35 Summilux with Goggles

[jkjod]

Is the reason for this lens being so expensive because it is truly extremely rare - I can't seem to figure out if there were a low number produced. Or is it just collectors driving up prices?

If I understand correctly it has the same design as the v1 35 Summilux but focuses to .65m. This is a lens I would love to have for my M3, but it seems prices will only go up at this point...

 

[Erik van Straten]

The Summilux 35mm f/1.4 v1 goggled focuses to 0.65. There is also a v2 (black) goggles with serial from 222xxxx. This lens is substantially cheaper.

As far as I know of the goggled version of the v1 about 1.200 pieces were made and of the non goggled (M2) version about 1.000. Quantities of the v2 goggled are unknown.

The recent development of the prices is weird. Normally a non goggled lens could fetch 4 times the price of a goggled one, but the prices of the goggled ones seem to explose at the moment.

Erik.

 

[jkjod]

Thanks Erik for the prompt reply. Perhaps prices in the future will go back down...

 

[jkjod]

Too bad it is not possible to get a Voigtlander Nokton 35 1.4 with goggles...

 

[Mark C]

35 Summicrons with goggles used to be cheaper than non-goggled and are great lenses. But maybe they have gone out of sight too.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Too bad it is not possible to get a Voigtlander Nokton 35 1.4 with goggles...

Why? The Summilux v1 is indeed a dream, but the Nokton 35mm f/1.4 is a nightmare (because of the distortion).

Apart from that, most photographers consider the goggles as a PITA. Their only advantage is their close-up possibillity.

Erik.

 

[jkjod]

Only reason being that I only own an M3 (no 35mm frame lines), maybe thats a bit selfish. My guess is the Voigt wouldn't be nearly as expensive as the Leica Summilux.

And the close focus wouldn't be so bad either. Perhaps the goggles are a PITA, but I don't really NEED another camera...but a 35 would be nice 🙂

 

[JMQ]

How about an external finder?

 

[Erik van Straten]

How about an external finder?

The goggles were invented to be used on the M3 with a coupled lightmeter on top. No room for a separate finder.

Erik.

 

[JMQ]

Understood Erik. I was responding to jkjod's comment about the lack of a 35mm frame line and his desire to not have to acquire another body...I suppose one could approximate the field of view with the 50 frame lines. Just saying -- I haven't attempted this.

 

[jkjod]

Well external finder may work - I have never used one, so framing and focusing this way seems clumsy to me. I'm sure there are folks who do it just fine and have no issues what so ever, but color me lazy. Also, I'd like to eventually have a CV II on top of my ol' M3.

Either way, it looks as if the goggled M3 Summilux will be out of my league for some time (if not forever at the current prices). In the meantime, I'll stick with the 50. Thanks for the input everyone

 

[JMQ]

Look at the Voigtlander Double Shoe adapter -- again, not ideal, but one more option for you to consider. Best wishes.

 

[sparrow6224]

Reports of the Nokton's distortion, like those of Twain's death, have been greatly exaggerated.

 

[bonatto]

Reports of the Nokton's distortion, like those of Twain's death, have been greatly exaggerated.

agreed. The nokton is an excellent lens. Given the price, if you need 1.4 at 35, it's a no-brainer. I'd get a second body, an M2, or something with a meter (and a long rf baselength) rather than fiddle with external finders.

 

[jkjod]

Well I don't really "need" a 35 🙂...more of a want type thing. But I agree, a M2 and Nokton would be just fine. I kind of like the look of the M3 with goggles though. Maybe I will get my hands on one or the other someday. It is fun to have new focal lengths to play with, until then I'm pretty happy with my 50.

 

[jkjod]

Can the haze in the goggles ever be cleaned with a CLA, or is this something that will just always be there?mmm

 

[Travis L.]

I used a 35 summilux on my M3 for years before I picked a camera with 35 frame lines. Just use the entire visible frame as your guide. It's pretty close to the 35's field of view. I was skeptical of external finders too, but once I learned to use one it became second nature. I keep one on most of the time now wether it's needed or not.
I had a goggled Summicron V1 for about a week.. Just couldn't get used to the extra weight, and like you say. The goggles get a little hazy.

 

[jkjod]

Well I took a leap and found a 35 Summicron with goggles that seems to be in good shape. I have 14 days to return it, so if it seems to cumbersome I'll just stick to 50s. Thanks for the help everyone.

Jordan

 

[Erik van Straten]

Well I took a leap and found a 35 Summicron with goggles

The goggles are great for framing on the M3, they work very precise.

Leica M3, Summilux 35mm f/1.4 v1 goggle, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[jkjod]

OK folks...so I got the Summicron with goggles tonight, the size and weight do not bug me yet. I think the combo is actually probably lighter than my VM 50 1.5 on the M3. The viewfinder seems to be pretty clean, the rangefinder patch is still pretty contrasty - it is at least better than I was expecting after reading on the interwebs.

My only problem, the rangefinder is way off vertically. Is there any possible way to fix this myself, or does this require a visit to a technician? Thanks in advance.

Jordan