35mm Summ Asph v. Pre Asph

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napoleonesq

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I am using a CV 35 f1.4 and I am not overly happy with it...and I am considering Leica 35mm Summilux Asph coded but the best price i see is in mid $3k vs. Pre Asph version which I can find for less than half of that price.

My question is ... big performance difference? Does the price difference justify it? I am leaning more towards the Asph but I am just not sure what to do.
 
it might help if you explain what it is about your 35/1.4VC that you don't like... and the type of photography you do with it...

i only own the 35'cron v3 and it's optically as good as I'll ever need... @f2 through f8 and at all focus distances...
 
I did have a summicron which I sold to get a Nocti and i love that lens...but heavy to carry around on daily basis, and I want a fast wide angle...especially when I am using my M8.

As for the CV I seem to notice flare issues, and focusing issues at times...deep down though, I think I just want a Leica lens 🙂 lol
 
I had just sold my ASPH for $2100 in great shape. They are out there if you have patience.
One thing that may be important to some people is the closest focusing distance between the ASPH and the pre. If 1 meter is close enough for you, try the older one and see if you like it since it's so much cheaper
 
i'd still plan on around $2600 for a 35mm summilux asph.

not much point in switching from the nokton classic to the pre-asph, optically.

i would take advantage of the 35mm summicron asph's recent price drop. it's gone down from $1500 to around $1200-1300 in the last few months.
 
always remember, the bigger the element you have, the more prone to flare. that the reason manufacturers are still making smaller lens. every lens has its own purpose. if you want contrast get the asph. but if you want resolution get the older perhaps. also there is always a ratio on contrast:resolution.

for me I will choose the higher resolution. there's more detail. you can bring up some contrast if use condenser or mixing you chemicals little bit thicker.
 
Are you saying that pre-Asph lens will outperform the Asph lens--give higher resolution and the same contrast--simply if the right chemicals are used? Are the Asph lenses a total waste of Leica's engineering time and effort?
 
buckpago said:
always remember, the bigger the element you have, the more prone to flare. that the reason manufacturers are still making smaller lens. every lens has its own purpose. if you want contrast get the asph. but if you want resolution get the older perhaps. also there is always a ratio on contrast:resolution.

for me I will choose the higher resolution. there's more detail. you can bring up some contrast if use condenser or mixing you chemicals little bit thicker.
Click to expand...

Wow! Huge breath of fresh knowledge. So this is why they make lenses so small, for top notch quality?
Mixing chemicals thicker? I never thought of that... And usually, a condenser reduces the contrast, but I'm a newbie to all this stuff so I'm unsure.

Post more, we can always learn more!
 
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napoleonesq said:
I am using a CV 35 f1.4 and I am not overly happy with it...and I am considering Leica 35mm Summilux Asph coded but the best price i see is in mid $3k vs. Pre Asph version which I can find for less than half of that price.

My question is ... big performance difference? Does the price difference justify it? I am leaning more towards the Asph but I am just not sure what to do.
Click to expand...

The CV 35/1.4 is a partially improved 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH. Less coma, less prone to flare but "harsher" out-of-focus areas. I don't know if the slightly curvature of the focus plane wide open has also been corrected.

If you are a fan of the Noctilux, go for the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH, they are quite identical (.. or have similar flaws 😉). When corner to corner sharpness and higher contrast at f/1.4 is what you look for, the 35mm Summilux ASPH is your best choice.
 
J J Kapsberger said:
Are you saying that pre-Asph lens will outperform the Asph lens--give higher resolution and the same contrast--simply if the right chemicals are used? Are the Asph lenses a total waste of Leica's engineering time and effort?
Click to expand...


oh, did I said "same contrast" or "some contrast"? 😕
 
I trade out alot of gear but never the 35 Lux ASPH. This one stays.

There are some really great deals on the 35 Cron ASPH right now. Im running a silver version on my MP when not the Lux ASPH. I wouldn't dismiss it out of hand. I shoot with the 35 Cron ASPH when I want to run a compact rig.

I bought the 35 Lux ASPH the second time last year at $2250 -- mint complete. Three yrs ago I bought one for $1650. Lately the prices are holding pretty strong from what Ive seen.
 
igorcamera.com has a 35 Summilux asph for $2350 - you'd still need to get it coded, but that would still come in a long way under $3k, especially if you got DAG to code it.

Marty
 
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