Down to one 35mm lens, but which one.

[enasniearth]

Summicron ,

Summicron ,

The summicron type II I like as it has the tab to adjust the aperature
The type III is likely less expensive , watch out as some don't have filter threads , you use a series filter in the hood .
Some of the typeIV lenses have plastic parts which can wear out and break , who makes parts of the lens assembly system out of plastic ?
Google " summicron 35 type IV problems Gus lazzari " to see .

Hope this helps . The summicrons listed above will have more contrast than the summaron you are useing , optically performance wise the summaron is underrated .

 

[ferider]

I like Canadian Leica gear because Mandler did.

Lots of film examples of this combo in my Smugmug link below.

 

[kiemchacsu]

I have used several LEICA 35mm lenses:
- Cron V1
- Cron V3
- Cron V4
- Summaron 2.8

If money is not an issue, no doubt the V4 is the best choice. Mine is German made
The V4 gives a unique 3D look

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

One. I want black Leica lens on black Leica camera. It is mentioned in OP in CAPITALS.
One BLACK lens on one BLACK camera.
Chrome lens on chrome (M4) camera, black lens on black (M4-2) camera.
Get it?

Two. I've had Summaron in 2015. So, I know how it looks like and what it gives and how it handles.

Ok fair enough, based on what the original post says, I would be tempted to wait a little as you say and go for a 35mm pre-asph lux then. Mandler heaven, small and handy ergonomics (although a little fiddly until you get used to how close together everything is) and very black and usually VERY Canadian. One of my fave lenses ever and similar budget wise to a v4 cron, at least where I live.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Ok fair enough, based on what the original post says, I would be tempted to wait a little as you say and go for a 35mm pre-asph lux then. Mandler heaven, small and handy ergonomics (although a little fiddly until you get used to how close together everything is) and very black and usually VERY Canadian. One of my fave lenses ever and similar budget wise to a v4 cron, at least where I live.

Now we are talking!

I used to have Color Skopar 35 2.5 PII. It is very tiny lens.

Had no problem with it to handle, in general. The only problem with how loose the aperture ring was. Stiff focus, loose aperture ring. I prefer it to be opposite. 🙂

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

Now we are talking!

I used to have Color Skopar 35 2.5 PII. It is very tiny lens.

Had no problem with it to handle, in general. The only problem with how loose the aperture ring was. Stiff focus, loose aperture ring. I prefer it to be opposite. 🙂

Similar story with the pre-asph lux actually, the aperture ring is a little fiddly and loose compared to other Leica glass. A bit 'Lego' like in its feel but it does actually hold up so I guess it's better built and tougher than it first feels at least. The upside is pretty much the smallest 35 1.4 on the planet though and the focus tab handling is great plus very smooth on a good one. It's one of those where the 2 metre mark is downwards at six 'o clock bang on so you can get used to scale focusing by feel (without looking) quite quickly and accurately, at least I did.

Another thing to remember with this lens is to try and get it with its original hood as the attachment is the unusual type with the female threads for hood mounting inside the lens and this also means that it won't plug and play with regular hoods and filters. You have to use the loose filters (series six I think mine were) sandwiched in between the two pieces of the proper Leica hood. That said it might be possible to go with one of the ebay heavystar hoods. The series six filters are easy to find in UV but less so and more expensive for other kinds of filter, again at least where I live anyway. Wasn't an issue for me though, YMMV.

Before figuring out the hood and filter issues on my first one I even learnt a cool trick to use a more current cron hood with a square shape and found a way to stop it rotating on the lens with one of my daughters black rubber hair bands (used for ballet class), it was a perfect and invisible jury rig that worked really well until I sold it.

I've owned this lens twice and I only ever sold them off because they were worth so much and therefore there were lots of trade in options which I eventually found hard to resist. I got a mint 50 cron collapsible (one of the few left in the world with NO scratches whatsoever on the front element), a mint 35 summaron 2.8 and a near mint elmarit 90 version 1 in trade all for my old 35 lux pre asph! Gives me a pretty versatile kit now I think.

If I had to have just one lens though, I would also go for a 35mm and I would want it as fast as possible just in case. Go for the 35 pre asph, it's a great lens with a wonderful signature and although it is quirky wide open, it is nice if you like that sort of thing and your comments suggest that the signature of older glass designs is not something you have a problem with.

The first four or five pics (and I think the last one) in this gallery of mine were shot with the pre-asph:

http://www.chromacomaphoto.com/#/esiamsquaredpartii/

 

[semi-ambivalent]

Plenty to like about older Leica offerings. The 'cron v4 handles nicely (I have a "tiger paw") but is not as well built as the v3. The v3 also has a more readable DOF scale, and is my pick for black. But my favorite is the Summaron 35/2.8 which has the build quality of Leitz's Golden Age, superb handling, cheaper than the 'cron v1, and a quite modern performance. Did I mention the chrome?

Beautiful. I need that to go with my 2.8/50 Elmar...

s-a

 

[semi-ambivalent]

For different reasons I'm downsizing my film gear to few cameras and lenses to keep them all on two cabinet shelfs.

On RF side I'm planning to keep FED-2 with two 50mm lenses, one small RF camera with fixed lens and M4-2 with one 35 mm lens. I want this lens to be Leica and BLACK.
The Leica lenses I could afford are only comes used and they are in the low price range for 35mm black lenses. My list is this:

Used Summarit 35 2.5.
Summicron v2 and V3.
Maybe Summicron V4 or old Summilux, but I'll have to wait longer to have extra money for it.

I'm not into which lens has better bokeh, sharpness and such. They are all good enough for me in terms of the picture.

In general, I want 35mm Leica lens (black) which will handle time well and have good ergonomics. Lens which will not fail apart after two years of use and lens which will not develop separation of optical elements.

I would prefer made in Canada lens for M-2. But they are old and most of them used a lot.

I'm not familiar with any of the lens I have mentioned, but I have seen Summicron 35 V4 listed on ebay with separation problem. It frustrated me, because I never seen separation in old FSU RF lenses, even if made in fifties. While where are Leitz made lenses from fifties to seventies with this problem.

Or should I take it easy?

Thank you, Ko.

Since Leica just today announced a new version of the 2/35 all 'cron 35 prices might head down some amount. Might be $mart to cool your jets a bit, see how things play out. 🙂

s-a

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

Since Leica just today announced a new version of the 2/35 all 'cron 35 prices might head down some amount. Might be $mart to cool your jets a bit, see how things play out. 🙂

s-a

A large part of me really wants to wish that were true but the older legacy glass from Leica only goes one way price wise in my experience 😕

 

[Antielectrons]

A large part of me really wants to wish that were true but the older legacy glass from Leica only goes one way price wise in my experience 😕

Prices go up and down if you are patient you can get a lens at a good price.

 

[music_healing]

I was in your position

I have 35 cron v1, 35 cron v3, canon 35 1.8, voigt 35 2.5 and 35 cron asph in the cabinet ..

strangely, 80 percent of my 35mm shots, are using Hexanon UC 35 f2 ...

I can only use other 35 like for 2-3 days maybe 1 roll, then I switch back to hexanon uc 35 ... in BW and Color (C41+slide)

Keep trying to use leica esp when i m in leica crowd .. but on street .. it is hexanon 35 ...

well I stop fighting that urge ...
Hexanon 35 is glued on my MP or M4

Sincerely
William Jusuf

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

Prices go up and down if you are patient you can get a lens at a good price.

Less so where I live I think (SE Asia), at least not that I've noticed in the past decade or so. It's different in various countries I think, i didn't account for that in my comment as I'm not the one looking to buy. Perhaps I should have, I see the OP is in North America so your comment probably applies.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I was buying lenses in 2015, prices do fluctuate. If I'm buying prices are high, if I'm selling prices are low!

So, with very much appreciated help from RFF members I have choice for one and only lens on one and only Leica camera narrowed to V3 Cron and Summilux II (Pre ASPH).

Cron is less expensive (significantly), takes "normal" filters, takes my made in China cheap small metal conical hood (does the job very well) and lens gives nice images with neutral character.

Lux is more expensive (but I'll be able to make it), faster (important for one and only lens) and has more specific rendering (it seems).

As I mentioned before I do take camera everywhere and often wear it instead of keeping in the bag. I keep filter on the lens always, to protect the front element from even single particle of the dust, rain and drinks spills and I'm switching to contrast filters if it is sunny as well.

It seems what Cron is something I get used to with all other 35mm lenses. Taking camera off the shelf - filter goes on it, but not always with hood.
With Lux I could have two hoods, one with clear filter, another hood with contrast filter. Not Leica made hood(s), but as it was mentioned before made in China copy, which is not so terribly expensive.

Are these hoods adding bulk, size to the camera kit significantly? I don't like big hoods on small lenses.

 

[MikeL]

One factor in your choice might be minimum focusing distance. I sometimes like the funk of the pre-asph summilux and don't mind the longer minimum focusing distance, most of the time.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Same here, one meter is short enough for portraits and candids. I have another cameras for closeups of what I eat, purchased.

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

A nice final shortlist methinks. Hope you find one or the other in nice condition at a good price soon.

Yeah, I forgot to mention the 1 metre min focus distance but I guess that's because it's never been an issue for me. I don't like rangefinders for close focusing anyway. Re. your question about hoods and size, honestly the pre-asph with the correct Leica hood on is still a really small package on an M. If I recall correctly, the filter sandwiched inside the proper hood means that it keeps the profile really slimline. Without the hood, it's hilariously small when mounted on an M if you've never seen one before but not that practical to use flare wise. Try and get the proper hood with the lens in an all in one deal if you can as they can sometimes sell quite expensively on their own. The correct hood number is 12504 I think.

I'd hang on for the lux, it's wide open party tricks are quirky but very nice to my eyes at least and give you low light/night shooting options. Stopped down to medium apertures, it's a killer street lens and makes for quite the combo on an M4. If I only had the one lens, I'd always be thinking about that extra stop lost at night if I bought the cron over the lux, unless you are into pushing film or fast film in which case a cron is still good enough really.

 

[ferider]

Both Summicron v3 and pre-asph Summilux take 12504.

Example of Chinese knock-off: 221571332529@ebay. Normally they cost 75 bucks, but this one has a picture of the hood on a Summilux (size).

At similar size, V3 and pre-asph Summilux are optically and mechanically very close f2 and up. Main differences are min. focus, price, filter, and the Summilux flares easier - then again, it has one more "emergency" stop. Tough call - afraid I cann't help you more.

3 RFF members. Can you see the Summicron ? 🙂

Roland.

 

[35mmdelux]

V3 is all you ever need. Regards -

 

[Emile de Leon]

Had the V4 bought brand new..never should have traded it..kinda tiny though..and the rear element really protrudes..
Didnt like the v3 I had and returned it...
Got the 1.4 pre last year..still getting to know it..pretty lens and ..fast..doesn't focus close enough unless on A7 w/close focus adapter....there is no free ride..
If I had to take 1 of them..I would take the 1.4 asph...not the fle..as it close focuses..and is sharp wide open..and handles great..you know you will get the shot..esp overseas..
But I do a lot of video work now..and the 1.4 pre..is like a tiny noct..and it just softens the skin tones beautifully..
But also..if there is separation...the lens was probably dropped..

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

Both Summicron v3 and pre-asph Summilux take 12504.

Example of Chinese knock-off: 221571332529@ebay. Normally they cost 75 bucks, but this one has a picture of the hood on a Summilux (size).

At similar size, V3 and pre-asph Summilux are optically and mechanically very close f2 and up. Main differences are min. focus, price, filter, and the Summilux flares easier - then again, it has one more "emergency" stop. Tough call - afraid I cann't help you more.

3 RFF members. Can you see the Summicron ? 🙂

Roland.

Yes but 'objects in rear view mirror are closer than they appear' especially if you are hovering the mouse over the 'buy it now' button.

Lovely shot BTW.

Never knew they took the same hood either, thanks for that.