Apples vs Oranges: Summicron 35 v4 or Mamiya 6 (maybe 7)

[SimonSawSunlight]

I've been looking for Mamiya 6's and 7's and I am very keen on one, but I still have this good offer for a nice version 4 35mm Summicron... :bang:

I find myself changing plans every day, every hour even. Now I want your opinions, maybe that helps.

Any remarks? (Except "Get a v3 Summicron, it's cheaper and WAY BETTER, THE V4 SUCKS HOW CAN YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT IT." I've been there.)

 

[jbielikowski]

Every second I have other plan for one body+one lens dream combo. You are not alone 😉

Question is simple, do you need fast lens? Or f/4 and Neopan 1600 is fine for you. If so, go for 7.

 

[nobbylon]

version 4 is a great lens but over hyped IMHO as is the Summilux 35. I've got the lux at the moment and I've just bought an Ultron 35 for €200 to replace it as it's just not my thing. I had one at the start of my rangefinder discovery and it was brilliant. Try one before you part with the silly money for v4's. Spend the saving toward the Mamiya.

 

[Instantclassic]

Go limit yourself. More gear does not make you happy. A single lens does not either. You seem to have a Leica already. Choose one camera body only and the summicron 35mmIV then you will run out of excuses and dampen the mind chatter. Samlpe the light and learn the hard way by buying film instead of gear.
It is not easy to stay out of the happy-consumer cliché. But your pictures are yours only.

 

[swoop]

Just go with the 35mm Nokton f1.4. The 35mm Summicron v4 isn't anything special. I own one and it isn't magic. It's even a tad soft at f2. Use the extra money to save up a little more and get the mamiya 7. Or even better the 35mm Skopar f2.5. Slower. But a beautiful lens from everything I've seen.

 

[MCTuomey]

the v4 35 is a wonderful lens: mine was sharp at all stops, beautiful rendering, the most predictable dof across the frame of any 35mm lens i've used, small, and slightly unleica-like build. if you have the opportunity to get one at a good price, i'd recommend buying it. if it is not for you, you can sell it later at no loss and maybe even a bit of gain. especially if, once you have the 'cron, you're still thinking of that mamiya, and the money you have in the 'cron seems excessive for what you get from it.

or, think about what you print. do you want to print larger than your 35mm gear permits? do you need to print subjects with a lot of fine detail that carry the picture? if so, then i think a mamiya makes sense over another 35mm lens.

 

[Ljós]

Rolleiflex! 🙂

Rolleiflex! 🙂

Simon,

to throw another wrench in you works 🙂 : For the money you can get yourself a NICE Rolleiflex. Quieter than both Leica and Mamiya. Real classy. Wonderful results.

Not what you were asking for, but think about: it will be a completely different experience. You will literally (because of waistlevel viewing) get a different angle on things. And the long term value and joy that comes with a Rolleiflex is hard to match.

Just sayin' 🙂

 

[kevin m]

The v4, as has been mentioned, doesn't match its hype. I had one, too, saved my pennies for it, and it was a disappointment relative to its reputation. If it's magic you're looking for, there's more to be had in the big neg and better glass of the Mamiya than there is the Summicron. B&W tonality to die for! 😀

 

[sinetsin]

I vote for orapplenges!😉
Think what gear you don't need and how much you'll get for it..and then decide!

 

[oftheherd]

I'm not going to vote and skew that, since I don't have an Leica gear and don't want any. But I think I can relate this to meself and Fujica lenses over Super Press 23 gear and/or lenses. I love Fujica ST cameras, and I think Fujinon lenses take a back seat to nobody. I have all the cameras I need, and would only buy another if it were sold at a really rediculously low price. I really love and wish I had more Fujinon lenses. Unfortunately, they tend to cost a lot of money. I also love the Super Press 23 and lenses. They are good. I would love to have a rotating view back. I would love to have a 65mm lens, or a viewfinder for the 50mm lens (I do have a work-around). If I had the money for only one thing, I would no doubt go for the Press gear. I have other lenses I can use with the Fujica, that are plenty good, even if not Fuji. I can't substitute anything for the Mamiya gear I want. So that is where I would go.

In your case, I would say the big negative is the place to spend money. What is that lens going to get you that a 65mm lens won't on the Mamiya, and have the bigger negative. Mamiya lenses are good too.

But in the end, it is your decision. Good luck with making the best one for yourself.

 

[palec]

Question is simple, do you need fast lens? Or f/4 and Neopan 1600 is fine for you. If so, go for 7.

I wish there was a Neopan 1600 in 120/220 format.

 

[bigeye]

Can you add "GAS" to the poll list? This sounds like a GAS attack. What do you have now on the Leica?

[ADULTMODE=ON]
Are there significant reasons for mixing up formats and systems? Sounds like it will create an incomplete mish-mash of capabilities.
[/ADULTMODE=OFF]

[KINDERMODE=ON]
Buy it and tell me how it goes. I want to do the same. You will assist in the recovery of the economy by buying both. (You will buy both. You can't resist.)
[/KINDERMODE=OFF]

- Charlie

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

Thanks to all of you who have commented / voted so far.

I will mention here that I have more than one Leica M body, a few Voigtländer lenses, like the 1.2/35 and 2.5/35 PII (needs a repair though, would probably sell it if I had and preferred the summicron.) I'm clearly a 35mm guy when it comes to 35mm format and blah. I also have a Fuji GS645S medium format rangefinder which is a cool camera, but different from the Mamiya (might sell this one if I get a Mamiya though). I also have 6x6 and 4x4 TLRs, more than enough. A Rolleiflex is no real alternative for me here.

I didn't put this in my original post as I don't want it to affect the voting or your suggestions. Choosing what to get rid of will be another story that is already about to be told... but I'm definitely going the 35mm AND medium format way. different glasses for different drinks.

 

[peter_n]

I also think the v.4 is over-hyped, but you seem to have quite a bit of gear. I would sell the 35s you have and get the Summicron 35 ASPH, do some enlargements then see if you still want the larger format Mamiya lens. You might be surprised, the ASPH is a very good lens.

 

[degruyl]

If it's magic you're looking for, there's more to be had in the big neg and better glass of the Mamiya than there is the Summicron. B&W tonality to die for! 😀

Or you could go bigger...

But the above is so true... (All I have to say is "light table"...)

 

[varjag]

I think V4 is a great lens, it mops the floor with Ultron. But since you aready have a few pieces of 35mm in that mount, maybe there's not much sense getting another one..

 

[nobbylon]

if it is not for you, you can sell it later at no loss and maybe even a bit of gain. especially if, once you have the 'cron, you're still thinking of that mamiya, and the money you have in the 'cron seems excessive for what you get from it.

good advise and is now the way I look at all my gear. If the worth is in excess of the results and pleasure I get, it goes! This of course does not mean I don't get sellers remorse every time something goes:bang:

 

[MatthewThompson]

Simon,

to throw another wrench in you works 🙂 : For the money you can get yourself a NICE Rolleiflex. Quieter than both Leica and Mamiya. Real classy. Wonderful results.

Not what you were asking for, but think about: it will be a completely different experience. You will literally (because of waistlevel viewing) get a different angle on things. And the long term value and joy that comes with a Rolleiflex is hard to match.

Just sayin' 🙂

Gotta say, this rings true with me.

 

[nobbylon]

I think V4 is a great lens, it mops the floor with Ultron. But since you aready have a few pieces of 35mm in that mount, maybe there's not much sense getting another one..

What rubbish and making a statement like that needs some backing up as I haven't seen anything that justifies a iv as been any better than an Ultron.
The Ultron was my original rangefinder lens and I sold it and bought a Summicron asph. The asph was great, maybe even too much so. I used it for 3 years but in the end I didn't use it enough to warrant it sitting around so I sold it. I've used a iv and it's a great lens but to me near identical results to an Ultron and 4x the price for a Leica name badge however i'm sure there are those who will swear it improves their pics🙂

 

[ferider]

I will mention here that I have more than one Leica M body, a few Voigtländer lenses, like the 1.2/35 and 2.5/35 PII (needs a repair though, would probably sell it if I had and preferred the summicron.) I'm clearly a 35mm guy when it comes to 35mm format and blah. I also have a Fuji GS645S medium format rangefinder which is a cool camera, but different from the Mamiya (might sell this one if I get a Mamiya though). I also have 6x6 and 4x4 TLRs, more than enough.

You're 21 and clearly talented. Your gear doesn't seam to limit your photography. Forget GAS and RFF. Go travel, buy a motorcycle, etc.

Just my 2 cents.