35 & 50 vintage set

[tedd]

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Hi gang,

After six years, five Zeiss, nine Leica and one Canon lens in the M system I am absolutely happy with my lens kit. It consists of a 50mm Summilux ASPH and a 35mm Summarit 2.5. The 50mm is my main squeeze, the 35mm when I need to go a little bit wider (but still have consistency) or want something super small for family days etc. 

As a nerd with a GAS problem, being happy is unsatisfactory. I'd like to start thinking about a character set just to give me something to research in my down time and prevent me from talking myself into more Linn upgrades. At least with used Leica gear I can sell it for exactly what I paid if I'm not into it!

I would love to get some recommendations based on these criteria:

• A compact 35 and fast 50
• Preferably a slower 35, as I'd like character while retaining somewhat deep DoF at this focal length
• At least f2 for the 50, faster is always a plus
• Non-collapsible. I don't want to ruin my sensor when I inevitably do something dumb
• Glow, swirly bokeh, anything interesting to set these apart from my main kit. The 90 Thambar is a step too far for my tastes though, as a reference point
• Reasonably common to help find a decent copy at a decent price, I am not interested in paying any collectors tax
• Leitz absolutely preferred, because I like it, but something else isn't a total deal breaker (it would just be fighting with one arm tied behind its back)
• A similar rendering between the two lenses for consistency 

Thanks!

[grahamc]

I pair the 50:2 v3 with 35:2 v1 8 Elements , and find them beautifully matched but if you don’t want the 35 to be as fast or pay collectors tax then perhaps pair with 35:2.8 summaron of the same era as v1 cron . I don’t own the 2.8 so can’t say for sure. You may find ergonomically the 35mm v3 cron is pleasing. It’s fantastic  and fits the same production years as 50:2v3 so should be a good match although the colours of mine don’t match so well the 50:2 v3 as well as the 8e does. 

for a faster well-matching combo then IMO a great pairing (and my most frequently used lenses) are 35:1,4 v2 with 50:1.4 v3

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 2023 by grahamc

[Guest]

4 hours ago, grahamc said:

I pair the 50:2 v3 with 35:2 v1 8 Elements , and find them beautifully matched but if you don’t want the 35 to be as fast or pay collectors tax then perhaps pair with 35:2.8 summaron of the same era as v1 cron . I don’t own the 2.8 so can’t say for sure. You may find ergonomically the 35mm v3 cron is pleasing. It’s fantastic  and fits the same production years as 50:2v3 so should be a good match although the colours of mine don’t match so well the 50:2 v3 as well as the 8e does. 

for a faster well-matching combo then IMO a great pairing (and my most frequently used lenses) are 35:1,4 v2 with 50:1.4 v3

 

 

 

 

 

I second Graham’s suggestions, although I haven’t tried the 8e. My two pairs would be:

35:2 v3 + 50:2 v3

35:1.4 pre-asph v2 + 50:2 v3

I shoot with these 3 lenses as my main kit. All 3 are fantastic!

[Sandokan]

Collapsible doesnt ruin the sensor. 

Jupiters have a nice rendering - they have 9 or more aperture blades and are soft wide open. 

[romanus53]

Canon 1.5/50 a nice and compact Sonnar-design, Rodenstock Heligon 2.8/35 as good as the Summaron but a little bit chaper though hard to find, 3.5/35 Elmar is really compact like a pancake lens but quality drops towards edges, I also like the Chiyoko 2.8/45 - there are lots of lenses so don't worry about GAS 😉 

[Ecar]

Without breaking the bank, I'd suggest two LTM Nikkors from the 1950's: the 50/1.4 and the 35/2.5 (or the 35/3.5 if you want slower). Not too difficult to find in good condition and plenty of character. All you need is a couple of LTM to M adapters.

[dpitt]

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Compared to your Summilux the Summicron 50mm F2.0 Rigid will have lots of character to play with.

If you want to be closer to the performance and look of modern lenses then I noticed that you are missing the ultimate pre-ASPH Leica lens. I am talking about the Summicron 1:2.0/50 M v4 or v5. They use the same optical formula and have been in production for over 40 years. v5 has a built in sunhood and is without tab. I like tabbed lenses and don't mind the classical rigid vented hood of the v4. v4 is also a bit more compact without the sunhood. That is why I kept that one and sold the v5. In Belgian weather there is not much need for sunhoods anyway

If you like a small and light plaything, I would suggest considering a collapsible. The first one that comes to mind is the 50mm Summicron collapsible. Then the Summitar 50 F2.0 and then the Summar 50 F2.0, both LTM, so they need a small adapter. No issue for me since you do not even notice the adapter without looking closely.

I own all 3 of them and they have sufficient differences in character. They get more dreamy and soft wide open as you go back in time.

The 35mm Summaron is mentioned before. I like the LTM F3.5 version in particular because it redefines the notion of 'small' lenses. The same with the Leica Elmar 50 F3.5 LTM. I carry it around on my M8 an M9 in collapsed status all the time. When collapsed you can hardly notice the difference with a body cap. And when you see the pictures they are as sharp and distortion free as can be.

Edited August 31, 2023 by dpitt