summarit lenses - mystery

[nzeeman]

what happened with those? i never see people talk about them here. was that another mistake from leica? they tried to offer cheaper lenses but nobody seem to care. it looks like people only like to buy from them if prices are high.
for me that new line didnt look very interesting but i expected that most leica users will buy them. im confused...

 

[tmfabian]

i'm getting ready to go get myself one of the 35mm buggers, it's itty bitty and it's not a souless asph lens. They seem like pretty decent lenses from what i've read and seen.

 

[yanidel]

My 2 cents on it : if one cannot afford new €2200 Leica lenses, than he probably buys CV or Zeiss at €300-600. Is €1200 for a summarit really an incentive to buy Leica when you get no so fast lenses that are only marginally better (if better) than the CV's or Zeiss ? In my case not. Either I buy the really good and fast Leica lenses or I stick with CV, there is no in between.

 

[Pherdinand]

i'm with yanidel on this one. At f/2.5 they are slow and still expensive. RF market is already not so big, and they somehow aimed to a very thin middle section of it.

 

[maddoc]

I also agree with yanidel on this, to expensive for f/2.5 maximal aperture. If I don't have to buy new Leica lenses and don't need the ultra-sharpness of the aspherical designs, I can get older pre-aspherical versions for the same or lower prices as the new Summarits or save more money and buy Zeiss or CV....

 

[nzeeman]

interesting - on zeiss subforum theme about biogon 2.8 is started - it seems that biogon have same problems like summarit lenses-too expensive compared to faster options. 🙁

 

[ferider]

Problem is that the CV 35/50/75 f2.5 lenses are so damned good.

I am surprised that the 90/2.5 doesn't do better. But then it's too long for the M8 .... and you can get a good 90/2 v3 for less money.

Roland.

 

[Avotius]

frankly the new lens line did not seem like a good idea any way you look at it. The were not really smaller, sometimes cost more then their slightly used and faster counterparts and had many features left out for cost cutting but again were still expensive. I think we won't be seeing leica around much longer with choices like that anyway. This is not a company that gives a damn about its self it seems and that is sad...

 

[kxl]

There are just way too many options for 35mm and 50mm that the Summarits have probably gotten lost in the shuffle.

The 90mm is just not as popular a focal length as the 35mm or 50mm, and in this FL, the Summarit runs against a very, very good and less expensive CV offering.

I would expect the 75mm to be the best value and probably the best seller of the lot, given its alternatives: 1) more expensive L-branded siblings and 2) the CV 75mm (which, IMO, pales in comparison to other CV offerings. Yes, I know there is sample to sample variation, and I might have gotten a bad sample, but it was really soft). So, really, by default, the Summarit 75mm became only Summarit I own. YMMV

 

[visiondr]

Yup, not one of Leica's brighter ideas. Buy my 35 Zeiss Biogon (in the classifieds) and save yourself a ton of money! 😀

 

[photogdave]

They are very nice lenses - well built, more compact in person than they appear in photos, and produce very pleasing results. They seem to be selling well around here. To some, f2.5 is fast, and also for M8 users the lenses are already coded.
I think they are a sweet little deal!

 

[thomasw_]

Yea, I guess it is the Vancouver light, but I agree in part with Dave. If I were looking for a good daylight two lens kit, the new Summarit 75 and 35 would attract me. However, so much of the best shooting in Vancouver requires faster lenses; and for this reason, the new Summarit line seems wanting in comparison to the competition.

 

[kross]

they were meant for hardcore leica loyalists.... must have everything in leica's line up....😛

 

[Rob-F]

I agree the prices are too high--comparison with the Zeiss ZM line makes it clear that the Summarit line doesn't need to cost so much. That said, the 75mm Summarit tempts me. If it were under $900, like most ZM lenses, it would be on my list. But the ZMs take advantage of the cost savings of Japanese manufacturing. Until or unless Leica makes that move, I think under-$900 prices for Leica lenses are wishful thinking. Guess I'll order a CV 75.

 

[ferider]

lots of opinion from people who haven't tried the lenses.

Maybe because the OP asked why we didn't buy it ?

Why would I need to buy to know it's too expensive ?

Any comparisons for us ?

 

[hlockwood]

They are very nice lenses - well built, more compact in person than they appear in photos, and produce very pleasing results. They seem to be selling well around here. To some, f2.5 is fast, and also for M8 users the lenses are already coded.
I think they are a sweet little deal!

I have the 75 and am pleased with it, but I haven't done extensive testing and probably will not.

Harry

 

[tom_uk]

I have the 50mm Summarit, and I'm perfectly happy with it - I use it on a s/h M6ttl bought at the same time. Part of the reason for buying it (from a Leica main dealer) was that they don't stock CV or Zeiss stuff, so the only real choice was Leica or Leica. I fancied something new, so I bought it. I'm comfortable with the maximum aperture. I have a very positive feeling about the size and feel of it: it's very compact, yet feels substantial.

I'd like a 35mm lens as well, and perhaps I'll get the Summarit. That said, I'm also attracted by the CV 35mm f2.5 lens: also small, probably lighter, but perhaps not as robust. I don't think I want the ZM 35mm lenses (either of them) - they seem quite big.

 

[yanidel]

I have the 50mm Summarit, and I'm perfectly happy with it - I use it on a s/h M6ttl bought at the same time. Part of the reason for buying it (from a Leica main dealer) was that they don't stock CV or Zeiss stuff, so the only real choice was Leica or Leica. I fancied something new, so I bought it. I'm comfortable with the maximum aperture. I have a very positive feeling about the size and feel of it: it's very compact, yet feels substantial.

I'd like a 35mm lens as well, and perhaps I'll get the Summarit. That said, I'm also attracted by the CV 35mm f2.5 lens: also small, probably lighter, but perhaps not as robust. I don't think I want the ZM 35mm lenses (either of them) - they seem quite big.

Out of the 10 lenses I own (mostly CV), the CV35mm f2.5 is the sharpest and smallest. Perfect rangefinder combo. Due to its compact size, I am not worried about robustness.

 

[Rayt]

I have the 35mm Summarit and really really like it. It is tiny and only half a stop slower than the Summicron ASPH but just as sharp and less contrast which is a plus for me. I was actually looking for a pre asph 35mm Summicron for its size but prices have gone through the roof and I am glad I ended up with the Summarit. If you factor in the coding and if you need a coded lens then the price is not entirely unreasonable.

 

[Tuolumne]

I am very happy with my 75mm Summarit. I just don't make alot of noise about it. Works great on my R-D1. Anything faster would be too hard to focus. f2.5 is just right.

/T