50 year old lens. It will render as such. More modern lenses with a similar specification will render, also superbly, in a more modern fashion.

Hope that helps!

P.

Ditto!

I used an even earlier version, from 1962, with goggles for decades. I now have a curent version (same for an original 50 'rigid' and a new one). Yes, you can see differences, mainly on screen at 100%. Once printed: go figure! I made small, medium and very large prints of images made with old and new lenses mounted on M9, M-P(240) and even recently only SL2. Each is as good as I want it to be, and no viewer cares what I used to make the print.

And, my hobby-horse: if you do not print it, it does not exist.

[dpitt]

Contrast will be lower with older lenses. This can be easily corrected in post. Sharpness can be very good, if not better than modern designs.

Summicron’s of any generation draw more ‘correct’ compared to Summiluxes. Your 35 Summicron will be hard to beat by your Summiluxes at 2.0 and 2.8. 

All pre-ASPH lenses have a different way of drawing the DOF zone compared to ASPH , modern designs. Modern ASPH go out of fucus more abruptly when you look at the transition from in focus area’s and OOF area’s.

[JuveFC]

This is the exact dilemna i am in. I'd like an extremely small walk around lens but that I can still shoot wide open without sacrificing contrast and sharpness. Most of what I use is on the larger end. Smallest 35mm I own is the CV 35mm 1.2 III. I currently own the Minolta Rokkor 40mm F2 CLE which is 40mm Summicron's brother and the lens is outstanding and tiny. I'd use this but since i shoot both on digital and film i'd like the proper frame lines to come up. 

So it's either a v2-v4 35mm Summi or a CV 35mm 1.4 MC II 

[grahamc]

2 hours ago, JuveFC said:

This is the exact dilemna i am in. I'd like an extremely small walk around lens but that I can still shoot wide open without sacrificing contrast and sharpness. Most of what I use is on the larger end. Smallest 35mm I own is the CV 35mm 1.2 III. I currently own the Minolta Rokkor 40mm F2 CLE which is 40mm Summicron's brother and the lens is outstanding and tiny. I'd use this but since i shoot both on digital and film i'd like the proper frame lines to come up. 

So it's either a v2-v4 35mm Summi or a CV 35mm 1.4 MC II 

If you like the character of the 40:2 Rokkor (as I do very much), you may find the 35:2 v2 the best match from the Leica lenses you have mentioned. It’s also smaller than the v3 which is the same optical design.  
 

However not as small as the v4 of course,  But I find the v4 just a touch more modern in it’s rendering than the 35:2 v2/3 and 40:2 rokkor.  None will be quite as sharp as that Minolta/Leitz gem though 😁 but, we get the frame lines 👍

Edited January 3, 2023 by grahamc

[derleicaman]

The 35/2 v2, 3 and 4 are all excellent lenses. I own both the v2 Wetzlar and v4 Wetzlar lenses. I had a v4 Canada, and while it performed quite well in picture taking, the lens head would turn slightly making the hood cock-eyed. This is because of the polycarbonate internals. I traded it for the v4, with the improved all metal construction. Equally as good as the Canadian lens optically, but without the optical unit turning in the mount. I also swapped out the crappy plastic focusing tab for a CNC'd anodized alloy one I got off Etsy. Much better quality and feel, and is identical to the tab on the newer Leica lenses.

I also have a 35/1.4 v2, Summilux ASPH and a Summicron 35/2 ASPH. Of all of these lenses, I currently prefer to use either the 35/2 v4 or the Summilux v2. The v4 is incredibly sharp through its range, but not in a clinical way. The 35/1.4 v2 is very similar to the Steel Rim, which I had at one time but sold! It is two lenses in one, soft and dreamy wide open but very sharp from f/4 on down. I have owned this lens since 1972. I never bonded with the 35/2 ASPH. Too big and heavy compared to the v4 or Summilux v2. It is the chrome LHSA version. Performance wise, the 35/1.4 ASPH is the best of the bunch. I used it in film days with my M6, M2 and MP, and then with my M9. But it is just too big and the hood has an irritating tendency to turn out of alignment.

[vanGeist]

I bought my 35 Cron v3 when the »King of Plastic Bokeh« went completly through the roof and nobody seem to care about the tiny but wonderful 6-element version. Maybe I repeat myself time and time again, but the v3 may be the best bang for the buck 35mm Leica lens of them all. It has some limitations in challenging light, does not have super sharp corners even at f/8 nor the legendary status of the 8-element or the cult following like the 7-element. But how bad could a Mandler lens be?

It's sharp enough to impress Nikon guys with modern Nikkor glass and it will be sharp enough for most people here. At f/2 sharpness is good while Mandler glow and some aberrations are present, which will transform your photos unlike anything Peter Karbe ever made. (I respect the work of Peter Karbe very much, but his lenses are to perfect for my taste.) At f/2.8 spherical aberration are mostly gone, sharpness and contrast are very good. At f/4 sharpness and contrast is excellent, however the extreme corners won't be perfect even at f/8. If you can live with that, here is your Leica Summicron-M 35 for the rest of your life.

At the time I bought the Cron I also owned the M-Rokkor 40/2 and compared it to the v3. While to Bokeh of the Minolta was far superior, the Cron was way sharper and felt better built even after a CLA of the Minolta. Thats why I sold the M-Rokkor as prices went ballistic for it that time and I had no use for it anymore.

If you can get a clean v3 Summicron 35 for a fair price, don't hesitate. This may be a lens you will simply fall in love with.

The photos are f/2 and f/8 and where taken with a M 262.

 

 

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[Guest]

1 hour ago, vanGeist said:

I bought my 35 Cron v3 when the »King of Plastic Bokeh« went completly through the roof and nobody seem to care about the tiny but wonderful 6-element version. Maybe I repeat myself time and time again, but the v3 may be the best bang for the buck 35mm Leica lens of them all. It has some limitations in challenging light, does not have super sharp corners even at f/8 nor the legendary status of the 8-element or the cult following like the 7-element. But how bad could a Mandler lens be?

It's sharp enough to impress Nikon guys with modern Nikkor glass and it will be sharp enough for most people here. At f/2 sharpness is good while Mandler glow and some aberrations are present, which will transform your photos unlike anything Peter Karbe ever made. (I respect the work of Peter Karbe very much, but his lenses are to perfect for my taste.) At f/2.8 spherical aberration are mostly gone, sharpness and contrast are very good. At f/4 sharpness and contrast is excellent, however the extreme corners won't be perfect even at f/8. If you can live with that, here is your Leica Summicron-M 35 for the rest of your life.

At the time I bought the Cron I also owned the M-Rokkor 40/2 and compared it to the v3. While to Bokeh of the Minolta was far superior, the Cron was way sharper and felt better built even after a CLA of the Minolta. Thats why I sold the M-Rokkor as prices went ballistic for it that time and I had no use for it anymore.

If you can get a clean v3 Summicron 35 for a fair price, don't hesitate. This may be a lens you will simply fall in love with.

The photos are f/2 and f/8 and where taken with a M 262.

 

 

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

Totally agree - 35mm Summicron V3 was the lens that got me into older glass. I just recently sold my 35mm Summicron ASPH V1, as I now far prefer the V3.

And it inspired me to dive into the my 3 re-issue lenses:

28:5.6 Summaron

35:1.4 Steel Rim

50:1.2 Noctilux 

As well as my 35:3.5 Summaron from 1958.

[derleicaman]

1 hour ago, mcpallesen said:

Totally agree - 35mm Summicron V3 was the lens that got me into older glass. I just recently sold my 35mm Summicron ASPH V1, as I now far prefer the V3.

And it inspired me to dive into the my 3 re-issue lenses:

28:5.6 Summaron

35:1.4 Steel Rim

50:1.2 Noctilux 

As well as my 35:3.5 Summaron from 1958.

I have played with the Steel Rim in Dublin, Portugal and Wetzlar, the prototype that Milan Swolfs had for evaluation. I had my v2 Summilux along for comparison. The Steel Rim is very appealing!

I picked up the 28 Summaron reissue last year and just love it. It is magical on the M10M. Also got the 50/1.2 reissue and it is fantastic as well. I also have the CV 50/1.2. The CV lens is a better lens optically, but again the Noctilux is in another league. I have not used my CV 50/1.2 since getting the Noctilux.

[hirohhhh]

Before I purchase the filter, can someone confirm is the 39mm right size for V3? I don't have any smaller than 43mm, so I cannot test it. I read on some blog post it's 39mm.

Edited January 20, 2023 by hirohhhh

[shirubadanieru]

28 minutes ago, hirohhhh said:

Before I purchase the filter, can someone confirm is the 39mm right size for V3? I don't have any smaller than 43mm, so I cannot test it. I read on some blog post it's 39mm.

it is

[Cobram]

On 1/4/2023 at 7:53 PM, vanGeist said:

I bought my 35 Cron v3 when the »King of Plastic Bokeh« went completly through the roof and nobody seem to care about the tiny but wonderful 6-element version. Maybe I repeat myself time and time again, but the v3 may be the best bang for the buck 35mm Leica lens of them all. It has some limitations in challenging light, does not have super sharp corners even at f/8 nor the legendary status of the 8-element or the cult following like the 7-element. But how bad could a Mandler lens be?

It's sharp enough to impress Nikon guys with modern Nikkor glass and it will be sharp enough for most people here. At f/2 sharpness is good while Mandler glow and some aberrations are present, which will transform your photos unlike anything Peter Karbe ever made. (I respect the work of Peter Karbe very much, but his lenses are to perfect for my taste.) At f/2.8 spherical aberration are mostly gone, sharpness and contrast are very good. At f/4 sharpness and contrast is excellent, however the extreme corners won't be perfect even at f/8. If you can live with that, here is your Leica Summicron-M 35 for the rest of your life.

At the time I bought the Cron I also owned the M-Rokkor 40/2 and compared it to the v3. While to Bokeh of the Minolta was far superior, the Cron was way sharper and felt better built even after a CLA of the Minolta. Thats why I sold the M-Rokkor as prices went ballistic for it that time and I had no use for it anymore.

If you can get a clean v3 Summicron 35 for a fair price, don't hesitate. This may be a lens you will simply fall in love with.

The photos are f/2 and f/8 and where taken with a M 262.

 

 

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

 I agree old Leica lenses are just great. 

Your opinion on Rokkor is very interesting. I used to own it, sold it and bought it again but in its Leica Summicron 40 version😅

To my eyes both lenses, Leica and Minolta, are very sharp. Must try in the future Cron v3 and make a comparison.

[hirohhhh]

I must say I really love the size of this new lens that I bought (35mm Summicron V3), that I'm pretty much stuck with it all the time. I didn't put my expensive 28 and 50 1.4 Summiluxes since I bought this 8x cheaper lens. I love it, primarily because of it's size and now I can finally put my MP in my jacket pocket. But I miss 28 and 50 sometimes.

Is there any good 28 and 50 that is a size of 35 cron V3? It needs to be that size or less. Anything larger would not make sense. I don't care if it's f2 if it can fit in my pocket

Btw, few years ago, I'd walk around with the SL and 24-90 with the giant lens hood attached, no problem. Now I'm complaining if it's doesn't fit in my pocket... must be that I'm getting old 🤔

Edited February 2, 2023 by hirohhhh

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Hallo,

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[James24]

Have a look at the 28mm Elmarit asph, and 50mm f2.5 or f2.4 Summarit.  All good and pretty compact.

[Guest]

Or 28mm f/5.6 Summaron re-issue. Amazing rendering and lovely size.

50mm f/2 Summicron V4 is also a nice size.