Using vintage lenses is increasingly popular. Photographers are discovering that vintage or unusual optics can give their images a unique look, particularly on today’s high-resolution sensors and that older lenses are often (though not always) less expensive than their modern versions. This is true across platforms, and using lenses on systems other than their native mount is also increasingly common. Mirrorless cameras have made this practice easy and rewarding, particularly with the few full-frame mirrorless models like the various Sony cameras and the Leica SL.
All sorts of lenses can be adapted to the Leica M but unless they are rangefinder coupled, they have to be used in hyper focal mode or via an external EVF on the M240/M-P or M10 models. In other words, there are a relatively limited stable of lenses that are native to Leica rangefinders. There are even fewer actually made by Leica.
Despite the fact that the 35mm, along with the 50mm, is one of the two most commonly used rangefinder focal lengths, far fewer used 35mm lenses are available and at far greater cost than the 50mm. Without much effort, one can find a 50mm f/2 Summicron in good shape for somewhat less than $800. A 35mm Summicron of any generation, in good shape, generally can’t be had for much less than $2,000 and usually a bit more. The Summaron, like almost all Leica lenses, is far from free. With digital Leicas more available and affordable after several generations, people are searching for less expensive alternatives and for lenses with a unique visual signature. Consequently, those vintage lenses are becoming more rare and more expensive. The Summaron is still something of a sleeper but what was readily available a few years ago at around $700-800 is typically found at closer to $900-1,000. This is because the f/2.8 Summaron is an all around outstanding lens with a unique draw but one that is capable of modern use.
What is most important is how this lens functions. There are some lenses that have unique visual signatures but, unless you base your entire style and aesthetic around that style, are essentially special effects lenses. They are good for a certain look but not for general use. That is emphatically not the case with the f/2.8 Summaron. The first time I saw photos from this lens, my immediate reaction was to marvel at how sharp, clean, and crisp they were. I did not expect that from this vintage lens but every time I use the Summaron it continues to impress me with the sharpness and sheer beauty of the manner in which it draws a photo. Its signature is difficult to define. Stopped down it is simply renders a sharp, transparent picture with lovely colors and excellent contrast. Wide open it has a certain evident beauty, a vintage dreaminess that, even still, is sharp at the plane of focus. In certain photos the bokeh, the character of the out-of-focus areas, has an almost fantastical feel to it, as if the clearly rendered foreground were existing in a realm touched by magic.
As with any vintage lens, make sure it is in good shape mechanically, that it is properly calibrated to focus correctly, and that the glass is free of haze and fungus. Given these, the f/2.8 Summaron will give you a reasonably fast lens, at a reasonable price that will give you a unique look and long, professional service. FP
This lens has become my go to on my m10
I love this lens
Hi. Nice review! I am looking into this lens for my M240. I am not if the googles are needed to use this lens or can I use the lens without them. Can you clarify please.
Thanks
Karthik
Hi, Karthik. I own the Summaron with goggles–it came in two versions, one with goggles for the M3 (which doesn’t have 35mm frame lines) and one without (for the M2 and all later Leica Ms, all of which have 35mm frame lines). If the lens was designed to be used with the goggles, you *have* to use them on Leica M cameras, or the rangefinder will not indicate what’s actually in focus. You can use the version without goggles on your M240 with no problem at all, and the goggled version will work fine as well–as long as you leave the goggles *on*.
It is possible to use the goggled version of the Summaron without them–the best way is with an adaptor on a mirrorless camera from another manufacturer (or the Leica SL) where you can use the EVF to focus. You could theoretically use them on a Leica M, but only if you estimate the focusing distance and then use the focusing scale on the lens barrel–as I mentioned above, if you take the goggles off, the rangefinder won’t show the proper focus.
Hi Bernard. Sorry for this apparently dumb question but I haven’t been able to find info about it. Does removing the goggles from the lens affect the calibration in the future? Or you just put them back on and the lens focuses perfectly? What I mean is I hope the calibration doesn’t get permanently affected even when you put the goggles back on. I am asking because I plan to use this lens on my Fuji mirrorless camera and my Leica M3. Thank you.
I have an example which I bought 15 years ago in mint condition. It still is. I was amazed with it using slide film and am still amazed using digital. Even wide open the contrast is wonderful, although a bit soft at the edges. Funny…when I bought from the dealer, he said its typical of an old lens…low contrast! Not for mine it isn’t.
J’ai acheté cet objectif lors d’une rencontre Images en Bretagne près de Rennes à Montgermont non pas au début pour réellement faire des photos avec mon M 240 P mais surtout pour sa beauté, son esthétique. Je le voulais simplement comme outil vintage pour ma modeste collection. Quelques semaines plus tard, il est devenu tout comme un love bird, Nous sommes devenu inséparables. Il tout simplement un must inégalé de mon point de vue. Son piqué est époustouflant, le rendu des couleurs ahurissant et je le préfère au summicron qui fait jouet à coté que je préfère. Leica s’est il au fil des années dérogé à ses règles habituelles de rigueur pour proposer des objectifs de plus en plus chers qu’auparant sans etre réellement meilleurs ? Sans doute concurrence oblige.En tout cas ce summaron au prix ludique est de qualité strastophèrique. Essayer de le dénicher par tout moyen vous en serez satisfait et découvrirez décovirer les vrais objectifs Leitz.
Bonanamon