35mm vintage and modern lenses with M9

[viboons]

35mm is my main focal length. I do carry one small vintage low contrast 35mm f1.8 Canon LTM and one modern lens 35mm Summilux FLE when I have a trip.
Most of the photos taken are local people, architecture and landscape. Will 35mm Summicron V1 8 Element and the new 35mm f1.4 Distagon ZM be the more proper combination for my type of photography.

 

[FrozenInTime]

What don't you like about the Summilux FLE ?

I sometime find my nonFLE ASPH Summilux a bit large - so often pair it with the 35mm 2.8 ZM C-Biogon.

The 35mm Distagon looks even larger - I would want to see proof that it is significantly better than what you have.

 

[Richard G]

For me a 35mm has to be small. I like the ZM C Biogon but with the hood on it is not that small. If had to have a very fast 35 I'd get the 1.4 Nokton. But with an M9 I would never need that speed, and so my ultimate is the tiny version 4 Summicron. I don't think there is necessarily a proper combination. The ZM C Biogon has a lovely character to the images and is good for architecture. I find the v4 Summicron more subtle and so its character is less intrusive.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

i think you have the best lens in the FLE already. if you want to try out new lens go for a different focal length, bc that changes your photographs more than a different flavour of the same focal length.

 

[viboons]

What don't you like about the Summilux FLE ?

I sometime find my nonFLE ASPH Summilux a bit large - so often pair it with the 35mm 2.8 ZM C-Biogon.

The 35mm Distagon looks even larger - I would want to see proof that it is significantly better than what you have.

I like Summilux FLE a lot but prefer the Bokeh of the nonFLE. However; with out focus shift FLE is easier for me to handle.

I heard good things about 35mm 2.8 ZM.
Is it easy to reduce contrast in PP if shooting in sunny day?

 

[viboons]

i think you have the best lens in the FLE already. if you want to try out new lens go for a different focal length, bc that changes your photographs more than a different flavour of the same focal length.

Thanks for your advise. I use different focal lengths also.

 

[jsrockit]

Maybe replace the 1.8 canon with a CV Color Skopar... small and good.

 

[viboons]

For me a 35mm has to be small. I like the ZM C Biogon but with the hood on it is not that small. If had to have a very fast 35 I'd get the 1.4 Nokton. But with an M9 I would never need that speed, and so my ultimate is the tiny version 4 Summicron. I don't think there is necessarily a proper combination. The ZM C Biogon has a lovely character to the images and is good for architecture. I find the v4 Summicron more subtle and so its character is less intrusive.

ZM C Biogon should be very good for architecture and landscape. I still need f1.4 to control DOF sometime.

I have no experience with Summicron V4 but saw a lot of good results. Also has no experience with the Summicron V1. Would you suggest V4 over V1? I like low and more gradual transition of contrast for my B&W photos.

 

[tuanvinh2000]

I would have guessed you own other focal length too. 🙂
a summaron is close to the v1 cron as well as a 40 summicron. but i used to own a nokton 1.2 that is very close to the new ZM in size i just never take it out and always go with the summicron asph (which is very similar to your FLE). i tried the summicron v4 as well and see nothing special in it aka as good as any other summicron. plus i like "nothing special" and small because what's special is your creativity not a lens rendering quality. all in all though the FLE is so good that you shouldn't worry about missing anything.

Thanks for your advise. I use different focal lengths also.

 

[viboons]

I would have guessed you own other focal length too. 🙂
a summaron is close to the v1 cron as well as a 40 summicron. but i used to own a nokton 1.2 that is very close to the new ZM in size i just never take it out and always go with the summicron asph (which is very similar to your FLE). i tried the summicron v4 as well and see nothing special in it aka as good as any other summicron. plus i like "nothing special" and small because what's special is your creativity not a lens rendering quality. all in all though the FLE is so good that you shouldn't worry about missing anything.

I have been using 40mm Summicron for a while and like it also but cannot easily code so sorting in LR is quite difficult. The nokton 1.2 produced some wall hanging photos for me. But I feel the same as you, too big and too heavy. If ZM 1.4 is about the size and weight, I may be better stay with my Lux FLE.

 

[viboons]

Maybe replace the 1.8 canon with a CV Color Skopar... small and good.

I should. Thanks

 

[thompsonks]

I'd recommend taking the v1 Summicron off your list. They're fine lenses but they're collector's items and cost about twice as much as v4. The latter is sharper at it larger apertures.

IMO the Really Great Option is the 40 Summicron, with mod to bring up 35mm framelines. Mine is sharper at f2 than my v4 Cron. You can use it with the very small hood for 50 Elmar.

 

[Ben Z]

In the past I have had 35/2-ASPH and 35/1.4-ASPH which I sold because I didn't feel the slight edge in performance over the older versions was worth the cash I had tied up in them. Currently I use a V4 Summicron, which is small and light and performs just as I like. Behind it I also have a V3, which I can't see any difference in performance than the V4 and is a much better constructed lens, however it is heavier so I travel with the V4. I also have a Voitlande Skopar LTM as a backup. It performs on a par with the older Summicrons at equal apertures. Although I own all these lenses I wouldn't ever travel with 2 lenses of the same focal length.

 

[raid]

There are so many excellent 35mm RF lenses available on the market. I happen to use mostly the 35/1.4 pre-asph Lux and the V1 Summicron (with goggles).
The Canon 35 1,8 is small and sharp. but it can flare. It is a good practice to check for some haze in this lens.

 

[viboons]

I'd recommend taking the v1 Summicron off your list. They're fine lenses but they're collector's items and cost about twice as much as v4. The latter is sharper at it larger apertures.

IMO the Really Great Option is the 40 Summicron, with mod to bring up 35mm framelines. Mine is sharper at f2 than my v4 Cron. You can use it with the very small hood for 50 Elmar.

I consider v1 because it is not so popular where I live. The local shop offer over half a dozen lenses for me to choose, try first and pay later at the same price as a used ASPH.

I used to have the 40mm cron and let go before I know how to mod to bring 35mm frame lines. I may get it back as you suggest.

 

[viboons]

In the past I have had 35/2-ASPH and 35/1.4-ASPH which I sold because I didn't feel the slight edge in performance over the older versions was worth the cash I had tied up in them. Currently I use a V4 Summicron, which is small and light and performs just as I like. Behind it I also have a V3, which I can't see any difference in performance than the V4 and is a much better constructed lens, however it is heavier so I travel with the V4. I also have a Voitlande Skopar LTM as a backup. It performs on a par with the older Summicrons at equal apertures. Although I own all these lenses I wouldn't ever travel with 2 lenses of the same focal length.

I carry 2 lenses of the same focal length often, one modern lens to take photos for my wife and children and another one character lens for my own fun, when my family go shopping.

 

[viboons]

There are so many excellent 35mm RF lenses available on the market. I happen to use mostly the 35/1.4 pre-asph Lux and the V1 Summicron (with goggles).
The Canon 35 1,8 is small and sharp. but it can flare. It is a good practice to check for some haze in this lens.

I have no experience with 35/1.4 pre-asph Lux and the V1. The local shop offer me to try both lenses for couple week then pay if I like to keep. I should find time to try them.
I have a good Canon 35 f1.8. It sharps with good clarity in only the middle circle at f1.8. More even at f5.6. I like this character and also the flare for certain type of photo.

 

[uhoh7]

Will 35mm Summicron V1 8 Element and the new 35mm f1.4 Distagon ZM be the more proper combination for my type of photography.

That combo wold be good for anyone's photography 🙂

Basically, technically the best 35 ever built (if promise holds true), and the sweetest old 35 there is.....nice.

Sure, the zeiss is a bit big, but it's not crazy heavy, like the CV 1.2

 

[viboons]

That combo wold be good for anyone's photography 🙂

Basically, technically the best 35 ever built (if promise holds true), and the sweetest old 35 there is.....nice.

Sure, the zeiss is a bit big, but it's not crazy heavy, like the CV 1.2

I should try them. V1 is not a problem but the zeiss is brand new and cannot try with out purchase.

 

[Mark C]

...
I have no experience with Summicron V4 but saw a lot of good results. Also has no experience with the Summicron V1. Would you suggest V4 over V1? I like low and more gradual transition of contrast for my B&W photos.

The Version 1 8 element Summicron is one of my favorite lenses. It is very well behaved and meets the description of your needs very well. I would not call it low contrast, but very natural contrast, without the zingy look of the 6 element, or some other later Leica lenses. Still, its performance is more like the version 4 than you'd expect.

My own experience is that there is more variation in these 8 element lenses than in other Leica lenses, so getting to compare several is an ideal situation. All I've used are similar stopped down, but some were noticeably better at full aperture. They are also prone to some easily cleaned haze on an inner lens surface.

After saying all of that, I still think the 35 Summilux (pre-aspheric) would be at least as good a choice. Full aperture is not all that great, but usable and often interesting. At f2 it is a touch better than the pre-aspheric Summicrons, especially in regards to vignetting. From f2 on it is up to individual preference, but the Summilux and 8 element are very comparable. Size is great, price is often less than the 8 element Summicron, and resale value has held well. I've not tried as many of these as the Summicrons, but my impression is that they are very consistent in performance.