01maciel Posted September 9, 2023 Share #1 Â Posted September 9, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have the opportunity to purchase a Summaron 35mm f3.5 LTM at a reasonably decent price. I want it as a replacement for the new Summicron 35mm, with which I am not happy. Does anyone know what the characteristics of this lens is? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 9, 2023 Posted September 9, 2023 Hi 01maciel, Take a look here Summaron 35mm f3.5 LTM characteristics. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Pyrogallol Posted September 9, 2023 Share #2  Posted September 9, 2023 (edited) Buy it. A classic 1950’s Leica look lens, best stopped down a bit. Even better is the f2.8 version when you come across one. Prices of the f3.5 version seem to have gone up 50% in the last couple of years. Edited September 9, 2023 by Pyrogallol Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda2 Posted September 9, 2023 Share #3  Posted September 9, 2023 (edited) I have this lens (a non-goggled late LTM version) and use it with a M10. Wide open is sharp in the central 50-60%, mid-frame to corner is smeared soft by asph standards, stopping down increases central sharpness portion slowly outwards, but the extreme corner is never quite sharp. Contrast is nicely low and character is typical of its age (closer to Summaron 28 than cron pre-asph), there's nearly no glowing. I don't know how it is on film, the weaknesses may be less prominent. I definitely like the 28 Summaron much more than the 35, but the 35mm options are a compromise minefield so will keep using this although I'm not sure I would be happy with it as my daily 35 driver.. However, ymmv, so it depends on what you found unhappy with the new cron asph. 1.5 stops aside, what you gain in lower contrast and some vintage rendering you also lose in optical qualities, especially if you like to frame pictures not in the centre. I attach an example with the 35/3.5 (corners slightly cropped out), if the whole lens behaves like the centre, this would be the perfect lens.  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 September 9, 2023 by Panda2 3 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4853863'>More sharing options...
a.noctilux Posted September 9, 2023 Share #4 Â Posted September 9, 2023 Wiki is there, Summaron 3.5cm 1:3.5 Â mine is lighter than stated in Wiki, only 144g. Even wide open, this lens is quite good considering it's age. the aperture opening is round so closing down is even better. Â Strange I have also the so "loved" 2.8/3.5cm and I prefer the f/3.5 rendering, not the sharpest, but lovely rendering comparing to other 35mm that I use. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bronco McBeast Posted September 9, 2023 Share #5  Posted September 9, 2023 There is the summaron 35mm f3.5 in M mount. Its construction is amazing: super solid and compact and suuuper smooooth. It is my go to lens whenever I feel the more expensive lenses are at danger of being soaked, stolen, bumped.  All in all, I really like it.  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! 7 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4853898'>More sharing options...
yossi Posted September 9, 2023 Share #6  Posted September 9, 2023 @Little India, Singapore. 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! ltm Summaron 3.5 wide open. M Monochrom. 6 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ltm Summaron 3.5 wide open. M Monochrom. ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4853946'>More sharing options...
JMF Posted September 9, 2023 Share #7  Posted September 9, 2023 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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!  35 Summaron f3.5 LTM on M9 8 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  35 Summaron f3.5 LTM on M9 ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4853964'>More sharing options...
Popular Post JMF Posted September 9, 2023 Popular Post Share #8  Posted September 9, 2023 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! 35 Summaron f3.5 ltm on M8  22 2 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! 35 Summaron f3.5 ltm on M8  ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4853966'>More sharing options...
yossi Posted September 10, 2023 Share #9  Posted September 10, 2023 Summaron 35mm on film,  Kentmere Pan 400 in R09 Stand Dev. 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!  7 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!  ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4853993'>More sharing options...
spydrxx Posted September 10, 2023 Share #10 Â Posted September 10, 2023 For many years the 35/2.8 Summaron (in a M mount) was my most used lens. Foolishly I sold it a couple of years ago. Recently I came across a 35/3.5 LTM Summaron at an affordable price and decided to give it a try. I'm very pleased with it. I've only used it on digital so far, expect to use it on film in the next few weeks. If you like classical rendering rather than ultra sharp corner to corner photos, I think you will enjoy it. I tried the LTM CV Color Skopar 35/2.5, but it didn't turn me on like the 3.5 Summaron. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmars Posted September 10, 2023 Share #11 Â Posted September 10, 2023 I have the Summaron 35 mm/2.8, a wonderful lens. Sharp already at open aperture in the center (there it can almost keep up with modern lenses), a little weaker at the edge, no overexposure. It is quite cheap, about 1/3 of the price of the Summicron 2.0 (8 elements). I do not know the Summaron 3.5. But from the photos, it seems to me that the 2.8 is a bit easier to deal with. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
costa43 Posted September 10, 2023 Share #12  Posted September 10, 2023 35mm Summaron f3.5 on M9p 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! 10 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4854038'>More sharing options...
01maciel Posted September 10, 2023 Author Share #13 Â Posted September 10, 2023 Thank you for the answers, comments and opinions about the lens. I am becoming more and more fond of it. I definitly like classical rendering more rather than ultra sharp. Are there any differences between the Summaron 35mm 3.5 LTM and the M-mount? @costa43 Looks stunning. Did you do a lot to the colors or is this the original color rendering? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
costa43 Posted September 10, 2023 Share #14  Posted September 10, 2023 2 minutes ago, 01maciel said: Thank you for the answers, comments and opinions about the lens. I am becoming more and more fond of it. I definitly like classical rendering more rather than ultra sharp. Are there any differences between the Summaron 35mm 3.5 LTM and the M-mount? @costa43 Looks stunning. Did you do a lot to the colors or is this the original color rendering? Thank you. I can’t remember, this was a while ago but I’ll look for the original dng shortly and post it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
costa43 Posted September 10, 2023 Share #15  Posted September 10, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, 01maciel said: Thank you for the answers, comments and opinions about the lens. I am becoming more and more fond of it. I definitly like classical rendering more rather than ultra sharp. Are there any differences between the Summaron 35mm 3.5 LTM and the M-mount? @costa43 Looks stunning. Did you do a lot to the colors or is this the original color rendering? Thank you. I can’t remember, this was a while ago but I’ll look for the original dng shortly and post it.  edit: original straight out of camera file below 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 September 10, 2023 by costa43 5 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4854072'>More sharing options...
nitroplait Posted September 10, 2023 Share #16  Posted September 10, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, 01maciel said: ...I definitly like classical rendering more rather than ultra sharp. Are there any differences between the Summaron 35mm 3.5 LTM and the M-mount? The optical design is the same. It was produced from circa 1946(or 48) to 1960 and may well have seen small improvements, but individual lens sample variations may have more influence on potential differences than age. I own two samples of the LTM version. One from 1951 and one from 1954: There is a distinct difference in the periferi of the image between the two. Both would make perfectly useable lenses on their own, but the difference can be significant - and depending on your pickiness/preferences; one may excite you while the other may leave you lukewarm. From Erwin Putts Leica Lens Compendium (available free online without illustrations): 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 September 10, 2023 by nitroplait 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4854075'>More sharing options...
01maciel Posted September 20, 2023 Author Share #17  Posted September 20, 2023 One of my first photos with my new (for me) Leitz Summaron f=3.5cm 1:3.5 mounted on the M10. 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! 8 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/381838-summaron-35mm-f35-ltm-characteristics/?do=findComment&comment=4861284'>More sharing options...
tsleica Posted September 20, 2023 Share #18 Â Posted September 20, 2023 (edited) Whats pretty cool about it is you can stop down to f22 for macro shots w/ext tubes But it is a bit fiddly to work with. Â Edited September 20, 2023 by tsleica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted September 20, 2023 Share #19 Â Posted September 20, 2023 I bought the LTM f/2.8 version some years ago to use as a pocketable setup with the TL2 and CL. I sold it when they were sold, which I regret now that I have Barnacks - I use the Nikkor 3.5 f/2.5 in its place. I won't comment on IQ, other than to say that I agree with the preceding comments, and examples. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
horosu Posted September 20, 2023 Share #20  Posted September 20, 2023 On 9/10/2023 at 2:41 AM, JMF said: 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! 35 Summaron f3.5 ltm on M8  Wonderful!!! 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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