Two great Leica lenses that tend to be overlooked | Leica Summarit 35mm & 50mm Review

In this video, we are going to take a look at two inexpensive yet very capable Leica lenses. And see how they compare to their big brothers (Summicron).

[@paulsehstedt6275]

I'm a 50 mm shooter and always been. So I've the LUX 50 as my main lens, but on second place I've a Summarit 90/2.5, which is awesome for portraits, concerts and street too. It's sharp, light weight and has the same filter diameter as the LUX50 and my Elmar-M 24/3.8. With three M-lenses and two M bodies, I'm fully equipped for my job as press photographer. Keep on rolling.

[@jungaIized]

Great comparison! The flare resistance is phenomenal on the 35mm Summarit.

[@pelicula9779]

Good to see you back in BC. Cheaper Summarits are definitely in play.

[@joshuarothman]

Great video! I have a 50mm f/2.5 Summarit and love it, especially paired with the 28mm f/2.8 Elmarit ASPH to make a 28 / 50 pair.

[@JimmyCheng]

that's a lovely pair! A delight to shoot with.

[@Jimmy-tj5bm]

Tested the Summarit 35mm, modern rendering, very sharp wide open, especially the far outer edge. Probably one of the best modern 35mm lens for that money. However, the area between the outer edge and the center is not as sharp as the Canon nFD 35mm f2, which in turn has noticably less contrast and more of a vintage look.

[@filterfreephotography]

I have the 50mm f/2.4 and love it. I have barely touched my 35mm summicron since I picked it up.

[@JimmyCheng]

Yeah it’s awesome!

[@itsahoax]

i’m lucky enough to to own the 35 and 50 summarits, more than happy, i fit your “who for” description exactly 😂 ✌🏼

[@jsnlyng]

I have the summarit 35 f2.4. It is so light and the focus tab is very smooth to use (much more so than 8-element). I think the color rendition is close to 7-element

[@wilfredshum3703]

The 28 mm Summarit is still in production. It is light and small on a M for street photography

[@JimmyCheng]

Love that lens! I’ve reviewed it on my channel as well🎉

[@richardsimms251]

Very nice video

[@shred_LA]

Another solid video.

[@JimmyCheng]

Much appreciated

[@Fujifilm2021]

I have a 35mm F2.5 Color- Skopar Voigtlander for street photography, Now I want to own a Leica Summarit 35mm? Do you think it is good
choice?

[@JimmyCheng]

it’s a fantastic choice for street. It’s light and small, and the maximum aperture doesn’t matter much.

[@dlyon9673]

Thank you for this interesting review about these rarely discussed lenses. Your photos look great. On a somewhat related note, I obtained a 35mm Summaron f2.8 lens (with goggles) somewhat inadvertently -- it came as part of a set -- but I am very happy with it as well.

[@wilfredshum3703]

Yes, the 35 mm Summaron f/2.8 is a high quality lens.

[@JimmyCheng]

I love that lens, well built, compact and very sharp in the center

[@webersteve1547]

I have only the 35 Summarit and it is my prefered 35. It renders nicely, and better than a Summicron asph. with hires M the close focus is a bit limiting though

[@JimmyCheng]

Yeah I forgot to mention in the video the 2.5 version only goes to 0.8 meters.

[@webersteve1547]

I would be interested to compare the 50 to the lll-elcan

[@JimmyCheng]

Don’t have that lens unfortunately. Isn’t it a collectors item now?

[@webersteve1547]

@@JimmyCheng I don't know I bought mine in the sale. I have a bit mixed feelings about this lens especially as the aperture ring goes in the oooosite direction

[@doozledumbler5393]

@@JimmyCheng The Light Lens Lab Elcan should be fairly close given it's a replica. Can pick them up in china for about $600. That's where I bought mine.

[@kevinl.3826]

Hi Jimmy, great video! Which one would you recommend between the Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 and the Summarit 35mm f/2.5? I already own a Summarit 50mm f/2.5. Maybe it makes more sense to try a larger aperture with the Voigtlander?

[@JimmyCheng]

Well they are quite different lenses to be honest. I would say try the Voigtlander and see if you need f1.5.

[@garymc8956]

I have the 70 and 90 Summarits and love them. Could it be that these lenses were too good for the price and therefore discontinued?

[@JimmyCheng]

Haha I was told they don’t sell as well.

[@jimtong]

I feel that their Summarit glasses are sharp and modern but otherwise souless and no character.

[@JimmyCheng]

It’s called neutral haha

[@volnwer1]

Yes, but You can use those summarit's lenses only on Leica m10 and bellow, not on M11 with 60mp.

[@JimmyCheng]

Why is that?

[@volnwer1]

@@JimmyCheng cause old lens will not resolve a new sensor of m11