Summarit. Summaron. Biogon. Color-Skopar. Which 35?

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I presently have two 35's, the Nokton f/1.2 and the Canon f/1.8. I like the compactness of the latter, but dislike its handling, and am thinking of selling it and getting a small, sharp f/2.something 35 instead.

I've been shooting lately with the Summarit 75, and am delighted by the look and handling of this new f/2.5 series, not to mention the amazing images; the 35 seems to be among the best of the bunch.

But if I'm going to shell out that kind of dough, why not an f/2.8 Summaron?

And while I'm at it, perhaps the Zeiss or CV offerings in this category would satisfy me.

Any thoughts? What's your favorite optic in this range, which I guess we could call small slow 35's?

 

[Roger Hicks]

I'd go for a Color-Skopar over a Summaron, on performance, and for a Summarit over the Color-Skopar on handling and image quality. Never tried the slow Zeiss though.

Cheers,

R.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Thanks, Roger. Of the three you've tried, then, you think the Summarit is worth the investment, if I've got the dough? (It isn't yet clear that I do. And if I do, I might instead get the Skopar and upgrade my computer, if the new iMacs come out soon as rumored.)

 

[Jaans]

I love the way the Summarit renders and what it does with highlights - however, my experience with this lens is limited to the 35mm. I have not used the 75.

I had a ZM Biogon in 35mm and found that it was overly contrasty and nearly ended up falling apart.

Good luck!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Thanks, Roger. Of the three you've tried, then, you think the Summarit is worth the investment, if I've got the dough? (It isn't yet clear that I do. And if I do, I might instead get the Skopar and upgrade my computer, if the new iMacs come out soon as rumored.)

Yes, I think it is, but I don't think you'd be disappointed by the Color-Skopar if the computer swallows the money instead.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Ljós]

Summaron f2.8

Summaron f2.8

One thing to keep in mind is that the Summaron may be one of the best built 35mm lenses ever. It has the same "chassis" so to speak as the first version Summicron 35mm (which goes for serious money). It is a pure joy to use.

Front element is very well recessed (better shaded than the Summicrons) and I use it without hood without problems. Thus, it is more compact than a Summicron-C 40mm or Rokkor 40mm.

I have no doubt that the more modern lenses better it optically - but in my experience, the Summaron is "good enough" 🙂

I do not have much in way of already digitized pics, but check out the posts of mfogiel - his pictures make a compelling case for the 2.8 Summaron.

Greetings, Ljós

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I just went and read Sean Reid's review of the Summarit, and while he clearly likes it a hell of a lot, I am stunned at how well the Skopar measures up. Its resolution is really quite amazing! I might go ahead and give it a try, for now.

 

[Krosya]

While I agree that Skopar is a very good lens technically, I found it sort of.....boring. I tried it several times - ltm and M versions and sold it every time. Never used Summarit 35. But I would suggest a Canon 35/2 or Uc-Hexanon 35/2 - both are very very good and well built. I also have a Komura 35/2.8 which is pretty much as good as Canon 35/2, about same size and built, just a stop slower, yet even harder to find than the other two I recommended. I like photos I have seen from Summaron 2.8, but they are getting to be pricey and rather hard to find in good condition and clear glass, so I would stay away for that reason.
So, here is my 35mm lens line up for RF:

35mm lens choices for Leica by krosyagms, on Flickr

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Hmm, hadn't thought of the Hex.

 

[Guaranteed]

Gonna have to keep an eye on this thread. I've been wanting to grab a small 35 and narrowed it down to either the Summarit or the Biogon C. Although I just picked up a 5D2 last week so it may be awhile.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

BTW, the Canon 35/2 definitely addresses my handling complaint, but how's the resolution and corner sharpness? Anybody have some insight?

 

[sper]

C Biogon won't let you down. It's a joy to use and the chromes speak for themselves. Probably the best 35 I've used hands down.

However the Color-Skopar is great! Almost as good, and sooo cheap! I sold mine, but regret it for sure. I have the CV 35 1.4 now, but it lacks the snap sharpness and contrast of the Skopar. I really like the Skopar design actually. The 21, 28, and 35 are all awesome cheap lenses.

Maybe the Liecas are a little better built but I can't imagine they perform better than the C Biogon and the price premium is just silly...sigh...as usual.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Maybe I'm a bit fussy to be concentrating unduly on handling, but the older I get the more I want the tools I use to feel right in use. This is really the only reason I'm dissatisfied with the Canon 35/1.8. And I must say, I prefer the scalloped focus ring to the tabbed. The old Skopar P looks pretty good to me in this respect, and the Canon 35/2, which I've never actually looked carefully at before, looks absolutely marvelous. I feel quite a pull towards it.

 

[jsrockit]

and upgrade my computer, if the new iMacs come out soon as rumored.)

Have you seen any new rumors?

The skopars are decent, cheap, and have a short focus throw... so they are fast to work with. The Zeiss lenses are nice, but they are bigger than most... not 1.2 big, but they are huge compared to the Skopar.

My favorite small slow 35mm is the MS Optical Perar. I'm thinking of a 35mm 3.5 Summaron too. I guess it depends on the look you are going for.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Have you seen any new rumors?

Only that "they're on the boat." I am hoping for SSD boot drives and Sandy Bridge processors. Not unreasonable desires, right?

The Perar is, if anything, too small for me! I think you're right about the Biogon, though--I've got the 28 and love it, but you wouldn't call it compact.

 

[jsrockit]

Only that "they're on the boat." I am hoping for SSD boot drives and Sandy Bridge processors. Not unreasonable desires, right?

Nope, not at all. I'm hoping for maybe new screensizes / surfaces. Basically I'm going to buy one anyway but don't want to buy it now because we all know a new one has to be coming soon. Just want to max my dollars.

I love the perar and haven't found it ergonomically bad... but I prefer focus tabs, so perhaps I'm biased.

 

[segedi]

My vote goes to the Summarit. I have a Zeiss in 50mm (planar) but can't get used to the nub. The scalloped tab of the Summarit is a dream and the focus is has just the right amount of tension. Light and tight, worked well on a trip to Europe mated to an R4A - made for a really lightweight combo - and equally as nice on the MP. And the images are pretty good too! I bit spendier than the CV or Zeiss but I think it's well worth it.

 

[johannielscom]

LTM Hexanon 35/2.0

LTM Hexanon 35/2.0

Not to put a finger in your cake, but how about this one? Must admit prices went up since I bought my Konica L-Hexanon 35/2.0, but it's such a nice lens!

It is an optical copy of the 1958 Nikkor 35/1.8, which has gone up a lot more in the last years as well.

There were 1,000 pcs made of the Konica lens. There was one on eBay last week, from matsuiyastore.

The UC-Hexanon actually is a Summicron 35/2.0 copy, not the rumoured Hexar AF twin. This L-Hexanon is the exact same lens as the Hexar AF has.


EDIT: apparently the matsuiyastore lens sold and the only one on sale now is a USD 2300 + specimen from china, waaay to expensive...

 

[alun severn]

I won't be parted from my V4 35/2 Summicron. OK, it *is* the only 35 I have but even so I think the handling and ergonomics of that lens just about perfect. Everything -- the short focusing throw, the tab, the square hood, the size and compactness -- make it a joy to use and the one lens I can truly say I can use really quickly and increasingly by instinct. I can't speak for other versions of the same lens...

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

Looks like that Hexanon is going for around $1100-1200 these days. Stan Tamarkin has a used Summarit for $1200 at the moment. And matsuiyastore has a very nice Canon 35/2 for $500.

Many fine possibilities, more than I anticipated.