Summarit and Summicrons...

[cmogi10]

I was looking around at some 35mm lenses on popflash (Although the Biogon is still number one on my list) and couldn't help but really looking at the new Summarit line, I also noticed that it is the same price as some used but minty summicron 35 asph.
It baffles me that Leica would release there new lenses in this price range, being a bit cheaper then the new "better" ones but the same price as those lenses second hand in exc shape.


Then I realized that's exactly why Leica would release them! *Lightbulb*

Anyway, I know me personally would rather purchase the used asph cron then the new summarit. I've also seen used brand new 50mm cron's (current versions) go for a lot cheaper then the summarit's are going for.

Is this silly? Will people rather purchase a Summarit New just to get a new lens then a minty asph cron? I'm not sure.

 

[sirius]

6-bit coding is an important aspect.

Leica can't compete with the used market, it never could. Thanks to the company that has always let us use legacy lenses, what a brave and customer centered thing to do!

Leica can try to compete with the other new lenses in the display cases, which is what I think the summarits are doing. I'm curious how they will compare.

 

[Captain]

They are more compact too dont forget and make no profit from the secondhand market. I think this new line is a good idea. Look how popular the new 28 Elmarit is. Its not a Summarit but part of that new low cost lineup. I wish they would bring out a 21mm Compact Elmar.

 

[splitimageview]

Well, low-cost lineup for Leica at least, right?

 

[etrigan63]

Wellm I will be handling the new Summarits at the Leica Demo Day @ Dale Labs on 11/3/2007. I will post a full report.

 

[Graham Line]

Is this silly? Will people rather purchase a Summarit New just to get a new lens then a minty asph cron? I'm not sure.

Has anyone seen published photos, or resolution/contrast tests from the Summarits? I don't really keep up on the photo press very well. If they're in the stores, seems like someone would have evaluated them?

 

[Eelco Amsterdam]

Published photos in LFI 7/2007.

Eelco

 

[Rob-F]

It does make sense to buy a used Summicron in preference to a new Summarit at the same price--provided that the used lens you want is readily available. And some of them are, like the 50mm or 35mm. OTOH, the Summarit has a warranty, and that could sway some buyers.

When the used lens is hard to find, a new picture emerges. I might like a 75mm that is smaller and lighter than my Summilux. The Lux could stay home for most day trips. And I might want something with a better pedigree than the 75mm VC. (Does anyone know how it compares with the Summarit?) But where to find a used 75mm Summicron? I don't see them on eBay. The Summarit is then a viable option, and is probably cheaper than the 75 Cron--if I could even find one.

 

[cmogi10]

It does make sense to buy a used Summicron in preference to a new Summarit at the same price--provided that the used lens you want is readily available. And some of them are, like the 50mm or 35mm. OTOH, the Summarit has a warranty, and that could sway some buyers.

When the used lens is hard to find, a new picture emerges. I might like a 75mm that is smaller and lighter than my Summilux. The Lux could stay home for most day trips. And I might want something with a better pedigree than the 75mm VC. (Does anyone know how it compares with the Summarit?) But where to find a used 75mm Summicron? I don't see them on eBay. The Summarit is then a viable option, and is probably cheaper than the 75 Cron--if I could even find one.

Bring that Lux with you everywhere! It's worth the extra weight!

 

[hlockwood]

It does make sense to buy a used Summicron in preference to a new Summarit at the same price--provided that the used lens you want is readily available. And some of them are, like the 50mm or 35mm. OTOH, the Summarit has a warranty, and that could sway some buyers.

When the used lens is hard to find, a new picture emerges. I might like a 75mm that is smaller and lighter than my Summilux. The Lux could stay home for most day trips. And I might want something with a better pedigree than the 75mm VC. (Does anyone know how it compares with the Summarit?) But where to find a used 75mm Summicron? I don't see them on eBay. The Summarit is then a viable option, and is probably cheaper than the 75 Cron--if I could even find one.

I agree. I'd like to find a 75mm 'Cron is Ex condition.

Harry

 

[sirius]

Look at the Leica USA site. They have a summarit on a Leica CL in their photo show! Nice product shots.

http://www.leica-camera.us/photography/m_system/summarit/

Oh!! and you can download performance proofs off the site too.

 

[FPjohn]

75s

75s

I might be richer if the Summarit M 75 came out a year and a half ago. Has a direct real world comparison been made of the 75 Summilux, Summicron and Summarits?

yours
FPJ

 

[Roger Hicks]

There are plenty who would rather have a new, barcoded, guaranteed lens of petite dimensions rather than a big, second-hand, non guaranteed, non-barcoded lens.

Also, as already pointed out, Leica make no money on used lenses. Given the choice of selling a used lens on which you make no money, and a new lens at a profit, which would YOU choose?

There are two Leica markets. One cannot understand why anyone buys new. The other buys second-hand because they can't afford new. I've been mostly in the latter group but on the rare occasions I've struggled into the former, I've seen why the money is justified.

Some 35mm Summarit shots attached (I have all four for review).

Cheers,

R.

 

[John Elder]

Pretty soon there well be used summarits on the market. Maybe the used price will make more sense?

 

[FPjohn]

Possible comparison?

Possible comparison?

Hello Roger:

Is a comparison of the 75s also possible?

yours
FPJ

 

[Roger Hicks]

...And another of me putting up at the annual exhibition by my wife's sewing/ knitting/ embroidery/ handicrafts circle: I took pics of the members, and a couple of still lifes. Always good for local cred/permissions! Pic (c) my wife Frances Schultz (who also made the rag rug in the foreground).

Cheers,

R.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Hello Roger:

Is a comparison of the 75's also possible?

yours
FPJ

Dear FPJ,

The trouble is, what does a comparison mean? I never take the same pic twice (except for magazine tests, and I do that less and less often).

Put it this way. I am not a great fan of the 75mm length. I tried the 75 Voigtlander. Yeah, nice lens, so?

Then I tried the Summicron and liked it so much I bought it.

Then I got the Summarit for review. There are pics on both Saturday Shoot-Out and the 75 thread.

Woukd I buy it? No, because I already have a Summicron. Even at that my wife is tempted so she could have her own 75 (she's hesitant to use the lenses I especially love). The Summarit is a very, very fine lens. The Summicron (unsurprisingly) is even better. And the Voigtländer is superb value for money but I'd rather have a Summarit. Snobbism? Maybe. I just like the handling better.

Cheers,

R.

 

[FPjohn]

Hello Roger:

Thanks for the response. I'm interested in the "expected" ranking - Summicron>Summarit>Summilux at f2.8 for "sharpness" and contrast under the same subject with the same conditions on the same camera and film roll.

cheers
Frank

 

[sepiareverb]

There was a great set of comparison tests in LFI- the 75 seemed to me to be the best of the SUmmarits, bettering the lux and the near equal of the cron from 2.5 on.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Hello Roger:

Thanks for the response. I'm interested in the "expected" ranking - Summicron>Summarit>Summilux at f2.8 for "sharpness" and contrast under the same subject with the same conditions on the same camera and film roll.

cheers
Frank

Dear Frank,

The problem here lies in getting all three in one place at one time -- and in the boredom of shooting the same shot 3x at f/2.8. If you were going to do that, why would you even consider the bulky, expensive and (in my limited experience) not very good Summilux?

At f/5.6 at infinity I doubt there's much difference. At f/2.8 I'd suspect the Summicron comes out ahead (I have not yet shot side-by-side comparisons of test targets). At f/2 the Summicron wins; at f/1.4, the Summilux. Close-up at any aperture I'd back the Summicron -- and the Summicron focuses a fair bit closer than the Summarit.

Any of the three can take better pics than I can. The difference in quality in the real world probably would be visible in some shots with the Summilux, and in rather fewer with the Summitar.

Sorry if this sounds like a weaselly answer but I'd say this:

If you REALLY need the speed, buy a Summilux.

If you want the best all-round lens, buy the Summicron.

If you want a lens that is probably better than any of the competition except a Summicron, and don't mind the 2/3 stop speed loss, and want to save some money, buy the Summarit.

Sorry I can't be more helpful, but when we're talking about lenses of this quality, the differences are in use, not in quality. The people who get most excited about small (and sometimes non-existent) differences in contrast, sharpness, bokeh, etc., are seldom those who use their cameras to take pictures.

Cheers,

Roger