Have you ever wondered which 35mm Summicron is right for you? For many, it has always been the newest version. But for some, that might not be the case, for various reasons. The reality is, Leica has made five versions of the venerable 35 Cron, that there really isn't a necessity to get the latest one. To prove this point, I've decided to do a simple test comparing all five versions at once. And in case you're not aware what those lenses are, it's the following:.Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron Version I (1958 - 1969).Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron Version II + III (1969 - 1979).Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron Version IV (1979 - 1996).Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH I (Version V 1996 - 2015).Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron ASPH II (Version VI 2015 - present)For the test, I wanted to do something a little different.
I have always felt that 35mm was the optimal focal length for doing group shots. So for this comparison, I asked Anna to enlist two friends to give us a hand.For longtime readers of this blog, you're wondering if I've turned my back against the 28mm focal length? I still prefer it. But the 35mm focal length has some advantages too.
For one thing, 35mm has less distortion than 28mm near the edges and corners - since it's not as wide. As such, it is easier to use for most, when capturing a group shot. This is not to say that there is no distortion. You still have to be mindful of it.
But the difference is the distortion at 35mm is easier to manage in composition. Set 1 - ISO 1600, f/8. I should also mention during the course of shooting, I suddenly remembered I had brought along the three lenses from my previous article.Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux Pre-Asph (Version I).Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux (Version II).Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux ASPH II (Version IV)Then a thought occurred to me. What if I compared not just the five 35 Crons, but also included three of the four 35 Luxes? Since it was here already, it only made sense to expand the comparison.In doing so, I decided to redo the wide open shot comparison again at f/2.
In addition, I also included a wide open shot comparison at f/1.4 for the three 35 Luxes. I thought it would be interesting to see what an extra stop of speed can do. And since I will be shooting at f/1.4, I decided to shoot closer, for more bokeh. But since I'm doing a group shot, I decided against shooting at the minimum focusing distance, since it would have reduced the depth of field. Set 3 - Wide Open - ISO 400, f/1.4 (at 1.5 meters).
MODEL / INTRODUCEDPrice Range (Exc Cond)NOTESCollapsible Summicron-M: 1953-56$ 475-700The Collapsible Summicron lens began life as a screw mount lens and was later made for the M mount cameras. Serial #'s for the screw mount started at 920,000 and ran into the M mount serial #'s, about 1,112,000. The screw mount and M mount lenses are identical in performance. The Collapsible Summicron ( SM & M ) have very similar performance to the Leica Summitar lens at wide apertures, slightly better stopped down.
7 elements in 4 groups. Lens has low to medium contrast, and prone to flare. Vignetting 1.5 stops. Close focus to 1 meter.
M mount serial #'s ran from about 1,112,000-1,709,000. 113,300 made (SM&M).
E39 Filter.Rigid Summicron-M: 1957-68$ 600-1,000Lens shows good improvement over previous 'cron in both higher resolution and contrast. 7 elements in 4 groups. Flare and secondary reflections are reported with this lens ( Leica 'glow'?). Well regarded for its 'out-of-focus' or 'bokeh' characteristics. At F 5.6, performance is very high.
Vignetting 1.6 stops. Prone to fogging and cleaning marks. Close focus to 1 meter. Serial #'s 1,400,001-2,358,300.
119,500 made ( includes this version and Dual Range ). E39 filter.Dual Range Summicron-M: 1957-68$ 650-1,000 (w/eyes)Optically identical to the Rigid, however, this model focuses as close as 48cm utilizing a set of 'eyes' which aid the M3 camera in focusing this lens with rangefinder coupling.
Without the 'eyes' attached, the lens will work fine in the normal, 1 meter to infinity range on almost all Leica M mount cameras. Prone to fogging and cleaning marks. Both this lens and the Rigid are considered by most, to represent the pinnacle of Leica's manufacturing quality. Vignetting 1.6 stops. Serial #'s 1,400,001-2,358,300.
119,500 made ( includes this version and Rigid ). E39 Filter.Summicron-M, 'Third Version': 1969-79$ 900-1,400Many refer to this model as the Summicron Third version ( or sometimes as Rigid II ). Change to a six element design in 5 groups.
Summicron 50mm F2 Serial Numbers For Sale
The design emphasis on this lens was for higher contrast with slightly less resolution. This was the opposite of the previous versions. Vignetting 1.8 stops. This lens is the least popular of all the versions, but for probably no good reason. Since the later version provides performance improvements, and the previous versions feature medium contrast and high resolution ( ideal for B&W shooters ), this version is the 'odd man out' of Summicrons.
Close focus to.7 meter. Serial #'s 2,269,251-2,915,800. E39 Filter.Summicron-M, 'Fourth Version': 1979-current$ 1,400-1,975Current lens sold by leica today.
Contrast and resolution similiar to the third version, except performance is better to the edges and flare has been reduced. Close up performance is also improved. Six elements in 4 groups. Vignetting 1.9 stops. Since 1979, the optical deisgn has remained the same, but the barrel has seen a few variations such as a focusing tab. Other variations include black finish, chrome finish, titanium finish and even a limited platinum finish.
Summicron 50mm F2 Serial Numbers Lookup
The latest variation of this model features a built-in lenshood ( from 1994-on ). Close focus to.7 meter. Serial #'s 2,909101-3,xxx,xxx.