Size doesn't really matter as long as it functions.

[Steve B]

So I just bought the lens I've always wanted, and can (almost) afford. I picked up the 35mm Non-A Summicron today and was immediately struck with one observation. Its small. Its not just small, its small! I have pretty big hands and for some reason was assuming that this thing would at least have an aperture ring that could be grabbed with the thumb and birdie finger of the left hand. Not a chance. I also like using the tab on the focal ring but would also like to have a ring to grab on occassion. Not a chance. So far the best stategy I've found is to support the left side of the camera with my thumb and run the focal tab with my forefinger. On the right I have my forefinger poised over the shutter release and my birdie finger pushing the aperture tab around. This works OK until I get past f/11 or so when my finger pretty well blocks the rangefinder window so I have to move it back in order to double check focus.
Anybody have any ergonomic tips for using this trinket? I'm currently using it on an R2 but after I chase a big brown truck down the street Tuesday afternoon it'll be mounted on an M6, my first Leica!!!!!
Please don't take me for a heretic. I'm excited to use this lens as it is of course pretty famous as a performer, etc. Also as I'm about to get my first Leica I figured I'd try the famous Leitz glass as well.
I'll of course be comparing it to other RF lenses I've used, particuarly the 35mm Konica M-Hexanon Aspherical that I've been using for the last 3 years. First impressions are that the Konica is bigger, of course, easier to use and smoother of action. I'll be dropping some film off at the lab in the morning to see the more relevant results. If I can figure out how to operate this thing I'll be psyched on the compact size, and hopefully the quality of the images.
Love to hear others thoughts on the ergonomics of using this baby.

 

[pvdhaar]

That lens isn't really small, it's about the same size as the CV 25 and CV 35. But what differentiates those with regards to ergonomics is a focus lever.

 

[StuartR]

I compared it to the M-Hexanon and thought the M-Hexanon was better, but I eventually sold the M-Hexanon for the 35/1.4 ASPH, which is the best 35mm lens I have ever used. For what it's worth, I prefer the 35mm f/2 in the Hexar AF to both the 35mm pre-asph and the M-Hexanon (which is not aspherical, btw). 35/1.4 ASPH is about the same size as the M-Hexanon and has great ergonomics, not least of which because the cap is right on the hood, so no screwing and unscrewing the hood when you switch lenses.

 

[Dougg]

My earliest Leica lens is a 'way-pre-asph 35 'cron kinda like yours only chrome. I operate its two controls solely with my left hand, keeping fingers away from the top of the lens. The right hand is for securely grasping the camera, winding film, and pressing the shutter button; I figure that's a fair division of labor. 🙂 Similar ergonomics on the VC 50mm Skopar except its lack of an infinity lock.

 

[Treb]

This is how I operate mine (a 4th version). Focus with left index finger, left thumb (push/pull) operates aperture ring. I have medium sized hands (size 7.5 surgical gloves) so it might not work for you. See pic.

I really like these tiny Summicrons, they almost disappear inside your hand. And they are very good performers. Perhaps not up to the same level as the latest ASPH incarnation but these Summicrons are still in demand by a lot of shooters.

 

[Steve B]

I compared it to the M-Hexanon and thought the M-Hexanon was better, but I eventually sold the M-Hexanon for the 35/1.4 ASPH, which is the best 35mm lens I have ever used.

Thanks Stuart, I also love the Hexanon and just picked up a roll today that I had done some side by side frames of the Summicron and the Hexanon on. I'm hard pressed to differentiate between the two, sometimes I like the Hexanon and sometimes the Summicron but all of the differences could easily be attributed to very slight differences in exposure. I can only keep one of them but fortunately I have the lattitude to take a while to decide.

 

[Steve B]

My earliest Leica lens is a 'way-pre-asph 35 'cron kinda like yours only chrome. I operate its two controls solely with my left hand, keeping fingers away from the top of the lens. The right hand is for securely grasping the camera, winding film, and pressing the shutter button; I figure that's a fair division of labor. 🙂 Similar ergonomics on the VC 50mm Skopar except its lack of an infinity lock.

Dougg, thats exactly my prefered modus operandi but I can't seem to run the aperture tab with my left forefinger without blocking the viewfinder, particularly when I open up to larger apertures.
But as you see in my photo, I have pretty outsized hands so I think it'll take me some work to get used to this smaller lens. Never mind trying to run the thing with gloves on which I kind of need to be able to do. Old habits die hard and the thumb and forefinger going back and forth between the focal and aperture ring is a movement that I'm pretty used to. I'll enjoy the experiment for awhile before I decide which one to keep I think though.
In the meantime there's a couple nice rangefinders in the classifieds as the M6 is supposed to arrive tomorrow!

 

[peter_n]

I wish I could help you with the use question but I find tabs really awkward. I did get get a used 35 Summilux ASPH like Stuart's because the photos from it by the previous owner were just wonderful.

I found that with a bit of practice I could use that lens, and I think it has something to do with the largish outside diameter of the focus ring in comparison to others I have tried. I since also bought the Leica 24mm lens and I find that much less easy to use - it has a much smaller diameter on the focus ring. It may be that ultimately you will find the Hexanon-M a bit more comfortable to use for the same reason - I'd be interested in knowing what your experience turns out to be.

 

[Steve B]

I wish I could help you with the use question but I find tabs really awkward. I did get get a used 35 Summilux ASPH like Stuart's because the photos from it by the previous owner were just wonderful.

Hi Peter, I also find the use of tabs awkward. I think the non-A lens is really designed for a camera without metering info in the viewfinder as setting the aperture and focus while looking down on the camera seems very natural, while making the settings while viewing seems awkward. I'm going to give it some more time, hell I spent $900 on the thing, but in the end I suspect I'll go with the Hexanon for ease of use. At least until I can afford an aspherical summicron or summilux as I'd love to try those wonders at some point. But right now $2000 is out of my range for a lens, especially when I'm so happy with the hexanon anyway. In the meantime its pretty fun to be able to try these different lenses and chat with your guys about their relative merits, etc. Hell, maybe I'll even take a picture.

 

[Steve B]

This is how I operate mine (a 4th version). Focus with left index finger, left thumb (push/pull) operates aperture ring. I have medium sized hands (size 7.5 surgical gloves) so it might not work for you. See pic.

I really like these tiny Summicrons, they almost disappear inside your hand. And they are very good performers. Perhaps not up to the same level as the latest ASPH incarnation but these Summicrons are still in demand by a lot of shooters.

Hey Treb, thanks so much for posting the pic. Its clear from your pic, I think, that you have a different version of the lens than I do. I don't have nearly as much aperture ring showing as you do. I can see in your pic that your aperture ring has some grabable areas on the lower side of the ring. Mine is unusable except for grabbing the tab, there is nowhere on the ring that one can get a purchase, its all recessed. I wish mine had a little more usable area.

 

[StuartR]

Steve, for what its worth, I think the Hexanon is very close to the 35/1.4 ASPH, other than being a stop slower. The color balance in the Hexanon is slightly cooler, but resolution is very similar. The ASPH has a bit more "bite"...mostly due to what appears to be higher edge acutance. I don't know enough about lenses to know exactly what it is due to, but it leads to an impression of higher sharpness. That is about the only real difference I noticed in terms of the optical performance. I don't remember any distinct difference in the bokeh, but I did not have the M-Hexanon for more than a few months, so I did not have an extended test. Overall, I liked it a great deal, but I wanted a lens with another stop as 35mm became my most used focal length and I like shooting wide open with slow films. But anyway, I don't think the 35 Hexanon is far behind the 35/1.4 ASPH other than in speed and absolute sharpness.

 

[Steve B]

Steve, for what its worth, I think the Hexanon is very close to the 35/1.4 ASPH, other than being a stop slower. The color balance in the Hexanon is slightly cooler, but resolution is very similar. The ASPH has a bit more "bite"...mostly due to what appears to be higher edge acutance. I don't know enough about lenses to know exactly what it is due to, but it leads to an impression of higher sharpness. That is about the only real difference I noticed in terms of the optical performance. I don't remember any distinct difference in the bokeh, but I did not have the M-Hexanon for more than a few months, so I did not have an extended test. Overall, I liked it a great deal, but I wanted a lens with another stop as 35mm became my most used focal length and I like shooting wide open with slow films. But anyway, I don't think the 35 Hexanon is far behind the 35/1.4 ASPH other than in speed and absolute sharpness.

Thanks Stuart, if the 35 1.4 is warmer and sharper than the hexanon I might have to re-visit my thoughts on affordability. Its a bit out of my range right now but it sure sounds like a wonderful lens. Maybe someday.

 

[CDS]

Steve,
The little brown truck delivered my 3rd version summicron today. I am also delighted and amazed at the small size. I will post more later, but it looks that the tab and left index finger is going to work fine with me. I cannot wait to get out and shoot!
Cheers,
Chris