fergi Posted March 27, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 27, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for all the responses to my "Bewildered" post. As a result I bought a 35mm Summicron version 4. I love the out of focus rendition of this lens, totally unlike anything I have used before – it’s like you have an army of miniature painters running behind the shutter curtain splashing an impressionist version of the background on the emulsion. I found you have to be close to the subject, be 2.8 or wider and have the background a good distance away, but when it works it’s lovely. I have attached a picture (f2, demonstration - not work of art!) to attempt to help anyone else pondering the merits of this lens. However….I got rid of it! (returned to seller)…. Until stopped down to 5.6 you could see hopelessly soft edges in even 4”*6” prints and this extended a good ¾” into the prints all round, i.e. a huge poor image area (fine (ideal) on an M8, but not so good for film). Also it consistently short focused at close range. I don’t know if this is typical – I would like to think this was just a duff copy (my 50mm Summicron of similar vintage is spot on). If anyone has any experience to suggest this is or isn’t the norm, I would be interested to hear from you. I need, but can only afford, one 35mm lens at the moment, and can’t wait for a decent V4 Summicron at a good price to appear on the used market. So, I tried a new Summarit and it’s edge performance trounced the Summicron at equivalent apertures (ok it doesn’t go to f2). I ordered one and it arrives today (£690 with the Leica cash back – try and buy a used V4 Summicron of unknown provinence for anything close to that). I will have to live without my “army of miniature background painters” for a while or possibly forever as Summicron V4 prices seem to show no sign of slowing down. But, hey-ho, lovely as the bokeh was – it isn’t the be all and end all of a good picture; something approaching a sharp image all over the desired focus plane might be a better starting point. I hope one day I will buy another V4 35mm Summicron... 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! 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/80644-pimp-my-bokeh/?do=findComment&comment=854671'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 27, 2009 Posted March 27, 2009 Hi fergi, Take a look here Pimp My Bokeh.... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
chris_livsey Posted March 27, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 27, 2009 My V4 (chrome, and that may according to some sages be relevant) is spot on wide open but does show that characteristic softness even on the M8. Stopping down even half a stop does improve matters. (I am tempted to say change as some would argue the increase in sharpness is not necessarily an improvement). If you want sharp go ASPH or a slower modern design as you have but the "bokeh" will not be the same. There have been reports, many actually, of 35mm focus shift problems with the ASPH glass so that may not be the answer. My example does not shift as far as I can tell in testing and absolutely it has not been an issue in real use. On price I regret you will, despite cash back, have suffered a loss should you decide to part with your new lens but as you have probably found the reputation of the V4 means it holds its value. Simply they are in demand and they don't make them anymore. I do hope your new 35 does what you want but all lens choice is a compromise, as you mention you have lost speed, you just need to find what compromise suits you not what I or anyone else says you should choose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergi Posted March 28, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted March 28, 2009 Thanks Chris. As you say, you have to find your own way and that will probably involve some wrong turns and dead ends. I dont think I ever expected I would be financialy ahead after a daliance in the Leica world! And a big part of me does regret parting with the Summicron, but it was truly awful in most circumstances until i got to 5.6, my Zuiko 28mm was better - surely that cant be the case? I have to keep telling myself it was just a dud (they must be out there). I get my first film back from the Sumarit tommorow. When the Euro crashes I might go looking for another Summicron! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted March 28, 2009 Share #4 Posted March 28, 2009 Ah, I hope the new summarit works well for you and that you don't regret selling the version IV summicron. I like mine a lot. And works for people, too:> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted March 28, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 28, 2009 Are you shooting film or an M8? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergi Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted March 29, 2009 Thomasw - I can't work out if your pictures are with the Summicron or Sumarit...i think you mean the Summicron, and you are trying to make me feel guilty? Woody - if the question is asked to me (and not Thomas!) the answer is film . I also have a Canon G9 for what i hoped would be a digital rangefinder - it works ok in some circumstances - but the near infinite depth of field and the not quite infinite (but it feels like it at times) shutter lag (amoungst other things) became tiresome. I am aiming towards black and white develop and print - swimming against the tide somewhat i think.... I got my first Summarit pictures back ... on Fuji pro 160S, very nice, only 1 meg scans to CD to check the lens/camera combination, but noticeably sharper, flare free and less vignetting than the Summicron. That dosent mean better than the Summcron (eg It dosent have the magical out of focus rendition), but for the moment I think (hope) this suits my "one lens" purposes more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergi Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share #7 Posted March 29, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thomas - just answered my own question by looking at your equipment list "35/2 IV", I must pay more atttention in future! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.