Leica R Summicron 35mm v1 Review: A Classic Lens Revisited

The Leica R Summicron 35mm v1 review takes us on a journey through time, exploring a lens that has captivated photographers for decades. This lens, often considered a cornerstone of the Leica R system, has earned a reputation for its exceptional image quality and compact design.

It’s a lens that whispers of a bygone era of film photography, yet its timeless appeal resonates with modern photographers seeking a blend of classic aesthetics and sharp, detailed images.

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2, released in 1971, is a prime lens that embodies the essence of Leica’s philosophy: precision, craftsmanship, and exceptional optical performance. This lens, with its 6-element design, is renowned for its ability to deliver crisp, detailed images across the frame, even at wide apertures.

Its compact size and lightweight design make it an ideal companion for street photography, travel, and everyday shooting.

Introduction

Leica r summicron 35mm v1 review

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2, often referred to as the “Summicron v1,” is a legendary lens that holds a significant place in the history of photography. It was introduced in 1958 and became a staple in the Leica R system, renowned for its exceptional image quality and compact design.

This lens, like many others in the Leica R lineup, was designed to meet the needs of professional photographers who demanded the highest standards of performance. It was highly sought after for its ability to produce sharp, detailed images with beautiful rendering, making it a favorite among photojournalists, documentary photographers, and even street photographers.

Key Features and Specifications

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 is a prime lens with a fixed focal length of 35mm. This focal length is considered a versatile “standard” lens, suitable for a wide range of subjects and shooting styles. The lens boasts a maximum aperture of f/2, providing excellent low-light performance and shallow depth of field for creating pleasing bokeh.

The Summicron v1 features a classic six-element design, employing a combination of double-Gauss and retrofocus elements to achieve its exceptional image quality.

Intended Use and Target Audience

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 was designed for photographers who prioritize sharpness, image quality, and compact size. It excels in a variety of photographic genres, including:

  • Photojournalism: Its fast aperture and sharp rendering make it ideal for capturing candid moments in low-light conditions.
  • Documentary photography: Its ability to render detail and create natural-looking images is well-suited for documenting everyday life and events.
  • Street photography: Its compact size and discreet nature allow photographers to capture candid moments on the streets without attracting attention.
  • Portrait photography: Its ability to create smooth bokeh and flattering rendering makes it suitable for capturing portraits with a classic and timeless look.

Image Quality: Leica R Summicron 35mm V1 Review

The Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is renowned for its exceptional image quality, which has captivated photographers for decades. Its optical design, a testament to Leica’s engineering prowess, delivers a unique combination of sharpness, character, and a distinct rendering that sets it apart from modern lenses.

Sharpness

The lens exhibits impressive sharpness, particularly in the center, even at wide-open apertures. This sharpness gradually decreases towards the edges and corners, especially at f/2, creating a characteristic “swirl” effect. This “swirl” is not a defect, but rather a deliberate design choice that contributes to the lens’s unique rendering.

  • At f/2, the center of the image is remarkably sharp, with excellent detail rendition. However, the edges and corners exhibit noticeable softness, with a subtle “swirl” effect.
  • Stopping down to f/2.8 significantly improves sharpness across the entire frame, with the “swirl” effect becoming less pronounced.
  • At f/4, the lens achieves its peak sharpness, with excellent detail rendition throughout the image.
  • From f/5.6 to f/11, the lens maintains excellent sharpness, although diffraction effects become more noticeable at smaller apertures.
  • At f/16, the lens’s sharpness starts to decline due to diffraction, resulting in a slightly softer image.

Bokeh

The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 produces a beautiful and smooth bokeh, characterized by its gentle out-of-focus rendering. This smoothness is further enhanced by the “swirl” effect, which creates a pleasing, artistic blur in the background. The bokeh quality varies slightly depending on the aperture and subject distance.

  • At wide-open apertures (f/2), the bokeh is smooth and creamy, with a subtle “swirl” effect. The background blur transitions smoothly from in-focus to out-of-focus areas.
  • As the aperture is stopped down, the “swirl” effect becomes less pronounced, resulting in a more traditional, circular bokeh.
  • At smaller apertures (f/8 and beyond), the bokeh becomes more pronounced, with a slight “onion ring” effect.

Rendering, Leica r summicron 35mm v1 review

The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is known for its distinct rendering, characterized by its warm tones, high contrast, and micro-contrast. This rendering contributes to the lens’s classic, film-like aesthetic.

  • The lens’s warm tones and high contrast create a vibrant and pleasing image, reminiscent of film photography.
  • The high micro-contrast, particularly at wider apertures, adds depth and dimension to the image, enhancing the separation between subjects and the background.
  • The lens’s rendering is not overly harsh, preserving subtle details and textures while maintaining a pleasing overall aesthetic.

Build Quality and Design

Leica r summicron 35mm v1 review

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is a testament to the brand’s commitment to precision engineering and timeless design. This lens, built with a focus on durability and functionality, exudes a sense of quality that is instantly apparent upon handling.

Physical Construction and Build Quality

The lens’s construction reflects the meticulous craftsmanship that Leica is renowned for. Its all-metal construction, consisting of a brass barrel and chrome plating, imparts a robust feel that is both reassuring and elegant. This robust build is further reinforced by the lens’s internal construction, which employs a complex arrangement of nine elements in six groups, including an aspherical element.

The lens’s weight, while noticeable, is balanced by its well-designed barrel, providing a comfortable grip. This balance ensures that the lens feels secure and stable in the hand, even during extended shooting sessions.

Focusing Mechanism

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 v1’s focusing mechanism is a testament to the brand’s commitment to precision and smooth operation. The lens features a helical focusing system, known for its smooth and precise operation. This mechanism allows for precise focusing adjustments, ensuring that the subject remains sharp and in focus.

The focusing ring itself is generously sized and textured, providing a comfortable and secure grip for precise adjustments. The focus throw is relatively short, requiring only a minimal rotation of the focusing ring to achieve focus. This allows for quick and accurate focusing, especially when shooting in dynamic situations.

Design Elements

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is a timeless design that has stood the test of time. Its classic, understated aesthetics are a hallmark of Leica lenses, characterized by a clean and functional design. The lens features a distinctive chrome finish that complements the overall aesthetic of the Leica R system.

The aperture ring, located on the lens barrel, is smooth and precise, offering a tactile and satisfying experience when adjusting the aperture. The lens’s compact size and lightweight construction make it an ideal companion for everyday photography, offering both versatility and portability.

The Leica R Summicron 35mm v1 review often praises its sharpness and contrast, but for capturing fleeting moments in nature, a different approach is needed. The world of birding, for instance, demands the ability to observe subjects at a distance, which is where birding binoculars with camera excel.

These specialized tools offer both magnification and photographic capabilities, allowing for detailed observation and documentation of birds in their natural habitat. Similarly, the Leica R Summicron 35mm v1, with its fast aperture and exceptional image quality, is an excellent choice for capturing the beauty and detail of the natural world, whether it’s a close-up portrait of a bird or a sweeping landscape.

Performance and Handling

The Leica Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is renowned for its exceptional optical performance and smooth, intuitive handling, making it a favorite among photographers of all skill levels. This lens shines in a variety of shooting scenarios, delivering stunning results that capture the essence of each moment.

Focusing Performance

The focusing experience with the Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is a testament to the craftsmanship of Leica. The lens features a helical focusing mechanism that provides a smooth and precise focusing action. Its focusing ring is generously sized and textured for optimal grip, allowing for precise adjustments even with gloved hands.The lens’s focusing speed is impressive, especially considering its all-mechanical design.

While it may not be as fast as modern autofocus lenses, the Summicron 35mm f/2 v1’s focusing is still remarkably quick and responsive. It’s particularly well-suited for shooting moving subjects, especially when combined with a rangefinder camera.The focusing accuracy of the Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is exceptional.

The lens consistently delivers sharp images with minimal focus errors, even at its widest aperture. This accuracy is crucial for achieving tack-sharp results, especially in critical situations like portrait photography.

Low-Light Performance

The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 excels in low-light conditions, thanks to its fast maximum aperture of f/2. This wide aperture allows for faster shutter speeds, reducing the risk of camera shake and capturing images with minimal noise. The lens’s excellent optical design effectively minimizes distortion and vignetting, even at its widest aperture.The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1’s performance in low-light situations is particularly impressive when shooting street photography or candid portraits.

The lens’s ability to capture detail and contrast in dimly lit environments allows photographers to create stunning images that capture the atmosphere and emotion of the moment.

The Leica R Summicron 35mm v1, a legendary lens known for its exceptional sharpness and subtle rendering, offers a unique perspective on the world. While its 35mm focal length captures a natural field of view, its compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for street photography.

In contrast, the Sirui 24mm lens, with its larger diameter , provides a wider perspective, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or architectural details. Ultimately, the choice between these two lenses depends on the photographer’s individual style and the subject matter at hand.

Landscape Photography

The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is an exceptional choice for landscape photography. Its sharp optics and wide field of view allow photographers to capture expansive scenes with stunning detail and clarity. The lens’s excellent color rendition and contrast enhance the beauty of natural landscapes, producing images that are both technically impressive and aesthetically pleasing.The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1’s ability to render detail and depth is particularly impressive when shooting landscapes with a wide range of tones and textures.

The lens’s sharpness and contrast help to create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the final image.

Portrait Photography

The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is a popular choice for portrait photography, thanks to its beautiful rendering of skin tones and its ability to create pleasing bokeh. The lens’s smooth, gradual bokeh creates a soft and dreamy effect that flatters the subject and draws attention to their features.The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1’s ability to render detail and contrast is particularly important for portrait photography.

The lens’s sharpness and contrast help to create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the final image, while its smooth bokeh helps to create a flattering and artistic effect.

Street Photography

The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is a classic choice for street photography, thanks to its discreet size and its ability to capture candid moments with natural-looking results. The lens’s wide field of view allows photographers to capture a wide range of subjects and scenes, while its fast aperture allows for quick shooting and minimal depth of field.The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1’s performance in street photography is particularly impressive when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.

The lens’s ability to handle contrast and flare allows photographers to capture images that are both technically sound and aesthetically pleasing.

The Leica R Summicron 35mm v1, with its classic design and renowned optical performance, is a lens often sought after by photographers who value a certain level of quiet operation. This focus on quietness is echoed in the modern world with lenses like the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM, which is known for its quiet and precise autofocus mechanism, as discussed in this detailed review.

While the Leica R Summicron 35mm v1 focuses manually, the smooth, almost silent action of its focusing ring contributes to the overall tactile experience, much like the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM’s silent autofocus system adds to its professional appeal.

Flare and Ghosting

The Summicron 35mm f/2 v1 is generally well-controlled in terms of flare and ghosting. The lens’s multi-coating helps to minimize these issues, especially when shooting in challenging lighting conditions. However, like any lens, it can still be susceptible to flare and ghosting if the sun is directly in the frame or if there are strong light sources in the scene.The lens’s flare characteristics can be quite pleasing in some cases, adding a warm, ethereal quality to the image.

However, in other situations, flare can be distracting or even detrimental to the overall composition. It’s important to be aware of the lens’s flare characteristics and to adjust your shooting position accordingly to minimize its impact.

Conclusion

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 is a lens that embodies the classic qualities of Leica optics, offering exceptional image quality, robust build, and a timeless design. While it may not be the most modern lens in terms of features or autofocus capabilities, its performance and character make it a compelling choice for discerning photographers.

Target Audience and Suitability

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 is best suited for photographers who prioritize image quality, craftsmanship, and a classic shooting experience. Its strengths lie in its ability to render beautiful bokeh, capture sharp detail, and produce rich, nuanced colors. This lens is particularly well-suited for:

  • Street Photography: Its compact size, fast aperture, and discreet operation make it ideal for capturing candid moments on the streets. The lens’s sharp center and smooth bokeh allow for creative compositions with blurred backgrounds.
  • Portraiture: The Summicron 35mm’s ability to render pleasing bokeh and its sharp rendering of details make it a suitable choice for portraits. Its close focusing distance allows for capturing intimate portraits with a natural perspective.
  • Landscape Photography: The lens’s sharp detail and excellent contrast make it capable of capturing stunning landscapes. Its wide field of view allows for capturing expansive scenes with depth and dimension.
  • Architectural Photography: The Summicron 35mm’s ability to render straight lines and sharp detail makes it suitable for architectural photography. Its wide field of view allows for capturing the details of buildings and structures.

Final Verdict

The Leica R Summicron 35mm f/2 is a classic lens that continues to deliver exceptional image quality and a timeless shooting experience. While its manual focus and lack of modern features may not be ideal for everyone, its performance and character make it a compelling choice for photographers who value these qualities.

If you are a discerning photographer who appreciates the art of photography and the craftsmanship of Leica optics, the Summicron 35mm f/2 is a lens worth considering.

Epilogue

The Leica R Summicron 35mm v1 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Leica’s lens-making prowess. It’s a lens that transcends time, offering a blend of classic character and modern performance. While it may not possess the latest technological advancements found in contemporary lenses, its ability to render images with a distinctive warmth and depth is undeniable.

If you’re seeking a lens that captures the essence of a bygone era while delivering exceptional image quality, the Leica R Summicron 35mm v1 is a compelling choice.

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