In praise of the 35mm Summarit 2.5

[tedd]

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As with us all, I've suffered a lot of GAS over the years across all my hobbies. The only thing that's helped is looking at reviews and forum posts about gear I already own - the Summarit 35mm f/2.5 being a common one, as the "worst" of the modern Leica glass I have. I thought I'd share my own thoughts on it, so I can have something to look back on when I feel the urge to upgrade again.

I've owned plenty of 35mm lenses across systems, including the Zeiss M f/2 twice, but this Summarit is a gem. It's not quite as sharp as the Zeiss, but subjectively I prefer its rendering. It's smaller, much nicer to handle, and doesn't have that annoying wobble that 5 of my 9 Zeiss lenses developed (and even my 50mm Summilux ASPH, though that was an easy fix at home once I bent a jewellers screwdriver for access).

I haven't tried the other Summarit focal lengths, but if they're as good as the 35, I could see myself shooting an entire kit of them. They were underrated at launch, but seem to be steadily gaining in popularity and I can only imagine that prices will rise. I keep wondering if I should pick up a 75mm example to pair with the 35.........

[Jeff S]

The M Summarits have received praise here. Erwin Puts also wrote positively about the 35 especially, pointing out characteristics that outperformed the 35 Summicron at the time, such as better flare control and lack of focus shift. The 35 was also the only M Summarit with an aspheric element. Leica Miami had a petition to bring back the Summarits, but don’t know how many signatures it received.

There are many other related threads.
 

Jeff

Edited October 18, 2024 by Jeff S

[DigitalHeMan]

I purchased the Summarit 35mm as my first Leica lens when I bought my M6. Works excellently with film, and equally well on digital. Certainly a good bang for the buck considering the price. 

[lct]

On 10/18/2024 at 3:25 AM, tedd said:

I haven't tried the other Summarit focal lengths, but if they're as good as the 35, I could see myself shooting an entire kit of them. They were underrated at launch, but seem to be steadily gaining in popularity and I can only imagine that prices will rise. I keep wondering if I should pick up a 75mm example to pair with the 35...

I bought the three f/2.5 Summarits in the past but have mixed feelings about them. The 35/2.5 and 50/2.5 had wobbling aperture rings and that of the 75/2.5 happened to break on me. I got no problems with the 90/2.4 though so based on my experience, i would rather pick up a 75/2.4 if i had not an excellent CV 75/1.9 already.

[TomB_tx]

When I bought my used 35 f.25 Summarit the aperture ring was quite loose and click stops hardly there. It was a 2-minute job to fix it by tightening the obvious retaining ring in the back with a pin spanner. Both the 35 & 50 2.5 have this construction, which is common with many lenses, but the Summarits sandwich the aperture mechanism behind the optical section such that loosening this ring also loosens the aperture mechanism. I've had no further issues with either lens after tightening the 35 ring that once.

I think it loosens when people mount/remove the lens from the body by gripping and twisting the front of the body instead of the back of the lens. Any slight bit of play in tolerances will then gradually loosen the retaining ring.

[a.noctilux]

23 minutes ago, Quarterpounder said:

"Summarit 35/2.5 ASPH"

Better add M as Summarit-M then.

I do have another old Summarit 1.5/50mm (created in 1950's), not same as more recent Summarit-M.

 

You can post some pictures in the thread linked below.

Some pictures I made with the Summarit-M2.5/35mm

Hoping not being the only one user.

 

Edited December 11, 2024 by a.noctilux

[charlesphoto99]

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Great little lens, though I wish the hood would stay screwed on (I use tape) and the focus throw was a bit longer. 35mm is my least used focal length, so the Summarit was a no brainer for me compared to the $$ 35 lux asph I had but rarely used it so couldn't justify the expense. 

[hansvons]

7 hours ago, charlesphoto99 said:

though I wish the hood would stay screwed on (I use tape)

How’s that? My Summarit’s hood is a solid as it can possibly get (super nicely machined and fitting tightly).

[rich_]

I had the 35 2.4 version for a few years. The focus was so quick and the lens so light. The new style hood worked well and looked cool too although i didn't use it much as i did not notice much flare.

[DigitalHeMan]

58 minutes ago, hansvons said:

How’s that? My Summarit’s hood is a solid as it can possibly get (super nicely machined and fitting tightly).

Do you have the older f/2.5 or the newer f/2.4 lens? Certainly the hood on the older one requires tape to keep it in place. Luckily with it being a black lens a small strip of black electricians tape works well and isn't really noticeable.

[hansvons]

18 minutes ago, DigitalHeMan said:

Do you have the older f/2.5 or the newer f/2.4 lens?

I have the f/2.5 version. 

[pippy]

On 10/18/2024 at 2:25 AM, tedd said:

...I haven't tried the other Summarit focal lengths, but if they're as good as the 35, I could see myself shooting an entire kit of them...

I have the f2.5 versions of the 75mm and 90mm and they are superb lenses. Can't fault them in any way (for my needs).

Philip.

[Chris Nebard]

I have the 75 f2.4. Cracking lens. Someday I’ll get the 35 to go with it. It’s a shame that these lenses were discontinued; sometimes things are only appreciated with hindsight. 
SL2-S, 75 f2.4, taken mikes away from the stage so heavily cropped. 

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[charlesphoto99]

19 hours ago, hansvons said:

How’s that? My Summarit’s hood is a solid as it can possibly get (super nicely machined and fitting tightly).

Mine is nicely machined as well, but doesn't screw down or stay tight at the end. It's common issue.