35 f2 ZM vs v4 35 Summicron question ?

[x-ray]

Anyone have first hand experience with both the ZM 35mm f2 and the v4 Summicron. I have the v4 summi but there are a number of issues I have with it. The lens is so small it's hard for me to use and certainly difficult without the focusing tab which I dislike. I've used it extensively for many years and now it has developed focusing helix wear and rattles and has gotten sloppy in the helix. It's an 80's lens when leica was cutting corners. I like the look and performance but dislike these issues. My 80's vintage 50 summicron has developed the same issue with helix wear and binds at 3 ft. Overall I liked the focus tabs on my 60's lenses back in the 60's but these new ones including my 50 asph lux are awkward for me to use. I'm thinking of selling the v4 and getting a ZM 35 if it performs comperably. What are your experiences? I also have a 35 Nokton and love it but only carry it when the conditions warrent the speed.

 

[back alley]

i'd love to hear some opinions on this too.

 

[x-ray]

Anyone have anything good or bad to say about the ZM 35?

 

[roundg]

at least the current price for V4 is quite high....you won't loose money.

 

[x-ray]

I probably paid around $450-500 a number of years back. I actually can't remember when I purchased it but I did get it from Jim Kuehl. It's in very nice condition except for the wear in the helix. Probably could have it relubed and never know it had a problem. On the other hand I really don't like the focusing tab and it's just too small for my hands. I like lenses with a focusing ring like the ZM lenses. The old focusing tabs of the 60's were better but still would rather have a focusing ring. Another gripe is the aperture ring is difficult to get onto with the hood in place.

I can't believe there are no 35 ZM shooters.

 

[back alley]

i have the zm 35 but have no experience with the leica 35.

the zm is beautifully finished, well made, substantial and focus is like butta!
it is sharp but i don't think i can find anything i've processed to post. i keep poor track of what took what.
it is on the large side which i prefer and has a small focus bump which is easily ignored if you choose not to use it.
i like it.

 

[x-ray]

How does it handle flare and back lighting? Any noticable fall off at the edges at f2? The v4 certainly has some fall off but nothing like my old summilux or v1 35.

 

[Dan States]

I've owned them both and they perform about the same overall. The Summicron is a bit better at full to f4 aperture especially in the corners of the frame. The Biogon has a fair bit of coma and very distinct field curvature bending outward at the outer 20% of the frame which means full frame prints tend to have blurry far corners.

The Zeiss is better in the flare department...I could not get it to flare under any circumstance. It has extremely high resolution in the center 80% of the frame. Construction quality is very good, although it is made of softer material so you need to be a bit careful about it banging against other equipment in your bag. My Biogon lost an accidental battle with a Summicron 28 that way.

In the end if you are looking for a new lens with good performance at a great price go for the Zeiss. If an upgrade in performance is what you demand you need to go for the Summicron ASPH, which is notably better than both. (and a butt-load more money)

Best wishes
Dan

 

[x-ray]

Thanks for the info. It's not an upgrade just a more pleasant lens to use due to sixe and dealing with the worn helix of the summicron.

I genreally don't do thing on an impulse but found a dealer on evilbay that had a new USA warranted for $799 plusd $9 shipping. He seems to have a very good reputation having sold some premium gear and 100% feedback. I went ahead and pulled the trigger 230032523636.

Let you know what i think in a week or so.

Thanks!

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

X-Ray, I think the lens is a delight to handle, precisely because it is so small. You may want to consider a 35 ASPH 'lux

My solution to the "stopped down" issue with the 4th version is to have the aperture blades realigned. If the price is right, I could have this done.

Hmm...when are you selling this ridiculously unmanageable lens? 😀

 

[x-ray]

When the new ZM 35 arrives and I have a chance to test it I will sell the v4 summicron and most likely my tabbed 50 summicron.

The main issues with the 35 v4 is the wear in the focus helix the tab which I do not like and the aperture ring being difficult for my fingers to adjust. My fingers are just too large for a lens of that size.

Lens performance of both lenses is great but I really like a lens with a focus ring and not a tab. I would rather have a larger lens to get the focus ring if needed. Certainly some people likt the very small size of the 35 summicron but I do not.

 

[jja]

Southeastern Camera, from whom x-ray bought his lens, is an outstanding seller. I have bought gear from them, and they are curteous and prompt in shipping.

 

[awilder]

I'd send your 35 and 50 to a reputable Leica lens repair tech for an estimate on repair. If reasonable, fix it and sell them with proof of service. You'll get a better price if the person knows the lens will be issue free.

 

[x-ray]

I discussed the problem with DAG and he seems to think a possible relube and lap the helix will do it. It's about $90 to $125 per lens. Most likely I'll do that and post them on RFF.

Please don't get me wrong about these lenses. I like the images from both but have replaced the 50 summicron with the new summilux asph which I absolutely love. I would go so far as to say it's the finest of all Leica lenses that I've owned and I've owned many of the the lenses up to the asph series.

The 35 v4 is a very fine lens but I don't see the majic that most folks feel about them. It's good but not better than a lot of other 35's.

 

[x-ray]

I can't say enough good about southeastern camera. The 35 biogon arrived today and is as described, absolutely new in the box. My first impression is very good. The lens is much more easily focused with the focusing ring and the aperture ring is spaced suffuciently to make changing the aperture very easy. On the v4 summicron the release tabs for the hood got in the way of the aperture ring. For me it made changing apertures very difficult but there's no problem with the Zeiss. The finish is excellent and focus is like butter. Only a small semi focusing tab that actually helps in focusing or it can be ignored all together. The serations of the focusing ring are just right for easy grip. In the next few days I'll shoot some images anddo a side by side comparison of the two lenses and report back.

 

[back alley]

looking forward to your report.
you seem a much more technical sort of guy than i am and while i am more than pleased with my zm 35 it will be good to hear your view.

 

[PaulDalex]

I bought the ZM 35 just before summer, but a heat wave during my vacation literally prevented me to try it. I was motivated by the incredible transfer function published by Zeiss (alas! only at f4) which even passes the 80% level at 40 cycles/ mm and decided the purchase although I dislike wide-angle lenses and I shoot mostly with normals. Only last Sunday Ihad the opportunity to shoot a first roll (with my M5) all at f8. The place where a shooted (a castle) was confined so that the 35 angle was usefull. I have no term of comparison but the Contax Zeiis 35/2,8, which is not bad but surely inferior.
I am extremely impressed by the results. They go beyond my best expectations and this is going to be my new standard lens! I would dare to say that I preferred the results to those of the summicron. I also shooted against the light with some concern (9 elements plus the B+W filter) albeit never included the sun. But the results was excellent with no hint of flare.
I apologize but it will take to me a long while before I can afford to take my time to post anything.
The curves of the 85 are even better. It is very expensive and also I am puzzled about the possibility to mount it on the M5 that uses 35-50-90-135. In the first place I have to determined if it can be mounted. However, in this case and given the price I think I have an alternative with the Contax Macroplanar 60/2,8 which has given me good results for portraits.
Best Regards
Pistach

 

[Todd.Hanz]

would love to see some B&W samples, wide open esp. The samples I've seen on the web don't have the "snap" (or 3d effect) of the summicron but that could just be the jpg compression. Any one have the ZM 28mm?

Todd