Summilux Trade?

Jodorowsky

Well-known
Local time
10:15 AM
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Messages
202
Hi,

This isn't an advert! I'm just doing a bit of sounding out before I take the plunge....

My standard lens on my M8 is a 35mm version IV Summicron. I'd never part with it; it is good in so many situations.

My 'luxury' lens is a 50mm Summilux v3 (? 43mm filter? Black? Serial number starts 315*****).

I absolutely love the way it makes images, and I like having the extra f stop, but I find it slow to focus after using the Summicron and not useful as a walk around lens given it's focal length.

My only other lens is a CV21mm, which is great but rarely gets an outing; if I ever mount it I end up wishing I'd brough along the summicron instead.

What I'd like to do, I think, is to dump the CV and the Lux, and have one other lens- a wider angled lens in the Leica/ Zeiss class. It would need to be wide enough to be noticably different to the 35mm, not too big (smaller than the summilux), and a bit special (like the summilux).

Does anyone have any suggestions, and any idea what a fair swap/ trade might be either in monetary value or physical trade?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, as I definitely need help making up my mind.
 
I think you would have trouble finding the exact swap you want. Perhaps better to sell and buy what you want. There were recent discussions here about a Kobalux 21mm f2.8 . Would that extra stop make it worth finding one? Good Luck, Joe
 
Thanks for that; i'll look into the kobalux. Is it much better than the CV?

I was just thinking, too, and I think I've said this before, about the Summilux 35 Asph (I'm drawn like a fly to honey by this lens, and will own it someday). The reason that I wouldn't let the Summicron go is mainly it's focusing speed and it's size. I've heard that the 35 Summilux is about the same size as the 50 Summilux; that would niggle me a little bit, but is it as quick to focus as the Summicron? I would have to let the Summicron go, but would I regret it?

35mm is good for me as it goes- I mainly like to do documentary/ street, as well as art compostions. I miss not having a wider lens if I'm doing landscape/ architectural photos, but I guess a CV21 isn't really a burden to carry in the pocket.

I'm definitely going to sell the 50 Lux (I think!), the question now is, shall I sell the Summicron too and put the money towards a 35 Lux or a 28 Cron Asph or a 24mm Elmarit.....Aaargh!

Sorry everyone- this is turning into a 'what to buy' thread....

The thing is, there is a good cash back offer in the UK for new lenses which is good until the end of Jan....

Oh dear....
 
24mm Elmarit

24mm Elmarit

Ok- here's the rub-

I sell the 50 Lux and the 35 Cron, and buy a 24mm Elmarit Asph.

What would I gain, and what would I desperately, sadly, miss?
 
I am blessed with Summilux asph in both 50 and 35. Incredible lenses. The 35 Lux is only a 1/4 inch shorter than the 50 (6.3mm). With the budget you seem to have available may I suggest a good used M6. Film shooters would likely all want a new MP but a good used M6 is a great bargain. One more thought, Leica lenses seem to slowly gain in value while the bodys slowly go down in price. Selling your present lenses may be a loss while buying an M6 would expand your the angle of view covered. Who was it said these things need to be solved late at night over a bottle of scotch? Could be. Good Luck. Joe
 
In a sense your neither appreciating the 35 IV Cron nor the 50 summilux because of the crop factor of the M8. On the M8 the 35 metamorphises into a 52mm and your 50 summilux metamorphises to a 75mm lens AND the M8 sensor only uses the very central portion of the image circle. What a waste IMHO.

I like the 35 IV Cron (owned two of them). But the 35mm Summilux more than edges out the Cron IV. The 35 Summilux is sharper and more APO adjusted. The construction is heavy duty.

If you really dont like the 50 Summilux sell it-- plain and simple. In your case Id keep the 35mm IV Cron and add the 24mm pre-asph to your M8 kit. The 24mm pre-asph will match the 35 cron best AND provide the classic 35mm FL view that is the hallmark of Leica RF shooting.
 
In a sense your neither appreciating the 35 IV Cron nor the 50 summilux because of the crop factor of the M8. On the M8 the 35 metamorphises into a 52mm and your 50 summilux metamorphises to a 75mm lens AND the M8 sensor only uses the very central portion of the image circle. What a waste IMHO.

Not true.

MetamorphOses in 46.5 and 66.5mm respectively.
 
I've thought about buying a used M6 (or M3 or M5), but I really want to simplify things, and stick with what I've got.

I think it's a shame about the Summilux and the M8- I'm definitely not getting the best out of that lens with this camera. I've seen a used Elmarit 24 Asph for around $2100 (I never see pre asphs knocking around), and I could go for that if I sold the Summilux. I'm thinking though that the 24 might be a good all rounder in the same way that the 35 more or less is at the moment.

If I buy a 24mm then I suspect that it will stay on my camera, pushing the 35 into the same position that the 50 is at the moment. I'm basically looking for a good all rounder; I'm probably a one lens man!
 
Jodorowsky,

Sometimes you need to play around with some of the other FL to determine which really works for you. On my Leica, Ive tried the 21-25-28-35-50-75-90-135 series. And I finally decided that I preferred the fast 35mm Summilux ASPH and the 50 Summilux (pre-asph or ASPH as my portrait lens). It took a long time to make this "final" determination.
 
Before I got my M8, the 24mm lived on one M6, the 35mm cronIV on the other, 90mm in the bag, and the 50mm lux pre asph resided in the draw.

Now the 24mm lives on the M8, 35mm on M6 [just for tri x] the 50mm lux in the bag. I have recently been using the 75mm cron, love it for close up, in your face portraits and landscapes, this lens is replacing the 50mm in the bag.

However, the 50mm lux [on the M8], is still my favorite indoor/in the shade portrait lens, the d o f is perfect wide open, [not bad for landscape/outdoors, but the 75mm has more reach]. I would never part with it.

You may want to keep the 50mm and just add a 24mm. I have done quite a bit with just these 2 lens on the M8. With this combo I did not find much use for the 35mm cron which is why it stays on the M6 for b/w [and I sold the 90mmcron].
 
If I buy a 24mm then I suspect that it will stay on my camera, pushing the 35 into the same position that the 50 is at the moment. I'm basically looking for a good all rounder; I'm probably a one lens man!

If you really want just one lens, consider the 28 Cron.
 
As soon as you trade to get lenses to match 24x16, they will have a 24x36 sensor and you will be trading back. Add a 28 to what you have and call it done.
 
24mm Elmarit M Asph

24mm Elmarit M Asph

I've bought this one for $1800; it's about one year old and looks brand new. I'm looking forward to using it- feels good to have made the decision. I'll let you all know how it goes, and I'll let you know which one it's going to replace (I'm that confident.....:eek:)
 
no way

no way

big mistake selling the old cron or the lux; these are classics - do it unless you upgrade them to more recent versions. i have them both and will stick with them to the end.
:bang:
regards, Simon
 
I agree. Never, never sell your 35 Cron. I've owned 4 of them over the years. Sold the first (divorce), traded the second and the third went overboard. Bought a CV 35/2.5. Nice lens but it was not the same so I bought my 4th 35 cron (version 4). No other lens compares.

If I were you, I'd keep all your lenses and just add a nice 4th version 28 Elmarit M (unless you like the razor sharp look, then go with the current 28 Elmarit ASPH). The version 4 renders like a 28 cron and is about the same size.

Tom
 
Back
Top Bottom