Mixing Zeiss and Leica

[Dunn]

Does anyone not like mixing Leica and Zeiss lenses?
I have two lenses. A CV 35mm f2.5 and a 50mm summicron. I want a faster 35 because I use it more. I really want a summicron but I just can't afford it.
I thought of two things: sell the cv and get a zeiss 35 or sell the summicron and the cv and just switch to zeiss lenses.
I'm attached to the summicron now but it will really help fund the other purchases, but if I keep it I'm wondering if it would be annoying having the different aperture stops 1/3 and 1/2 and also having different filter sizes.
Is it really an issue to any of you mixing?

 

[EdwardKaraa]

I personally don't like mixing any Leica in my Zeiss 😀

 

[Rob-F]

I would never part with a Lens I liked as much as you like the Summicron. I would keep the Summicron and trade the 35/2.5 for the faster Zeiss. I would not worry about the click-stops being 1/3 vs. 1/2. That would be too trivial a reason to part with the Summicron. It's not that hard to get used to.

 

[Vics]

My story is different than yours but the same in some ways. I have a Contax IIIa with a spectacular 50/1.5 Carl Zeiss Sonnar lens from the mid fifties, and an M3 with a Leica Summaron 35/2.8. I think the two lenses draw in very much the same way, and if the frame spacing wasn't a bit different, I'd be hard pressed to tell them apart sometimes. But...
I hate it that the filtrer sizes are different and that the Sonnar has no click stops and that the Contax focuses the other way. I would make a change if those two lenses weren't so beautifully matched. I'll be amazed if this helps you make your decision, but good luck!

 

[back alley]

what zeiss 35 is faster?
the 2? is that enough of a change to make a switch worthwhile?

 

[hausen]

I got rid of all my Zeiss lenses and went with 28/50/90 Summicrons mainly because I can leave M9 on Auto lens detection but also so I had no excuse for a bad photo🙂

 

[leicapixie]

Mixing Zeiss and Leica

How fast is the Zeiss? If one stop, why bother! You can up your film speed if B/W or use a faster color negative.I did many professional assignments and never needed my Hi-speed big aperture Canon 50mm f1.2. I have used the Noctilux and quite honestly for me, it sucked. No depth of field. Weird patterns.Leica lenses are made for your Leica. The image look the same. Zeiss and/or Cosina may be sharper. Big deal. Leica lenses are more than sharpness. Your Summicron is the finest 50mm lens out there, whatever year. i would keep the Cosina, it's not a whole lot of money. i would get another focal length, the 28mm. Again it does not have to be a speed demon.A 28mm should be hand holdable easily at a 1/15th. Sure not rock sharp but with practice, pretty good. Selling the Summicron will cause you a major regret.:bang:

 

[Range-rover]

I was in a camera shop on the weekend, and it was the third person
I spoke to who had a Leica and said he uses Zeiss lenses, they all said
the Zeiss was sharper and like them more, I haven't tried this combo
yet but will one day.



Range

 

[jsrockit]

I have no issue mixing lenses and cameras. As long as they are working right and are comfortable for me, I'll use whatever. Content matters more than lens signature to me.

 

[thegman]

Would not give it a second thought.

 

[Austerby]

Absolutely. I have a mix of Zeiss, Voigtlander and older Leica lenses.

 

[sanmich]

I find that there are lots of situations where 400 ISO will require 1/30 @ f/2 (regular house lighting for example)
So I have decided that f/2 is a must for me (pushing the film creates issues with mixing with outdoor situations, and complicates the workflow of processing/keeping track)

 

[Paul Luscher]

Problems mixing? Not in the least. Use my ZM 21mm F 2.8 on my M9 a lot. Got it so I could have a "28mm" lens for my M8, so to speak, and kept it after the M8 went on its way. Yeah, I'd love to have the Leica M 21mm F 1.4 lens, but that'd hemorrhage the bank account. The ZM is a solid performer for a "bargain price" (by Leicaworld standards) .

One of my fave lenses for close-in candid work (and pretty useful at times in concert shooting). And a pretty damn sharp lens, in my opinion

 

[alexnotalex]

your current kit is more than fine
but your heart is secretly set on a 35 cron
resistance is futile

very best regards,
Alex

 

[raid]

I would use what I have before switching lenses. Using Zeiss lenses and Leica lenses is complimentary and not a contradiction. These "cousins" started out in Germany, but now we get some from Asia.

 

[Sparrow]

Zeiss lenses are acceptable as long as you are saving up for leica lenses ... it's a rule

 

[KoNickon]

Have not tried the new M-Zeiss lenses. But I have an immediate post-war Sonnar that resides on an M5. If the lens fits, use it, regardless of brand. (The film doesn't know which camera it's in....)

 

[Graham Line]

There's no technical reason not to mix, but look at some photos first. I find the Zeiss renders very differently than the Leica and VC lenses. A half-stop certainly is not enough gain to switch, given current film speeds.

 

[seakayaker1]

No problems with mixing. I currently use Leica, Voigtlander, and Zeiss lens on my Leica M cameras.

Good luck with your decision, what works for some does not work for others, if it makes you happy then go for it, if you find you don't like it then sell it, most of the time it turns out to be an inexpensive rental. Life changes and there is no reason not to experiment.