backup lens for 2nd Leica M2 body

ericdan · Jun 15, 2020

I shoot an M2 with a 35mm summicron 6-element (version 2)
The aperture tab is really nice to use (if you're right handed). I now got a beater M2 body as a backup or to shoot some color film on vacations. I've been looking for a lens for the new body. v2 summicrons seem to be the cheapest.
I've had v4 before and a buddy of mine has a v3. I can't tell much difference if any to be honest. What's the reason for v2 being the cheapest? Any downsides I should be aware of? I saw a few in the $1500 range and I am thinking of just getting the same for the other body.

Thanks

Ko.Fe. · Jun 15, 2020

1500 for old lens is insane. I have new Nokton 35 1.4 II for 600. And after I have seen some old Cron to this lens comparison, I’m even more convinced what spending tremendous amount of money on old Leitz is just waste of money if photography is first.

darkosaric · Jun 15, 2020

For backup lens I would use either Elmar LTM 5cm f3.5, or Industar I-22. They are actually like lens cap when collapsed, perfect for backup lens. If you insist on 35mm - then 35mm f3.5 Elmar is also so small like a lens cap, only much more expensive than 5cm version.

Paul Howell · Jun 15, 2020

Unless you are really attached to the look from a vintage lens, for color, I agree with Ko.Fe a modern lens with modern coatings, in terms of resolution, any lens that can resolve 200 LPMM (Tmax 100) is good enough.

narsuitus · Jun 15, 2020

When I buy a backup lens for a backup body, I try to buy the same lens that I use on my main body. That way, the backup lens and body handle the same as the main lens and body.

darkosaric · Jun 15, 2020

then is better to say that you want active - active configuration, backup body/lens has a different meaning for many. In any case - you gave yourself an answer - get another summicron 35mm type 2, and you will be happy .

EDIT: I see now post above was not from OP, sorry

Huss · Jun 15, 2020

I use the 7A 35mm f2 as a back up/beater lens on my M4-2. Thing is, I am very happy with it, so no longer consider it a back up lens. I got mine used for $200.
(I also have Summicron Asph 35mm, ZM 35 1.4 etc and have no issue with the optical quality of the 7A)

ericdan · Jun 15, 2020

Yes. I’m looking for an active active setup to shoot when my current setup is out for repair or to shoot a roll of color once in a while or to just bring OK trips as a spare.
I’m terms of image quality and value I really like the Zeiss biogon 35mm f2.8 but it has different filter threads. I don’t wanna carry and buy an new set of filters.

darkosaric · Jun 15, 2020

One option is also Color Skopar 35mm f2.5 --> not too expensive, 39mm filters, small.

ColdEye · Jun 15, 2020

Huss said:
I use the 7A 35mm f2 as a back up/beater lens on my M4-2. Thing is, I am very happy with it, so no longer consider it a back up lens. I got mine used for $200.
(I also have Summicron Asph 35mm, ZM 35 1.4 etc and have no issue with the optical quality of the 7A)

Did it focus correctly out of the box? I am considering getting this lens, or my tried and tested 35mm skopar. I dont have a digital rangefinder so it will be hard to test focus if it is correct.

Huss · Jun 17, 2020

ColdEye said:
Did it focus correctly out of the box? I am considering getting this lens, or my tried and tested 35mm skopar. I dont have a digital rangefinder so it will be hard to test focus if it is correct.

It did but all 7A lenses that I have used focus past infinity at the hard stop. It doesn't matter to me as the rf patch shows correct focus. There is a way to adjust for this - you focus to infinity with the rf patch, then loosen the screws holding the focus ring and rotate it (not changing focus) so the hard stop now is in the correct position. This is not the same as adjusting the focus cam on the lens mount.

I mention this for full transparency/clarity so people know. All my 7A lenses do this - 50 1.1 (I like this one so much I have two - silver and black), 35 f2, 28 f1.4. On multiple M bodies. Is it annoying? Not for me because I use the focus patch and for the price nothing touched these lenses. If one of my Leica or Zeiss lenses did this, I'd be unhappy because they cost between 5 to 10 times as much per lens.

Interestingly not a single online reviewer mentions this. Zero of them including the ones that are famous and have pro websites. I wrote to one of them (who also happens to sell the brand) and he mentioned that he was aware of it, but of course never mentioned this in any of his reviews...

I'd buy the lens again. For the $200 I paid for a new/used M mount 35 f2 that is superb optically - definitely.

Here is an example on film (I think ProImage 100) using my M7, with a 1:1 crop showing the detail:

And here is a link to a test I did comparing it to my Summicron 35mm Asph!

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167382

Ko.Fe. · Jun 17, 2020

35/2 from 7A has severe barrel distortions for 35mm f2 lens.

I ditched all M film bodies, except one. LTM Leica is much better backup.

Huss · Jun 17, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
35/2 from 7A has severe barrel distortions for 35mm f2 lens.

M7 w/ 7A 35f2

darkosaric · Jun 17, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
LTM Leica is much better backup.

I use LTM Leica or Olympus 35RC for backup body. Smallest possible bodies without batteries that can give great results.

Ko.Fe. · Jun 17, 2020

Huss said:
M7 w/ 7A 35f2

I guess where are quality variations. I have seen examples from this lens with severe barrel distortions.
https://leicarumors.com/2018/05/27/...ith-the-leica-summicron-m-35mm-f-2-asph.aspx/
https://emulsive.org/reviews/gear-r...-lens-first-production-batch-exclusive-review
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2934626&postcount=5

Huss · Jun 17, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
I guess where are quality variations. I have seen examples from this lens with severe barrel distortions.
https://leicarumors.com/2018/05/27/...ith-the-leica-summicron-m-35mm-f-2-asph.aspx/
https://emulsive.org/reviews/gear-r...-lens-first-production-batch-exclusive-review
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2934626&postcount=5

"Conclusion
I am planning to do some more testing in the future, but I really had a hard time finding any flow in the 7artisans lens or any significant difference in the image quality when comparing it to the Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH lens.

While the previous 7artisans 50mm f/1.1 lens was soft wide open, I cannot really say the same for the new 7artisans 35mm f/2 - the lens is sharp across all apertures.

Keep in mind that we are comparing a $289 lens with a $3,295 lens..."

Ko.Fe. · Jun 17, 2020

Huss said:
"Conclusion
I am planning to do some more testing in the future, but I really had a hard time finding any flow in the 7artisans lens or any significant difference in the image quality when comparing it to the Leica Summicron-M 35mm f/2 ASPH lens.

While the previous 7artisans 50mm f/1.1 lens was soft wide open, I cannot really say the same for the new 7artisans 35mm f/2 - the lens is sharp across all apertures.

Keep in mind that we are comparing a $289 lens with a $3,295 lens..."

I never seen barrel distortions like in the links I have provided with Jupiter-12 lens. And it is under $100 lens.

Huss · Jun 17, 2020

Ko.Fe. said:
I never seen barrel distortions like in the links I have provided with Jupiter-12 lens. And it is under $100 lens.

I also have never seen barrel distortion with my J12.

Instead it has some excellent pincushion distortion:

I hardly ever use the J12 as the 7A is so much better in every way. Including changing the aperture!

Ko.Fe. · Jun 17, 2020

Huss said:
I also have never seen barrel distortion with my J12.

Instead it has some excellent pincushion distortion:

I hardly ever use the J12 as the 7A is so much better in every way. Including changing the aperture!

Well, it is not a secret what J-12 has sever quality fluctuations

mshchem · Jun 17, 2020

ericdan said:
Yes. I’m looking for an active active setup to shoot when my current setup is out for repair or to shoot a roll of color once in a while or to just bring OK trips as a spare.
I’m terms of image quality and value I really like the Zeiss biogon 35mm f2.8 but it has different filter threads. I don’t wanna carry and buy an new set of filters.

That was going to be my suggestion, last Christmas those neat little Biogons were selling new for around 400 bucks.

darkosaric · Jun 18, 2020

One does not buy Leica glass to get 10x better picture quality (because it pays 10x the price). It buys because it can, and it is joy to use. I get similar (often even better) results from cheap Nikkor as from my Leitz lenses, but still I have a lot of Leica bodies and lenses.

ericdan · Jun 18, 2020

The other big benefit of Leica glass is that you can almost always sell it without losing money. cant say the same for Zeiss lenses and certainly not Voigtlander

darkosaric · Jun 18, 2020

True. Every Leica item that I have sold - I sold it with profit, none with loss.

Ko.Fe. · Jun 18, 2020

I feel more incomfortable to overpay for Leica lens. They are not worth of spending so much money on them.

darkosaric · Jun 18, 2020

Most expensive that I paid was 500€ for summicron 50mm type II, same for 50mm type III, but sold them both later with profit. Most expensive Leitz that I have now is Summitar 50mm f2, 350€ in mint condition. Elmar f3.5 I paid 150€, and those are not for sale. This is not too expensive to me, but expensive is relative. I would never pay more than 500€ for a lens, as I am not pro. Most expensive lens that I have now is Nikkor 105 DC f2, and it was under 500.

backup lens for 2nd Leica M2 body

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency