Leica MM and 35 mm summaron?

[Roel]

I have the Leica MM and use it 85% of the time with the 35mm F2 V4. Already for some time I have been thinking about the 35mm Summaron. Now that I have the MM i was thinking if this is the moment I want to combine it with the look of older lenses. I understand the Summaron/MM is a nice combo.

What do you guys think?
Am I crazy to think of this lens given the fact that i already have the 35 summicron V4 or would it be an interesting combo (Maybe even sell the V4 and save some money for other projects)

 

[rodt16s]

I've been quite surprised how good the Summaron is on the MM... I also have a v1 and v4 summicron, I've never warmed to the v4, to me it accentuates the plasticy look on the MM. V1 is OK though.
The 2.8 Summaron, original 5cm/2.8 Elmar (M) and v2 Summilux 50mm Pre-ASPH are the lenses that have found the most usage so far.
I did try a 50 Lux ASPH and am still toying to add one to the collection, it's quite special

 

[madNbad]

Having used a 35 Summicron ASPH almost exclusively for a number of years until recently when I stumbled upon a humble little 35 3.5 Summaron LTM in a local shop. It had belong to one of the sales staff and he had used it on a number of different cameras but was selling it off to help fund the purchase of a Nikon rangefinder. I have only used it with film but the contrast is good and the rendering is a delight. It's tiny and in the LTM version using the aperture ring is a little fiddly. It uses A36 push on filters and hood is recommended to reduce flare but it would be worth trying one on your MM. There are a lot of good ones out there and the cost is reasonable. After using mine for a short time it's easy to understand why it was part of the lens line up for so many years. Get one and enjoy it!

 

[shiro_kuro]

Not crazy at all ..... I did just that and could not be happier with the summaron . Try and look for a higher serial # when buying the 2.8 summaron , anything over 2xxxxxx .

The 50 summicron v2 and and the 2.8 summaron with a yellow filter are the two lenses I use on the MM and find them to be excellent .For what I sold the v4 cron for almost paid for the 50 summicron and the summaron .

 

[Roel]

Thanks for your replies. The summaron is really tempting. There is a f3.5 available. Does it perform like the f2.8 at the same apertures?

 

[madNbad]

If there is a 3.5 available and the price is right, I think you will be pleased. It's a good performer at all apertures and the small size makes for a nice compact package.

 

[jaapv]

The 2.8 is a bit better, but the 3.5 is very nice too. Especially on the Monochrom, which brings out the best in vintage lenses. Try one of the LTM Canon 35 lenses. Amazing. (Or 50 mm Canons for that matter)

 

[thompsonks]

It would be nice if the Summaron users would post a few examples of its rendering. I'd never thought of using any 35 besides Cron IV on MM.

Kirk

 

[Emile de Leon]

35mm Summaron 3.5
Dandy lil lens..a jewel really..high resolution...stops down to f22 too..nothing not to like..