mmartin09
Established
Based on some cursory research here and elsewhere, I know that the 35mm summicron version 1 will technically work with my M6, but is it a good idea? What will the goggles do to the framelines that my M6 already has? Does anyone have this sort of setup?
rolfe
Well-known
It will work, but what you really want is a version 1 without the goggles for the M6. The goggled version is meant for the M3. I believe that on an M6, the goggled version will bring up the 50mm framelines and then the goggles will reduce that optically to a 35mm view. Not the greatest solution. Hard to describe unless you've seen it through the finder...
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Right. The best solution is a non-goggled 35mm, whether version 1 or otherwise.
yossarian123
Sam I Am
The goggles will bring up 50mm framelines on all M bodies. What you see through the finder will be a 35mm field of view because of the additional optics.
It's actually not quite as bad as stated here. I've used goggles before (Summaron) and if you get a clean set of eyes then focusing isn't a problem at all. You lose a bit of contrast in the finder and some distortion around the edges but you get used to it quickly. The main problem for me was the additional weight added by the goggles.
You can certainly look for a V1 without goggles, but the prices on those are sky high for a clean copy (probably $2000-3000 depending on condition). Another good option is a Summaron, 800-1000 without eyes, $500-600 with eyes.
It's actually not quite as bad as stated here. I've used goggles before (Summaron) and if you get a clean set of eyes then focusing isn't a problem at all. You lose a bit of contrast in the finder and some distortion around the edges but you get used to it quickly. The main problem for me was the additional weight added by the goggles.
You can certainly look for a V1 without goggles, but the prices on those are sky high for a clean copy (probably $2000-3000 depending on condition). Another good option is a Summaron, 800-1000 without eyes, $500-600 with eyes.
Right, the lens came with goggles for the M3, and without for the M2/M4. The goggles are not easily removable like the DR Summicron's, and if you did manage to remove them the focus would be way off.
My v.1 is without goggles, bought new in 1967, and on my M2 I always had trouble seeing the 35mm framelines in the viewfinder. So I just went with what I could see all those years. When I came to wonder how the goggled version might help me see the whole frame + some real estate outside it... Well, I wish I'd thought of it sooner! I really like the goggled 35 (a Summaron) on my M2, I've used it on a Hexar RF (not really needed with its .6x finder), and at the moment it's on an M9. IMO this is a useful version if you want to see outside the 35 framelines...
mmartin09
Established
Thanks, all for the info. I was just curious as I'm on the hunt for a 35mm summicron and saw one for sale. Since I don't have an M3, I think I'll just wait until I can find a newer version at a reasonable price.
srtiwari
Daktari
I have both versions, and here is what I think.
The goggled version is equally 'versatile', and optically identical. If I had only one, it would be the goggled version, since it is easier (for me) to use a goggled version o an M2/4/5/6 etc., than a non-goggled version on an M3.
Also, the goggled version is about $1-1.5k cheaper. The down side is a slightly less attractive viewfinder image due to the extra bit of glass in between.
raid
Dad Photographer
The goggled version can save you $1000+, so I would get it and get an external VF or simply use the total frame in the VF.