Would you swop a....

[atufte1@mac.com]

....ok shape Leica Summicron 50/2 (New type, Made in Germany) with a mint 1971 Leica/Leitz Summicron 35/2 (Type 2, made in Canada) it has a really nice bokeh and seem sharp as a needle, but it's old, about 20-25 years older than the 50/2, but i really think the 35 focal lenght fits my needs and the R-D1 better, and i can't afford both right now....i really need some expert tips on this one, like Sean, he seems to know what he's talking about when it comes to lenses...

(It seems they are in the same used pricerange on ebay..?)

Any feedback would be widely appreciated...

Thanks in advance...

Best Regards

Alexander Tufte

 

[saxshooter]

Alexander, if the 50 isn't working for you and you've found a good 35 Summicron (I have a later one which I love) that you're happy with, then do it. Both lenses are widely available and you'd probably be able to do a similar swap or trade down the line.

Good luck.
Charlie

 

[Jim Watts]

Alex,
A little caution is necessary with early 35mm Summicrons when used on the R-D1. My type 3 front focuses by about 3 inches at 1.5 meters as does a friends early type 4. Others have reported the same problem here. See earlier posts on front focus. Both these lenses focus fine on my M4. It doesn't make the lens unusable (its still the lens I use most), but something to be aware of.

 

[saxshooter]

FWIW, my 35 Summicron, which I bought new in 1993 and I believe is the last version before the ASPH, has no focus problems with my RD-1 #45xx and I shoot mostly at closest focus distance, wide open. Regards, Charlie

 

[atufte1@mac.com]

Thanks guys...

I think ill go for the 35/2, it does not seem to neither back or front focus at all, so
that's good, it's strange that some lenses do this and some don't even from the
same production line/year, does not make sense...!!

Best Regards

Alexander Tufte