35 Cron or lux

[Harrejesus]

Hi everybody.
I presently own a 35mm summilux that I'm very happy with. A chance to buy a 35mm summicron 4th version suddenly turned up and I'm tempted. Is the difference between these two lenses worth the price (€400)? Any one care to explain the differences and maybe motivate why it could be worth owning both. Any pictures comparing the two would be fantastic.

Thanks

 

[Bill Blackwell]

Both versions of the 35mm Summilux (pre-asph) are soft wide-open, but on par with the early (versions 1 - 3) 35mm Summicrons beyond f/1.4 stop-to-stop. The 4th version Summicron should be sharper wide-open through about f/4.

But I would say if you're happy with the Summilux to not make the change. Plus, assuming equal condition, the value of the Summilux is on par with that of the 4th version Summicron.

IMHO, there is no reason to have both.

 

[waileong]

No one buys the bokeh king because of its super sharpness. If you buy it, buy it for the bokeh and the minute size!

 

[maddoc]

I was in the same boat, had the 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH (very late German made version) for a year and was tempted by the 35mm Summicron IV. Having used and tested both, I finally sold the 35mm Summicron IV again. Size and handling of both lenses is comparable, but the Summilux (my copy) is better made, the 35mm Summicron feels a little bit "plastic"-made.

From my experience, at f/2.0, the Summilux is a tack sharper but has lower contrast compared with the 35mm Summicron. The lower contrast makes it appear "soft" but fine details are better resolved by the Summilux.

Practically, the Summicron offers a closer focusing distance (0.7m to 1m) and E39 threaded filter (the hood of the 35mm Summilux takes E49 threaded filters, though) but you loose on f-stop. The better choice is the 40mm Summicron-C (which I also had but sold to get the 35mm Summicron...:bang🙂, smaller, equivalent in terms of sharpness and contrast and much cheaper...

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[35mmdelux]

the 35 summilux pre-asph is a really nice lens, even up against the boke King. aside their respective signatures, the summilux is after all a stop faster, and as Gabor stated the Lux is more solid. This is a tough call. In my judgment I would not hesitate to own them both.

Presently I have both the 35 Summilux ASPH and the Summicron ASPH and I use them interchangeably depending on how I feel that day.

 

[thomasw_]

I own the v4 summicron and a summilux 35 asph. Completely different beasts and I love them both for their different rendering. The v4 cron is a tiny gem of a lens with very beautiful bokeh; truly you will love or hate it. The version 4 summicron 35 is my favourite carry around lens during an afternoon of shooting -- or, possibly tied with my elmar m 50; it is just so compact and an ergonomic joy to use. The summilux 35 asph is my normal night lens, fabulous up close at 1,4 to .7m and it affords a remarkable rendering of dark, shadow details. I have had no problems with my v4 or lux in terms of build quality; as both seem very solid and have positive mechanical movements.

 

[deepwhite]

What Gabor (maddoc) said. If it's both preASPH we're talking about here.

I was very happy with Cron IV, but after I got the Lux 35 preA and used both for a while, I'm considering selling the Cron IV. There might be some difference from f2, but it's just too insignificant in my eyes. Since I'm not a collector, I'll just keep the one with the extra f1.4 stop.

 

[Cron]

I agree, keep the one with the extra f-stop, you will not be disappointed.
I also had both, sold the Summicron IV and own the lux preasph

 

[Harrejesus]

Thanks everybody. I will pass the offer on to a friend who doesn't have a 35. I will keep the money for other purchases, maybe a 28 cron Asph or a better scanner or another body or...