Down to one 35mm lens, but which one.

[Ko.Fe.]

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.

 

[FrankS]

ALWAYS take it easy, Kon! 😉

(Sorry that wasn't really helpful!)

 

[Highway 61]

Summicron V3 made in Canada will be easy to find, tons of them out there, some are still in excellent shape.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I'd aim for a 'cron always. Summiluxes may not be all that's cracked up to be, especially when they're very old. Have you considered another brand? I have an M4-2 paired with a Konica Hexanon 35mm and it's like a match made in heaven. In your case, I'd look into a well-preserved Canon 35mm f2. They're extremely good, nicely designed, affordably priced and good performers.

If the answer is no, definitely a 'cron. Best of luck and have fun shopping!

 

[ferider]

Summicron V3 made in Canada will be easy to find, tons of them out there, some are still in excellent shape.

This. Also very robust. Better built than v4 or v2, front element is far recessed, so you don't need a hood really.

 

[pepeguitarra]

Cron is safe. A good one is the Summicron-C 40/2, which can be obtained at a low price.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thank you, Frank. It made me feel better today.

Francisco, no, only Leica made.

Thanks for the rest of you, so far it seems to be not so complicated and not so very expensive with v3 🙂

 

[taemo]

definitely a Summicron v3 or v4.

major difference between the 2 is that the v4 is smaller and lighter and some older v3 take 49mm filters instead of 39mm.

if you're not in a rush, i would keep saving for the v4 but cant go wrong either with the v3 if budget doesnt permit.
if interested, on the Used Department here at The Camera Store, there's a 35mm Summicron v4 Tiger Paw version, price is around CAD$1600-1800, cant remember right now but let me know if you're interested and I can probably grab it for you.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Thank you, Earl.
I didn't know about 49mm filters, but I have them in addition to 39 ones.
No, Tiger Paw is not my option, my index finger skin is better with "regular" one.

 

[sanmich]

any particular reason why "only Leica"
Not arguing, really. Just curious...

 

[Colin Corneau]

How much are you using your lenses (and in what environments?) for separation of elements in a Leica made product to be a legitimate worry?!

Honestly, it's what gives your pictures the look you like, at a price you can afford.

Doesn't have to be more complicated than that.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

any particular reason why "only Leica"
Not arguing, really. Just curious...

I would like to have one Leica lens on one Leica camera. Preferably Canadian on Canadian. Ontarian to be exact. 🙂 This is the honest reason #1.
Where are numbers of other reasons, but I don't want to open can of worms here.

How much are you using your lenses (and in what environments?) for separation of elements in a Leica made product to be a legitimate worry?!

You are well aware of Canadian climate. 😉
In 2015 I used Summaron (with separation) in temperatures between -28 and +40, Celsius. My M4-2 and lens on it is the opposite from the shelf queen.
If weather is "strange" I'm even more likely to be out for street, candids and landscapes. M4-2 is with me every other day.
I like to wear it instead of the tie 🙂 All year around. I often commute, shop, skiing and hiking with it on me, not just in the bag.

This is how it looks like 😎:

 

[pepeguitarra]

...I like to wear it instead of the tie 🙂 All year around. I often commute, shop, skiing and hiking with it on me, not just in the bag...[/IMG]

That is the only way I know! 😉


Grass Valley by The Garden Gazer, on Flickr

 

[ferider]

Thank you, Earl.
I didn't know about 49mm filters, but I have them in addition to 39 ones.
No, Tiger Paw is not my option, my index finger skin is better with "regular" one.

Let me clarify this:

Few very early v3 Summicrons have no filter threads if I remember right. Almost all of them accept 39mm filters.

In addition, when you use the hood 12504 (works on Summicron v3 and pre-asph Summilux), you can put Series VII filters into the hood. Instead of Series VII filters, you can use a reversed 49mm filter.

The original 12504 is quite expensive. But there is a good Chinese Replica available on ebay.

Roland.

 

[Jerevan]

Summicron V3, no doubt. Other than that, feriders answer above is excellent advice.

 

[mothertrucker]

I have a summicron V3, which is my favorite lens of all. I love the build quality. Mine is a bit roughed up on the outside, but the glass is in great shape. Still clicks nicely and focuses smoothly, which makes me think that if you find a good one it will be solid and reliable.

As ferider says, the glass is recessed which is a great help to avoid fingerprints, bumps and scratches.

35mm summicron v3 with film pushed to 1600 covers pretty much every situation I've encountered.

I am a little tempted by the new Voigtlander 35 F1.7 VM though but it looks like it is a bit bigger.

I have never been tempted by another 35mm summicron though...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Perfect outfit! 🙂

That is the only way I know! 😉
Grass Valley by The Garden Gazer, on Flickr

Thank you, Roland.
I wasn't aware of so many V3 variations.
Good to know, I prefer 39mm filter threads lenses and have UV or contrast filter always, never go out without filter on, but hood is only option to me.

Mothertrucker, I have 35 1.7 ASPH LTM for now and optically it is very nice lens. But I can't handle RF lens without focusing tab.

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

It's a shame about the black colour thing being such a clear requirement otherwise I would say Summaron 2.8 all day long. This lens has no business being as good as it is for such a reasonable price and it's about as good as it gets in terms of ergonomics. As for build quality, everything on the lens is solid metal, no plastic and all brass construction.

Sorry, I'm probably not helping you at all really.

 

[Rico]

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?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

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.