Anyone out there currently using the 35mm f3.5 Summaron lens? I have been using one without the "eyes" on my M6 with excellent results. I am curious to find out how others feel about this lens. I realize it was probably made some time in the 60's and optical designs changewith time. I got mine in a trade at a good price then sent it off to Leica in New Jersey for a CLA. They did a great job, as usual. Smooth as silk focusing with a little tab. I would appreciate any opinions regarding this lens. Happy holidays to everyone, and thank you.

-- John Alfred Tropiano (jat18@psu.edu), December 21, 2001

Answers

Your lens is a little jewel. Its dimunitive size makes it ideal to carry mounted on an M in one's pocket. I've got the latest model ASPH summicron but still us the 1956 model you have with excellent results. Enjoy it !

-- George L. Doolittle (geodoolitt@aol.com), December 21, 2001.

At the smaller f stops, the performance is superb, The 2.8 vesion is similar but better at the wider stops. I have used both and likes both of them . One nice thing about the Summarons is that they hold their sharpness even at the very smallest f stops, and are handy for those "everything in focus" landscape shots.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), December 21, 2001.

I've used one of these lenses for many years, and in my shooting, it has been faultless on an M3 or M4; it's compact, it isn't precious, and it's sharp. I'm happy with the wide open performance, as well as stopped down.

-- Bill Harting (wharting@adelphia.net), December 21, 2001.

Dear John,

I do not have, nor have used the 3.5 Summaron but it is one of the lenses I wish to purchase. I have the 2.8f version for my M3. I also use it on my M2 but I wish to purchase the 3.5 version for the M2. The 2.8f version is great and very sharp

Aesthetically I think the 3.5 Summaron is one of the nicest Leica lenses, along with the collapsible 90mm Elmar.

The lens however was made only between 1954 to 1960 and only a handful were made in 1960. What is your serial number ?

Regards,

Tony Salce

-- Tony Salce (NadinaTony@bigpond.com), December 22, 2001.