35mm Summicron v2 - examples, opinions?

[matti]

So I am not really happy with my Color Skopar 35mm as it can not focus at infinity on my Leica M6. (See old thread HERE about that problem.)

So I borrowed a fine second generation 35 mm Leitz Summicron from a dealer. (The rangefinder is spot on at infinity on this one, which proves that the Color Skopar was faulty btw.)

I will make some testshots myself with the Summicron but would be greatful if some people here would like to share examples and opinions.

I really like the heavy compactness of this lens and the focusing tab. I can't really afford a later Leica lens right now but would like to have at least one Leiz lens to go with my M6.

So, what do you think? Is it a good idea?

/matti

 

[ywenz]

What about getting a Color Skopar Pancake II?

It's compact like the Leica and it also sports the focusing tab

 

[matti]

Thank you Daniel. Do you have any pictures posted somewhare taken with it? (I tried to check out your links but they didn't work.)

ywenz: This lens will stay 80% of the time on the camera. I do like the Color Skopar. But I have had two already... One got smashed under a tree 😱 (see This old thread). The other doesn't focus at infinity. I might try to fix the Skopar I have later. But first I want some sort of reference lens with my new M6.

Everyone keeps raving about the 1980:s version of this lens, so basically, what I want to know is: Is this almost as good?

/matti

 

[matti]

Thank you Daniel, great pictures! I like many of them.

Tonight I might have developed a testroll of Tri-x in diafine. (Maybe not a great idea to test a new lens and a new developer at the same time, but...)

/matti

 

[Ben Z]

I have the 3rd version (I suspect the same one dridlings has) and like him I've never been tempted by a newer version. In fact I spoke with Sherry a while ago and she told me the 80s version is glued together while mine uses threaded retainers, she says she's reglued lots of them. The 80s lens has gotten a cult reputation since the internet, but before that there was a lot less fuss made over it. I think unless you have a need to own the "in" lens, the one in your store is a great one to shoot with.

 

[dadsm3]

For some reason the version IV's have a rep as "the king of bokeh".....purportedly the perfect 35mm, right between the 'oversharp' aspherical and the supposedly slightly inferior 6-element earlier versions (I believe the version IV is a 7-element lens). Whether this is true in actuality or just a clever marketing tactic dreamed up on e*ay is something that probably can never be settled. There's no question the public has fallen for it.....
But look at the prices for the old chrome version I's.....they've also got a huge cult following, minty ones go for $2000....are they vastly superior to the version II's and III's? I'd be inclined to think not....The fact that the very same lens with the bugeyes for the M3 goes for half that, kind of indicates the pricing of the version I and IV are more reflective of desire rather than true value.
I have a version III that outperforms my expectations every time I use it.....I'd go with your version II, paying 2 or 3 times more for what can only be a miniscule difference (if any) in performance just doesn't make sense.
Mike

 

[Honus]

Matti,

Shoot a few rolls with it and I think the answer will be obvious to you. Regardless of which version, a Leitz 35mm Summicron is an excellent lens. I agree that the versions I and IV have cult status. I believe that each successive version has seen very slight incremental improvements in contrast and edge sharpness wide open, with a corresponding decrease in build quality. Stopped down I don't believe there is any noticable difference from any version. The II and III versions I believe are the best values.

If you ever find me selling my version IV, you have my permission to have me institutionalized. 🙂

- robert

 

[matti]

Thank you for the replys, everybody. This is the kind of talk I wanted to hear 😀
I got my testshots out of the scanner. Tri-x at 1000 in Diafine. I do think that these shots differ a lot from the ones taken with my color skopar. Espesially the out of focus areas. And I think I like it. Diafine works to...

I attatch some quick scanned testshots.

I would still be happy for any more examples.

/matti

 

[matti]

Hm, my scans does look quite a bit more contrasty and dark here than in Photoshop... Don't know why...

 

[teemu.laine]

Hm, my scans does look quite a bit more contrasty and dark here than in Photoshop... Don't know why...

It´s because those pics are saved in grayscale mode. You should use RGB mode when using pictures in web.

 

[matti]

Oh, never did that... Thank you. Let's try one:

 

[matti]

Interesting. Much better. Less grain too. Even though I think my cheap flatbet scanner enhances it quite a bit.

Did everybody know this except me? And I thought I knew something about this Photoshop-stuff...

/matti

 

[Rico]

The II and III are said to be the same 6-element formulation. I like the III so much I bought a spare! The IV (which I also own) may be the "king of bokeh", but my testing shows no difference bokeh-wise or otherwise - and I prefer the DOF scale of the III. All the pre-ASPH versions are attractive to me because of their dainty proportion: that is the RF style. 🙂 In addition to snarks, I continue to hunt the I and II. Wish my wallet good luck...