Used Summicron 35mm or New Summarit?

[wattsy]

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I am reviving this thread because I have read often that the Summarit-M is more resistant to flare than the Summicron ASPH. But it appears that this must just be an internet myth?

 

It's not a myth.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

It's not a myth.

 

I have read Sean Reid's comments about this and would tend to take his word given his track record... Could you point me to any sort of test or comparison images online that would back up your view? I am not saying you are wrong I would just like to find out.

[Jeff S]

One factual consideration, noted by Erwin Puts, is that newly introduced M lenses, including the Summarits, include all black parts in the rear segment that are very helpful in reducing flare. Of course other factors contribute to the flare resistance of any given lens.

 

One needs to be cautious about reviews; you can usually find one to support opposing views. For instance, some say the 35 Summicron is more contrasty (like Sean Reid); others say the Summarit.

 

I own the Summicron and haven't tried the Summarit, but if I were interested, I would rent one and take pics, and make prints, to form an opinion based on my own shooting and processing needs and preferences. (And then evaluate any subsequent lens purchase the same way, as sample variation is possible.)

 

If you search prior threads on this topic, you'll see comments from folks like 01af, who will strongly disagree with Sean Reid, based on his conclusion that the 35 Summarit is the most flare resistant lens he's ever used.

 

Try it and see for yourself; that's the only review that matters.

 

Jeff

[01af]

... you'll see comments from folks like 01af, who will strongly disagree with Sean Reid, based on his conclusion that the Summarit-M 35 mm is the most flare resistant lens he's ever used.

I did say in the past that the Summarit-M 35 mm was the most flare-resistant lens I've ever used—and I still think it is. However I am not aware that I "strongly disagree with Sean Reid" ... at least not knowingly or intentionally. In fact, I've never read any lens reviews from Mr. Reid. In particular, I don't feel the Summarit-M 35 mm was particularly high (or low) in overall contrast. It is fairly high in contrast, like any modern high-quality lens—but not extra-ordinarily so.

 

 

Try it and see for yourself; that's the only review that matters.

Couldn't agree more with that!

[Jeff S]

However I am not aware that I "strongly disagree with Sean Reid" ... at least not knowingly or intentionally.

 

I was referring to the fact that Sean Reid said, as the OP suggested, that the Summicron is more flare resistant than the Summarit. Whether or not you follow Sean, I assumed that you would strongly disagree with that assertion based on your prior comments.

 

My additional comments on contrast were merely another example to show the OP that reviewers differ on all sorts of matters. That part had nothing to do with your thoughts on the subject. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Jeff

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

I am now thinking that if reviewers disagree about this then its not really going to be much of an issue...

[Jeff S]

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I am thinking that if reviewers disagree about this then its not really going to be much of an issue.

 

Based on that logic, there will never be much of any issue of any kind. Reviewer disagreements are commonplace, on countless issues. People see differently, have different priorities and preferences, conducts tests differently, photograph different subjects, use different samples that may or may not be calibrated ideally, etc, etc.

 

Reviewers provide some context, but I never make an expensive camera or lens purchase based on what someone else thinks, especially when it's so easy to DIY.

 

Jeff

[pop]

I had a 35mm Summicron ASPH which was quite prone to flare. I sold it and now own a Summarit which I find much better.

 

Contrary to expectations, I had to wait for it for several months.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

I think a previous poster is right. I will just have to try for myself.

 

But I also ask this: prior to the introduction of the Summarit-M was the Cron ASPH particularly notable for its flare, or is this something that has come into the mix since the introduction of the Summarit-M?

[01af]

I was referring to the fact that Sean Reid said [...] that the Summicron is more flare-resistant than the Summarit.

Oh yes indeed, that's what he said! So—yes, I strongly disagree with that.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

Is this what you guys mean about summicron ASPH flare:

 

Jardin des Tuileries | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

Although not sure the Summarit-M fares much better:

 

Vitality.. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[01af]

Is this what you guys mean about Summicron-M 35 mm Asph flare: [...]

No. In this picture, the lens behaves unusually benign. But then, looking at single, selected pictures from other persons won't give you a good idea how a lens behaves in general because you'll see only the keepers. You'll never know how many backlight shots got ruined through bad flare before the photographer got that one.

 

You really want to follow Jeff's advice: Go try and see for yourself.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

So what do you own 01AF?

[wattsy]

Although not sure the Summarit-M fares much better:

 

Vitality.. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

I think you might have an unrealistic expectation of how flare resistant a good lens will be.

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

I think you might have an unrealistic expectation of how flare resistant a good lens will be.

 

I have been shooting Hasselblad/Rolleiflex medium format mainly for the past decade, directly into the sun on many occasions, so that would be my reference. Not sure if it is unrealistic or not for 35mm - its been a long time since I last used this format. Just trying to get a handle on the differences between these two lenses.

[IWC Doppel]

An interesting thread, glad this has been revived. (Is it me or are some of the older threads more interesting ?!)

 

I think the advice to try both is a good one, I have had a number of Leica 35's, not the Summarit, but the summicron ASPH, MkIV, as well as numerous Summilux's and found the ones that I bonded with through use and image assessment. If you buy secondhand you should find the experience costs very little and will be more than worthwhile IMO.

 

Plus you'll never have the nagging feeling that you might have got it wrong !

[elgenper]

I have been shooting Hasselblad/Rolleiflex medium format mainly for the past decade, directly into the sun on many occasions, so that would be my reference. Not sure if it is unrealistic or not for 35mm - its been a long time since I last used this format. Just trying to get a handle on the differences between these two lenses.

 

Well, in my experience, directly into the sun isn´t the worst case; sun just outside the image field is usually far worse.

 

That said, I feel my Summicron 35 Asph is actually one of my LEAST flare-prone lenses. The Summicron 75 Apo Asph is far worse in this respect. The Summarit 50 and Summilux 50 Asph are both good, without being immune. I recall that my Hasselblad 50 CF FLE was very, very flare free, but long since sold.

 

I wonder if the widely varying experiences with the Summicron 35 Asph are related to the concave front element? For such a surface, a very small difference in angle would make a large difference in the direction of the first reflection, and so for the total ray path of the errant light. Just a hypothesis...

[Guest Ansel_Adams]

This guy, talking about the Cron IV, seems to think the ASPH has less flare.

 

From:

 

Leica Lens Review: 35mm Summicron f 2.0 | Adam Marelli Photo

 

"The painterly quality of uncoated lenses are also more prone to flare ( Flare are those ghost like hexagons that appear on an image). Newer ASPH lenses will keep light sources and shadows separate. Shooting into the sun at a tree, an APSH lens will retain the fine branches, which is great....The atmospheric feeling of old pictures where the sun bleeds over the subject is lost in new lenses. "

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Tonki-M]

at the end of the day, a used Summicron is still a Summicron...the new Summarit is going to be new until you purchased it...get the Summicron and get it over with.