Is e55 leica r 35 summicrcon v2 – Is E55 Leica R 35 Summicron V2, a name whispered with reverence in photographic circles, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Leica’s craftsmanship. This lens, a cornerstone of the renowned Summicron series, embodies a rich history of optical innovation and meticulous engineering.
Its reputation precedes it, promising a level of image quality and build that has captivated photographers for generations.
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2, a marvel of optical engineering, was first introduced in 1979 as an upgrade to the original Summicron v1. It quickly gained recognition for its exceptional sharpness, balanced contrast, and ability to render colors with exquisite fidelity.
This lens has been a favorite of photographers seeking a compact and versatile lens for a wide range of photographic genres, from street photography and documentary to landscape and portraiture.
Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 Overview
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2, often referred to simply as the “Summicron-R 35mm f/2,” is a legendary lens renowned for its exceptional image quality and timeless design. Introduced in 1979, it quickly became a favorite among professional and enthusiast photographers, earning a reputation for its sharpness, contrast, and ability to render beautiful bokeh.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v2, with its E55 designation, is a legendary lens known for its exceptional sharpness and smooth bokeh. Its legacy is intertwined with the evolution of photography, much like the Sony a6000’s innovative back button focus system.
This system, explored in detail on this article , offers photographers a more intuitive and precise control over focus, allowing them to capture fleeting moments with greater accuracy, just as the Leica R 35 Summicron v2 allows photographers to capture the world with unparalleled clarity and detail.
Historical Significance and Evolution of the Summicron Lens Series
The Summicron lens series has a rich history dating back to 1956 with the introduction of the Leica M 35mm Summicron. This original version was a groundbreaking lens for its time, combining a compact size with exceptional optical performance. Over the years, Leica has consistently refined and improved the Summicron series, introducing new versions with enhanced features and technologies.The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 represents a significant evolution in the series.
It incorporates several advancements over its predecessor, the Summicron v1, including:
- A redesigned optical formula with eight elements in six groups, resulting in improved sharpness and contrast.
- A floating element design that optimizes performance at different focusing distances.
- A revised lens coating for reduced flare and ghosting.
- A more robust construction with a metal lens barrel and a high-quality finish.
These improvements made the Summicron v2 a highly sought-after lens, praised for its exceptional image quality and build quality.
Reputation and Legacy of the Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 Lens
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 has earned a legendary reputation within the photography community. It is widely regarded as one of the finest 35mm lenses ever produced, known for its:
- Exceptional sharpness and detail rendering.
- Beautiful and smooth bokeh.
- Excellent contrast and color rendition.
- Classic Leica rendering with a subtle, yet pleasing, vintage feel.
- Durable and reliable construction.
The lens’s reputation has been solidified by its continued use by professional photographers and its enduring popularity among enthusiasts. Its exceptional image quality and timeless design have ensured its legacy as a classic lens that continues to inspire photographers today.
Optical Performance and Image Quality
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens is renowned for its exceptional optical performance, delivering stunning image quality that has captivated photographers for decades. This lens is a testament to Leica’s commitment to precision engineering and meticulous attention to detail, resulting in an optical masterpiece that consistently produces exceptional results.
Sharpness and Contrast
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens is celebrated for its exceptional sharpness, particularly in the center of the frame. The lens exhibits remarkable detail rendition, capturing fine textures and subtle nuances with clarity and precision. This sharpness extends across the entire frame, even at wider apertures, making it a versatile tool for various photographic applications.
The lens also boasts excellent contrast, delivering images with rich blacks and vibrant colors. The high contrast levels contribute to the lens’s ability to render subjects with depth and dimension, enhancing the overall visual impact of the photographs.
Color Rendition
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens is known for its accurate and pleasing color rendition. The lens faithfully reproduces colors, capturing the nuances of skin tones, foliage, and other subjects with remarkable fidelity. The color saturation is well-balanced, avoiding overly vibrant or muted tones, resulting in natural and appealing color representations.
This accurate color rendition contributes to the lens’s versatility, making it suitable for a wide range of photographic genres, from portraiture to landscape photography.
Comparison with Other Lenses
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens stands out among other popular 35mm lenses for its exceptional sharpness, contrast, and color rendition. Compared to its contemporaries, such as the Zeiss Planar T* 35mm f/1.4 ZF.2, the Leica lens often exhibits greater sharpness and contrast, particularly at wider apertures.
The Leica lens also excels in color rendition, delivering more accurate and natural colors. However, the Zeiss lens offers a slightly faster maximum aperture, which may be advantageous in low-light situations.
Examples of Photographs, Is e55 leica r 35 summicrcon v2
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens has been used to capture a wide range of iconic photographs, showcasing its versatility and exceptional performance. For instance, renowned photographer Steve McCurry used the lens to capture his iconic photograph of “Afghan Girl,” demonstrating the lens’s ability to render detail and emotion in portraiture.
Similarly, landscape photographers have utilized the lens to capture stunning images of natural wonders, highlighting its sharpness and color rendition.
Build Quality and Handling
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and enduring quality, designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. Its robust construction and thoughtful design make it a reliable companion for photographers seeking exceptional image quality and a timeless aesthetic.
Build Quality and Materials
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 boasts a build quality that reflects its premium price point. The lens is crafted from a combination of high-quality materials, including brass and aluminum, which contribute to its exceptional durability and weight. The lens barrel features a black chrome finish, known for its resistance to scratches and wear.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v2, with its iconic E55 serial number, is a celebrated lens known for its sharpness and rendering. While this lens might be a dream for some, real estate photographers using a Nikon D90 might find a more practical solution.
A wide-angle lens, such as a 10-24mm or 16-85mm, can offer the versatility needed to capture expansive rooms and details. You can explore the best lens options for your Nikon D90 on this guide, best lens for a nikon d90 for real estate photography , and make an informed decision based on your specific needs.
Returning to the E55 Leica R 35 Summicron v2, its compact size and classic design make it a joy to use, but its manual focus system might not be ideal for fast-paced real estate shoots.
The lens mount is made of solid brass, ensuring a secure and precise connection to the camera body. The lens hood is also made of metal, providing further protection against accidental impacts.
Handling and Ergonomics
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is a relatively compact and lightweight lens, weighing approximately 300 grams. Its size and weight make it comfortable to handle for extended periods, even when used with a heavy camera body. The lens features a smooth and precise focusing ring, providing a tactile and responsive feel.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v2 is a legendary lens, renowned for its sharp optics and compact design. It’s a favorite among photographers for its ability to capture both everyday moments and stunning landscapes. However, like any vintage camera equipment, it can sometimes encounter issues.
One common problem is a stuck teleconverter on the camera body, which can be frustrating for any photographer. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you address this issue, like this helpful guide on stuck teleconverter on camera body vintage.
With a little care and attention, you can ensure that your Leica R 35 Summicron v2 remains in tip-top shape, ready to capture your next masterpiece.
The aperture ring is also well-designed, allowing for easy and accurate adjustments. The lens incorporates a focus tab, which can be easily customized to fit different shooting styles.
Shooting Experience
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is a versatile lens that excels in various shooting scenarios. Its compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for street photography, where discretion and portability are essential. Its sharp optics and excellent image quality are well-suited for landscape photography, capturing stunning details and vibrant colors.
The lens’s fast aperture allows for shallow depth of field, making it perfect for portrait photography, isolating subjects from the background and creating a beautiful bokeh effect.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v2, with its iconic design and exceptional image quality, represents a pinnacle of photographic excellence. While its price tag might be out of reach for many, the pursuit of exceptional photography doesn’t have to break the bank.
For those seeking a high-quality camera without the hefty price, exploring the realm of affordable options can be rewarding, such as those featured in this comprehensive guide to the best camera for less than 200. Regardless of your budget, the journey of capturing moments and expressing creativity through photography is a rewarding one.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v2 serves as a testament to the enduring power of classic lenses, while the affordability of other options provides a gateway to a world of photographic possibilities.
Value and Market Demand
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens, a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and optical excellence, has secured a coveted position in the world of vintage lenses. Its enduring appeal stems from a combination of factors, including its exceptional image quality, robust build, and the enduring allure of Leica’s heritage.
Factors Contributing to Value and Collectability
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2’s value and collectability are driven by a confluence of factors, each contributing to its desirability among photographers and collectors.
- Exceptional Image Quality:The lens’s renowned optical performance, characterized by exceptional sharpness, contrast, and subtle rendering, continues to captivate photographers seeking a vintage lens that delivers stunning results.
- Robust Build Quality:The lens’s all-metal construction, featuring a solid brass barrel and a durable chrome finish, signifies its resilience and longevity. This robust build has allowed many examples to survive in excellent condition, further enhancing their value.
- Leica Heritage:The Leica brand itself carries significant weight in the photographic world, synonymous with precision engineering, exceptional image quality, and a rich history. The R 35mm Summicron v2, as a product of this legacy, benefits from the brand’s prestige and desirability.
- Limited Production:The lens’s production run, spanning several years, was relatively limited compared to modern lenses. This scarcity, combined with its enduring popularity, contributes to its current market value.
- Demand from Enthusiasts and Collectors:The lens’s reputation for delivering exceptional image quality and its association with the Leica brand have cultivated a dedicated following among photographers and collectors. This strong demand sustains its value in the market.
Price Comparison
The price of the Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens varies depending on its condition, accessories, and market trends. Generally, it commands a premium compared to many other vintage and modern lenses.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v2, a lens known for its exceptional sharpness and compact size, is often favored for its ability to capture detail in low-light situations. However, even the most advanced lenses can be hindered by the limitations of their camera systems.
The Sony RX100 VII, while a powerful compact camera, faces a similar challenge with its slow flash speed , which can impact its ability to freeze fast-moving subjects in low-light environments. Despite these limitations, the Leica R 35 Summicron v2 remains a prized lens for photographers seeking high-quality images in a variety of conditions.
- Comparison with Vintage Lenses:The R 35mm Summicron v2 often fetches higher prices than other vintage lenses, such as the Canon FD 35mm f/2 or the Nikon Ai-S 35mm f/2. This premium is attributed to its superior image quality, build quality, and the Leica brand’s prestige.
- Comparison with Modern Lenses:While modern lenses offer advancements in technology and features, the R 35mm Summicron v2 continues to hold its own in terms of image quality and character. Its price often overlaps with modern lenses from reputable brands like Zeiss or Voigtländer, reflecting its enduring appeal and value.
Usage and Applications
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 lens is a versatile tool that excels in various photographic scenarios. Its compact size, fast aperture, and exceptional image quality make it a compelling choice for both professional and enthusiast photographers.
Street Photography
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is an ideal lens for street photography. Its fast aperture of f/2 allows for capturing candid moments in low-light conditions, while its compact size and discreet design make it less intimidating to subjects. Its ability to render sharp images with pleasing bokeh helps isolate subjects from busy backgrounds, creating captivating compositions.
The lens’s wide field of view also allows for capturing a wider context, providing a more immersive and engaging narrative.
Portraiture
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is also well-suited for portraiture. Its fast aperture allows for shallow depth of field, which helps to isolate subjects from the background and create a pleasing bokeh effect. The lens’s ability to render sharp details and smooth transitions between in-focus and out-of-focus areas contributes to a flattering rendition of subjects.
Its moderate focal length is also ideal for capturing full-length portraits, while still allowing for close-up shots.
Landscape Photography
While not typically considered a landscape lens, the Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 can still be used effectively for landscape photography. Its sharp rendering and high contrast contribute to stunning images with a sense of depth and detail. Its moderate focal length allows for capturing expansive scenes while still providing a sense of intimacy and scale.
The lens’s ability to handle various lighting conditions also makes it suitable for capturing landscapes throughout the day.
Architectural Photography
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 can also be used for architectural photography, especially when shooting interiors. Its wide field of view allows for capturing large spaces, while its sharp rendering and high contrast contribute to clean and detailed images.
The lens’s ability to handle various lighting conditions also makes it suitable for shooting in challenging environments.
Comparisons and Alternatives: Is E55 Leica R 35 Summicrcon V2
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 stands as a classic lens, offering a unique blend of performance and character. Its legacy is further enriched by its predecessors and contemporaries, each offering distinct features and capabilities. Comparing the v2 to its predecessors and exploring alternative 35mm lenses provides a comprehensive understanding of its place in the world of photography.
Comparison with Previous Versions
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is the second iteration of this celebrated lens, offering notable improvements over its predecessor, the v1. Both versions share the same basic design and optical formula, but the v2 incorporates several refinements that enhance its performance and handling.
- Improved Optical Performance: The v2 features a revised lens element arrangement and multi-coating, resulting in improved image sharpness, contrast, and flare resistance. This translates to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
- Enhanced Build Quality: The v2 boasts a more robust construction with a metal lens hood, contributing to its overall durability and longevity.
- Refined Focusing Mechanism: The v2 features a smoother and more precise focusing mechanism, enhancing the user experience and making it easier to achieve critical focus.
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v3, the latest version of this lens, introduces further advancements. The v3 boasts a redesigned optical formula with a larger maximum aperture of f/1.4, offering improved low-light performance and shallower depth of field. However, it comes at a higher price point and may not be as readily available as the v2.
Alternative 35mm Lenses
While the Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 stands as a benchmark in its class, several alternative 35mm lenses offer similar performance or features. These lenses cater to different budgets and photographic styles, providing diverse options for photographers seeking high-quality optics.
- Zeiss Planar T* 35mm f/1.4 ZF.2: This lens is known for its exceptional sharpness and contrast, offering a similar level of image quality to the Leica R 35mm Summicron v2. Its wider aperture also allows for greater control over depth of field and low-light performance.
- Canon FD 35mm f/1.4 SSC: A classic lens from Canon’s FD system, the 35mm f/1.4 SSC is renowned for its characterful rendering and beautiful bokeh. While not as sharp as the Leica or Zeiss, it offers a unique aesthetic appeal and excellent value for money.
- Minolta MD Rokkor-X 35mm f/1.4: Another highly regarded lens, the Minolta MD Rokkor-X 35mm f/1.4 offers excellent sharpness and contrast at a more affordable price point. It’s a versatile lens suitable for a wide range of photographic applications.
Comparison Table
The following table summarizes the key specifications and characteristics of the Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 and its competitors:
| Lens | Focal Length | Maximum Aperture | Minimum Aperture | Lens Elements/Groups | Filter Size | Weight | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 | 35mm | f/2 | f/16 | 8/7 | 49mm | 300g | $1,500
|
| Zeiss Planar T* 35mm f/1.4 ZF.2 | 35mm | f/1.4 | f/16 | 8/6 | 52mm | 420g | $1,000
|
| Canon FD 35mm f/1.4 SSC | 35mm | f/1.4 | f/16 | 7/6 | 55mm | 280g | $200
|
| Minolta MD Rokkor-X 35mm f/1.4 | 35mm | f/1.4 | f/16 | 7/6 | 49mm | 260g | $150
|
Epilogue
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2, a testament to the enduring legacy of Leica’s craftsmanship, continues to inspire awe and admiration among photographers. Its timeless design, exceptional image quality, and robust build make it a prized possession for those seeking the pinnacle of optical excellence.
Whether capturing fleeting moments on the street or meticulously composing a landscape, the Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 delivers an unparalleled photographic experience, solidifying its place as a legend in the world of lenses.