35/3.5 Summaron

[Gerry M]

I have a few questions on 35mm lens function on my M3. I have a goggled 35/3.5 Summaron with haze. I also have a CV 35/2.5. My questions are:

Is the Summaron worth sending out for haze removal?
Do all non-goggled 35's and 40's have to be scaled focus?
I'm not real fond of the goggles, but I can live with them.
Also, what would be a value range for my Summaron?
Any first hand input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Gerry

 

[Mcary]

Gerry,

Not sure if we have the same lens but the Summaron 3.5cm F 3.5 LTM lens that I have works fine with the RF focusing on my M8, only draw back is the minimum focusing distance is about 2 meters.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Summaron 3.5 if clear... is a nice lens...I use mine on m4/3 and A7..
It is esp nice in closeup..with extension tubes..you can really stop it down..and it retains sharpness..
Mine is contrasty and sharp as can be..but it is in LN cond..
Good luck w/it!

 

[FrankS]

Great classic lens, definitely worth cleaning.

There were 3 versions made. Your goggled version with focus cam meant for M3 due to its lack of 35mm tramlines, a non-goggled scale focus version with no focus cam meant for the M3 and external finder, and a non-goggled M2 version with a focus cam.

The goggled version requires the use of the goggles in order to use the camera's RF patch.

 

[Gerry M]

Thanks for your responses.
All 35/40 CV lenses would have to be scaled focus, correct?
I tried my CV 35/2.5 ltm w/ adapter. Scaled focus and it is very sharp.
BTW, my Summaron is goggled & cammed for M3. It is good condition except for haze. Images are quite flat.

 

[FrankS]

"All 35/40 CV lenses would have to be scaled focus, correct?"

No, CV lenses (except for a version of the 25?) have focus cams and you can use the camera's RF patch to focus them.


"BTW, my Summaron is cammed for M3."

Yes, because it is a goggled version.

 

[Gerry M]

Thanks, Frank. That is very good news. I just scaled focus yesterday, but will try the rf next time.

 

[Volver]

I've cleaned the hazed Summaron 35/3.5 (ltm version).
It has its character, good contrast (better than Cron rigid) and its classic look rendition.

Here is an example of contrast shot. (tri-x @1250 in Ethol UFG)

 

[Gerry M]

Volver, I like that!

 

[madNbad]

If the haze is just in the lens and the goggles are in good shape, then it's worth finding out about having the lens cleaned. I have a LTM version with an adapter for use on my M2.

 

[Gerry M]

If the haze is just in the lens and the goggles are in good shape, then it's worth finding out about having the lens cleaned. I have a LTM version with an adapter for use on my M2.

The goggles are very good, clean & clear. Maybe cleaning is in order.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Haze is second name for the old, good Leitz.

Clean, goggled Summaron was around $300, then I was looking, getting, selling it at beginning of this year. Now ebay sellers wants more.

 

[Uglee]

I have an early LTM Summaron. It also produced flat images due to haze on the middle element surfaces facing the aperture blades. This cleaned up easily resulting in clear images with good contrast. I is one of my favorite lenses and if I were you, I would not hesitate to have it cleaned.

 

[Mcary]

Haven't used mine much since getting a 35mm Summicron V2..but even wide open the 3.5cm F 3.5 Summaron LTM make for a nice lens for candid photos.

 

[Gerry M]

Mcary,
Impressive image quality. I would be very pleased with that.

 

[Emile de Leon]

Summaron f3.5

 

[fer_fdi]

I have a Summaron 35/3.5 ltm, it is a wonderful lens with lots of magic.
Good contrast (best when using a hood) and sharp from f3.5

Mine is very very sharp and "3D" (sorry for the term... er, "that" special way of volume rendition)

Mine is non googled, ltm, from 1954

 

[Emile de Leon]

WOW Emile, that is simply Stunning
the color takes your breath away, Beautiful

Thx Helen!
Resolution on that lens is really off the charts..

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

Re. scale focusing your lens

Re. scale focusing your lens

If it's goggled, the focusing will be fine using the RF patch in the viewfinder on an M3.

You can still scale focus it if you want to however, and you might even be better off for some things. For street with my Summaron I prefer stopping down and scale focusing. I'm then guessing relative distance and relying on the smaller aperture and fast film to help out in terms of DOF if I mess up with my estimation.

I think of a 35mm lens, I think of street and out and about work. I find that focusing neatly with the rangefinder patch for that kind of work is an odd way to work for me and I prefer to be able to shoot more quickly than that.

Great lens by the way. The 2.8 version is also well worth trying out and a real Leitz bargain compared to other legacy glass in that focal length. I honestly find that I like some of my Summaron shots as much as my old pre-asph 35 lux, and that's saying something.

Now, I'm rambling 🙂

 

[fer_fdi]

Gerry,

Not sure if we have the same lens but the Summaron 3.5cm F 3.5 LTM lens that I have works fine with the RF focusing on my M8, only draw back is the minimum focusing distance is about 2 meters.

Mcary, what year is your lens?
It is A36 or E39?
Focus in Feet?

thank you