The Leica R 35 Summicron v1 vs v2 takes center stage in a world of discerning photographers, each iteration captivating with its own distinct personality. This lens, a legendary focal length for street and reportage photography, has undergone a subtle evolution, presenting a captivating comparison for those seeking the perfect balance of sharpness, character, and legacy.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious enthusiast, this exploration will delve into the nuances of each version, illuminating their strengths and highlighting the subtle differences that define their individual appeal.
This comparison will dissect the optical performance, build quality, and historical significance of each lens, providing a comprehensive guide for photographers seeking to understand the evolution of this iconic lens. We’ll explore the subtle nuances of their image rendering, delve into the practical considerations of each version, and ultimately, help you determine which lens best suits your photographic journey.
Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 vs v2: A Comparative Analysis
The Leica R 35mm Summicron is a legendary lens known for its exceptional image quality and compact design. This analysis focuses on comparing the first and second versions of this lens, exploring their key differences, strengths, and weaknesses. This comparison is targeted towards photographers interested in acquiring a Leica R 35mm Summicron, specifically those seeking to understand the nuances between the v1 and v2 versions to make an informed decision.
Design and Construction
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 and v2 lenses share a similar design philosophy, prioritizing compactness and robustness. Both versions are constructed with a six-element, four-group optical formula, which contributes to their sharp image rendering and excellent contrast. However, there are notable differences in their construction materials and design elements.The v1 version, introduced in 1958, features a brass lens barrel and a chrome finish, giving it a classic and elegant appearance.
The v2 version, released in 1979, adopts a black anodized aluminum lens barrel, offering a more modern aesthetic and potentially improved durability. This shift in materials reflects the evolving trends in lens design during that period.
The v1 version is known for its distinctive “click stop” aperture ring, which provides tactile feedback when adjusting the aperture. The v2 version, however, features a smooth aperture ring, eliminating the “click stop” feature.
Optical Performance
Both versions of the Leica R 35mm Summicron are renowned for their exceptional optical performance, delivering sharp images with excellent contrast and minimal distortion. However, subtle differences exist in their rendering characteristics, particularly in terms of sharpness, contrast, and bokeh.The v1 version, with its older design, exhibits a slightly softer rendering, particularly at wide apertures.
This softer rendering can be attributed to the lens’s design and the materials used in its construction. It offers a more “classic” look, with a subtle vintage feel.The v2 version, benefiting from advancements in lens design and materials, exhibits sharper rendering throughout the aperture range, particularly at wider apertures.
This increased sharpness provides greater detail and clarity in images.
The v1 version is often praised for its “dreamy” bokeh, characterized by smooth and pleasing out-of-focus areas. The v2 version, while still producing pleasing bokeh, exhibits a slightly more “crisp” rendering, with less of a “swirly” effect.
Focusing Mechanism
Both versions of the Leica R 35mm Summicron feature a helical focusing mechanism, allowing for smooth and precise focusing adjustments. However, there are subtle differences in their focusing experience.The v1 version’s focusing mechanism, while smooth, can feel slightly “stiffer” compared to the v2 version.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v1 and v2 are both legendary lenses, but they offer distinct characteristics. The v1, known for its slightly softer rendering, is favored by some for its vintage aesthetic. The v2, however, boasts sharper detail and improved contrast, making it a more versatile choice for various photographic tasks.
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This can be attributed to the age of the lens and potential wear on the focusing mechanism.The v2 version’s focusing mechanism is generally smoother and more effortless, offering a more modern focusing experience. This improvement is likely due to advancements in manufacturing techniques and materials.
Both versions feature a focusing tab on the lens barrel, allowing for quick and easy focusing adjustments.
Availability and Price
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 is a sought-after vintage lens, making it relatively harder to find and potentially more expensive than the v2 version. The v2 version, being a more recent model, is generally more readily available and can be found at a lower price point.
However, the price of both versions can fluctuate depending on their condition and market demand.
It is important to note that the price of these lenses can vary significantly depending on their condition, accessories, and the seller’s asking price.
Leica R 35mm Summicron v1
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1, released in 1973, stands as a classic lens within the Leica R system. This lens represents a significant evolution in the Summicron line, offering a compelling blend of compact size, exceptional sharpness, and a unique rendering character.
Optical Design and Performance
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 features a six-element, four-group optical design. This configuration is notable for its simplicity, which contributes to the lens’s compact size and relatively lightweight construction. Despite its straightforward design, the Summicron v1 delivers exceptional image quality.
It exhibits excellent sharpness throughout the frame, even at wide apertures, and demonstrates minimal distortion. The lens’s performance is particularly noteworthy for its exceptional contrast and clarity, contributing to its characteristically crisp and detailed images.
Image Quality and Rendering Characteristics
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 is renowned for its unique rendering characteristics. Its rendering style is often described as “classic” or “film-like,” emphasizing a subtle softness and a pleasing rendering of skin tones. This character is attributed to the lens’s design and the interplay of its optical elements.
The Summicron v1 excels in capturing the subtle nuances of light and shadow, resulting in images with a distinct and evocative atmosphere.
Build Quality and Materials
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 is built to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship. It features a solid metal construction, with a robust brass barrel and a smooth, precise focusing ring. The lens’s build quality is a testament to Leica’s commitment to durability and longevity.
Its robust construction ensures that it can withstand the rigors of professional use and remain in excellent condition for many years.
Historical Significance and Availability
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 holds a significant place in photographic history. It was one of the first lenses to be released for the Leica R system, and it quickly became a popular choice among professional and amateur photographers alike.
Its exceptional image quality, compact size, and distinctive rendering characteristics made it a versatile and highly sought-after lens. The Summicron v1 remains a desirable lens for collectors and photographers who appreciate its classic design and performance.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v1 and v2 are both celebrated lenses, each with its own distinct character. The v1, known for its warm tones and subtle rendering, appeals to photographers seeking a vintage aesthetic. The v2, on the other hand, offers a more modern feel with sharper detail and increased contrast.
While these lenses excel in their respective styles, the Leica D-Lux 1 , with its compact size and high-quality sensor, provides a different approach to capturing images. Returning to the Summicron lenses, the choice between the v1 and v2 ultimately comes down to personal preference and the desired artistic outcome.
Leica R 35mm Summicron v2
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2, released in 1979, is a significant evolution in the Summicron line, offering improved performance and features compared to its predecessor. It became a popular choice for professional and enthusiast photographers due to its excellent image quality and compact design.
Optical Design and Performance
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 boasts a sophisticated optical design consisting of six elements in five groups. This design incorporates a floating element, a feature that helps to maintain sharpness across the entire focusing range. The lens features a maximum aperture of f/2 and a minimum aperture of f/16, offering a wide range of creative control over depth of field.
The v2 lens delivers excellent sharpness and contrast throughout its aperture range, with minimal distortion and chromatic aberration. It exhibits a smooth bokeh with pleasing rendering characteristics, especially when used at wider apertures. The lens’s performance is particularly notable for its excellent resolution and micro-contrast, which contribute to its ability to capture fine detail and create images with a distinct sense of clarity and depth.
Image Quality and Rendering Characteristics
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is renowned for its exceptional image quality. Its rendering characteristics are often described as “classic Leica,” with a subtle warmth and a delicate balance of contrast and detail. The lens excels at capturing subtle nuances in light and shadow, creating images with a sense of depth and atmosphere.The v2 lens is particularly well-suited for a variety of photographic subjects, including landscapes, portraits, street photography, and architecture.
Its excellent sharpness and contrast allow for the capture of fine detail, while its smooth bokeh helps to isolate subjects from distracting backgrounds. The lens’s ability to render pleasing out-of-focus areas contributes to its versatility in various photographic genres.
Build Quality and Materials
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is known for its exceptional build quality and durability. It features a robust all-metal construction with a black chrome finish, which is both elegant and resistant to wear and tear. The lens is designed to withstand the rigors of professional use, making it a reliable companion for photographers in demanding environments.The lens incorporates a high-quality focusing mechanism, which provides a smooth and precise focusing experience.
The aperture ring is also well-designed, with smooth detents that ensure accurate aperture selection. The lens’s overall build quality reflects the meticulous craftsmanship that Leica is known for, ensuring that the v2 lens will provide many years of reliable service.
Historical Significance and Availability
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 holds significant historical importance as a key lens in the Leica R system. Its popularity among professional and enthusiast photographers cemented its status as a classic lens and a testament to Leica’s enduring legacy in the world of photography.The Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 is still highly sought after by collectors and photographers today.
While it is no longer in production, it remains available on the used market, where it can be found in varying conditions and prices. Due to its excellent performance and enduring appeal, the v2 lens continues to be a popular choice for those seeking a high-quality 35mm lens for their Leica R system.
Comparison
The Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 and v2 are both highly regarded lenses, known for their exceptional image quality and build. While sharing a common design philosophy, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. This section will delve into a detailed comparison of these two lenses, highlighting their optical performance, image quality, build, and other notable differences.
Optical Performance Comparison
The optical performance of the Summicron v1 and v2 is a crucial aspect to consider. The v1, released in 1958, features a six-element design, while the v2, introduced in 1979, incorporates a seven-element design. This additional element in the v2 contributes to improved image quality, particularly in terms of sharpness and contrast.
The v2 exhibits a noticeable improvement in sharpness across the frame, especially in the corners, compared to the v1. This enhanced sharpness is attributed to the additional lens element and the optimized lens formula in the v2. Additionally, the v2 boasts better contrast and less distortion compared to the v1, making it a more versatile lens for a wider range of applications.
Image Quality Differences
While both versions are renowned for their exceptional image quality, the v2 demonstrates a noticeable improvement in several areas. The v2 exhibits better sharpness, especially in the corners, which is crucial for achieving high-resolution images. It also displays superior contrast and less distortion, leading to more pleasing and balanced images.
The v2’s improved contrast is particularly noticeable in high-contrast scenes, where it delivers deeper blacks and brighter whites. This enhanced contrast contributes to a more dynamic and impactful image. The v2’s reduced distortion is also a significant advantage, particularly for architectural photography and landscapes, where straight lines are essential.
Build Quality and Materials
Both the Summicron v1 and v2 are known for their robust build quality, reflecting Leica’s commitment to precision engineering. The v1 features a solid brass construction with a chrome finish, while the v2 uses a combination of brass and aluminum, also with a chrome finish.
The v1’s all-brass construction makes it slightly heavier than the v2. However, both lenses are well-built and designed to withstand the rigors of professional use. The v2’s use of aluminum in its construction contributes to its slightly lighter weight, making it more comfortable to carry and use for extended periods.
Pros and Cons of Each Version
Leica R 35mm Summicron v1
- Pros:Classic design, renowned for its character, affordable price point, well-built, excellent image quality for its time.
- Cons:Softer corners compared to the v2, more noticeable distortion, lower contrast compared to the v2.
Leica R 35mm Summicron v2
- Pros:Improved sharpness and contrast compared to the v1, reduced distortion, excellent build quality, smoother focusing action.
- Cons:Higher price point compared to the v1, heavier than some modern 35mm lenses.
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 | Leica R 35mm Summicron v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Lens Construction | 6 elements in 5 groups | 7 elements in 6 groups |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 | f/22 |
| Close Focusing Distance | 0.7m (2.3ft) | 0.7m (2.3ft) |
| Filter Size | 46mm | 46mm |
| Weight | 350g (12.3oz) | 330g (11.6oz) |
Practical Considerations: Leica R 35 Summicron V1 Vs V2
The choice between the Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 and v2 boils down to personal preference and the specific needs of your photography. Both lenses offer exceptional image quality, but their differences in design and features can significantly impact your workflow and shooting experience.
Lens Size and Weight
The differences in size and weight between the two lenses are significant. The v1 is significantly smaller and lighter than the v2, making it more comfortable to carry and use for extended periods. This is particularly important for photographers who prioritize portability and discretion.
Focusing Performance
The v2 offers a more precise and consistent focusing experience due to its floating element design. The v1, however, requires more careful attention to achieve sharp focus, especially at close distances. This difference in focusing performance can be critical for photographers who frequently shoot in low light or with fast-moving subjects.
The Leica R 35 Summicron v1 and v2 are both renowned lenses, each with its own distinct character. The v1, known for its classic rendering, often appeals to those seeking a more vintage aesthetic. The v2, however, offers sharper detail and a slightly more modern look.
But when exploring the wider world of lenses, the vivitar 24 f2 filter size is a consideration, particularly for photographers seeking a wider field of view. While the Summicron excels at portraiture, the Vivitar 24mm f/2 opens up a world of landscapes and architectural photography, demanding a different approach to composition and depth of field.
Image Quality
Both lenses produce excellent image quality, but the v2 offers slightly sharper results across the frame, particularly at wider apertures. The v2 also exhibits less distortion and vignetting, resulting in more consistent image quality across the entire field of view.
This is especially beneficial for photographers who require high-resolution images for printing or cropping.
Close-up Performance, Leica r 35 summicron v1 vs v2
The v2 offers a closer minimum focusing distance compared to the v1, enabling photographers to capture more detailed close-up shots. This is advantageous for macro photography and other applications where close-up focusing is essential.
Factors to Consider
- Budget:The v2 is generally more expensive than the v1.
- Portability:The v1 is smaller and lighter, making it more portable.
- Focusing Precision:The v2 offers more precise and consistent focusing.
- Image Quality:The v2 delivers slightly sharper results with less distortion and vignetting.
- Close-up Performance:The v2 offers a closer minimum focusing distance.
- Shooting Style:The v1 is better suited for photographers who prioritize portability and discretion, while the v2 is ideal for those who need precise focusing and superior image quality.
Conclusion
The comparison between the Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 and v2 reveals a nuanced picture. Both lenses deliver exceptional image quality, but with distinct characteristics that cater to different photographic styles and preferences. The Summicron v1, with its vintage charm and slightly softer rendering, appeals to photographers seeking a more classic look, particularly for portraits and landscapes.
Conversely, the Summicron v2, with its sharper rendering and improved contrast, is ideal for photographers who prioritize detail and clarity, especially in reportage and street photography.
The Choice Depends on Individual Needs
The decision between the Leica R 35mm Summicron v1 and v2 hinges on individual preferences and intended use.
- For photographers who prioritize a classic look and a softer rendering, the Summicron v1 offers a more romantic and nostalgic aesthetic.
- For photographers who value sharpness, detail, and contrast, the Summicron v2 provides a more modern and crisp image.
The Legacy of Leica R 35mm Summicron Lenses
Both the Summicron v1 and v2 are highly regarded lenses within the Leica R system. The v1, with its vintage appeal, has become a sought-after collector’s item, while the v2 continues to be a popular choice for photographers seeking a reliable and high-performing lens.
“The Leica R 35mm Summicron lenses represent a pinnacle of optical engineering and design, offering exceptional image quality and a unique character that has captivated photographers for decades.”
Closure
The Leica R 35 Summicron v1 and v2 represent a testament to the enduring legacy of optical excellence. Each version offers a unique flavor, with the v1 boasting a classic rendering and the v2 delivering modern sharpness. Ultimately, the choice between the two hinges on personal preference and photographic goals.
For those seeking a vintage aesthetic, the v1 stands as a timeless classic. Those prioritizing sharpness and modern performance will find the v2 a compelling choice. Both lenses, however, are capable of producing exceptional images, reflecting the enduring quality and artistry of Leica’s craftsmanship.