3k Plus - 35 Cron IV vs Voigtlanders

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Ddbowdoin

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Cost savings are insane here… have to assume many have struggled with Leica glass costs vs 3rd party.

For background: I only shoot black and white film. My printing method is optical printing only.
 
Which Voigtlanders are you comparing the Cron iv against? If it's the new/ current Voigtlanders, then I suppose the extra cost of the Cron (apart from the badge of course) comes down to how much ones likes it's rendering to warrant that. It does render differently to the new/ current Voigtlanders, so you could say it's a mater of taste.
 
LTM Ultron 35 1.7 asph i had was very good lens on darkroom prints . Comparing to Color Skopars. I had all three versions.
But for me nothing comes close to Summarit-M 35 2.5. I knew it from very first print.
Yet, Summarons 35 3.5 have something as well.
I can't remember if I ever tried Nokton 35 1.4 II on darkroom prints, before I quit.
 
Ddbowdoin said:
Cost savings are insane here… have to assume many have struggled with Leica glass costs vs 3rd party.

For background: I only shoot black and white film. My printing method is optical printing only.
Click to expand...


If you want a Leica lens and want to save money, look for a 35mm Summarit-M. They made two versions, an f2.5 and later an f2.4. Optically they're identical; but the f2.4 version is built a little better and is a little larger. I have the f2.4 version and it is insanely sharp. Superior to the version IV Summicron, and it has really good bokeh, too. They typically sell for around $1500 used.


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There are also 50mm, 75mm, and 90mm versions of this lens. I have all but the 75, and all three are amazing lenses that sell for far less than the Summicron versions of each focal length.
 
Zuiko-logist said:
Is the Skopar 35/2.5 comparable to the Summarit M?
Click to expand...

No, not even close. I had a 35/2.5 Color-Skopar and kept it about 2 weeks before selling it. I have a friend who shoots with one and he has never been happy with the fine detail resolution. It is less sharp, vignettes more, and has harsh tonal rendering compared to the Leica Summarit-M. The only two good things about the Voigtlander are that it is cheap and tiny. The Leica lens is fairly large for a lens of its focal length and aperture, especially the f2.4 version. The image quality is worth the size though.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
No, not even close. I had a 35/2.5 Color-Skopar and kept it about 2 weeks before selling it. I have a friend who shoots with one and he has never been happy with the fine detail resolution. It is less sharp, vignettes more, and has harsh tonal rendering compared to the Leica Summarit-M. The only two good things about the Voigtlander are that it is cheap and tiny. The Leica lens is fairly large for a lens of its focal length and aperture, especially the f2.4 version. The image quality is worth the size though.
Click to expand...
Interesting, thank you.
 
I have the VM 35mm 1.7 Ultron and I think that optically it is really good. Another thing is handling and using it, but I love it on the M5 and on the X-T3.
 
Chriscrawfordphoto said:
No, not even close. I had a 35/2.5 Color-Skopar and kept it about 2 weeks before selling it. I have a friend who shoots with one and he has never been happy with the fine detail resolution. It is less sharp, vignettes more, and has harsh tonal rendering compared to the Leica Summarit-M. The only two good things about the Voigtlander are that it is cheap and tiny. The Leica lens is fairly large for a lens of its focal length and aperture, especially the f2.4 version. The image quality is worth the size though.
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2.5 is awesome. Same same size as Cron 35 ASPH. Filter size is classic 39mm.
Comparing to VM lenses ergonomics are superior and my 2.5 is not falling appart as CSs after long term use. Well, Ultron 35 1.7 LTM also developed wobble, has to be tighten up.
 
I liked the 35 mm Summicron IV when I had it, but at the time, it was an ~800 USD lens, and I thought I was getting away with robbery when I sold it for around 1700. Much of it's reputation seems based on 1990s articles by Mike Johnston and Harold Merklinger, which did much to introduce English-speaking enthusiasts with the concept of "bokeh".

But IMO, much has changed since the 1990s! Today, lens designers are keenly aware that good bokeh sells new lenses, and as a result, they prioritize it, at least in the higher-grade products. Not sure where the small size / nice bokeh sweet spot for Cosina Voigtlander is: The mid-line Heliar lenses perhaps? Am a bit embarassed to admit that I have a brand-new 40 mm Heliar on hand, and have not yet tested it at all: So many pleasant distractions these days!
 
JeffS7444 said:
I liked the 35 mm Summicron IV when I had it, but at the time, it was an ~800 USD lens, and I thought I was getting away with robbery when I sold it for around 1700. Much of it's reputation seems based on 1990s articles by Mike Johnston and Harold Merklinger, which did much to introduce English-speaking enthusiasts with the concept of "bokeh".

But IMO, much has changed since the 1990s! Today, lens designers are keenly aware that good bokeh sells new lenses, and as a result, they prioritize it, at least in the higher-grade products. Not sure where the small size / nice bokeh sweet spot for Cosina Voigtlander is: The mid-line Heliar lenses perhaps? Am a bit embarassed to admit that I have a brand-new 40 mm Heliar on hand, and have not yet tested it at all: So many pleasant distractions these days!
Click to expand...
Prices today just continue to go up and up and up. V4’s fetching 3 grand now.
 
2c the cron has better global contrast whereas summarit has better micro contrast imo. So cron has punchier tones vs crisper detail. Cron would suit more street photography that's more dramatic than landscape/ environmental imo

Get what suits your style.
 
I am a little confused as to what OP is asking.

Judging by the title of the thread, is the topic: if you had over $3,000 to spend on lens/lenses, what are the comparative advantages/disadvantages of a version 4 35mm Summicron vs Voigtlander 35mm lenses?

Umm, if that's the question - you could buy the entire Voigtlander 35mm line-up (or close to it, if you shop smart) and then you'd have six really good lenses vs. one version 4 cron that has plastic inside being worn out from decades of potential use.
 
No one has mentioned the Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f2.0 Vintage series. I got the first version of this lens shortly after it was released and have been v happy w its sharpness, flare control, and bokeh. There’s a thread on RFF on this lens and it found favor w members who tried it. I wonder how it stacks up to the 35 summicron and 35 summarit.
 
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