Character Lens for M262

[petard]

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Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a allrounder companion lens for my 40mm Summicron-C, used on a M262. Would love some opinions on the shortlist below, rendering character and compact size is more important to me than technical aspects like sharpness. Budget is <2k. 

1) Elmarit 28mm: Curious about trying the 28mm focal length, also the compactness is a plus. Not sure if it is too neutral / modern looking in terms of rendering.
2) Summarit 35mm 2.5 or 2.4: Considering this one since the Minilux also has the Summarit, which I've been trying to emulate.
3) Light Lens Lab 35mm: Really intrigued about this one. I do not have a way of trying it out and international returns are a hassle. Another concern is resale value compared to the Leica lenses a few years down the line. My Summicron 40mm is great in this regard.
4) Summicron 35mm non-ASPH (v4, 1979 onwards): I'm hoping a not too old v4 (1989-) will give me better flare resistance while retaining the character of the 40mm. Prices are bit through the roof on this one due to the king of bokeh thing, not sure if they will go down at some point.

I've considered other options like the Konica Hexanon or Voigtländers but ended up with the above shortlist. For background, recently purchased my first rangefinder M262. Previously shooting with a Minilux (fixed version with Summarit 40mm) for about 15 years. I've used my 40mm with a Sony A7 some years ago, but sold the Sony as I found the EVF focusing not ideal. The manual focus on the M262 is a much much better experience to me.

Edited June 11, 2023 by petard

[jaapv]

Look at the Voigtländer lenses. 

[cboy]

I gotta disagree with the 35mm summarit being a 'character' lens. It is modern lens and all that entails. 

If you want character have a look at ms optics. You find most lens available at Japan camera hunter.

I believe the most recent creation is the 35mm F1.3

https://www.japancamerahunter.com/2022/12/lens-review-ms-optics-apollon-36mm-f1-3/

Not sure about resale value, but definitely characterful and quirky 😄

Edited June 11, 2023 by cboy

[a.noctilux]

Welcome here @petard

For each one of us "character lens" is different.

Good news is M262 being very good choice to discover lens characters.

These days, I don't need to have characters in my pictures ( I want something "neutral" not to bother with) so I use my M262 with Summarit-M 2.5/35mm ( + 50+75 same naming).

...

Have fun discovering lenses.

 

Edited June 11, 2023 by a.noctilux

[pgk]

What's wromg with the 40C?

The modern Summarit is totally different from the Summicron or Summilux but not really characterful in an old fashioned way. It is however a high performing and compact 35mm lens with just a marginal propensity for flaring in certain circumstances. No longer easy to find at low prices though.

The 28 Elmarits are more modern that the Summarit. Very small but wider than your other choices.

The LLL will almost certainly depreciate unless LLL establish themselves over a rather longer time period than they have as yet as this seems to be how lens prices have worked in the past. Depends whether this bothers you.

The 35 v.4 Summicron will compliment the 40C rather than have substantially more 'character' IMO and nice lens as it is, it also has drawbacks (materials used to manufacture it). I've had a couple and wouldn't buy another myself but that's just me. Some still love it.

As jaapv points out, there are other options too.

[a.noctilux]

😉I forgot this...

Try Summar 5cm ( LTM + adapter ...) for "bad" character to overcome or love.

Even old Elmar or Summicron 5cm LTM can be a candidate.

[lct]

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3 hours ago, petard said:

1) Elmarit 28mm: Curious about trying the 28mm focal length, also the compactness is a plus. Not sure if it is too neutral / modern looking in terms of rendering.

You mean Elmarit 28/2.8 asph i guess. Can complement the Summicron 40/2 but both Elmarit 28/2.8 asph v1 and v2 have a modern rendering. Same for the Ultron 28/2 asph which is even more contrasty. As for Elmarit 28/2.8 pre-asph lenses, they are more bulky. My favorite is the Rokkor 28/2.8 for Minolta CLE. Small size. Similar rendition as Leica lenses from the same period (Mandler). No significant flaw but the lens can develop schneideritis spots (white spots on interior black paint) and its flange must be modified to bring up 28mm frame lines on Leica M cameras. Just a snap on M11 here.

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[lct]

4 hours ago, petard said:

2) Summarit 35mm 2.5 or 2.4: Considering this one since the Minilux also has the Summarit, which I've been trying to emulate.

Modern rendering too but no harshness so the Summarit 35/2.5 (no experience with f/2.4) can complement a Summicron 40/2. A Mandler lens would fit better though. Summicron 35/2 v3 or v4 preferably. My favorite is the v4 but it is an expensive lens on the second-hand market. Another snap on M11 here.

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Edited June 11, 2023 by lct

[lct]

19 minutes ago, Al Brown said:

The Summicron 40/2 practically IS the Summicron 35 v2/v3 with slightly extended focal length, see Cavina's chart below.

I know but v3 has too much flare for my taste.

[pgk]

Image from Summarit 35/2.5. Not harsh, even in very hard, bright light, but certainly accurate. I'd say it sits between the Mandler era lenses and the current aspheric offerings. I like it, but have the pre-FLE Summilux aspheric too, which produces a slightly more modern and precise look. Neither are harsh nor boring to me, but neither have the sort of look I associate with older designs either.

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Edited June 11, 2023 by pgk
typo

[petard]

First of all thanks everyone for sharing their thoughts and photos, really appreciated and it helps a lot.

On 6/11/2023 at 1:58 PM, pgk said:

What's wrong with the 40C?

Nothing at all! I will keep this lens forever and very happy I didn't sell it when I sold the Sony. I'm looking for something complementary to add some variety to my shots. Also need to send the lens in for service and do not want to be lens-less.

Based on the comments here it sounds like the Summarit or Elmarit (asph version) might be to modern, will take a look at the M-Rokkor 28mm. The LLL seems a bit of a gamble value-wise. The technical design for the v2 / v3 was interesting, will try to test the v4 summicron. I'll also try the Voigtländer version 1 or 2 since they are similar to the Summilux pre-asph which i'd consider if it wasn't for the price.

Edited June 12, 2023 by petard

[hansvons]

Have you ever been thinking about 50mm? Your 40mm Summicron C is almost a 35mm but very different from 50mm. The 50mm Summicron V4 with the tab can be had for about 1K and is a superb lens with a humble character. 

[oldwino]

Go with a fast 50...Summilux or one of the Voigtlanders. The Voigtlander 50 1.5 v2 is pretty darn close to the Leica Summilux pre-aspherical, and the 50 1.2 competes well with the latest Summilux (tho' the summilux will be better close up). 

For 35mm and the Voigtlander f1.4, try to get the second version, as it has been designed to eliminate focus shift.