Leitz Summaron 35mm w/ goggles

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angeloks

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Well, I was looking for a nice and inexpensive 35mm for my Leica M6. I read the review from the K. guy and it got me pretty tempted. I love the style of the goggles, especially the panda look it gives on a black chrome M. So, what you guys think about this lens ? Is it worth it ? Should I use it with or without the goggles ?
 
Is it f3.5 or f2.8? Both are good lenses. The f3.5 has a more vintage look. I prefer (and have) both lenses in the ungoggled versions. If it is a goggled lens and you remove the goggles, you can't use the camera's RF to focus it, you can only scale-focus it.
 
you cannot use it without the goggles, it will not focus properly. if you have the money, hold out for a f2.8, the f3.5 does not have a very good reputation. i have both of them but have never used the f3.5, it's a real mess.

bob
 
FrankS said:
HI Bob. There must be sample variation. I very much like my Summaron f3.5.
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i have never even used the one i have, it's in pretty bad shape. i never sent it in to be repaired because i have read a bunch of online reviews(so it must be true!) calling it a dog of a lens. and i have a 2.8, so why bother? but if you think that much of it, maybe i'll get it repaired and give it a try...

bob
 
angeloks said:
Thank you guys. I'll be looking for the f2.8 with goggles, the M3 version. I didn't know that it wouldn't focus properly w/o the goggles, that's good to know !
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i have a goggled summicron V1 in the classifieds for $1k right now. it's a different lens, but everyone seems to love it. it's one of my favorites, but the second i found a non-goggled one, i bought it because the goggles can get in the way.
i am open to offers if you're interested.

bob
 
I prefer the M2 version of it (F/2.8). But nonetheless, it is a STUNNING lens for black & white especially. I just sold the googled version. On the F/3.5 version you can take the googles off, they're separated.
 
I own the 35/2.8 and it's a first rate lens. If you have the version that uses the googles, make sure they are in good shape. The googled Summaron will work on the M2, M3 and M4 for sure. It might work on some later M bodies, but I've not tried it. Don't try to using the googled version without googles (unless you enjoy scale focusing - some do). Even though it looks sort of bulky, when fitted on to an M body the Summaron with googles is snug up against the camera body and presents a compact form factor. I highly recommend this lens!
 
I have both the f3.5 and the f2.8 (the former with the "goggles") - I use them on my M2 and my M8. The f2.8 images have a slightly different look about them - a bit more contrast mostly - but both are first class lenses ... so long as they are in good condition !

This version is a real help if you wear thick spectacles like I do - I struggle to see the 35mm frame in the M2 viewfinder and the "goggled" version works on the 50mm frame lines, solving my problem nicely. Not needed on the M8 though, and the v/f image is a bit on the small side with the "googled" one.
 
I have both the M3 (goggled) and M2 versions of the 2.8/35. Some samples of the M2-Summaron are on my web log.
These lenses are among the finest I have, certainly for B/W. I haven't used them very much for color up to now, but I just planned to try a slide film next days.
 
Originally I disliked the goggles, but they've grown on me when I use them on my m6. Shrinks the viewfinder magnification down a bit and gives me more of that "seeing outside the framelines" feature that everyone raves about.

I love the leans wide open for close up portraits as well.
 
I have the 35 summaron 3.5 which is FANTASTIC for B&W
Crisp & Sharp

Would like to try a 2.8 / abit more open could be nice at night
here are 2 photos / M2 & m4 / no goggles / click to make bigger
 

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helenhill said:
I have the 35 summaron 3.5 which is FANTASTIC for B&W
Crisp & Sharp...Lovely Tonal range
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I agree. Leica MP, Summaron 35mm f/3.5, Tmax400, printed on Ilford MG IV.

3708108744_d3a729684e_b.jpg
 
The goggled 35mm lenses were designed for the M3, which does not have 35mm framelines. The goggles bring up 50mm framelines and widen them to a 35mm POV. If you remove the goggles, the lens will not focus properly (as has already been pointed out), you would be looking through 50mm framelines, and your parallax will be completely off.
 
one thing that should be pointed out to folks using .85 leicas is how much easier to see the framelines are to see. the 35mm frameline in a .85 is a bit difficult to see completely and almost impossible to see what's outside the frame. with a goggled lens, you actually use the 50mm framelines which are magnified and much easier to see.

bob
 
Different beasts

Different beasts

helenhill said:
Is there really any DIFFERENCE in the 3.5 to 2.8 Summaron besides the F Stop ?

Any Difference in level Of CONTRAST ?
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The 3.5, which I have and can recommend, is a moderate contrast and resolution lens. The f2.8 is a bit more contrasty and greatly resembles the 35mm Summicron which was purposely designed to match it.

yours
FPJ
 
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I compared about thirty lenses in the range 35mm-40mm a year ago,and the Summaron 35mm/2.8 was chosen by many as the real winner. I don't have such a lens, but I have the Summaron 3.5 and the first version goggled Summicron 35/2. The Summicron is one of my alltime favorite lenses. The 3.5 Summaron is not a "dog" at all.

Another alternative is to get a Canon 35/2. It is as good as a Summicron.
 
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