Price check: summaron 35 2.8

[fbf]

I have been looking for a summaron 35 in the recent a couple of weeks. The price of 35/2.8 w/ goggle seems vary from 200$ to 500$ and the one w/o goggle goes from 650$ to 850$ depending on the condition. Is this normal? I missed an auction last week which a user condition 35/2.8 m3 type (glass is perfect) sold for only 233$ (I bid for 230$). My budget is about 350$ to 400$. Is this enough for a fine condition m3 35/2.8? I don't need goggle for my m4 but the m2 summaron 35/2.8 seems go very high lately. I see KEH has a few BGN condition 35/2.8 w/ goggle for 415$. Maybe I should just take it instead? Man, I have spent way too much time and energy on ebay lately...
would appreciate any input. Thanks.


L.

 

[Nigel Meaby]

You won't be able to use an M3 summaron on your M4 without using the goggles. The focussing will be innacurate. Best to buy the later version without goggles and I guess that's why they go for more money

 

[Tom A]

There is a reason why the M3 35f2.8 is so cheap. It is a very clumsy lens to use. The goggles add another layer of glass you have to peer through.
The M2 version of the 35/2,8 is a bit scarce due to the fact that the owners do not want to part with them!
It is also easier to find a clean 35f2.8 than it is to find a clean 35f2. The f2.8 was an "affordable" alternative to the f2 and f1.4 and was mostly bought by amateurs, while the faster ones were bought by pro's and tended to have a harder life.
Personally I have always like the 35/2,8 as it is as good as a version I/II Summicron overall and it is better at close focus than the faster ones.
If you can live with the added dimness and bulk of the M3 version go for it - but be prepared to sigh and swear occasionally as it changes the handling of the camera considerably.
Any particular reason why you want the 35/2,8. With the plentitude of 35's around, $350-400 should find you a newish 35/2,5 VC II or even the 40/1,4 Nokton, both of which are better lenses.

 

[Rob-F]

I'd say the price of the 35mm Summaron has risen lately. There was a very favorable review of it in the LHSA Viewfinder a few issues back. I have an idea that favorable comments in print, or on the web, about a particular lens or camera, move enough people to want one that the price rises.

So I am thinking that buying lenses should be done like buying stocks in the stock market. The idea is to buy 'em low and sell 'em high. That is, if you are going to sell at all, which often turns out to be a mistake! A better way to say it, also using the stock market analogy, is to buy those items that are presently out of favor. That, of course, presumes that it is something you believe has value, something you wanted in the first place. I see some evidence that lens prices go in cycles--again, like the financial market. For instance, four years ago you had to pay $400 or more for a nice Summarit f/1.5. Now you can get it for $300 or less. About the same numbers apply to the 40mm Summicron, which has dropped close to $100 over the past several years.

There are many good old Leica lenses. I'd say the idea is to decide you want one that isn't riding the wave of popularity at the time you buy it.

 

[fbf]

Thank you all for the input. I have the 35 cron IV in mint condition and I really like the result from it. But I am looking for a 35mm lens that I can carry w/ me on a daily basis. I don't need a fast lens w/ bulky size for daily shoot and I also don't want to spend too much money for it. I have read so many positive comments about the 35 summaron in various forums. So it seems to be the best fit for my need.
I have tried the CV 40mm and 75mm. The result I got are very pleasing but I really don't like the build quality and the "feel". So I sold both of them eventually.

L.

 

[vrgard]

fbf/L., I understand your desire for a daily carry 35 that's not too expensive. One alternative you may wish to consider even though it's one stop slower, is the Summaron 35/3.5. Very nice lens, excellent build quality, etc. Another option is the Canon ltm 35/2.8. Also has excellent build quality and is as fast as the Summaron 35/2.8 you're looking for. Oh, and both the Summaron 35/3.5 and the Canon ltm 35/2.8 are wonderfully small lenses which make them very nice for daily carry use (and the Canon glass is recessed enough that it doesn't typically need a hood which is another nice feature when used as a daily care lens). Again, I understand your desire for the faster Summaron (wish I had one myself) but they do cost more. Hope this is helpful.

-Randy

 

[ferider]

The best bang for the buck is the CV 35/2.5. The old LTM version and the new PII handle differently. The PII is very similar to the Summicron, just smaller.

 

[vrgard]

One other factor to consider, and this is not to challenge TomA's nor Roland's recommendation re the CV 35/2.5, is what look you're after. If you want the older style, lower contrast look then I would stick with the Summaron or Canon lenses. If you want the newer style, higher contrast look then I would third the CV recommendations.

-Randy

 

[ferider]

Agreed - wasn't trying to challenge your recommendation, Randy 🙂

 

[vrgard]

Agreed - wasn't trying to challenge your recommendation, Randy 🙂

Thanks, Roland, and no I didn't think you were. I just wanted to be clear that I wasn't challening yours. Gee, we're working awfully hard to make sure we aren't offending each other! :angel:

-Randy

 

[fbf]

Haha, that's why I like here. 🙂 Thank you all for the recommendations. I think I will try the canon 35/2.8 first. I just acquired one canon 50/1.4 LTM. Boy, I can't tell you how satisfied I am. It performs as good as my 50 DR if not better.

 

[John Elder]

Fbf I tried to send you mail thru the rangefinder forum, but it indicated you elected no to recieve mail . Anyway, I have a 35mm summarron 2.8 with eyes that I am selling for 375. I pay payapl and costs if you live in USA. Glass is ex++, I can't see anything wrong with lens glass and cosmetically ar least ex++. Very Slight haze in googles which is pretty normal. Lens is very nice. I have had it for a year. It is better than the 35mm canon 2.8 which I also have. John Elder

 

[fbf]

Thanks John, I sent you a pm. 🙂

 

[raid]

Haha, that's why I like here. 🙂 I just acquired one canon 50/1.4 LTM. Boy, I can't tell you how satisfied .

Could you pm me what you paid for the lens? Thanks.