Cost of Summarit Lenses

[jimleicam3]

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I know that many love their Summarit lenses, call me crazy but after buying other Leica products, I am kind of numb to their pricing. So looking at the price of the Summarit-M 75 at $1595.00 USD vs the Summicron-M 75 mm at $ 3295.00 USD. Is the Cron way overpriced, or is the Summarit way under priced? The same is for the 50 mm lenses group. I am looking at the 75 mm lenses group for my next purchase. Thanks

[Shootist]

Neither.

The Cron is a wonderful lens and the Rit is not a cron.

[trs]

I think no more, just tell myself I don't need any more lens

 

That trend (pricing) seems to extend to most lens groups. Look at the 28/Elmarit and 28/Cron. However, 28/cron sure seems to have the high reputation. I don't think Leica prices are based on value $ for $. Same price diffirence goes for Cron/Lux line.

 

My understanding of Sumarit prices are that they are considered less expensive entry point to Leica M system. If they were available when I got into, I would've probably bought them. Eventually, people seem to get into multiple lens on same focal lenth for one reason or another. I could potentially see somebody owining 3 50s.

- Nocti for that special signature and ability to see at night.

- 50 Lux - best 50mm lens (when one does not have to use Nocti)

- 50Cron, need a smaller 50.

 

In any case, I don't think there is such thing as twice better lens (or camera) just because it costs twice the price.

 

I like my 75/cron very much, but that does not say much since I don't have other 75. But, I doubt it is twice better than Sumarit version. It is considered sharpest lens ever by many users here if that is any consolation for the price.

[jimleicam3]

Thanks for the replies. It would be great to have multi lenses of the same size for different uses, however, if I choose to remained married, it will be only one lens/group. Or should I say only 2-3 lenses in my total collection. So thanks for the advice, and seeing that I am not a pro, I may go for the Summarit. Thanks

[luigi bertolotti]

A philosophical question... ... what does it mean under/over priced ?

 

A) In respect to the competition ? For 75 is quite simple... a CV 2,5 at 1/4 about the price of the Summarit... look at Reid review: is it "4 time worst" ? Probably no---> Summarit is overpriced Do you NEED f2 ? Summicron is the only choice... price is LESS than the nearest "internal" competitor (90 f2)----> it's underpriced

 

In respect to industrial cost ? If Summarit is underpriced----> Leica is a stupid company, unsavvy. If Summicron is overpriced, they wouldn't sell them----> Leica is a stupid company, avid.

 

C) In respect one to the other ? Matter of dicussion but :

1) More luminous

2) Aspherical

3) Apochromatic Correction

4) Longer focus throw (can be questioned, but I prefer it)

5) Summicron=legendary, prestige brand

6) Built-in hood

7) Finer packaging

8) Finer case

For double the price... can be accepted... roughly, correct pricing.

 

P.S. I bought the Summarit 75 and like it a lot.

[Photon42]

I know that many love their Summarit lenses, call me crazy but after buying other Leica products, I am kind of numb to their pricing. So looking at the price of the Summarit-M 75 at $1595.00 USD vs the Summicron-M 75 mm at $ 3295.00 USD. Is the Cron way overpriced, or is the Summarit way under priced? The same is for the 50 mm lenses group. I am looking at the 75 mm lenses group for my next purchase. Thanks

 

Jim,

 

the effect you observe is the so called "law of diminishing marginal returns". The last 5% quality may cost 50% of the lot.

 

Regards

Ivo

[kemal_mumcu]

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It depends on your needs and what is important to your shooting style. I have the summarit and have been working with it for about 2 months now. There are at least three things about the summicron that I would consider as pluses over the summarit.

 

1. Hood differences make the summicron far superior. If you are a regular filter user like I am the hood-filter arrangement on the summarit is going to bother you. Changing filters on the summarit will require unscrewing the hood every time - a real pain in my mind. The summicron would require a simple retraction of the hood. I still haven't bought the hood for the summarit because I'm not looking forward to the pain it will bring to swapping filters.

 

2. The summicron focuses much closer than the summarit. Other than the 90/4 macro elmar, the summicron offers the highest reproduction ratio of any lens in the M line-up. If you are thinking of an M system as your only or main camera, then the ability to focus closer may pay off. Check out the info on Leica's website on this.

 

3. Half a stop is still valuable for a film shooter in low light situations, still valuable for throwing the background out of focus for close up and portrait situations. Calculation of exposure is easier without having to deal with half-shutter speed values on a mechanical M.

 

In the end I would say that for M shooting a summicron would be "worth it" if I had the money and I really thought that 75mm was a length that I would use a lot. So far I'm liking the 75 and I'm going to continue working with it and buy that pesky hood sometime soon.

[jcraf]

If you're buying new (in the UK at least) all the Summarits come without 2 year Passport, but with a basic 1 yr warranty.

 

And if we take for example, the 50mm Summarit, no hood is supplied either. And a cheapo fabric pouch is supplied, rather than the traditional calf leather one.

 

The cost of the optional Summarit hood is an astonishing GBP 105.

 

So the price gap to the venerable Summicron is narrowed. And then also factor in the 'value' of the 2 yr Passport to you too (I think the accidental damage/consequent loss of function being covered is the point here).

 

And that's before any discussion over respective optical performance, and a little bit of extra speed for the 'cron.

[lanetomlane]

I spent ages debating between the Summarit and Summicron 75mm. My mind was finally made up during one of my frequent trips to Seattle when Glazers (very good Seattle based Leica dealer) had an almost new Summarit for sale. Bought it there and then and have had no regrets since. I have other Summicrons and particularly like the 28mm, but as I couldn't see using a 75mm as much as the wider lenses, and the slight difference in speed isn't an issue to me, settled for the Summarit. In my opinion it's a brillant lens.

_______________________________

Regards, Tom

 

 

 

Photography by Tom Lane

[leitz_not_leica]

What is the price of a 90 'rit compared to the slower Elmarit? My guess is that the 'rit is cheaper.

[spydrxx]

They are different commodities and their prices merely reflect that. One thing you might consider is the used lens market, which is huge. In over 40 years of using Leica gear, I've only purchased one body and lens new, everything else has been used and I've saved tons of money and had the pleasure of using lots of outstanding gear which I couldn't have afforded new. FWIW it is a marriage saver, you show your frugality while pursuing your obsession and who knows, your spouse, in appreciation, just might reward you with more gear.