I'm a 50 mm shooter and always been. So I've the LUX 50 as my main lens, but on second place I've a Summarit 90/2.5, which is awesome for portraits, concerts and street too. It's sharp, light weight and has the same filter diameter as the LUX50 and my Elmar-M 24/3.8. With three M-lenses and two M bodies, I'm fully equipped for my job as press photographer. Keep on rolling.
Tested the Summarit 35mm, modern rendering, very sharp wide open, especially the far outer edge. Probably one of the best modern 35mm lens for that money. However, the area between the outer edge and the center is not as sharp as the Canon nFD 35mm f2, which in turn has noticably less contrast and more of a vintage look.
I have the summarit 35 f2.4. It is so light and the focus tab is very smooth to use (much more so than 8-element). I think the color rendition is close to 7-element
@@britt5126 unfortunately I haven’t really compared them side by side on film so it’s difficult to tell. Voigtlander offers 3-4 completely different versions of 35mm lenses not sure which one you’re referring to.
@@JimmyCheng I'm looking at the Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm f/1.4 II MC for an M6. I think the Summarit, Summilux, or Summicron is possibly overkill for film.
@@britt5126 they’re not overkill actually. You will still be able to tell the difference if you shoot relatively fine grain films. But Voigtlander also have high quality glasses that competes well with Summicron, like the ultron f2.
HI Jimmy, Thanks for the comparison video! I have the opportunity of picking a summarit 2.5 or a summicron v4. Which one would be your preference? Thanks!
@@Robopanda-i5c ah gotcha. Honestly I would go for the v4, it’s probably my fav Summicron 50. Small, lightweight, with tab, classic Mandler rendering. What more could you ask for? So yes the v4 for sure (if it’s mechanical and optically sound)
IMO Leica users generally overlook the Summarits for their highlight rendering especially when used against strong lightning, it looks like the flare is not well corrected. My little experiences of the older 40mm f2.4 and the 5cm f1.5 tell me that the Summarits do render different from the Summicron. The Summicron is a allrounder under all lighting conditions, good colour seperation, however, the Summarit's mid-highlight and mid-shadows rendering give its signature uniqueness, they shine in B&W photos, it takes some practices to bring out their full potentials.
Hi Jimmy, great video! Which one would you recommend between the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 and the Summarit 35mm f/2.5? I already own a Summarit 50mm f/2.5. Maybe it makes more sense to try a larger aperture with the Voigtlander?
Thank you for this interesting review about these rarely discussed lenses. Your photos look great. On a somewhat related note, I obtained a 35mm Summaron f2.8 lens (with goggles) somewhat inadvertently -- it came as part of a set -- but I am very happy with it as well.
I have only the 35 Summarit and it is my prefered 35. It renders nicely, and better than a Summicron asph. with hires M the close focus is a bit limiting though
@@JimmyCheng I don't know I bought mine in the sale. I have a bit mixed feelings about this lens especially as the aperture ring goes in the oooosite direction
@@JimmyCheng The Light Lens Lab Elcan should be fairly close given it's a replica. Can pick them up in china for about $600. That's where I bought mine.
Great video! I have a 50mm f/2.5 Summarit and love it, especially paired with the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit ASPH to make a 28 / 50 pair.
that's a lovely pair! A delight to shoot with.
Great comparison! The flare resistance is phenomenal on the 35mm Summarit.
Good to see you back in BC. Cheaper Summarits are definitely in play.
I'm a 50 mm shooter and always been. So I've the LUX 50 as my main lens, but on second place I've a Summarit 90/2.5, which is awesome for portraits, concerts and street too. It's sharp, light weight and has the same filter diameter as the LUX50 and my Elmar-M 24/3.8. With three M-lenses and two M bodies, I'm fully equipped for my job as press photographer. Keep on rolling.
I have the 50mm f/2.4 and love it. I have barely touched my 35mm summicron since I picked it up.
Yeah it’s awesome!
Tested the Summarit 35mm, modern rendering, very sharp wide open, especially the far outer edge. Probably one of the best modern 35mm lens for that money. However, the area between the outer edge and the center is not as sharp as the Canon nFD 35mm f2, which in turn has noticably less contrast and more of a vintage look.
i’m lucky enough to to own the 35 and 50 summarits, more than happy, i fit your “who for” description exactly 😂 ✌🏼
I have the summarit 35 f2.4. It is so light and the focus tab is very smooth to use (much more so than 8-element). I think the color rendition is close to 7-element
Thank you for the video, Jimmy. What's your opinion on Leica Summarit or Voigtlander 35mm for film photography?
@@britt5126 unfortunately I haven’t really compared them side by side on film so it’s difficult to tell. Voigtlander offers 3-4 completely different versions of 35mm lenses not sure which one you’re referring to.
@@JimmyCheng I'm looking at the Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm f/1.4 II MC for an M6. I think the Summarit, Summilux, or Summicron is possibly overkill for film.
@@britt5126 they’re not overkill actually. You will still be able to tell the difference if you shoot relatively fine grain films. But Voigtlander also have high quality glasses that competes well with Summicron, like the ultron f2.
HI Jimmy, Thanks for the comparison video! I have the opportunity of picking a summarit 2.5 or a summicron v4. Which one would be your preference? Thanks!
@@Robopanda-i5c depending on the price. The v4 in good condition should cost at least twice as much.
@@JimmyCheng Sorry I should have clarified for 50mm. The price difference is about 20%.
@@Robopanda-i5c ah gotcha. Honestly I would go for the v4, it’s probably my fav Summicron 50. Small, lightweight, with tab, classic Mandler rendering. What more could you ask for? So yes the v4 for sure (if it’s mechanical and optically sound)
@@JimmyCheng Thanks for your insight Jimmy, I ended up pulling the trigger on the cron and love it so far.
@ congratz
IMO Leica users generally overlook the Summarits for their highlight rendering especially when used against strong lightning, it looks like the flare is not well corrected. My little experiences of the older 40mm f2.4 and the 5cm f1.5 tell me that the Summarits do render different from the Summicron. The Summicron is a allrounder under all lighting conditions, good colour seperation, however, the Summarit's mid-highlight and mid-shadows rendering give its signature uniqueness, they shine in B&W photos, it takes some practices to bring out their full potentials.
The 28 mm Summarit is still in production. It is light and small on a M for street photography
Love that lens! I’ve reviewed it on my channel as well🎉
Hi Jimmy, great video! Which one would you recommend between the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 and the Summarit 35mm f/2.5? I already own a Summarit 50mm f/2.5. Maybe it makes more sense to try a larger aperture with the Voigtlander?
Well they are quite different lenses to be honest. I would say try the Voigtlander and see if you need f1.5.
Thank you for this interesting review about these rarely discussed lenses. Your photos look great. On a somewhat related note, I obtained a 35mm Summaron f2.8 lens (with goggles) somewhat inadvertently -- it came as part of a set -- but I am very happy with it as well.
Yes, the 35 mm Summaron f/2.8 is a high quality lens.
I love that lens, well built, compact and very sharp in the center
Very nice video
I have only the 35 Summarit and it is my prefered 35. It renders nicely, and better than a Summicron asph. with hires M the close focus is a bit limiting though
Yeah I forgot to mention in the video the 2.5 version only goes to 0.8 meters.
Another solid video.
Much appreciated
I have a 35mm F2.5 Color- Skopar Voigtlander for street photography, Now I want to own a Leica Summarit 35mm? Do you think it is good
choice?
it’s a fantastic choice for street. It’s light and small, and the maximum aperture doesn’t matter much.
I would be interested to compare the 50 to the lll-elcan
Don’t have that lens unfortunately. Isn’t it a collectors item now?
@@JimmyCheng I don't know I bought mine in the sale. I have a bit mixed feelings about this lens especially as the aperture ring goes in the oooosite direction
@@JimmyCheng The Light Lens Lab Elcan should be fairly close given it's a replica. Can pick them up in china for about $600. That's where I bought mine.
I feel that their Summarit glasses are sharp and modern but otherwise souless and no character.
It’s called neutral haha
I have the 70 and 90 Summarits and love them. Could it be that these lenses were too good for the price and therefore discontinued?
Haha I was told they don’t sell as well.
Yes, but You can use those summarit's lenses only on Leica m10 and bellow, not on M11 with 60mp.
Why is that?
@@JimmyCheng cause old lens will not resolve a new sensor of m11