Summarit 35mm

[mike_j]

I'm finding more and more that I use the 35mm as my standard lens on the M6 and often don't even carry a second lens. This being so, I am considering buying a Summarit or Summicron to replace my Voitlander 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar.

Money is defintely a factor and I don't need a large aperture so the Summarit fits the bill but is it really significantly better than the Skopar? I somehow don't like shots from it as much as from my rarely used 50mm Summicron. It's hard to say why, they are very sharp but perhaps too bight and contrasty. The handling of the skopar is fine.

Is the Summarit worth the expenditure?

 

[mknawabi]

Find a used 35 cron, either version 2 or 3 and go with it. It'll be a hard find, but you'll find it. Patience!

 

[Al Kaplan]

I agree that an older model 6 or 7 element Summicron will give you the look that you're seeking. The first version, the 8 element Summicron, has a very different look to it.

 

[Avotius]

no question in my mind, pick up a summicron or zeiss biogon, I got a skopar too, then I got a leica 35 summicron v3, never went back to the skopar afterwards

 

[Rayt]

I have a 35mm Summarit and it is really a nice lens. Very sharp but not as contrasty as the 35mm Summicron asph. Any of the pre asph Summicron as suggested will also be great. The 2nd and 3rd versions are good values for Leica.

 

[richard_l]

I think you would also like the 35mm f/2.8 Summaron, preferably the M2 version (or LTM version with adaptor).

 

[kipkeston]

I've got the summarit, 4th cron, 2nd cron, skopar and (previously) biogon. I think the second version summicron is my favorite of the batch. The summarit has the best mechanics however, meaning super smooth focus and nice aperture clicks.

my favorite, the 2nd version.

 

[Richie]

Mike-j:

The Voigtlander 35mm f2.5 Color Skopar is a fine lens with an optical signature similar to earlier Summicrons . Just wondering why you want to replace it.

I myself have simplified to one body with a Leica 35mm Summicron ASPH. That lens is OK for 90%+ of the kind of photos I take. I do keep a DR 50 and an old 90 Elmar in the bag.

 

[J. Borger]

Just to add one opinion ... and that is what all these "advise threads" are about.
I owned the 35mm summicron asph, Summicron type IV and summarit all together one moment in time. I sold both summicrons and kept the summarit. Most underrated Leica lens in the line up .. these summarits have an imago problem .... Probabluy people think they are lesser lenses because they are the cheapest in the Leica line-up.
The 35mm Summarit is very sharp, has far more realistic contrast than the cron asph, nicest bokeh of them all and draws more like the older Leica lenses (creamy and not to harsh) but without all posible negative characteristics of an older lens (flair, soft corners etc...)

 

[Erik van Straten]

This one is with the Summicron 1st version, 8 elements, wide open.

Erik.

 

[35mmdelux]

if $ is consideration: 35/2.8 zeiss. distinctive zeiss rendering.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Most underrated Leica lens in the line up .. these summarits have an imago problem .... Probably people think they are lesser lenses because they are the cheapest in the Leica line-up.
The 35mm Summarit is very sharp, has far more realistic contrast than the cron asph, nicest bokeh of them all and draws more like the older Leica lenses (creamy and not to harsh) but without all posible negative characteristics of an older lens (flair, soft corners etc...)

Seconded.

Cheers,

R.

 

[allen_a_george]

It will take time (and more posts like yours, J. Borger) for the Summarit's perception problem to be erased.

 

[kipkeston]

I don't think it gets underrated. It's excellent no doubt. But there are lots of excellent 35mms.

 

[rocheung]

All Leica 35mm are excellent with different characters for each lens. The problem is Leica does not get the right way to promote the New Summarit line. So that the market response is not good.

I also own this lens. Leica always emphasized that it is the lowest price model and suspect it very much because of low cost production. Finally, I found that my suspicious is not necessary and totally wrong. It has very good anti flare, good vignett control, adequate contrast and adequate sharpness for my use in portrait or general use. Not cutting edge sharpness as ASPH and the overall feeling is creamy and natural, not exaggerated. Though I need to sacrifice half stop to Summicron, but I gain a warranted brand new lens, with latest lens design with traditional leica taste well reserved. I am very satisified to it.

 

[Goldorak]

if $ is consideration: 35/2.8 zeiss. distinctive zeiss rendering.

Which is what, exactly?

 

[Turtle]

Just to add one opinion ... and that is what all these "advise threads" are about.
I owned the 35mm summicron asph, Summicron type IV and summarit all together one moment in time. I sold both summicrons and kept the summarit. Most underrated Leica lens in the line up .. these summarits have an imago problem .... Probabluy people think they are lesser lenses because they are the cheapest in the Leica line-up.
The 35mm Summarit is very sharp, has far more realistic contrast than the cron asph, nicest bokeh of them all and draws more like the older Leica lenses (creamy and not to harsh) but without all posible negative characteristics of an older lens (flair, soft corners etc...)

I dont own a summarit, but thirded. I have read many, many reviews from people I trust and this is the consensus. There is no doubt about it, these lenses seem to produce images more akin to Leica of old and if you can find it, there is a review by someone called (Guy?) Manusco or something like that which shows bokeh samples on same subjects shot with crons etc. The Summarit is the hands down winner in my view and appears to whoop the V4 in creamy OOF. Its rather like the Biogon ZM in this regard. Neither are asph so that gives you a clue. Even Puts concludes that the Summarit might just be a better lens overall than the cron asph, assuming you dont need the speed. Its also smaller, lighter and cheaper. If only they were slightly cheapers still!

 

[Rayt]

I just bought a Voigtlander LH-2 hood for my 35mm Summarit. It fits and much cheaper than the Leica hood. And it confirms my suspicion the cost savings came from outsourcing the barrel to Cosina. Great lens!

 

[rocheung]

I just bought a Voigtlander LH-2 hood for my 35mm Summarit. It fits and much cheaper than the Leica hood. And it confirms my suspicion the cost savings came from outsourcing the barrel to Cosina. Great lens!

You 'd better to tell us earlier. i just bought the Leica one, crazily expensive!!!🙁🙁🙁

 

[tom_uk]

I just bought a Voigtlander LH-2 hood for my 35mm Summarit. It fits and much cheaper than the Leica hood. And it confirms my suspicion the cost savings came from outsourcing the barrel to Cosina. Great lens!

Oh, that's interesting to know.... my assumption is that this will also fit the Summarit 50mm, since the Leica hood is the same hood for 50mm and 35mm.

Presumably it screws onto the same thread as the Leica hood?