I’ve been looking into purchasing a 35mm lens and have been aiming towards the area of summicron lens, but what type? Could anyone tell me what distinguishes the M and R lenses together?
Question? What distinguishes a Summicron M from the other types of Summicrons?
-
A
- Thread starter Joshuaville Molina
- Start date
Recent Classifieds
-
For Trade 9 Leica IXMOO reloadable cans.
- Started by Gram Nylén
-
Sold Olympus XA
- Started by RoboRepublic
-
For Sale Mint Nikon AI-s Lenses
- Started by Barlow
-
For Sale Mint Nikon AF Lenses
- Started by Barlow
Forum statistics
M mounts on an M series - rangefinder - camera.
R mounts on an R series - single lens reflex - camera.
What do you propose to mount it on?
R mounts on an R series - single lens reflex - camera.
What do you propose to mount it on?
Rangefinder cameras and SLR's use different lens mounts .
L39 screw in lenses and M mount lenses are for rangefinders , and the R mount is for SLRs .
Make sure you get what fits your camera , what body is the lens going on ?
L39 screw in lenses and M mount lenses are for rangefinders , and the R mount is for SLRs .
Make sure you get what fits your camera , what body is the lens going on ?
I just purchased my Leica M6, and having trouble finding a perfect 35mm for it. Would you mind listing some? I’m a beginner have mercy on me
Apart from Leica, Voigtlander and Carl Zeiss have to be considered if you are looking for a 35mm lens. They are usually very good and less expensive than Leica. The other point to consider is the max aperture you want and it highly depends on your style. Keep in mind that lenses with big aperture sometimes partially block the viewfinder.
Thank you for all the feed back and for being super nice! This has narrowed down my options more. Feel free to post more options and tips for me
I'm not that familiar with Leica , most of my rangefinder cameras are either Russian or Japanese , so I wouldn't like to make any suggestions .
We have a sub-forum dedicated to rangefinder cameras here , so it might be best to ask there .
A quick search came up with this ; https://www.photrio.com/forum/search/14825905/?q=summicron&o=date&c[node]=76
As noted above , don't just look at Leica , you could miss out on some very nice lenses .
Just as a reference for you,
All Summicrons are f2
Others like Elmarit/Elmarit-M/Elmarit-C/Tele-Elmarit are f2.8
Summilux are f1.4
Elmar/Elmar-M are an odd one the early ones were f3.5 and later f2.8
There were also Elmar and an Elmar-C f4 that were short teles.
The list goes on but unless you find yourself becoming addicted to the sometimes arcane world of Leica don't sweat it.
All Summicrons are f2
Others like Elmarit/Elmarit-M/Elmarit-C/Tele-Elmarit are f2.8
Summilux are f1.4
Elmar/Elmar-M are an odd one the early ones were f3.5 and later f2.8
There were also Elmar and an Elmar-C f4 that were short teles.
The list goes on but unless you find yourself becoming addicted to the sometimes arcane world of Leica don't sweat it.
Your M6 will work with Leica M, Voigtlander VM, Konica M or Zeiss ZM lenses. Sometimes they are all referred to as Leica M mount. You can get some interesting choices beyond Leica, for example Voigtlander makes a 35/1.2.
You do *not* want a L39 lens, nor a Leica R lens or any other type, they just won't fit.
You do *not* want a L39 lens, nor a Leica R lens or any other type, they just won't fit.
Not long ago I bought this 35/2 for my M6. It's said to be the 7-element "version IV', made from 1979-1996:
If you need a "budget" lens, the Jupiter 12's can be quite nice, they are thread mount lenses, so you need a LTM-M adapter. Most of the ebay listings for them are in Russia, but there are usually some U.S. sellers offering them. Jupiter 12's are 35mm f/2.8 and are a WW II era Zeiss design. Lots of info on them here and on Rangefinder forum. Note also that they won't mount on all cameras because the rear element protrudes deeply into the body. In particular M5's and CL's (as I recall) cannot use them. I've used one on an M4-2 and an M8, and they are known to work on M6's.
Very old Canon 35mm f 3.5 lenses are a cheap option, and certainly higher quality than those Russian things. You need an LTM (leica screw mount) to m adaptor specific to 35mm lenses of course, but those are cheap too.
L39 (39mm screwmount) lenses will mount on an M series Leica with the appropriate adapter.
When I was shopping for a 35mm lens for my M6, I considered the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux and the 35mm f/2 Summicron. I also considered the 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon. I selected the Distagon (lens on left).
M6 Rangefinder by Narsuitus, on Flickr
Thank you so much for the reply, would you mind sharing some photos? Also I’ve been heavily looking at the summilux but it seems way too much out of my budget so the distagon might have to doWhen I was shopping for a 35mm lens for my M6, I considered the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux and the 35mm f/2 Summicron. I also considered the 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon. I selected the Distagon (lens on left).
M6 Rangefinder by Narsuitus, on Flickr
I should mention that the advantage of this lens is that it is the most compact of the 35mm Summicron lenses - it does not intrude into the viewfinder.
Amazing, I’ve been hearing that some lens block the viewfinder too so I want to make sure I make the right choice finding the right one. How much did those lens run you??
The "period correct" companion to your M6 would be the Summicron-M mk IV already shown above by Theo Sulphate. It is sought after and not cheap (prices starting from 1,000 EUR where I live).
The best budget option for a fast 35mm lens is the Canon 35mm f2. It can be had for around 300 EUR plus cost of an screwmount to M adapter (around 30 EUR for a quality one). It is a very good lens (sharpness comparable to mk II or III Summicron) and even more compact and lightweight than the Summicron mk IV. It's drawback is the close focus limitation of ca 1 meter. Another option in this budget range is the Voigtländer Skopar 35mm. It is sharp and focuses down to 0.7m, but it is almost a full stop slower than the Canon.
The best budget option for a fast 35mm lens is the Canon 35mm f2. It can be had for around 300 EUR plus cost of an screwmount to M adapter (around 30 EUR for a quality one). It is a very good lens (sharpness comparable to mk II or III Summicron) and even more compact and lightweight than the Summicron mk IV. It's drawback is the close focus limitation of ca 1 meter. Another option in this budget range is the Voigtländer Skopar 35mm. It is sharp and focuses down to 0.7m, but it is almost a full stop slower than the Canon.
- Joined
- May 31, 2004
- Messages
- 122
- Format
- Multi Format
Hi Joshua,
I was attracted to Leica glass due to the considerable expense and inconvenience which only Leica provides.
Of the M and LTM systems, the LTM is the favoured 39mm mount of the original Leica I, II, III series, with their a,b,c...f..g denotation. With your M6, you can go back in time and use these historical, vintage, characteristic earlier generation Leica lenses, never created in the M mount. Your M6 allows the freedom to choose LTM (with a corresponding M mount adapter) on your M6 and switch with M mount lenses.
Perhaps if you have some ideas about what your ideal image characteristics are, this would focus your thinking?
The 35mm Summaron f2.8 in its various generations is a very colourful and sprightly lens, perhaps still of that rarefied collector class, rather than photographer's class. It's a unique lens and worthy of any photographer but not at the current inflation due to collector status. Perhaps it's not the first 35mm lens to try out. Mine suffered from opaque lenticular aberrations which rendered it useless due to ageing - always a challenge with finding a useful vintage lens, not headed for the collector' market. I parted ways with my Summicron 35mm f2.0 Asph LTM mount lens some years ago: to say it was clinical is an understatement: I found it antiseptic and digital in its rendition. The myth of the Leica glow, related to photographer' error in overexposure and printing blown highlights makes it tempting for a newcomer to marvel over these lenses.... mine went to a photographer-collector, rather than a photographer looking for a lens just to get working. I've never seen one since and haven't missed it, till this thread made me recollect in nostalgia - which is never what it used to be.
Of the sense making vintage lenses, the 35mm from Canon and Nikon (rarer in LTM mount) work fine if you have the patience to find one in good vintage condition.
If size, weight and viewfinder blockage doesn't deter, the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2 Nokton is a very interesting lens - perhaps the only lens you would really ever need. It does defy the size of a small rangefinder, although benefits from the handsome Inspector Gadget matching external 35mm viewfinder. On the other hand...their handy little 35mm f2.5 Pancake Skopar a great step just to get moving at a low expense [and retain the 35mm framelines for whole frame viewing]. I still have kept my LTM version - it's just too handy and convenient to part with and its imaging qualities are very serviceable for Leica standards.
The Zeiss offerings of the f1.4 Distagon and the f2.8 Biogon remain my favourites for their contrast and rendering. The 35mm f1.4 Distagon remains fairly large in size, although the smaller vintage derived Biogon 35mm f2.8 design, remains effectively the same as its generational predecessor, with modern T* coating. I've returned to the post-war Zeiss Opton Biogon 35mm f2.8 (also coated, however not T*) - it's very unusual to find this in a LTM mount so I've switched back to the pre-war Contax and left the Leica M6 on the shelf ....
On the subject of Zeiss glass for a Leica M6, the 50mm f1.5 ZM Sonnar is a superb contemporary lens on a 1929 lens design (after Bertele) - definitely not as general purpose as a 35mm lens, although worth researching if you're after another M6 lens.
Enjoy shooting.
Kind regards,
RJ
I was attracted to Leica glass due to the considerable expense and inconvenience which only Leica provides.
Of the M and LTM systems, the LTM is the favoured 39mm mount of the original Leica I, II, III series, with their a,b,c...f..g denotation. With your M6, you can go back in time and use these historical, vintage, characteristic earlier generation Leica lenses, never created in the M mount. Your M6 allows the freedom to choose LTM (with a corresponding M mount adapter) on your M6 and switch with M mount lenses.
Perhaps if you have some ideas about what your ideal image characteristics are, this would focus your thinking?
The 35mm Summaron f2.8 in its various generations is a very colourful and sprightly lens, perhaps still of that rarefied collector class, rather than photographer's class. It's a unique lens and worthy of any photographer but not at the current inflation due to collector status. Perhaps it's not the first 35mm lens to try out. Mine suffered from opaque lenticular aberrations which rendered it useless due to ageing - always a challenge with finding a useful vintage lens, not headed for the collector' market. I parted ways with my Summicron 35mm f2.0 Asph LTM mount lens some years ago: to say it was clinical is an understatement: I found it antiseptic and digital in its rendition. The myth of the Leica glow, related to photographer' error in overexposure and printing blown highlights makes it tempting for a newcomer to marvel over these lenses.... mine went to a photographer-collector, rather than a photographer looking for a lens just to get working. I've never seen one since and haven't missed it, till this thread made me recollect in nostalgia - which is never what it used to be.
Of the sense making vintage lenses, the 35mm from Canon and Nikon (rarer in LTM mount) work fine if you have the patience to find one in good vintage condition.
If size, weight and viewfinder blockage doesn't deter, the Voigtlander 35mm f1.2 Nokton is a very interesting lens - perhaps the only lens you would really ever need. It does defy the size of a small rangefinder, although benefits from the handsome Inspector Gadget matching external 35mm viewfinder. On the other hand...their handy little 35mm f2.5 Pancake Skopar a great step just to get moving at a low expense [and retain the 35mm framelines for whole frame viewing]. I still have kept my LTM version - it's just too handy and convenient to part with and its imaging qualities are very serviceable for Leica standards.
The Zeiss offerings of the f1.4 Distagon and the f2.8 Biogon remain my favourites for their contrast and rendering. The 35mm f1.4 Distagon remains fairly large in size, although the smaller vintage derived Biogon 35mm f2.8 design, remains effectively the same as its generational predecessor, with modern T* coating. I've returned to the post-war Zeiss Opton Biogon 35mm f2.8 (also coated, however not T*) - it's very unusual to find this in a LTM mount so I've switched back to the pre-war Contax and left the Leica M6 on the shelf ....
On the subject of Zeiss glass for a Leica M6, the 50mm f1.5 ZM Sonnar is a superb contemporary lens on a 1929 lens design (after Bertele) - definitely not as general purpose as a 35mm lens, although worth researching if you're after another M6 lens.
Enjoy shooting.
Kind regards,
RJ
Last edited:
That lens was $1600. It is quick and smooth to focus; a perfect lens for street photos.
I've got a Summaron 3.5, I shot a test roll with it mounted to a Zorki and was surprised how sharp the photos were. I got the Summaron for 200$ and a cheap m mount adapter for my m3 for 15$.
I recommend to check if Summarit-M 35 is within budget. New or used.
Crons and Luxes in same price range are going to be old, in condition.
Haze and old lubricants are not uncommon in those.
Here is also 7 artisans new 35 f2 approaching, very affordable.
And Color Skopar M 35 2.5.
All three lenses are build like RF lenses, not as huge and slightly awkward as Zeiss. But even they have cute 28 2.8 ZM. Not so expensive, but very nice lens.
Crons and Luxes in same price range are going to be old, in condition.
Haze and old lubricants are not uncommon in those.
Here is also 7 artisans new 35 f2 approaching, very affordable.
And Color Skopar M 35 2.5.
All three lenses are build like RF lenses, not as huge and slightly awkward as Zeiss. But even they have cute 28 2.8 ZM. Not so expensive, but very nice lens.
Thank you all for being so kind to me sharing your personal experiences with lenses. You’ve been a lot of help!!
I recently bought a Zeiss (Cosina made ) Biogon 35mm f2.8 $915 USD. Very compact light, skip the 84 dollar lens hood, (seriously? ?) I found a similar lens hood on Ebay ,new Chinese for 8 bucks delivered. Has lovely T☆ coatings . Still the prices are crazy for the latest M lenses. A older screw mount with a bayonet adapter might be a great place to start. I have a M6ttl ,love the camera, the new Leica lenses are out of my budget . Hard to justify 3 to 6 grand on a very simple lens. I do have a like new 6 bit chrome 50mm Summicron f2. I paid 1800 USD used mint ,it's as nice as it gets .
| Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here. |
PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:  |