35 Cron V4 Or ASPH

The ASPH is generally held to be extremely sharp even wide open, but with harsh bokeh. I've not used one, but I have the V4 and I like it a lot, I think its very good, even wide open, and it has the bokeh promised by the 'bokeh king' label it often gets from users.
 
the pre-asph "king of bokeh" myth has been repeatedly debunked. even mike johnston, who came up with the title, notes that it "Worsens considerably as focus gets closer and apertures get wider"

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/files/bokehrankings5.pdf

as far as bokeh goes, i'd get the asph if you use wider apertures a lot at close focus, the pre-asph if you use f4-5.6 more, or tend to shoot things that are farther away.
 
I have both and find the asph works better with b&w as I think it is quite contrasty and the v4 works better with color IMHO. I love the v4 and use it much more than the asph.
 
I've been thinking of selling my 35 cron v4 for an asph.

It's a bit soft at f2, and sharp at f2.8.
 
I have both and they're very close in performance. Most images I would not be able to tell one from another. I use the V4 more since it's noticeably lighter and shorter. You cant go wrong either way.
 
They've both very good. I've used the V4 and asph together with a lot of testing on the same cameras, and same film rolls. The asph has a more modern look, even the flare of it is a modern type of cinematic flare vs a glow like flare of the pre asph.

Side by side, the pre asphs feel much more compact. I use a V3 now, which flares even less than the V4, and much less than the asph.
 
Yadda yadda yadda...


Leica M8 + 35mm f/2 Summicron pre-asph wide-open at about 1m-2m


Leica M8 + 35mm f/2 Summicron pre-asph wide-open at 0.7m


I'll let a few snaps yaddi'up for themselves.
 
I sold my ASPH for a v4, mainly because I wanted less contrast for B&W. The v4 is smaller, just as sharp if you're shooting film, and has great resale value.
 
I have the 35mm v3. I like the bokeh just fine...

Lite bokeh

4280266087_35e3751be2_b.jpg
 
The v.4 is more compact and lighter than the Asph. The Asph is sharper wide open. The v. 4 is probably less expensive, although not hugely so as it's reputation keeps prices high. I have both, which is probably silly.

Ben Marks
 
Owned both. The sharpness of the ASPH is wonderful and the size of the older lens is a delight. As you know, neither will make a good photo bad, a bad photo good, or an ordinary photo anything but ordinary. I sold the ASPH as I enjoyed the compact size and using the v4. You really can't go wrong.
 
I'm very happy with the 35 lux asph, it gets by far the most time on the M9. Never shot the crons, they look great, but I'm too big a fan, and user of f1.4 to change. Here's one at 1/30, f1,4 iso 800.....Peter
120536445.jpg
 
the v3 has very nice build quality. it's a little jewel that would look great with a black chrome m4, m4-2, m4-p, or m5.
 
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