Leica Summicron-m 35mm asph v1

[Leicaboy Norway]

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Hey guys I have a chance to buy this lens with 6 bit coding for $1500 in good condition.

 

How well regarded is this 35mm lens compared to other Leica lenses? I'm thinking of using it on my M240 and SL2

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[Borna]

Great lens, get it. I had it mounted on my M-P 240 for a long time before I sold the camera. Now its mounted on my M8 and M6. 

[Leicaboy Norway]

Thanks Borna. Just seems opinions differ online, so I got cold feet! 

[PhoToad]

This seems to be a very good price if you can get it from a reputable dealer. I own a copy of this lens with my M240-P and am very satisfied so far (but you need to become familiar with the tricky lens hood).

[Leicaboy Norway]

Thank you Photoad 

It actually comes without hood, so I might need to get a hood if I get the lens!

[lct]

The Summicron 35/2 asph v1 is a great lens i've been using for 10+ years on M240 mainly. Beware that some copies suffer from focus shift, especially early ones designed for film. Better use a 6-bit coded copy on digital for this reason. Beware also that the regular hood of the lens is 12526, not 12524. The 12524 hood can fit but the 14043 hood cap is not made for it and will fall off too easily.

[Leicaboy Norway]

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Just now, lct said:

The Summicron 35/2 asph v1 is a great lens i've been using for 10+ years on M240 mainly. Beware that some copies suffer from focus shift, especially early ones designed for film. Better use a 6-bit coded copy on digital for this reason. Beware also that the regular hood of the lens is 12526, not 12524. The 12524 hood can fit but the 14043 hood cap is not made for it and will fall off too easily.

Thanks, lct! how do you think it will work on the SL2?

[lct]

I have no experience with SL bodies sorry.

[Leicaboy Norway]

1 hour ago, lct said:

I have no experience with SL bodies sorry.

No worries, buddy!

[lct]

Focus shift can occur on both rangefinder and mirrorless cameras when focusing at full aperture. No problem when focusing at working aperture though but it is something a rangefinder cannot do without accessory EVF like the Visoflex 2.

[Leicaboy Norway]

Focus shift to a certain degree is okay for me. I was more interested in its qualities on that 47 mpx mirrorless body, if it still has that magic. Not if its sharp zoomed in at 300%, but in my experience some lenses are just okay, others good and some have the possibility to make a picture special (in the right hands).

[f8low]

There are a few people here who've commented extensively on this lens. Maybe take a look here: https://www.l-camera-forum.com/search/?&q=summicron asph v1 &quick=1&author=hansvons&search_and_or=and&sortby=relevancy

[Jeff S]

There are many threads discussing this lens, and comparing it to others, including the v.2.

One here.. 

 

It’s a staple lens for me.  In fact I’m selling my 35 Summilux ASPH v.1 (FLE), yet keeping the workhorse Summicron ASPH v.1.  It does what I need.  The 35 APO M Summicron, by comparison, does things I don’t need (or want), e.g., focus beyond usable RF coupling, and costs a ridiculous amount. Depends on your priorities and preferences.

Jeff

Edited June 20, 2024 by Jeff S

[Jean-Michel]

On 6/19/2024 at 6:32 AM, Leicaboy Norway said:

Hey guys I have a chance to buy this lens with 6 bit coding for $1500 in good condition.

 

How well regarded is this 35mm lens compared to other Leica lenses? I'm thinking of using it on my M240 and SL2

$1,500 , I assume in US$, seems rather very low for this lens. If it is really in god condition, then it may be a " good deal".  Caveat empty —buyer beware.

Otherwise, it is a fine lens, I have one. Will work on all Ms and all SL body variants. 

[crons]

On 6/19/2024 at 5:32 PM, Leicaboy Norway said:

Hey guys I have a chance to buy this lens with 6 bit coding for $1500 in good condition.

 

How well regarded is this 35mm lens compared to other Leica lenses? I'm thinking of using it on my M240 and SL2

I don't know who would differ from the statement that this lens is the best 35mm lens for every day use made for the Leica M. It's a Summicron. You cant fault a summicron. 

I own the v2. 

It's used so any faults would come from that. I'm talking about as it is brand new. Can't speak for used lenses. If it is working as it should then for me it is faultless. One of those lenses you buy once and keep forever. If you sell it you'll just end up buying it again. 

I've seen so many people get complacent with their 50mm Summicron, sell it, and then eventually buying it again. 

Summicrons are my favorite lenses and the only Leica lenses that I buy. For other more specialized lenses there are alternatives that are cheaper. 

I'm not a summulix guy because they're too big. Too heavy. Too expensive. And I will never shoot them at f1.4 anyway. 

Making a photo special is entirely up to you and not the lens. 

If you want to hide behind blurry backgrounds and wide angle distortion drama then a summicron is not the lens for you. Summicrons keep the photographer honest. It doesn't add anything. 

Edited June 20, 2024 by crons

[jhonzatkl]

I really like this lens (I have an ASPH v2), but I admit that after all the praise I was quite disappointed with its sharpness at full aperture (I use it on the M11-P).
I first assumed I had a defective piece, tried several others and it was always the same. Fully open the lens is quite soft by today's standards, it starts to look decent at f2.8 and beyond.
It is important to remember that the optical design is almost 30 years old and does not meet today's standards (or expectations). But if sharpness (fully open) is not the most important criteria, it is one of the best 35mm lenses you can put on a Leica body (size, weight, handling, haptics ... ).

[Leicaboy Norway]

20 minutes ago, jhonzatkl said:

I really like this lens (I have an ASPH v2), but I admit that after all the praise I was quite disappointed with its sharpness at full aperture (I use it on the M11-P).
I first assumed I had a defective piece, tried several others and it was always the same. Fully open the lens is quite soft by today's standards, it starts to look decent at f2.8 and beyond.
It is important to remember that the optical design is almost 30 years old and does not meet today's standards (or expectations). But if sharpness (fully open) is not the most important criteria, it is one of the best 35mm lenses you can put on a Leica body (size, weight, handling, haptics ... ).

Well I am gonna use it wide open most of the time. I'm not obsessed with sharpness, but at the same time I don't want a lens that is soft wide open. 

Interesting that people have so different opinions on the same lens attributes 

[jhonzatkl]

It is a good idea to check how old the opinion/review is and on which body and resolution the lens is used (film/digital). A lot of the reviews are quite old and time sensitive.
I've tried a lot of 35mm lenses and for example the Ultron 35/2 is miles ahead compared to the Summicron (regarding sharpness).

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[crons]

1 hour ago, Leicaboy Norway said:

Well I am gonna use it wide open most of the time. I'm not obsessed with sharpness, but at the same time I don't want a lens that is soft wide open. 

Interesting that people have so different opinions on the same lens attributes 

I’ve heard the same said about the 50f2. Some people are just obsessed with sharpness. They pixel peep every single thing. Summicrons are workhorse every day lenses for documenting life, which fits the Leica M perfectly. There is no question that for every day use, like I said before, there is no lens better. Now some may have more specific needs for specific kinds of photography. So if you require absolute ultimate sharpness wide open and you want an f2 lens and you don’t care much about size, then save your money and get an APO-LANTHAR 35f2. 
 
as far as Ultrons go, I guess you can say the same about the 28 cron vs the 28 Ultron II. This has been discussed ad nauseam. There is a lot more contrast coming from the ultrons and that adds to the appearance of more sharpness. But the thing is some people will never give up their 28 summicrons because there is a certain sort of magic sauce in the lens and that comes from the flaws and not from how perfect they are. 

if you focus just on how sharp it is wide open IMO you’re missing out. but again it really depends on the individual needs. 

Edited June 21, 2024 by crons

[lct]

Hard to get both sharpness and smooth bokeh in the same lens. As far as compact 35mm lenses are concerned, the Biogon 35/2.8 is a good example and so is the Summicron 35/2 apo i've been told but i have no experience with it. The Ultron 35/2 v2 is very sharp but its bokeh can be busy depending on focus distance. The Summicron 35/2 v4 is a bit softer at f/2 with smooth bokeh at f/2.8 but less so at f/2. The Summicron 35/2 asph v1 is sharper at f/2 with smooth bokeh there but bokeh is a bit more busy at f/2.8. The better compromise, as far as my lenses are concerned, is the current Summicron 35/2 asph v2. Sharp but not too much at f/2 so that i can use it for gentle portraits, with smooth bokeh af f/2 and at f/2.8 as well. This is a matter of taste though so YMMV.

Edited June 21, 2024 by lct