50 or 35 summicron pre-asph

[venchka]

Black_Box,

If it helps any, I am agonizing over the same decision.

If you are leaning toward one of the earlier 35mm Summicrons, do not look at the photo posted by KM-25 here...

Summicron+Kodachrome

Remember, you were warned. 😀

 

[venchka]

Overnight somebody got a version 2 35mm Summicron with rear cap only for $760 on ebay.

 

[Crasis]

Black_Box,

If it helps any, I am agonizing over the same decision.

If you are leaning toward one of the earlier 35mm Summicrons, do not look at the photo posted by KM-25 here...

Summicron+Kodachrome

Remember, you were warned. 😀

Now the question is, is it impossible to get that with any other lens? I'm betting that most might say yes, but it looks like a shot that could be accomplished with any Nikon or Canon lens. In fact, I'm pretty much convinced that he just took an amazing shot and it wouldn't have mattered what he took it with. If you own that lens, it does not mean that you will produce such a shot.

My salute goes to KM-25, not his lens.

Anyways, with the older Summicrons, get the ones that are from Canada. They tend to be cheaper because they're not AWESOME GERMAN COLLECTIBLE BLAAAAH, but they're the same optics and build quality as the German lenses. (Aren't the German lenses now made in Portugal and shipped back to Germany to be stamped with Made in Germany now?) Of course, for what black_box is shooting, I still recommend getting the ASPH and not any of the pre-asphs.

 

[black_box]

I really am leaning towards an ASHP, I shoot big apertures alot. Alot of indoors/dusk/etc. ambient light shots, and never use film faster than 400. Its just that the price jump is so big, a great deal on an ASHP is $1300 whereas a regular deal on a ver. 3 pre-ASHP is around $600 (ish). Its a matter of being convinced that having sharper details away from the center in big apertures is worth the extra $700...

 

[Crasis]

I really am leaning towards an ASHP, I shoot big apertures alot. Alot of indoors/dusk/etc. ambient light shots, and never use film faster than 400. Its just that the price jump is so big, a great deal on an ASHP is $1300 whereas a regular deal on a ver. 3 pre-ASHP is around $600 (ish). Its a matter of being convinced that having sharper details away from the center in big apertures is worth the extra $700...

Yeah, unfortunately that's a decision that only you and your wallet can decide upon. It's not just sharper details away from the center. For you, what you're interested in is more contrast for more vivid colour photography.

Anyways, it's between you and your wallet now 😀

 

[black_box]

Exactly... I know I want an ASHP but I found a v3 pre-ashp. What Im going to do is get it and see if it impresses, while I start a 'ASHP side fund'. If the results arent satisfying, I can sell it and get the ASPH and if not, the ASHP side fund just became the film scanner fund.

Most painless trial and error I can think of at least...

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[venchka]

Exactly... I know I want an ASHP but I found a v3 pre-ashp. What Im going to do is get it and see if it impresses, while I start a 'ASHP side fund'. If the results arent satisfying, I can sell it and get the ASPH and if not, the ASHP side fund just became the film scanner fund.

Most painless trial and error I can think of at least...

Ah! The voice of reason. Is that allowed here? 😀 Thanks for your thoughts. That does make sense. Now if only I could find one of the ver. 2-3 twins for $600-$700.

 

[xabi]

Hi Blackbox,

I've used both 35mm summicron v.4 and 35mm Summilux ASPH so I can share my opinion with you.

If I had the money, I would get the ASPH lens.

Sharpness is not the only advantage of the ASPH lenses. The other two are close-up performance and flare-resistance. I've used the 35 cron pre-asph and I found that the images it produced were quite soft at close-focus, while those by 35 lux ASPH were still sharp and contrary.

The bokeh of ASPH lens, in my opinion, is quite good too. (see the examples below, both images were not in focus because of the M6 viewfinder flare)

This is only my opinion. I'm sure others might or might not agree. Good luck with your choice. You can't go wrong with any leica lens.

Jeff

 

[xabi]

Here's an example of what I mean "soft" close-up performance of the 35mm cv4 cron.

The first picture was taken with the 35mm cron wide-open and close to the closest focus. The second one was taken with a 50 lux at f/2, at roughly the same distance. (I wasn't intented to test the lenses, so they weren't the same). To me, the picture by the 35mm cron is quite soft. The bokeh isn't the best either.

But this is only my opinion, and I'm not particularly interested in the technical details of lenses.

Jeff

 

[Crasis]

Here's an example of what I mean "soft" close-up performance of the 35mm cv4 cron.

The first picture was taken with the 35mm cron wide-open and close to the closest focus. The second one was taken with a 50 lux at f/2, at roughly the same distance. (I wasn't intented to test the lenses, so they weren't the same). To me, the picture by the 35mm cron is quite soft. The bokeh isn't the best either.

But this is only my opinion, and I'm not particularly interested in the technical details of lenses.

Jeff

My rangefinder coupling doesn't go closer than 0.7m so I can't actually test the closest focus of the lens and have it be right on. Stupid lens shouldn't go closer then 0.7.

 

[black_box]

l think Ive only been considering what lens I would want if I were sitting infront of a subject to be photographed... and my style says ASHP. But when you think real world use, I have to carry this stuff around and I stick to a minimalistic approach to that. At most a very small CD case (a bag that says leica/tamrac/etc just says 'steal me') ... ideally I just fit it in my jacket pocket.

I wonder where the CV 35 nokton 1.4 MC plays into this. Any thoughts?

 

[back alley]

i don't think there is a cv 35/1.4

cv 35/1.2 or 1.7 or 2.?

there is the 40/1.4.

 

[venchka]

i don't think there is a cv 35/1.4

cv 35/1.2 or 1.7 or 2.?

there is the 40/1.4.

Even if purchased new, I think all of those would fit in a slightly larger CD case with change in your pocket. Relative to the 35 Summicron ASPH 😀

 

[black_box]

i don't think there is a cv 35/1.4

cv 35/1.2 or 1.7 or 2.?

there is the 40/1.4.

Typo... not used to talking about a 40 on an M.

But about that 40 nokton... Ive seen great results, well let me reword that. Considering you can get it for under $400 brand new, Ive seen awesome results. Plus it fits my small-size requirements. I may have found a winner. Anything bad I dont know about? Also how do you go about a 40 on a M? Heard something about filing and etc.
Im not like the usual, I have no problem accepting that a new $350 lens without leitz written on it could match or outperform a $700 35 year old lens, if thats the case. My priorities are-- 45% performance, 35% small size, 20% low cost, 0% hype.

 

[back alley]

some do not care for the oof area on the 40 wide open.

these people have too much time on their hands😉

 

[venchka]

Don't overlook the 40 Summicron-C either. Don't you have one joe?

 

[back alley]

sold it as an 'as is' lens and the new owner seems pleased as can be with it.

joe