35mm lens with a rendering like Elmarit 90/Cron 50?

[ramosa]

All,

From using different lenses over the past four years (i.e., Super Elmar 18mm ASPH, Elmarit 28m ASPH, Cron-C 40mm, Cron 50mm, Lux 50mm ASPH, Rollei Planar 80mm HFT), I have come to an understanding of what focal lengths I prefer, what speed I need, and what rendering I like for use on digital Ms.

With the plan of building a 35-50-90 set, I recently purchased an Elmarit 90mm (most recent version in Mint condition at a great price). I like it in all regards, including its rendering. Steve Huff has compared its rendering to that of the Cron 50mm and Cron 28mm ASPH, saying they have “a rendering that borders on modern and classic.” I have used the Cron 50mm (most recent version), like it a lot, and do like its rendering, along with that of the Elmarit 90mm.

My question about building a 35-50-90 set: What 35mm lens would have a rendering similar to that of the Elmarit 90mm and Cron 50mm? That would mean immediately crossing out lenses that are too modern and, at times, clinical (e.g., Cron 35mm ASPH, Lux 35mm ASPH v2) and lenses that have the classic look (e.g., Lux 35mm pre-ASPH).

Three lenses come to mind, but require further consideration on my part.

1) Lux 35mm ASPH v1 (con: size, potential focus shift)

2) Summarit 35mm (con: speed, not as good of build quality as faster Leica lenses)

3) Summicron 35mm v4 (not sure if this has the right rendering. If its rendering is like the Cron-C 40mm, it would be too classic and “uncorrected” for my tastes.)

Any thoughts or input would be appreciated.

R

 

[Tom Niblick]

I'm using a 35 Summicron version IV (1989) with a 90 Elmarit M (1995) and a 50 Summicron version 3 (1969). The 35 and 90 are wonderfully matched in terms of color and sharpness. The early version of the 50 Summicron is tack sharp in the center and a little softer in the edges - which is fine for how I use this lens. The latest version of the 50 Summicron with its higher contrast and resolution in the edges should match the 35 and 90 perfectly.

However, if you can not find a version IV 35, then consider the latest ASPH version. The 90 Elmarit M is razor sharp edge to edge with good contrast so it will pair just as well with the 35 ASPH Summicron.

They are all amazing lenses and finding differences between them is like splitting hairs.

 

[ferider]

The Summarit is better built than the v4. Just saying.

I would pick from Summarit, Biogon 2.8 or Summicron asph, if I were you. Best performing 35s in the market for the best performing 50/90 combo that you already have. Summarit and Summicron have the same filter size as the latest 50/2.

 

[helen.HH]

Don't be fooled by the Little Summarit
Or thatit is a 'lesser' value
(Thats only a buzz on the Internet mostly by those that have not put it on their canera 😱)

Build Quality is Superb... Compact, good weight, big focusing tab, snappy quiet aperture clicks
I AGREE with Roland ..re: v4 cron / having had v4..lovely lens, but the build quality is rather shabby compared to the other crons ...the aperture ring has been known to Crack

As for Rendering with the 35 Summarit
Sharp, not critical sharp &
A tad tending towards Modern with Some of that Classic Leica Feel

even though I Adore the 35 cron asph
In Comparison
The 35 Summarit has a SMOOTHER oof
And handles Flare better than the cron

I was Surprised at what this Little Gem can do
Its Only Flaw
For some possibly... too slow an aperture
2.5 though Puts says its really2.4 😉
And he Points out it out does that asph cron
On some levels


Will post some pixs this weekend when I develop... 😀

 

[SDK]

The 35mm Summarit is terrific, as are the Biogon 35mm lenses. I have the C-Biogon and Summarit 35mm lenses right now and it’s hard to decide which I prefer. They are both very good, even wide open and have nice background blur at wider apertures. The Zeiss renders with more color saturation, less barrel distortion. Coding as a 35mm/2 Summicron IV on the M9 seems to work well (with maybe a very slight magenta cast in the corners). The C Biogon is smaller than the Summarit and has a small focusing bump on the focus ring rather than the tab of a Leica wideangle, so it’s not as easy to focus with gloves on. On a digital body it is easy to get the Leica Summarit pictures adjusted to higher color saturation similar to the C Biogon’s rendering. The out of focus rendering on the Summarit 35mm is a bit more smooth than the C Biogon’s bokeh, but they are more similar than different in this respect.

 

[Araakii]

If you don't insist on Leica, Zeiss 35mm 2.8 c biogon might fit your criteria.

 

[ramosa]

All,

Thanks for the comments and advice. This is one reason I love RFF.

I think it has been narrowed to the Lux 35 asph v1 or Summarit 35. I will ponder those two further while getting an ad ready to sell three lenses on RFF.

R

 

[victoriapio]

I may have missed the body you are using but I use a cron IV on the m9 and I wouldn't use any other 35. They are all good, pick your poison.

 

[bastian a.]

Summicron 35 asph.

 

[ramosa]

I keep circling back to two Crons: Cron 35 IV or Cron 35 ASPH. (I just fear the clinical rendering of the ASPH. Some love it. I don't like it, but see the ASPH's many other charms, including build quality, ergonomics, capacity for use wide open, etc.)

 

[JWW]

I have both the 35mm Summicron IV and the ASPH version. The IV has lower contrast which is good for in certain bright light situations, is way lighter and noticeably smaller, and makes a good small/light set. I have a very late model (sn 368xxxx) German built version and have not experienced any build issues with it. I had it coded by DAG and I'm glad I latched onto it a while back when prices were way less.

 

[Tom Niblick]

I also have a German version of the 35 Summicron IV. Other than loosing the little red dot, it has been a trouble-free lens. It is probably the best and most useful lens I've ever owned. It seems to have the perfect blend of sharpness and glow. This lens certainly deserves its reputation.