Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M Aspherical 35mm Primes

Leica 35mm f/2 Summicron-M Aspherical 35mm Primes 

DESCRIPTION

Excellent sharpness, high contrast and a superb resolving power over the entire focusing range are evident at full aperture. With its aperture stopped down modestly to f/4, this versatile lens delivers a maximum of resolving power and contrast. It is all the more impressive because of its virtually perfect absence of distortion. That makes it a world-class lens among fast wide-angle lenses. In spite of its high speed and its superb imaging performance, it is surprisingly small. Every Leica M camera fitted with this lens becomes a highly compact and elegant unit.

  • Aperture range: f/2.0-16
  • Min focus: 0.7 m

  • USER REVIEWS

    Showing 1-10 of 26  
    [Mar 22, 2005]
    92135011
    Intermediate

    Strength:

    sharp lens with great finish (mine is chrome) and heft to match. Focus with one finger!

    Weakness:

    the hood does not have a slot so it blocks off some of the viewfinder

    Bought it used from a forum member at photo.net Besides it being a sharp lens, I also love the tab. At first I thought it was kinda weird, but now I have come to love focusing with one finger.

    Customer Service

    havent used any

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Jan 31, 2005]
    luel
    Expert

    Strength:

    Sharpness. Contrast. Size. Speed. Like no other 35mm prime out there.

    Weakness:

    None (Yes, photo gear is expensive....save up and get over it)

    When having an balanced conversation regarding Leica products the following must be remembered: A)Good things cost money. B)All photographic equipment has an optimum usage style. and C)Comparing apples to oranges never produces anything useful. Now my review....I finally sold my old dodge truck and decided to buy into the "Leica" legend... so I purchased a near mint M6 and 35mm ASPH f2. Optically, nothing I have ever shot with compares with my 35mm Leica lens, and trust me I have plenty to compare with (Nikon, Mamiya, Hasselblad, Canon). Now when I look at slides from my Nikon prime lens all I seem to notice is distortion, vingetting, flare, and lack of sharpness. I have not been able to put down my Leica in 5 months.....my girlfriend makes fun of me because I bring my M6 to bed (this is true). Yes the lens and camera are that GOOD! Don't get me wrong Nikon and Canon gear is GREAT and has very many uses....I would never sell my Nikon gear because it covers SO may photographic situations and offers a fantasitc peformance at reasonable cost. However, when you compare Nikon to Leica optics....well there is simply no comparison. If you can afford a single Leica lens, get this one..... It is simply the incredible. For unobtrusive street photography this lens coupled with the M6 has no rival. Finally, unless absolutely need the extra stop, get the f2 over the f1.4. The f2 is acutally sharper than the f1.4 @ f2 and above.

    Customer Service

    Not reviewed

    Similar Products Used:

    Leica 90mm f2 APO/ASPH (Wow!) Nikon, Canon.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [May 03, 2004]
    likalar
    Professional

    Strength:

    Sharpness, contrast, and build quality.

    Weakness:

    legibility of markings. size increase over the earlier versions (I know the glass design likely dictated this; Those smaller pre-Asph 35 Summicrons are the perfect size, IMO)

    The 35 Summicron Asph is my 4th 35 Summicron in over 30 years. Fantastic performer! I shoot quite a bit in low light, so welcome the extra sharpness at the wide open aperture. I'll keep my early one, an old friend, but this one is the best. Now to get picky: a.My new black lens has the "feet" scale markings painted in red, and the meter markings in white. The red markings show poorly in very dim light; My older lens has yellow "feet" markings, a better choice in my opinion. b. With the supplied hood in place, it is difficult to see the recessed white dot that marks the aperture setting. I may paint an additional white dot on the lens barrel closer to the camera body.

    Similar Products Used:

    50 Summ, 28 Elmarit, Nikkor, Hass. RZ lenses.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    4
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [Mar 04, 2004]
    agp
    Expert

    Strength:

    Everything

    Weakness:

    None

    This was my first Leica lens, and it is still my favourite. Bitingly sharp pictures, superb effect on the out-of-focus areas.

    Customer Service

    No need

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Nov 10, 2003]
    Eddy Chang
    Casual

    Strength:

    High quality, very very cheap when compare with Digital photo

    Weakness:

    none & nil

    it very sharp, and look like 3D, Stunning Images, outstanding, Smooth, small, lightweight, very very excellent lens

    Similar Products Used:

    summilux 35 f/1.4

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Oct 20, 2003]
    Dan
    Expert

    Strength:

    Small. Well made. Great mechanical feel. Beautiful finish. Funky lens shade.

    Weakness:

    Price, but cheap when compared to a new car.

    This lens blew my mind! I shoot all b&w, film rated at EI 800...; the lens is beyond sharp, there is a 3-D look to the subject; out of focus areas are smooth and delicate. I can easily print 16x20 and it looks like med. format. I use it on my M4 & M2.

    Customer Service

    not needed

    Similar Products Used:

    Nikon 35 f/1.4

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Jan 22, 2003]
    marksct
    Intermediate

    Strength:

    Build Contrast Clarity Color Smooooth focus ring. Engineering

    Weakness:

    NONE. Not ever the price. This is a well engineered precision instrument, and it shows. What is that worth to you?

    What a piece of glass!!! This is a Street photographers dream. I use this on my M4-2 and it is light with excellent clarity, crispness, contrast, and color rendition. VERY Sharp, whether opened wide or stopped down all the way this lens brings it 'A' game each and every time. Well balanced, excellent construction, nice lens hood with cap. Focus ring has a recessed tab for you finger to hold onto, makes focusing an extention of you hand. If you love great equipment, and you want the best med.-wide lens out there this is it.

    Similar Products Used:

    Leica Summicron 50, Summicron 90 Canonet QL-17

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Jul 26, 2002]
    mrinella
    Intermediate

    Strength:

    Outstanding sharpness and contrast wide open. Compact size. Takes same 39mm filters as 50mm Summicron. Out of focus areas are very pleasing. Almost no distortion across entire field.

    Weakness:

    Detents for lens shade are not perfectly straight on lens body (off center by a few degrees).

    Excellent lens which is very well matched to the Leica M.

    Customer Service

    Not used for this lens, but Leica NJ handled a minor problem with an R6.2 extremely well.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Feb 10, 2002]
    Polarinda
    Casual

    Strength:

    Tack sharp, small, can be used wide opened at 1/15 sec, still sharp!

    Weakness:

    addictive. Price, but well worth every penny.

    Breath-Taking

    Customer Service

    none

    Similar Products Used:

    50 cron

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Jan 18, 2002]
    jhsymington
    Expert

    Strength:

    Very compact size keeps the camera/lens package very small and unobtrusive. Fantastic build quality. Very good value by Leica standards.

    Weakness:

    None

    Stunning results. As another reviewer said if there is one lens that you must have; it''s this one.

    Customer Service

    Never used

    Similar Products Used:

    Also own a 50mm Summilux which is a work of art too. 35mm Summicron is still better though.

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    Showing 1-10 of 26  

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