Trading 35mm summilux pre-asph for summicron?

[michaelwj]

I've been solely using a 35mm summilux pre-asph for over a year now, and really enjoy almost everything about it. Except the minimum focus distance. More and more I'm finding the MFD more limiting than the wide aperture is useful.

So what are your thoughts? MFD or f/1.4?

And which 35mm summicron should I aim for as a straight swap?

 

[Rob-F]

If you need the improved MFD, I'd say go ahead and swap for a Summicron. But which one to swap for depends, at least in part, on whether you want to prioritize atmosphere/character or sharpness. For sharpness, the ASPH Summicron comes close to the small size of the Summilux (although the latter is smaller). The version IV Summicron is smaller than the ASPH, still not as compact as the Pre-Lux; and if you felt the Pre-Lux was sharp enough, the version IV will be too. As to versions 2 or 3, I do not own them (I have all the others mentioned). I think it is possible that your Summilux may have higher resolution than version 2 and 3. But I would expect 2 and 3 to be a bit higher in contrast, which helps give an impression of sharpness.

In your position I think I would feel I took a step backwards to trade the Lux for a 2 or 3. I would go with ASPH for sharpness; or version 4 as a "happy medium" between resolution and atmosphere. They both go to 0.7M.

 

[Chromacomaphoto]

I can understand where you are coming from. I found the MFD a little annoying at times also but I was too much of a fanboy of the glow/coma/flare (special effects) of the pre asph wide open on B and W film to ever swap it for a cron. I did get a Summaron (M2 ver) to assist in the MFD regard though, that was much better at around 0.7 meters I think, maybe the goggled ones go even closer? Obviously this wasn't always ideal in low light. I found having both in the end to be a workable solution when I was shooting Leica M.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Maddoc has 400$ 35 2.8 with .65 MFD, here at RFF. And it will give a ride to any Cron on BW. IMO.

 

[raid]

I have both. Why not get a Summicron and keep the Lux?

 

[mdarnton]

I have a v3 Summicron. It is amazingly good wide open, certainly much better than the goggled Summilux I once had a long time ago. I don't feel cheated for not having it but I do miss the extra stop.

 

[michaelwj]

@Rob-F, thanks for the response, I might look into the v4. Interesting thoughts about the v2/3 - are they the same formula?If I had it my way I'd get a v1 in black. But I ain't going to spend that kind of money!

@Chromacomaphoto, having both is not really an option - I could never decide which to take! And I love the look of the summilux pre-asph shots, if it went closer it'd be perfect! It is a special lens. If I was a two lens person I'd buy a CV 35/1.7 and keep the summilux for most of my shots. But I'm not.

@Ko.Fe, except at f/2! 0.65 is problematic as I'd be flying blind from 0.7m, also not interested in goggled lenses. You bring up an interesting point though regarding image quality, I feel they're all good enough and I know that I'm the weak link in the system!

@raid, 2 reasons. First is $ - I'd prefer to not have money (that I don't really have) tied up in lenses. I have a young family and collecting lenses (as much as it'd be fun) isn't high on my priority list. The second reason is I'm a one lens kinda person. I like the simplicity of just picking up my camera and going, no deciding. If I had both I'd forever be wishing I'd taken the other one.

@mdarnton, interesting. You don't always hear good things about the v3. know I'll miss the extra stop, but at the moment I miss the MFD more...

 

[Richard G]

I wouldn't let the Summilux go. Never had one. Always wanted one. What about a 50 to solve the MFD?

 

[sanmich]

if your MFD issues are mostly outdoors, keep your lux and add a skopar?

 

[michaelwj]

@Richard G, I have also been thinking about a 50mm, but I'm really a 35mm person. You should get a pre-asph summilux! Do you have a 35mm summicron you're not using...

@sanmich, unfortunately it's the other way around. 🙁

 

[Richard G]

@Richard G, I have also been thinking about a 50mm, but I'm really a 35mm person. You should get a pre-asph summilux! Do you have a 35mm summicron you're not using...

@sanmich, unfortunately it's the other way around. 🙁

I find the version 4 Summicron a little too refined, but I took my favourite shots of my children with it, and it's so compact and I can't let it go. The only thing I gave up was my M4-2 and I sort of miss that.

 

[snot]

I understand your feelings towards MFD & f/1.4. My 50 'Lux's MFD is 1m, however being a 50mm, I feel like that is more than close. 35mm at 1m can feel far away.

If going after MFD, I'd recommend a V3 35 'Cron. 0.7m, plus is has a longer focus throw than a V4, which I find is very nice for up-close precision.

 

[lawrence]

I had a pre-Lux and the V4. Decided I needed only one of them and kept the V4. This is generally a well behaved lens although there is some vignetting and field curvature wide open, it's also extremely compact and light. Personally I find it a nice compromise between the pre-Lux and the ASPH.

 

[F456]

Not an answer to your minimum focus question. But I'd advise against parting with the Summilux. It not only has a special character at f/1.4, but also it is every bit as sharp as, some say sharper than the Summicron from about f/2.8 onwards. I had one, sold it, and have always regretted it.. Recently I bought one again and though 20 years older than the original copy it has the same image quality and magic.

Have both as suggested; at least weight and size won't be an inconvenience!

Incidentally the front ring of the v4 Summicron can come loose and if it isn't fixed correctly it can sit skew, which looks maddening with the rectangular hood. This happened to me when I replaced my Summilux with a Summicron; I was photographing in Italy and it felt as though the front of the lens was going to come apart. Another reason for keeping the Summilux, though I suspect the modern ASPH Summicrons don't suffer from the loose ring problem.

 

[sepiareverb]

I have really fallen for the V4 summicron. I too find the MFD of the summilux a bit annoying at times, and like that the V4 is so similar in the hand.

There is noticeable distortion in the ASPH (well the first one) if doing architecture.

 

[Richard G]

My prime criterion for lenses is compact. I mostly use f2.8 lenses lately. But the v4 35 Summicron is so compact: that rear element is bulging like a fluid meniscus off the back of the lens. On an M6 or or M9 it is perfect. But I still want a Summilux.....

 

[Fraser]

I have both the pre asph summilux and v4 summicron and the only reason I still have the Summilux is for sentimental reasons always use the V4 in fact just sold my 50 and 90 summicrons as I never used them always the 35 v4. My summilux seems like a good one but still I think it takes it to f4 before its as sharp as the summicon.
good luck

 

[froyd]

Hi Michael, I understand that you want to stay in the Leica family, but have you considered the Nokton? Great ergonomics, super compat, 1.4, 0.7 MFD and good compromise between highcontrast/modern look and smoother BW rendering of older lenses. The biggest knock against it is noticeacle barrel distortion. For the type of photography I do, the distortion does not matter, but it's undeniably there.

I looked for another 35mm lens with all these attributes for under $1500 and I could not find it.

 

[DwF]

I had the Pre-asph Summilux. I'd had an eight element in the early nineties (black) and learning of it's value, sold it to get the then new ASPH and a Pre-asph Summilux. I eventually let the Summilux go. Much later I sold the ASPH 'cron as well. Since that time, I have had 3 version 4 lenses. I really like this lens.

Fast forward 15 or so years- I recently had a Ver3 and my current Ver4. and tested both (on tripod) wide open on an M9 and found them so close it was ridiculous. I ended up selling the Ver3. I really like ver4 and would certainly recommend that or version 3, or the old 8 element for that matter.

For my purposes, the pre-asph 'lux for all it's character didn't compel me to keep it or actively seek out another.

 

[michaelwj]

Thanks for the advice all, lots to think about. In the end although I love the summilux, the MFD is too limiting. I've decided that a summicron is the way forward, as to the version, it's up in the air.

I've placed a FS/FT add on RFF here, so I'll see where it goes.

Exciting times.