filmfan
Well-known
Edited by user.
Summicron 35mm f/2 v4: overpriced and overrated? Prove otherwise with Photos please.
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bob338
Well-known
ampguy
Veteran
Hi Sam, I have thousands, of images from V3, V4, and the cron asph 35. Many have been posted here before in the past years, it's hard to see differences in web photos, even in studio conditions with same camera on a tripod.
If you're feeling that one is better, just go for it.
If you're feeling that one is better, just go for it.
peterm1
Veteran
I have one and am pleasantly surprised (maybe a little shocked) to see that they are going on eBay for around $1500 US second-hand. I purchased mine a decade or so back for a little over $1000 Australian. I cannot post any images (yet) as I am just now buying an M8 and my records of film based images do not tell me which ones were taken with this lens. I will certainly be testinmg it out in the near term. Although I cannot right now demonstrate it , in general I would say that its worth close to its present price market price. It has always had a reputation for excellence. There is no other Leica lens that (having this reputation) can be had for this sort of price.
But at the end of the day these prices are driven by demand. There are many excellent lenses that are less in demand and hence attract less $ in a free market place. Whether the lens is worth what its getting really depends on whether youa re willing to pay it. Clearly some are.
But at the end of the day these prices are driven by demand. There are many excellent lenses that are less in demand and hence attract less $ in a free market place. Whether the lens is worth what its getting really depends on whether youa re willing to pay it. Clearly some are.
starless
Well-known
I have used v3 and v4.
My only comment however is that choosing either lens will not make your photographs better or worse.
- If you can afford to get the more expensive one - get it for the peace of mind. When you believe you have the best lens money can buy you can out and take pictures without looking back.
- If you aren't made of money, stick with a cheaper Summicron and spend the remaining cash on film or fund your next photographic project.
My only comment however is that choosing either lens will not make your photographs better or worse.
- If you can afford to get the more expensive one - get it for the peace of mind. When you believe you have the best lens money can buy you can out and take pictures without looking back.
- If you aren't made of money, stick with a cheaper Summicron and spend the remaining cash on film or fund your next photographic project.
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Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
I defy anyone to see any difference...total placebo effect.
Bobonli
Established
I have one. If you can find one for that price, you might want to snap it up.
Here are two images, no sharpening or color correction, just sized for the web. I can't say that they show the bokeh at its best but I can tell you that the color rendition is exceptional. There is personality to these images that is absent in the same images taken with a digicam. The 'Cron is my first and only M lens and I think I chose wisely (though I may have overpaid since I did not want to wait around for a bargain to surface).
Here are two images, no sharpening or color correction, just sized for the web. I can't say that they show the bokeh at its best but I can tell you that the color rendition is exceptional. There is personality to these images that is absent in the same images taken with a digicam. The 'Cron is my first and only M lens and I think I chose wisely (though I may have overpaid since I did not want to wait around for a bargain to surface).
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
With a film camera (I do not own a digital Leica) it is well worth 1k if you can find it at that price.
tightsqueez
Well-known
Being the first Leica lens ever owning (11 years ago), and now after going through almost 100k worth of lenses - this is by far my favorite of them all. After selling my 35 Lux ASPH I can say I really don't miss it at all. I've even thought about picking up another 35 Cron pre-ASPH as a backup.
There's more involved what makes a lens a "good lens" than the trivial bokeh. Take for example it's size and ease of use. I can't think of any other lens that will do it all: it travels well (fits in a pocket even attached to an M9), sharp enough, not too contrasty, good on film AND digital, plenty fast enough and yes... I suppose it has decent bokeh. It's a matter of taste but I absolutely love the way it exhibits "buttery edges" on the far corners of the frame.
Only complaint I have with the lens is the build quality. I've had mine fixed probably five or six times but then again most people will not have taken their lens to such extremes.
I'd post examples but image viewing is not so friendly here. Following this link will show some of the images I have taken with the lens, as most of them can be viewed quite large on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70355737@N00/tags/leicasummicron35mmf20iv/
Cheers!
There's more involved what makes a lens a "good lens" than the trivial bokeh. Take for example it's size and ease of use. I can't think of any other lens that will do it all: it travels well (fits in a pocket even attached to an M9), sharp enough, not too contrasty, good on film AND digital, plenty fast enough and yes... I suppose it has decent bokeh. It's a matter of taste but I absolutely love the way it exhibits "buttery edges" on the far corners of the frame.
Only complaint I have with the lens is the build quality. I've had mine fixed probably five or six times but then again most people will not have taken their lens to such extremes.
I'd post examples but image viewing is not so friendly here. Following this link will show some of the images I have taken with the lens, as most of them can be viewed quite large on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70355737@N00/tags/leicasummicron35mmf20iv/
Cheers!
Roma
Well-known
Taken with a borrowed v4. It's a great lens. If you can get one for $1000, it's definitely a great deal.
inzite
Well-known
the 35 v4 is my only lens for my m6, dunno how good it is compared to the others but i feel its decent.
the bokeh is not bad, but it doesn't compare to my d3 + 200 f2 bokeh machine
the bokeh is not bad, but it doesn't compare to my d3 + 200 f2 bokeh machine
dfoo
Well-known
Great shots. I love my 35mm V3 Cron, although I do want to sell it and get the ASPH version.
Richard G
Veteran
Great lens and agree the ergonomics are fantastic: it's small, has a short focus throw and the tab gives great feel for scale focussing at mid apertures. On an M6 it's a tiny package that can almost be hidden in the palm of the hand. The focussing mount of mine came loose a couple of years ago. Tightened the screws and all has been fine. Didn't know it's reputation when I bought mine around 2000 for $1350 Australian.
jsrockit
Moderator
The funniest thing about this thread is that the person is worried that this leica lens will not be worth $1000. 🙂
JRG
Well-known
Yeah ... 🙂
Equally funny to me is that I bought my V4 just a couple of years ago, for a little under $1000 and then spent a bit more to have Sherry give it a CLA. I remember doubting my sanity at the time.
jerdjets
Member
Oh sweet mother, the D3 + 200/2 is a damn nice combination.
jsrockit
Moderator
kevin m
Veteran
I had lots of 35's in M-mount, and the 35 Summicron wasn't the "best" in any category except ergonomics. It's just the perfect size with a perfect tab and perfect handling. It's not great wide-open by modern standards, but it's not a special-effects lens like the 35 pre-asph Summilux, either. It's an excellent all-around lens that's perfectly suited to rangefinder photography.
Playing devil's advocate for a moment, I have to point out that a VC 35/1.2 35/2.5 combo can be had for less than a used Summicron V4, and they definitely offer a wider gamut of optical performance. 🙂
Playing devil's advocate for a moment, I have to point out that a VC 35/1.2 35/2.5 combo can be had for less than a used Summicron V4, and they definitely offer a wider gamut of optical performance. 🙂
Renzsu
Well-known
I don't understand how it got the title of 'bokeh king' with bright highlights like that. Reminds me of the 40 summicron-c, very busy backgrounds if you have really bright highlights in it. (I mean those bright edges of the highlights) If you want really smooth bokeh those highlights should be very even.. like those 200mm shots demonstrate.
So, overpriced? I think so... either the 40 summicron-c is a huge bargain, or that 35 summicron is very overpriced.
So, overpriced? I think so... either the 40 summicron-c is a huge bargain, or that 35 summicron is very overpriced.
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monochromejrnl
Well-known
does it make much sense comparing a 200mm lens with a 35mm lens? optically completely different purposes... apples to oranges...
back on topic - I own the v3, used the v4 and asph'cron and the asph cron is definitely sharper wide open. Having said that the v3 and v4 I used were nearly identical to my eyes on screen and in print (11x14)... I paid $660 for my v3 and couldn't justify upgrading to a v4 for twice the price let alone an asph'cron. I suspect that many 'prefer' the v4 because of the square hood rather than any true performance advantage 😉
I think the sweet spot in the 35'cron range is the v3 - while prices have gone up a bit, it's not 'in demand' as is the v4 and believe they are going for as little as $800-850 here on RFF.
Having said that, if I didn't have a v3, could afford it and found a V4 for $1000, I'd buy it in a heartbeat
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