I have a 35mm f2.8 Summaron that I uses with the M4-2 (no bug eyes), and now with the Bessa R2. I have had no problems, but I was wondering if any of you use this lens? Mine dates from 1962. Thanks, John

-- John H Osterholm (Barjo4@attbi.com), May 21, 2002

Answers

I have the version with the eyes and think it is an outstanding lens. I find mine to be sharp even at the wide apertures. I was frankly surprised at just how good it was when my first shots came back.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), May 21, 2002.

I have one from '61 for my M2 as well, which is a very nice piece of glass. I use it with a 12585 hood which makes a very nice classical package on the M2. I never wanted a sharper lens, only one that is a bit faster ...

-- Kai Blanke (kai.blanke@iname.com), May 22, 2002.

I have a 1959 screw mount vversion that i bought for my IIIg. Its a damn good lens even after all these years.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), May 22, 2002.

A few years ago, one could get this lens fairly cheap, but now the price seems to be rising. The screwmount version has always been $$$, but the M mount version is still a good alternative to the much more expensive 35/f2. Very sharp, not bad wide open, and best of all, none of that newer contrast coating crap.

-- chris a williams (LeicaChris@worldnet.att.net), May 22, 2002.

I used one in the 1980s. An excellent lens in every way I remember. I used it on an M3 but it was not as well used as my 50mm and 90mm.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), May 22, 2002.

Yep, I had one. I traded it for a version I Summicron, eventually; but not before I had taken a thousand good pictures with it. My only complaint was that it didn't open to f/2.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), May 22, 2002.

It is very good with the Velvia film. It produce very pleasent color on the slide if you are not asking for extraordinally sharpness like the ASPH. Sometimes I prefer this lens over the others

-- chi cheung (chic@intergate.bc.ca), May 22, 2002.

I still own a summaron with eyes for the M3, it had been my only 35 for many years until I got a 35 Žlux preasph, both are quite diferent, I still like a lot the performace of the summaron, I once had the oportunity to use a 35/2 first version, wich found very similar to my summaron, but had to give it back.

Speed is the only minus with this jewel.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), May 22, 2002.