jsrockit
Moderator
It's funny how the Leica Summarit range of lenses are the red headed step children of the Leica world. In reality, they are great lenses. I guess f/2.5 just isn't sexy enough for people?
Limited 35mm budget: Zeiss vs Leica
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ferider
Veteran
No; I think the real enemy of both Biogon 35/2.8 and Summarit 35/2.5 is the Color Skopar. Maybe it delivers only 99% of the Zeiss/Leica lens performace, but this is sure plenty, I know it is for me. I feel the PII is pretty much a perfect lens, one of CV's best. You must really want the Zeiss or Leica string on the beauty ring badly, to not use a Color Skopar instead.
jsrockit
Moderator
I've used all three...and prefer the summarit and biogon to the color skopar. That said, I've never used the color skopar on the M9. Each one of these lens draws dramatically different to my eyes... but I can only tell that after using them in many situations (and learn that I can rely on them in more situations). Would I be able to prove it here with examples? ... no, probably not.
I've used / owned many lenses and the only two I think are truly special for my needs are the 50mm summarit and the 35mm c-biogon. While the CV stuff is good, the M9 tends to show their faults more than film. The PII though I haven't used since I got the M9. A friend says it works great though. I think of revisiting it sometimes, but then again I'm so happy with the C-Biogon, I don't think I'll bother.
ferider
Veteran
No point in changing a working team, jsr ...
filmfan
Well-known
On a budget? Neither. Go Nokton.
mile
Member
What I like about the 35/2.5 Color Skopar is, that it leaves open a semi-sensible justification window for buying the 35/1.2 "beast" at some later point. 😉
jsrockit
Moderator
Haha, true, but you got me thinking of the color skopar. It's tiny. Which I like.
kokoshawnuff
Alex
I loved the summarit while I had it. I've never heard anyone that used one extensively say anything negative about it. For a few hundred more than the zeiss is might be worth a look (as it can always be sold for what you paid if you don't like it more than the zeiss).
jsrockit
Moderator
Yep, but many people still think they are inferior Leica lenses... which is simply not true.
kipkeston
Well-known
Cool thread. Nice to find that v4 write up.
Having the biogon, v2 and v4. The 4 is the only one I have left. I think its form makes it my fav. Can't stand the biogon's form.
Having the biogon, v2 and v4. The 4 is the only one I have left. I think its form makes it my fav. Can't stand the biogon's form.
ChrisC
Established
I had the CV 35/f2.5 Colour Skopar, and indeed it was pretty good at the typical focusing distance that is convenient for practically all lens reviews. It was replaced by a Zeiss 35mm C-Biogon which is a better lens than my [now sold] CV Colour Skopar by substantially more than the 1% you suggest. For me, the Colour Skopar was usable and OK, but the C-Biogon is fantastic; I believe it's the best lens I can have for MY 'M' work at any price. I will never sell the C-Biogon; it excels when my Colour Skopar would have had weaknesses. It's a lens for discerning agnostics.
............. Chris
semilog
curmudgeonly optimist
That echos my own assesment. It's a lens with almost no bad habits. Its only significant limitations are the 2.8 max aperture and some vignetting on the FF sensor of the M9 (but it's terrific on 1.5 or 2.0 crop sensors). Aside from those issues it's as close to a perfect lens as any I've ever used. Its lack of distortion, flatness of field, and bokeh are superior to the Summicron ASPH, and it's a better performer at 2.8 and 4 than any Summicron prior to the ASPH.
OSFlanker
Member
I don't think you can go wrong with a Summicron of any version. I have a v3 and no regrets at all. You can be sure it can retain it's value should you lust for a summilux later........ ;-)
Godfrey
somewhat colored
Voigtländer Color-Skopar 35mm f/2.5
A superb, small, light and inexpensive lens that I rank right up there with the expensive Zeiss and Leica lenses on quality and imaging.
0.9m to be exact.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
I've had more 35mm lenses (Summaron, Summilux, ASPH) in the past but never at the same time to really get a good feel for the comparison. But lately I've been fortunate enough to have a 40mm CLE to compare to the VC 2.5 and even though I was prejudiced in favor of the CLE I honestly prefer the VC 2.5. (The CLE was more than fine, just a handling preference really.)
Now I have a v.3 Cron coming to compare to the VC. I bet they are very close and I'll have to decide if the $700 difference is worth it for half a stop and a brand name.
Once burnt by a Zeiss wobble they lost me as a customer forever. The VC 2.5 seems better built. In fact it may be a more better lens than a 35 year old Cron, especially in terms of haze and wear.
Now I have a v.3 Cron coming to compare to the VC. I bet they are very close and I'll have to decide if the $700 difference is worth it for half a stop and a brand name.
Once burnt by a Zeiss wobble they lost me as a customer forever. The VC 2.5 seems better built. In fact it may be a more better lens than a 35 year old Cron, especially in terms of haze and wear.
sazerac
Well-known
I'd be interested in reading your comparison. I liked the skopar a lot but felt it was too highcontrast. I always heard goodthings about the v3 for b&w and have been curious to get one myself.
Drago
Established
Looking at the current prices of used leica lenses i think they are absurd. Now even V3 35 summicron is going well over 1000 euro if you find it from person. The dealers and ebay are asking more like ~ 1300-1400 for it. no way 🙂 With that money i'd get biogon and planar and never look back
lcpr
Well-known
I went for quite an odd choice - I have a 35/1.2 II and to complement it... a Hexar AF. Both are great in their own way for low light (the 1.2 for its sheer speed and the Hexar for its amazing AF), both are great performers wide open and stopped down, plus I get the benefit of using two bodies for different film, usually slide/colour in the Hexar and B/W in the Leica. Amazing thing is that the total price for both is way less than the current price for any used 'cron.
jsrockit
Moderator
That's a cool set-up.
