Summaron 35 2.8 or CV 35 2.5 color skopar?

[Nando]

I have the 35f2 Summicron-ASPH and the 35f1.2 Nokton Aspherical prior to purchasing a 35f2.8 Summaron. I also used a 35f2 Summicron v4. Immediately after I developed the first roll with the Summaron, I knew it was something special. The tones were so rich and smooth, the images were sharp from corner-to-corner but without that clinical, contrasty look. I absolutely love this lens. I now have two of them!

The Summaron f/2.8 is one of the highest resolving lenses that Leica has ever made. In the LHSA Viewfinder Vol 37 #4, Seth Rosner, has one tested on an optical bench alongside its contemporary v1 Summicron and the later v4 Summicron for his article "The 35mm f/2.8 Summaron: Legendary Lens?". Attached are the numbers from that article. For LHSA members, I believe that the issue is available for download on the LHSA site in PDF format.

 

[LeicaFoReVer]

wow, this is an interesting finding. If that is true, Summaron is going to be one of the lenses I will obtain in the future...Is there a link for the complete article??

 

[Vincent.G]

I have the 35f2 Summicron-ASPH and the 35f1.2 Nokton Aspherical prior to purchasing a 35f2.8 Summaron. I also used a 35f2 Summicron v4. Immediately after I developed the first roll with the Summaron, I knew it was something special. The tones were so rich and smooth, the images were sharp from corner-to-corner but without that clinical, contrasty look. I absolutely love this lens. I now have two of them!

The Summaron f/2.8 is one of the highest resolving lenses that Leica has ever made. In the LHSA Viewfinder Vol 37 #4, Seth Rosner, has one tested on an optical bench alongside its contemporary v1 Summicron and the later v4 Summicron for his article "The 35mm f/2.8 Summaron: Legendary Lens?". Attached are the numbers from that article. For LHSA members, I believe that the issue is available for download on the LHSA site in PDF format.

Thanks Nando! Very insightful information, indeed. I came across somewhere in this forum about the resolving power of summicron DR before. To satisfy my curiosity, do you know how the summaron compares to DR in terms of resolving power?

 

[cfc247]

wow, i'm glad i bought this lens before this thread inflates the used market prices!

like turtle, my problem with f1.4 lenses is the thin DOF. i would much rather work with a f2.8 lens at higher ASA/ISO. so far i have tamed the M8 at ISO640 cap. with the summaron 2.8, i'll see how far i could push it.

its strange that vicent's photos were so different than the "many" that i saw on flickr and pbase. its hard to believe that its haze or a lack of coating, since i rarely found a deviant look to the images posted.

in any case, i'm looking forward to seeing what this lens can do when i receive it next week. i'm very appreciate to the many who have contributed to this thread--thank you. hopefully i'll be able to post an image or two once i have received the lens.

 

[nksyoon]

I had my goggled Summaron 35/2.8 cleaned recently, here are some samples on an M9:

Even before cleaning I found it to be very sharp with decent contrast, except when pointing into the sun.

 

[Nando]

wow, this is an interesting finding. If that is true, Summaron is going to be one of the lenses I will obtain in the future...Is there a link for the complete article??

I don't want to get in trouble with the LHSA especially when a raffle for an M9 is going on. When I joined the LHSA, I got access to all the issues of their Viewfinder magazine in PDF format. There is a wealth of knowledge there.

Thanks Nando! Very insightful information, indeed. I came across somewhere in this forum about the resolving power of summicron DR before. To satisfy my curiosity, do you know how the summaron compares to DR in terms of resolving power?

In the article Seth Rosler suggests a future test with the DR Summicron is in order but I don't think it ever materialized. I have a DR Summicron too and its a great lens. I never did any tests myself. I usually shoot Tri-X, which isn't a very high resolving film but I do have some Adox CMS-20 in the freezer. Perhaps someday.

wow, i'm glad i bought this lens before this thread inflates the used market prices!.

I take it all back. The Summaron stinks! And the only lens that stinks more is 21f3.4 Super-Angulon! 😀

 

[cfc247]

I take it all back. The Summaron stinks! And the only lens that stinks more is 21f3.4 Super-Angulon! 😀

Speaking of the 21 SA 3.4, do you know how it compares to the 21 Elmarit pre asph? Does it meter on the M8?

 

[cfc247]

Nick, thanks for posting these. These look quite different from what I have seen so far, not that they bother me. While sharper and a bit more contrasty than what I have seen online, the colors and tonal gradations are still pleasing. I still like how the sharp and smooth blend in the photos, and does not have as much edge or bite to it as some of the other modern lenses. Were these Jpegs or RAW?

I had my goggled Summaron 35/2.8 cleaned recently, here are some samples on an M9:

Even before cleaning I found it to be very sharp with decent contrast, except when pointing into the sun.

 

[nksyoon]

They were shot as DNG.

 

[Nando]

Speaking of the 21 SA 3.4, do you know how it compares to the 21 Elmarit pre asph? Does it meter on the M8?

The 21f3.4 SA gives a unique look. Search out photos online. I'm not sure how it operates on the M8 as I don't have that camera. I think the prices for the 21f3.4 are too high right now.

 

[Nando]

Some photos from the Summaron f2.8

f/2.8, Kodak BW400CN


f/?, Kodak Tri-X at 1600 ISO

 

[Vincent.G]

wow, i'm glad i bought this lens before this thread inflates the used market prices!

like turtle, my problem with f1.4 lenses is the thin DOF. i would much rather work with a f2.8 lens at higher ASA/ISO. so far i have tamed the M8 at ISO640 cap. with the summaron 2.8, i'll see how far i could push it.

its strange that vicent's photos were so different than the "many" that i saw on flickr and pbase. its hard to believe that its haze or a lack of coating, since i rarely found a deviant look to the images posted.

in any case, i'm looking forward to seeing what this lens can do when i receive it next week. i'm very appreciate to the many who have contributed to this thread--thank you. hopefully i'll be able to post an image or two once i have received the lens.

Hi, I am not sure what difference you are referring to. I would love to hear your views. I think the type of film/developing process/scanning process all are factors into consideration too.

 

[hendriphile]

I had my goggled Summaron 35/2.8 cleaned recently, here are some samples on an M9:

Even before cleaning I found it to be very sharp with decent contrast, except when pointing into the sun.

Just had to bump this. The M9 has a reputation for color being an issue, but this image has such a pleasing tonality... just a very inviting, "you are there" rendering.