35/2 Biogon ZM sell off?

I am guessing:
1. non-asph summicron price is dropping (by 15-20%)
2. cv 35/1.2 , 35/1.4 are becoming more popular.
3. biogon is not ideal for people who are looking for "pocket"size combo.
.
.
.
 
I'd guess that fbf's post is about right. For those who value size (and/or the Leica badge), switching to summicrons as their price drops is a motivation and, for those who aren't bothered by the size of the Biogon, the CVs offer a speed increase in about the same sized package. I wouldn't let it deter you from buying a Biogon, if that's worrying you, Florian. They are wonderful lenses and now may be the time to get one at a bargain if lots of people are selling ;-)
 
Papercut said:
For those who value size (and/or the Leica badge), switching to summicrons as their price drops is a motivation and, for those who aren't bothered by the size of the Biogon, the CVs offer a speed increase in about the same sized package.
Click to expand...

Compared to the ZM Biogon 35/2, the CV Nokton 35/1.4 offers a stop increase in a noticably smaller package (the exact reason I switched from the Biogon 35/2 to the Nokton 35/1.4).

BTW there was recently a thread about the great CV Nokton 35/1.4 sell off ;)
 
:O i've never held the Nokton -- just assumed that the extra stop meant some degree of size comparability -- my bad!

lesson being: lens fads come, lens fads go -- ignore them and use what works for you! :D

btw, i love that sign in your avatar jonmanjiro! too funny
 
Last edited:
fbf said:
I am guessing:
1. non-asph summicron price is dropping (by 15-20%)
2. cv 35/1.2 , 35/1.4 are becoming more popular.
3. biogon is not ideal for people who are looking for "pocket"size combo.
.
.
.
Click to expand...

or it's just the economy.
 
Exactly. This is a gear forum. How many ads have you read that start with, "I bought this a couple months back from a fellow RFF member...." I think there are a ton of these for sale now, but it's probably more coincidence then anything else. A couple months back there were a ton of Hex 50s for sale. Next month it will be something else.
 
jonmanjiro said:
Compared to the ZM Biogon 35/2, the CV Nokton 35/1.4 offers a stop increase in a noticably smaller package (the exact reason I switched from the Biogon 35/2 to the Nokton 35/1.4).

BTW there was recently a thread about the great CV Nokton 35/1.4 sell off ;)
Click to expand...

I think:

Economy
There are lots of ZM biogons out there so if people sell up there are lots to be sold!
Maybe, maybe, the other lenses are having an impact but I see mroe summicrons for sale than ever before too, so I don't buy that one.

There are smaller lenses out there, but arguably none that perform as well in the same price bracket. The V4 Cron is still 75-100% more than a used Biogon. The 35 1.4 CV is smaller & faster, but arguably a far less accomplished all round performer. If speed and size are the priority, then it is simple. However, I doubt this is driving the numbers on the market. The 35 1.4 has been out there long enough and has hardly set the world alight.
 
My black 35mm Biogon is on here because I just bought a second 35mm biogon, but in silver and with caps. So, technically, I am not really getting rid of my Biogon.
 
notturtle said:
The 35 1.4 CV is smaller & faster, but arguably a far less accomplished all round performer. If speed and size are the priority, then it is simple. However, I doubt this is driving the numbers on the market. The 35 1.4 has been out there long enough and has hardly set the world alight.
Click to expand...

The Biogon 35/2 is an excellent lens, but I don't know about the CV 35/1.4 being a far less accomplished performer. At f/1.4 the CV 35/1.4 is without a doubt the better lens ;)
 
Last edited:
I've noticed the Biogon sell-off too! I'm thinking of selling mine but I'm going to wait until there aren't a couple in the classifieds already. I use 35mm so rarely I feel bad about keeping it around. The proceeds will help pay for my plane ticket to London in a couple of months.
 
I noticed a number for sale here, and did a little price-checking. I have one and like it well enough that I brought it as a main lens with the M8 on an overseas trip last year, no coding and no IR filter. Interesting lesson in magenta! But the pics were very pleasing otherwise!

So I just used it recently on a Hexar RF just back from repair (saleslady photo below as we shopped for lighting, ~f2.4 slow shutter), and now it's sent off for 6-bit coding along with a couple of wider ZM lenses. I think it has a very clean smooth look, and plan to keep it around despite the 1.4 Nokton SC and a new Summilux Asph.
 

Attachments

  • 090306-12big.jpg
    090306-12big.jpg
    43 KB · Views: 0
So far this lens is far superior to my ability. It's hard to be satisfied with so many toys out there, but in this economy I am learning. It seems as if gear freaks ( which I include myself) are always looking for the next fix, that part of the fun of this journey.
 
I'm trying to sell mine because I don't use 35 much at all. I started with a 50 a couple years ago, found it was too tight. So I got a 35 and used it for a year straight. I enjoyed it a lot, but found that it was often too tight, or too wide. So I got a 28 and now use that in combination with the 50 and am very happy. The ZM 35 is an awesome lens, just the wrong focal length for me.
 
I think the reality is people are unloading gear due to the current worldwide economic enema. Cool lenses are one thing, paying the rent is something else.

I would love a 35 f2 Biogon lens but can't afford it at the moment. Like a lot of other people I am between opportunities.
 
Well, it turned out that I bought one now. It arrived yesterday (actually on monday, but the mail man came when I had to work). Looks very good, but maybe has a tiny scratch on the front element. I'm not sure. We will see.
I think I'll be happy with it.
 
Florian1234 said:
Well, it turned out that I bought one now. It arrived yesterday (actually on monday, but the mail man came when I had to work). Looks very good, but maybe has a tiny scratch on the front element. I'm not sure. We will see.
I think I'll be happy with it.
Click to expand...

Congrats. it's a nice lens. I love mine
I remember there was a topic somewhere here with comparison of 35/2 CZ and 35/2 Cron asph. As far as I remember the comparison was in fov Biogon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom