mike_j
Established
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?
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
photographeur
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
Veteran
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
Some guy
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
Nonplayer Character
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
Well-known
I think you would also like the 35mm f/2.8 Summaron, preferably the M2 version (or LTM version with adaptor).
kipkeston
Well-known
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.
my favorite, the 2nd version.
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Richie
Member
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.
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.
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J. Borger
Well-known
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 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
Veteran
35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
if $ is consideration: 35/2.8 zeiss. distinctive zeiss rendering.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
allen_a_george
Established
It will take time (and more posts like yours, J. Borger) for the Summarit's perception problem to be erased.
kipkeston
Well-known
I don't think it gets underrated. It's excellent no doubt. But there are lots of excellent 35mms.
rocheung
Established
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.
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
-
Which is what, exactly?
Turtle
Veteran
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
Nonplayer Character
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!
